Fastco Fundamentals: Inside the Fastco Tool Room
In the fast paced landscape of manufacturing fasteners, precision isn’t just a goal of ours but a requirement. At Fastco, we have always found that the best way to guarantee that precision is to keep it under our own roof. Our in-house tool room is the backbone of our operation, allowing us to innovate, solve problems in real time, and deliver exceptional value to our customers.
This week on Fastco Fundamentals we sat down with the team to discuss the “why and “how” behind our tooling process.
The Big Picture: Why In-House Tooling?
Q. Why does Fastco choose to design and manufacture tooling in-house instead of outsourcing?
Our ability to experiment and try new things is a massive driver. The innovation it takes to create some of the tools we make is amazing and manufacturing in-house allows us to save significant time on the floor and helps reduce costs.
Q. From your perspective, what’s the biggest advantage of controlling this process internally?
It all comes down to turnaround time. Being able to have tools ready "at will" rather than waiting on lead times ensures we can get parts made efficiently. We can respond to repairs and issues immediately, which gives us a much better understanding of how those tools should function on the headers.
Our Goal of Precision, Quality Control, and Consistency
Q. How does in-house tooling directly influence the part quality?
Outsourcing can be a great option, but it can mean losing control over specific tolerances and quality standards we hold. By keeping it in-house, we ensure the quality and lifespan of our tools are much higher. We work hand-in-hand with setup technicians and engineers to ensure every tool works exactly as intended.
Q. What steps do you take to ensure tooling meets tight tolerances before production?
We utilize a rigorous triple check system.
Sign-offs: All tool prints are signed off to ensure initial tolerances are correct.
Second Check: A secondary review to double verify accuracy
Final Check: A final verification by our purchasing coordinator to ensure everything meets exact specifications before hitting the production floor.
Speed and Lead Time Advantages
Q. How does having tooling in-house this reduce lead times for our customers?
The difference is night and day. Where outsourcing can take weeks or months to arrive, we can modify or repair tools in a matter of hours if necessary. There have been many instances where a machine needed tool repair and we were able to take from inventory to replace it or quickly repair the tool so that the machine could be back up and running without much downtime.
Engineering Collaboration & Unique Capabilities
Q. How does your team collaborate with engineering on custom parts?
We bridge the gap between on paper and real life. We work with the engineering team to ensure that custom tools are not only possible to build but are also economical to produce.
Q. Are there any capabilities customers might not expect us to have?
One unique capability we have is the ability to produce tri-lobular/lock thread tools in-house. By utilizing our Weldon CNC ID Grinding Machine, we can create these specialized inserts ourselves. Most importantly, its high level of precision allows us to get an exemplary surface finish, improving the performance of these tools.
Controlling Costs and Reducing Waste
Q. How does the Tool Room help control costs for Fastco and our customers?
We can effectively track the price of materials, machinery, and scrap. Since the cost of materials like carbide has doubled since 2025, being selective in our spending and avoiding excess outsourcing fees is vital. We can also reuse tooling to limit waste and keep quotes competitive.
Pride in the Craft
Q. What’s something people outside the industry might not realize about tooling?
It’s not just as simple as from print to tool. There is an immense amount of customization and complexity involved. It takes a long time to learn the intricacies of this job; not everyone can do it.
Q. What part of your work makes you most proud?
There is a lot of pride in keeping things flowing smoothly. If the tools aren't ready or made properly, the whole operation stops. We take pride in understanding the process, making quality tools, and having the opportunity to share that knowledge with others on the team. When a customer chooses us, they are choosing unmatched quality and the confidence that we aren't just trying to get things out the door.
The Fastco Tool Room team is more than just a department; it is the heartbeat of our manufacturing process. By maintaining complete control over our tooling, we can ensure that every job we produce meets the quality and tight tolerances our customers have come to expect. By having this internal expertise it allows us to quote at competitive prices, while also providing a level of confidence that simply cannot be found when trying to rely on outside suppliers.
Ultimately, our team takes immense pride in their craft, from experimenting with new designs and keeping the flow of operations moving smoothly. When you choose to partner with Fastco you're getting the precision, speed, and dedication of a team that strives for excellence from the ground up.
