Stepping into Gates Machine Tool Repair feels like walking into a cathedral of metal. Everywhere you turn, there are lathes – small, large, and unbelievably massive. Some date back over half a century, still standing tall as symbols of craftsmanship that refuse to fade. On our recent visit, we had the privilege of touring the shop with The Machinery Maven herself, Kristen Pope, who is carving out her place in the machining and repair world with both grit and enthusiasm.
This visit to Gates Machine Tool Repair showcases something truly special – where industrial heritage meets modern restoration expertise. Through Industry Access, we’re highlighting companies like Gates that prove the value of preserving machining knowledge while adapting it for today’s precision manufacturing needs.
We’ve toured many shops over the years, but we can honestly say we’ve never seen so many lathes in one place. These aren’t just museum pieces either. At Gates, machines are restored, repaired, and put back into service, ready to do the work they were built for. Some are available for sale, while others remain in the shop to be used for contract machining or ongoing repair work. The beauty of Gates’ approach is that they don’t just keep old machines alive – they give them purpose.
What began out of the back of David Gates’ truck has grown over the years into a 92,000- square-foot facility in Manvel, Texas, where machines are disassembled, repaired, reassembled, and restored to working form. And now, they support critical industries such as manufacturing, aerospace, oil & gas, power generation, and heavy equipment.
Founded in 1978, Gates Machine Tool Repair has become a trusted name in the machining and restoration community. Their specialty lies in large-scale and heavy-duty machines, particularly lathes, grinders, and mills that many shops aren’t equipped to handle. Over the years, they’ve built a reputation for taking on jobs that most others can’t or won’t touch. Whether it’s repairing a century-old lathe, rebuilding a machine to like-new condition, or performing custom machining work, Gates combines deep knowledge with hands-on expertise.
Walking the floor, it’s clear that each machine has a story. Some of the lathes we observed were massive, stretching the length of a room – industrial giants that could easily intimidate anyone unfamiliar with their power. Yet under the careful hands of Gates’ team, these machines are not just preserved, they’re respected. Watching Kristen move through the shop, pointing out details and explaining their uses, you can tell she loves this world of iron and oil.
Kristen, widely known online as #TheMachineryMaven, has become an important voice in this space. She brings visibility to the world of machining and machine tool restoration, a world that often runs quietly in the background of industry. Through her work and her presence, she challenges perceptions in a male-dominated field while inspiring others to see the value in old machines and the people who keep them running.
What struck us most about our visit was the balance between past and present. Gates is not a manufacturing plant – it’s a place where machining and restoration intersect. It’s where machines with decades of history are given new life, and where skilled machinists continue to provide precision repair services that modern shops depend on.
For us, this visit wasn’t just about touring a facility – it was about witnessing how industrial heritage and modern expertise can coexist. The Gates experience demonstrates that sometimes the best technology isn’t the newest – it’s the proven machinery that’s been expertly maintained and skillfully restored.
Thanks to Kristen and the entire Gates team for opening their doors and sharing their passion for preserving machining excellence.
Learn More About Gates Machine Tool Restoration
Gates Machine Tool Repair‘s comprehensive restoration and repair services represent over 47 years of machining expertise and industrial preservation. From century-old lathes to modern precision equipment, their team specializes in heavy-duty machines that others can’t handle.
Explore their restoration capabilities and available machinery at Gates Machine Tool Repair or connect with their team for specialized machining and restoration services that bring industrial heritage back to life.
Experience Industry Access Yourself
Our Gates Machine Tool Repair visit highlights the craftsmanship and expertise that goes with preserving industrial heritage. Industry Access with Charli K Matthews takes you behind the scenes at facilities across the country, showcasing the people and processes that keep our industrial foundation strong. Want to see your facility featured or learn about upcoming visits?
Contact Charli at Charli@empoweringpumps.com to explore opportunities. Follow our #IndustryAccess series for more exclusive tours and industry insights.
