Understanding Precision Machining
When a component needs to fit exactly, there’s no room for approximation. For contractors, farmers, manufacturers, and workshop operators across Auckland and Waikato, access to precision machining means custom parts made to specification, obsolete components replicated accurately, and critical repairs completed without compromise.
Wallace Heron provides in-house precision machining from our Pukekohe workshop. Our experienced machinists work with modern equipment to produce components with tight tolerances—whether it’s a one-off replacement part, a prototype for a new design, or a batch run for ongoing production. We understand that precision isn’t just about numbers on a drawing; it’s about parts that fit, function, and last.
How precision machining works
Precision machining is the process of removing material from a workpiece to create a component with accurate dimensions and surface finish. The two primary methods are:
Turning (lathe work) – The workpiece rotates while a cutting tool removes material. Turning produces cylindrical components such as shafts, bushes, sleeves, spacers, and pins. It’s also used for facing, boring, threading, and creating internal features.
Milling – The cutting tool rotates while the workpiece is held stationary or moved on multiple axes. Milling produces flat surfaces, slots, pockets, keyways, and complex shapes that can’t be achieved through turning alone.
Modern machining equipment allows precise control over dimensions, often to tolerances measured in hundredths of a millimetre. This accuracy is essential for parts that must fit with other components, operate under load, or maintain alignment over time.
Common problems we see
Customers come to us with a wide range of machining requirements. Some of the most common include:
Worn or damaged shafts and bushes. Bearings, seals, and rotating components wear over time. Machining allows worn surfaces to be restored or replacement parts manufactured to original specifications.
Obsolete or discontinued parts. When OEM parts are no longer available, machining offers a solution. If you have a worn original or accurate drawings, we can replicate components that would otherwise force equipment retirement.
Custom components for modifications or repairs. Not every job uses off-the-shelf parts. Adapters, spacers, mounting plates, and purpose-built fittings often need to be machined to suit specific applications.
Parts requiring tighter tolerances than standard supply. Stock components don’t always meet the accuracy required for critical applications. Precision machining ensures parts perform as intended.
Our machining process
When you bring a job to Wallace Heron, we start by understanding what’s needed. This might involve reviewing drawings, measuring an existing component, or discussing the application so we can advise on the best approach.
For replacement parts, we can work from original components—measuring critical dimensions and replicating the part in appropriate material. For new designs, we work from your drawings or specifications, clarifying any details before machining begins.
Material selection depends on the application. We machine a range of metals including steel, stainless steel, aluminium, brass, and bronze, as well as engineering plastics where appropriate. Our machinists select tooling and parameters to achieve the required finish and tolerances.
Every part is measured and checked before it leaves the workshop. For critical dimensions, we verify accuracy to ensure the component will fit and function as intended.
Internal link opportunity: Where hydraulic components require accurate measurement, inspection, or machined replacement parts—such as piston rods, glands, or cylinder bodies—our Hydraulic Ram Repairs & Hose Services team works closely with our machinists to restore equipment to full function.
One-off parts, prototypes, and batch runs
Precision machining at Wallace Heron isn’t limited to high-volume production. We handle:
One-off components – A single replacement bush, a custom adapter, or a unique fitting made to your exact requirements. No minimum orders, no setup fees that make small jobs uneconomical.
Prototypes – When you’re developing a new product or testing a design, we can produce prototype components for fit and function testing before committing to larger production.
Batch runs – For ongoing requirements, we produce consistent batches of components to your specifications. Repeat orders benefit from established setups and documented processes.
This flexibility makes precision machining practical for businesses of all sizes—from farmers needing a single obsolete part to manufacturers requiring regular component supply.
Internal link opportunity: Where machined parts need to be welded into assemblies or integrated with fabricated structures, our Welding & Fabrication service completes the job in-house.
Why precision matters
The difference between a part that works and one that fails often comes down to accuracy. A bush that’s slightly oversize won’t press in. A shaft that’s undersize will wear prematurely. A thread that’s out of tolerance won’t seal properly.
Precision machining eliminates these problems by producing components to the tolerances they actually require. This isn’t about achieving unnecessary accuracy—it’s about matching the precision to the application so parts fit correctly, wear evenly, and perform reliably over their service life.
Wallace Heron’s machinists have the experience to interpret drawings, understand functional requirements, and deliver parts that work in practice—not just on paper.
Bring your machining jobs to Wallace Heron
Whether you need a single replacement part or ongoing production support, Wallace Heron offers local precision machining without the lead times of city-based shops. Our experienced team handles everything from straightforward turning jobs to more complex multi-operation components, with the accuracy and finish your application demands.
Internal link opportunity: Where damaged mounts, brackets, or structural components are involved alongside machining work, our Welding & Fabrication team can repair or fabricate new parts to complete the job.
Precision Machining — Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
Do you offer mobile machining or on-site services? All precision machining is carried out in-store at Wallace Heron in Pukekohe. We are not a mobile service. Machining requires workshop-based equipment to achieve the tolerances and finish quality our customers expect.
What materials can you machine? We work with a range of metals including steel, stainless steel, aluminium, brass, and bronze. We also machine engineering plastics such as nylon and acetal for applications requiring non-metallic components.
Can you replicate a part if I bring in the original? Yes. If you have a worn or damaged component, we can measure the critical dimensions and machine a replacement. The better condition the original is in, the more accurately we can replicate it—but we regularly work with worn parts and use our experience to determine original specifications.
What tolerances can you achieve? Our equipment and machinists are capable of working to tight tolerances suitable for engineering, manufacturing, and repair applications. Specific tolerances depend on the component and material—let us know your requirements and we’ll confirm what’s achievable.
Do you have minimum order quantities? No. We regularly produce one-off components for repairs and custom applications. Whether you need a single bush or a batch of fifty, we can help.
