Sherline Tools Is Going Out of Business
Recorded: Sept. 20, 2026, 4 p.m.
| Original | Summarized |
Sherline Tools is Going Out of Business ToolGuydTool Reviews, New Tool Previews, Best Tool Guides, Tool Deals, and More! Best Cordless Power Tool Brand Hand Tools Bit Holders & Drivers Power Tools Accessories Brands Bosch USA-Made Sherline Tools, a USA manufacturer known for precision lathes, mills, micro-machining accessories, and more recently small CNC machines, has announced that they are “winding down manufacturing operations.” Sherline Products, Inc. has begun the process of winding down manufacturing operations Advertisement When we took over the company in 2017… we invested in new products and designs, modernized our computer systems and manufacturing processes Unfortunately, the manufacturing environment has changed dramatically. The effects of COVID, increasing manufacturing and operating costs, and significant changes in consumer purchasing habits have made it increasingly difficult for a small American manufacturer such as Sherline to maintain the workforce and production levels necessary to remain competitive. we have reached the very difficult conclusion that continuing manufacturing operations is no longer sustainable We plan to continue building and selling machines, tooling, accessories, and replacement parts to the extent our remaining equipment, materials, staffing, and inventory allow through the end of October [2026]. Some manufacturing operations, particularly those requiring our larger production equipment, will necessarily end sooner some products may become unavailable before others Advertisement We plan to maintain an online presence and make replacement parts available as inventory permits. We will also continue to address warranty issues in accordance with our warranty obligations. Sherline emphases that they won’t simply disappear or leave customers without support. They also say they will maintain their archive of technical and educational information and resources. We are not sure of the actual final day, but it would suffice to say that by the end of the year at the latest, Sherline will no longer be in business. Such sad news for a storied USA micro-machining brand. More Info via Sherline Related posts: Another Save by My Fastener Assortment Midwest Blackout Series Aviation Snips I Need to Vent About My Precision Matthews Mill New Nestworks C500 Desktop CNC Looks Amazing Sections: CNC Machines, Machinist Tools, Made in USA, Metalworking Tags: lathes 13 Comments Aram Joe Martin will be rolling over in his grave: Reply jack brown What a sad and surprising moment. I have long had one of their miniature lathes and a miniature mill. Beautiful little pieces of equipment. Reply Stuart According to the owner’s posting on Facebook, there simply wasn’t enough money being made. They targeted specific needs with new products, and each category saw small growth that together wasn’t bringing in enough money. Reply Brad J There’s a huge market for small machines. They failed to innovate. Reply TJ Cornish This is a huge bummer. I have much of their traditional catalog and use the lathe regularly. Agree on not innovating – their CNC tools were not competitive. Reply MM It’s always sad to see an American manufacturer close their doors, but I can’t say that I am surprised. Reply Stuart In their Facebook post, the owner laments that Sherline fell behind in search rankings behind cheap import machines. But what did they do to change this? What did they do to spark conversations? Reply MM I’m not really sure what they could have done. If they added features that professional users expect they have now priced themselves out of the hobby market. Reply Stuart There is a lot they could have done with respect to product explorations, but very little without considerable investment. Reply WillAdams Aren’t the cooltools folks pushing the educational (and also toy) angle hard? Reply Al I am amazed that today, the Covid excuse is still being used. But having said that, I would think (but dont know for fact) the market for small scale machines and tooling is growing. Reply CMF The 2 year mark is usually the time allotted to a business as having made it. For every single business that makes it, I do not have statistics to what the exact amount is, but be it 20, 50, or over 100 businesses do not make it. Reply Kurt I was lucky enough to find a pair of Sherline (branded Craftsman) machines at a used tool dealer back in the mid-80’s. Not only did I get the lathe, but also a milling machine, lots of tooling and even a spare mill column for a great price. I’ve used them since with no problems. If I had a question I could call the factory and get support right away. Reply Δ Mail Newsletter Recent Comments Recent Posts New Tool Reviews Buying Guides Home |
Sherline Tools, a former USA manufacturer specializing in precision lathes, mills, micro-machining accessories, and small CNC machines, has announced that it is winding down its manufacturing operations. This decision stems from the difficulty in sustaining production levels necessary for competitiveness due to shifts in the manufacturing environment, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, rising operating costs, and changes in consumer purchasing habits. The company has concluded that continuing manufacturing operations is no longer sustainable. Sherline stated that they plan to continue building and selling machines, tooling, accessories, and replacement parts until the end of October 2026, though some manufacturing operations, particularly those requiring larger equipment, will cease sooner, and some products may become unavailable before others. The company intends to maintain an online presence, offer replacement parts where inventory permits, and continue honoring warranty obligations, while also noting that they will preserve their archive of technical and educational resources and say goodbye to employees. The overall tone suggests a cessation of production, with equipment being removed from service, indicating an effective shutdown. The commentary following the announcement provided several perspectives on the company’s trajectory and challenges. Many participants noted that the decline was linked to a failure to innovate and adequately adapt to the market. Some suggested that the company failed to achieve sufficient growth in specific product categories, particularly in the small machine market, where competition from cheaper Asian imports was intense. Critics argued that Sherline did not innovate sufficiently, especially concerning their CNC tools, which were perceived as uncompetitive against newer desktop CNC machines. Furthermore, some observers speculated that the company faced insurmountable pressure from lower pricing offered by foreign imports and the rise of alternative tools such as 3D printers and desktop lasers, which captured market share. One line of analysis suggested that Sherline could have shifted its focus toward the educational sector. It was proposed that small, low-power machines are ideal for STEM education and that promoting the "Made in USA" aspect could have provided a competitive advantage over imports, emphasizing local support and spare parts availability for schools. However, this potential strategy was noted as being derailed by external factors, such as the impact of school closures. Despite suggestions regarding product exploration and market engagement, the community expressed a sense of sadness regarding the closure of a storied American micro-machining brand. Ultimately, the situation highlights the challenges small manufacturers face in competing against global pricing and rapid technological innovation, emphasizing that adapting and innovating effectively is crucial for business survival. |