Machinist Turns Skill Into Labor Of Love

Machining helps drive industry in America. Without precision-made parts, many of the products that people rely on day in and day out wouldn't function properly for very long -- if at all.

The process involves the use of a wide variety of machine tools to cut or form material, usually metal, to precise shapes and dimensions, according to the National Tooling and Machining Association, an industry trade group. As with many other trades, becoming a skilled machinist takes years of practice and dedication.