Austin loves machine tools and helping people turn ideas into real, working parts. He is the prototyping shop machinist, where he teaches new members how to use metalworking machine tools and consults on how to manufacture what they need. 

Austin holds an engineering degree from Cornell College and brings a background in custom automation machinery to his work. His experience includes hands-on machining, machine tool maintenance, and automation controls programming and wiring, which he uses to support practical, problem-focused prototyping. 

He has a particular passion for rebuilding old machine tools and is currently completing a full rebuild of a 1960s Boyar Schultz surface grinder. Outside the shop, Austin also enjoys artistic making pursuits like stained glass and is always happy to talk about machines, old or new.