406 Industries, the precision machining and engineering shop founded by veteran machinist and programmer James Stirling, is earning a reputation as the best CNC machine shop in Montana for manufacturers that need complex parts — or complete projects — done right the first time. From its shop in Bigfork, 406 Industries machines components for firearms, automotive, aerospace and government defense manufacturers, holding tolerances to ±0.0005" on runs from a single prototype to more than 1,000 parts.
Stirling brings 28 years at the spindle and 25 years of CNC programming to every job. His career spans medical devices, automotive turbo systems, firearms components and precision fishing reel assemblies, and he holds multiple patents of his own. That inventor's perspective shapes how the shop works: every project starts with a design-for-manufacturability review, so cost and risk are caught on paper instead of on the machine.
"Every part tells a story. My job is to make sure that story ends with a product that works exactly as intended," said Stirling, owner of 406 Industries. "Manufacturers come to us when a part is too complex, too tight on tolerance or too important to hand to a shop that just runs the drawing. We look at the whole project, tell them what will work better, and then we make it."
Multi-axis and mill-turn expertise under one roof
406 Industries runs CNC machines in-house — including Takumi H10 vertical machining centers, Brother TC-S2DN tapping centers and Takisawa TS-4000YS mill-turn lathes. Its multi-axis and mill-turn machining uses live tooling, Y-axis and C-axis milling and a sub-spindle to finish complex turned-and-milled parts up to 12 inches in diameter in a single setup. Fewer setups mean fewer repositioning errors, less scrap and shorter lead times.
The shop cuts aluminum, carbon and tool steels, stainless steel, titanium and engineering plastics. Every part is made in-house, with no subcontracting or outsourcing, and NDA and ITAR-compliant processes are available for controlled and defense work.
Built for demanding industries
Firearms and defense: Firearms and defense components including receivers, muzzle devices, trigger housings, scope mounts and bolt carrier group parts in 7075-T6 aluminum, 4140/4150 steel, 416 stainless, 17-4PH and titanium.
Automotive and motorsport: Performance and OEM-replacement parts for automotive and motorsport builders, drawing on Stirling's background in turbo systems.
Aerospace and government: Tight-tolerance components for aviation and government contractors that require documented processes and confidentiality.
From rapid prototyping through scalable production support, clients work directly with the machinist making their parts — no brokers, no platforms and no ticket numbers.
CNC programming consulting for other shops and manufacturers
Stirling also puts his programming experience to work for other machine shops and manufacturers. Through CNC programming and process consulting, 406 Industries offers remote CAM programming support, post-processor troubleshooting, fixture design, tooling strategy and speeds-and-feeds optimization, on a one-time or retainer basis. In one engagement, Stirling cut a part's cycle time from 25 minutes to 6 minutes.
"A lot of shops have great machines and good people, but they're leaving capacity on the table because of programming," Stirling said. "I've spent 25 years writing programs for mill-turn and multi-axis work. When I help a shop tighten up a toolpath or fix a post, that time goes straight back to their bottom line."
Manufacturers, engineers and shop owners can start a project or request a consultation at 406industries.com or by calling (406) 609-8898.
About 406 Industries
406 Industries is a precision CNC machining, prototyping and engineering shop in Bigfork, Montana, owned and operated by machinist, programmer and inventor James Stirling. With 28 years of machining experience and 12 in-house CNC machines, the shop delivers multi-axis and mill-turn machining, prototyping, production support and CNC programming consulting for firearms, automotive, aerospace, defense, medical and outdoor recreation manufacturers. Learn more at 406industries.com.
Media contact
James Stirling, Owner, 406 Industries
Bigfork, Montana · (406) 609-8898
