Ian Wallace and Stan Robinson, combined, have more than half a century of direct experience in the machining trades. Each have a strong urge to help others entering this very worthwhile field of endeavor. This book is a result of those desires.
Ian Wallace entered the trade in a small town called Hednesford, in England and found very quickly that he was somewhat of a natural when it came to learning and adapting the many skills associated with being a machinist. He was very fortunate in joining the trade at a time when it was in a state of transition. Conventional (manual) machines were being replaced by Numerically Controlled equipment. Soon after Numerical Control was being replaced by Computer Numerical Control. The speeds, feeds, and overall capabilities of the machines improved tremendously and Ian grew along with them. Starting in machine operation, then to machine setter, programmer, Project Engineer, and Production Engineer. Ian loved what he was doing and developed a desire to teach others. In 1996 Ian and his family moved to Canada where he gained employment as a Group Leader, with a precision machining company (B.C. Instruments) in Schomberg, Ontario. As group leader he was able to dedicate more time to showing others what he had learned over the years. This fueled a secret desire that he had held for some time to write a book that could be used by anyone studying to enter the trade or by those already in the trade but still in the early stages of developing their skills. link to more info

Stan specialized in the trade while attending Widdifield Secondary School in North Bay, Ontario. Fortune would also play a roll in his development. The first piece of good fortune was being able to study under Journeyman, Tool and Die maker, teacher, and mentor, Mr. Harley Drew. Mr. Drew had a great passion for the trade and he made every effort to instill this passion in his students. As with Ian, Stan entered the trade as a machine operator and grew to learn and excel at Operation and Setup. A second piece of good fortune fell on Stan when the company recognized his abilities, knowledge, and drive, by promoting him into their Engineering department where he worked his way up to the position of Senior Manufacturing Engineer. Stan found it to be an interesting and exciting challenge to make the transition from hands on machining to specifying how the pieces would be machined. The knowledge and experience gained in design, programming, purchasing, tooling, gauges, fixtures, machinery, inspection, etc. would prove to be invaluable in the years to come. It was a natural progression, or at least it seemed so, that Stan would excel as Senior Manufacturing Engineer, Product Development Manager, Plant Manager, and General Manager. This took him over the years to Sweden, England, Europe, Japan, Australia, and South Africa. He also worked in Pennsylvania for several years before moving back to Canada and his home in North Bay. In 2000, Stan accepted a position as Plant Manager of the Small Diameter Turning Section of B.C. Instruments. Here he would meet Ian Wallace as one of the Group Leaders in his Section. Through various discussions and activities it became evident to the two of them that they shared similar experiences and an equal desire to pass on the knowledge they had gained over many years. Ian and Stan are both seasoned veterans of the trade with a desire to help others by sharing their knowledge and experience through this book.
link to more info