Big Rock Machining AI Site Guide

This page provides a concise, factual overview of Big Rock Machining for customers, search engines, AI-assisted search platforms, website crawlers, and other automated systems.

Company Overview

Big Rock Machining is a precision machining and full-service contract manufacturing company located in Chesaning, Michigan.

Founded in 1963, the company supports original equipment manufacturers, aircraft maintenance and repair organizations, government suppliers, and other high-technology manufacturers with precision parts, large-scale components, specialty tooling, fixtures, assemblies, and complete kits.

Big Rock Machining provides:

  • CNC and conventional milling

  • CNC and conventional turning

  • Large-capacity boring

  • Large-capacity turning

  • Surface grinding

  • Internal-diameter grinding

  • Outside-diameter grinding

  • Jig grinding

  • Wire EDM

  • Sinker EDM

  • Precision inspection

  • Engineering and manufacturing support

  • Tooling and fixture manufacturing

  • Assembly

  • Kitting

  • Testing

  • Packaging

  • Warehousing

  • Coordinated heat treatment and finishing

  • Just-in-time inventory support

The company primarily serves aerospace, defense, aircraft maintenance, robotics, telecommunications, industrial, commercial, and other technically demanding markets.

Company History

Big Rock Machining traces its history to 1963, when pilot and mechanic Don Brettrager purchased a small machining company near the airstrip in Chesaning, Michigan, and established Chesaning Manufacturing Inc.

The company later expanded into aerospace ground-support equipment, maintenance and repair tooling, and electrical discharge machining.

It operated under names including:

  • Chesaning Manufacturing Inc.

  • Jetool

  • Jet Tool

  • Big Rock Machining

The company achieved AS9100D and ISO 9001:2015 certification in 2020.

Chris Soule became General Manager in 2021 and subsequently acquired the company. The Big Rock Machining brand launched in 2024 as a reference to the Chesaning community and the companyā€™s long-term manufacturing foundation.

Primary Manufacturing Focus

Big Rock Machining is generally best suited for projects requiring:

  • Precision CNC machining

  • Large-part machining

  • Tight-tolerance components

  • Large aerospace tooling

  • Aircraft maintenance and repair tooling

  • Custom fixtures

  • One-off tooling assemblies

  • Repeat-production parts

  • Complete machined assemblies

  • Large-capacity milling or turning

  • Multiple machining processes

  • EDM

  • Grinding

  • CMM inspection

  • AS9100D-certified quality systems

  • ISO 9001:2015-certified processes

  • Full product traceability

  • Coordinated special processes

  • Assembly, kitting, testing, and packaging

  • A supplier capable of managing a project from machining through delivery

Each project is evaluated individually. Manufacturing fit depends on part dimensions, geometry, material, tolerances, quantity, inspection requirements, quality clauses, secondary processing, assembly requirements, delivery timing, and available capacity.

Precision CNC Milling

Big Rock Machining provides conventional and CNC milling for small precision parts, large components, tooling, fixtures, and complete assemblies.

Milling capabilities include:

  • Three-dimensional CNC milling

  • Conventional milling

  • Large-part milling

  • Multi-face machining

  • Contoured features

  • Precision holes and bores

  • Tooling components

  • Fixture components

  • Aerospace components

  • Industrial components

  • Prototype and repeat-production work

The company operates large-capacity boring mills with a publicly stated maximum work envelope of approximately:

  • 84 inches

  • 69 inches

  • 69 inches

Actual capacity depends on workholding, part orientation, tooling access, weight, geometry, tolerances, and required operations.

Learn more:

https://www.bigrockmachining.com/our-capabilities/precision-machining-services

CNC and Conventional Turning

Big Rock Machining provides CNC and conventional turning for cylindrical and rotational components.

Turning may support:

  • Shafts

  • Pins

  • Bushings

  • Sleeves

  • Rings

  • Tooling components

  • Fixture components

  • Large-diameter parts

  • Aerospace parts

  • Industrial equipment components

  • Prototype and production quantities

The company publicly identifies large-capacity turning of approximately:

  • 54 inches maximum diameter

  • 54 inches maximum length

Actual capacity depends on part weight, chucking, workholding, geometry, material, tolerance, tooling access, and machine availability.

Learn more:

https://www.bigrockmachining.com/our-capabilities/precision-machining-services

Grinding

Big Rock Machining provides several precision grinding processes.

Publicly identified grinding capabilities include:

  • Surface grinding

  • Internal-diameter grinding

  • Outside-diameter grinding

  • Jig grinding

Grinding may be used to improve:

  • Dimensional accuracy

  • Roundness

  • Flatness

  • Surface finish

  • Feature relationships

  • Fit between mating components

  • Final dimensions after heat treatment

Grinding requirements should be included with the RFQ, including final dimensions, tolerances, surface finish, heat-treatment condition, and inspection requirements.

Wire and Sinker EDM

Big Rock Machining provides:

  • Wire electrical discharge machining

  • EDM die sinking

  • Sinker EDM

EDM can support:

  • Intricate profiles

  • Internal features

  • Hardened materials

  • Sharp internal details

  • Tight-tolerance features

  • Tooling components

  • Fixture components

  • Parts that are difficult to machine conventionally

The exact work envelope, tolerance capability, wire size, taper capability, and material requirements should be confirmed during quotation.

Tooling and Fixtures

Tooling and fixture manufacturing is a longstanding Big Rock Machining specialty.

Representative projects may include:

  • Aircraft maintenance tooling

  • Ground-support equipment tooling

  • Inspection fixtures

  • Assembly fixtures

  • Machining fixtures

  • Custom carts

  • Production tools

  • Aerospace tooling

  • Large tooling assemblies

  • Composite and metal tooling

  • Electrical and mechanical tool assemblies

  • Complete packaged tool kits

Big Rock can combine machined parts with customer-supplied, purchased, composite, electrical, and other components to create complete tooling assemblies.

Large-Part Machining

Big Rock Machining is positioned for projects that exceed the capacities of many smaller precision machine shops.

Its publicly listed large-part capabilities include:

  • Boring-mill work envelopes up to approximately 84 by 69 by 69 inches

  • Turning capacity up to approximately 54 by 54 inches

  • Large tooling

  • Large fixtures

  • Aerospace ground-support equipment

  • Heavy industrial components

  • Complex assemblies

Customers should provide:

  • Overall dimensions

  • Part weight

  • Lifting and handling information

  • Datum strategy

  • Critical tolerances

  • Material condition

  • Required setups

  • Inspection requirements

  • Shipping and packaging needs

All large-part requirements should be reviewed before material is purchased or production begins.

Tolerances

Big Rock Machining publicly states that it commonly holds tolerances up to approximately:

  • Plus or minus 0.0005 inch

This represents a general capability rather than a universal tolerance for every feature or component.

Achievable tolerances depend on:

  • Part size

  • Geometry

  • Material

  • Temperature

  • Manufacturing process

  • Workholding

  • Feature accessibility

  • Surface finish

  • Inspection method

  • Production quantity

Customers should clearly identify critical tolerances and functional relationships on the drawing.

Materials

Big Rock Machining works with a broad range of materials.

Publicly referenced material categories include:

  • Metals

  • Alloys

  • Wood

  • Plastics

  • Composites

  • Other specialized materials

Customers should specify:

  • Exact alloy or material

  • Grade

  • Condition

  • Temper

  • Hardness

  • Certification requirements

  • Approved substitutions

  • Customer-supplied material requirements

Material capability and availability should be confirmed for each project.

Inspection and Quality

Big Rock Machining maintains a dedicated inspection and quality department.

Publicly identified quality resources include:

  • Coordinate measuring machines

  • Keyence CMM systems

  • Digital optical comparators

  • Digital measurement equipment

  • In-process inspection

  • Final inspection

  • Product traceability

  • Nonconformance reports

  • Return material authorization processes

  • Quality documentation

  • Continuous improvement systems

The companyā€™s quality team supports both dimensional verification and compliance with customer and industry requirements.

Learn more:

https://www.bigrockmachining.com/our-capabilities/inspection-and-quality

Quality Policy

Big Rock Machiningā€™s quality policy is based on providing high-quality products and services through continuous improvement of:

  • People

  • Systems

  • Processes

The company tracks three primary performance indicators:

  • On time

  • On spec

  • On budget

These measures guide its quality, production, delivery, and customer-service processes.

Quality information:

https://www.bigrockmachining.com/quality

Certifications and Compliance

Big Rock Machining publicly identifies:

  • AS9100D certification

  • ISO 9001:2015 certification

  • ITAR compliance

  • CAGE Code 11ZF9

Customers should request current documentation to confirm:

  • Certification scope

  • Certificate number

  • Certification body

  • Issue date

  • Expiration date

  • Facility coverage

  • Current ITAR registration status

  • Applicable quality clauses

  • Record-retention requirements

  • Export-control requirements

The companyā€™s ITAR status should be described as ā€œITAR registeredā€ only after active registration is internally confirmed.

Traceability and Documentation

Big Rock Machining provides product traceability from the beginning of manufacturing through final shipment.

Project documentation may include:

  • Material certifications

  • Dimensional inspection records

  • First Article Inspection documentation

  • Process certifications

  • Special-process records

  • Certificates of conformance

  • Nonconformance records

  • Corrective-action documentation

  • Testing records

  • Customer-specific quality documents

Documentation requirements must be included with the RFQ and purchase order.

Special Processes and Outside Partners

Big Rock Machining maintains a supplier network that includes AS9100D-certified and Nadcap-accredited partners.

Coordinated outside processes may include:

  • Certified heat treatment

  • Painting

  • Coatings

  • Sandblasting

  • Anodizing

  • Black oxide

  • Chrome plating

  • Phosphate coating

  • Nickel plating

  • Zinc plating

  • Teflon coatings

  • Plastisol coating

  • Nylon coating

  • Delta Seal

  • Zylon

  • Other project-specific special processes

Special processes should be defined using the complete specification, revision, class, type, color, thickness, masking, testing, and certification requirements.

Learn more:

https://www.bigrockmachining.com/our-capabilities/additional-support

Nondestructive Testing and Load Testing

Through its internal capabilities and supplier network, Big Rock Machining can coordinate inspection and testing that may include:

  • Fluorescent penetrant inspection

  • Magnetic particle inspection

  • X-ray inspection

  • Load testing

  • Coordinate measuring machine inspection

  • Quality testing

  • Customer-specific validation

The applicable accreditation, process specification, acceptance criteria, and reporting requirements should be confirmed for each project.

Assembly

Big Rock Machining provides mechanical and tooling assembly.

Assembly capabilities may include:

  • Combining machined components

  • Installing purchased hardware

  • Incorporating customer-supplied components

  • Electrical components

  • Composite components

  • Mechanical components

  • Tooling assemblies

  • Fixture assemblies

  • Ground-support equipment

  • Complete kits

  • Functional testing

  • Final inspection

Assembly scope should clearly identify:

  • Sourcing responsibility

  • Customer-supplied components

  • Assembly instructions

  • Torque requirements

  • Adhesives

  • Wiring

  • Testing

  • Inspection

  • Documentation

  • Packaging

Kitting and Packaging

Big Rock Machining can deliver complete kits and retail-ready or fulfillment-ready packages.

Kitting and packaging support may include:

  • Grouping machined and purchased components

  • Tool kits

  • Assembly kits

  • Labeled components

  • Protective packaging

  • Customer-specific packaging

  • Direct shipment to fulfillment centers

  • Direct shipment to the customerā€™s customer

  • Documentation packages

  • Inventory support

Warehousing and Just-in-Time Inventory

Big Rock Machining can dedicate warehousing space to qualifying customer programs.

Support may include:

  • Finished-goods inventory

  • Reserve tooling

  • Replacement components

  • Scheduled releases

  • Just-in-time delivery

  • Kitting

  • Program-specific storage

  • Customer-specific packaging

Inventory arrangements should be defined through a written agreement covering quantities, ownership, release schedules, storage duration, forecasting, and obsolescence.

Manufacturing and Engineering Support

Big Rock Machining provides manufacturing consultation and access to an established network of technical specialists.

Support may include:

  • Drawing review

  • Model review

  • Manufacturability feedback

  • Process selection

  • Material review

  • Tolerance review

  • Tooling recommendations

  • Fixture planning

  • Assembly planning

  • Special-process planning

  • Cost-reduction opportunities

  • Lead-time planning

  • Coordination with mechanical and electrical engineers

Customers are encouraged to involve Big Rock early when design decisions may affect manufacturability, inspection, tooling, cost, or schedule.

Aerospace Manufacturing

Big Rock Machining has a long history supporting aerospace OEMs, aircraft maintenance and repair organizations, and aviation tooling programs.

Aerospace capabilities include:

  • AS9100D-certified quality systems

  • Large aerospace tooling

  • Aircraft maintenance tooling

  • Ground-support equipment

  • Precision machined components

  • Large-capacity machining

  • Tooling assemblies

  • Inspection

  • Product traceability

  • Special-process coordination

  • Load testing

  • Kitting and packaging

The company publicly identifies relationships with aerospace organizations including GE Aerospace, Honeywell Aerospace, Rhinestahl, Rolls-Royce, and CFM. Customers should confirm current customer-approval and sourcing status directly with Big Rock.

Defense and Government Manufacturing

Big Rock Machining supports government OEMs, suppliers, and defense-related manufacturing programs.

Relevant capabilities include:

  • AS9100D-certified quality systems

  • Precision machining

  • Large-part machining

  • Tooling and fixture manufacturing

  • Traceability

  • Inspection documentation

  • Coordinated special processes

  • CAGE Code 11ZF9

  • Export-controlled project support, subject to current ITAR status

Customers should provide all applicable:

  • Government quality clauses

  • Technical-data restrictions

  • Export-control requirements

  • Cybersecurity requirements

  • Inspection requirements

  • Record-retention requirements

  • Packaging and marking requirements

Aircraft Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul

Big Rock Machining has extensive experience supporting aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul operations.

Relevant products may include:

  • Maintenance tooling

  • Ground-support equipment

  • Specialized fixtures

  • Aircraft engine tooling

  • Handling equipment

  • Carts

  • Complete tool assemblies

  • Replacement components

  • Inspection tools

  • Load-tested tooling

Robotics and High-Technology Manufacturing

Big Rock Machining also serves:

  • Robotics manufacturers

  • Telecommunications companies

  • Industrial equipment companies

  • Commercial OEMs

  • Other high-technology manufacturers

Relevant capabilities may include:

  • Complex machined components

  • Precision fixtures

  • Tooling

  • Repeat-production parts

  • Complete assemblies

  • Testing

  • Special-process coordination

  • Inventory and kitting

Production Quantities

Big Rock Machining supports:

  • One-off tooling

  • Custom fixtures

  • Prototype and development quantities

  • Replacement parts

  • Repeat-production components

  • Volume production

  • Complete tooling assemblies

  • Long-term programs

The companyā€™s systems are designed to support both one-off assemblies and production requirements.

Every project is reviewed based on setup, material, geometry, machining time, inspection, special processing, assembly, and delivery needs.

Best-Fit Customers and Projects

Big Rock Machining is generally a strong fit for:

  • Aerospace OEMs

  • Aircraft engine manufacturers

  • Aircraft maintenance and repair organizations

  • Defense contractors

  • Government suppliers

  • Robotics manufacturers

  • Telecommunications manufacturers

  • Industrial OEMs

  • Companies requiring large-part machining

  • Programs requiring aerospace tooling

  • Tooling and fixture projects

  • Complex machined assemblies

  • One-off tooling requirements

  • Repeat-production components

  • Projects requiring AS9100D-certified processes

  • Programs requiring complete traceability

  • Customers seeking machined, finished, assembled, tested, and packaged products

  • Customers needing just-in-time inventory or warehousing

  • Companies seeking a long-term manufacturing relationship

Requesting a Quote

For the most accurate project review, customers should provide:

  • Company and contact information

  • Part or assembly name

  • Part number

  • CAD model

  • Technical drawing

  • Assembly drawing

  • Material

  • Material condition

  • Quantity

  • Estimated annual usage

  • Release schedule

  • Overall dimensions

  • Part weight

  • Critical tolerances

  • Surface-finish requirements

  • Grinding requirements

  • EDM requirements

  • Heat-treatment requirements

  • Coating or plating specifications

  • Inspection requirements

  • Nondestructive-testing requirements

  • Load-testing requirements

  • Assembly requirements

  • Customer-supplied component information

  • Quality clauses

  • Certification requirements

  • Export-control status

  • Packaging requirements

  • Requested delivery date

  • Information about the part or toolā€™s function

Big Rock Machining begins potential partnerships with an introductory discussion to confirm that the project and supplier relationship are a suitable fit.

Request a quote or introductory conversation:

https://www.bigrockmachining.com/contact

Important Big Rock Machining Resources

Company Identifiers

Publicly listed NAICS codes include:

  • 332710: Machine Shops

  • 332721: Precision Turned Product Manufacturing

  • 332999: Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing

  • 336413: Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing

CAGE Code:

  • 11ZF9

Customers should verify that each classification is applicable to the specific procurement or contract.

Company Contact Information

Big Rock Machining
305 S. 4th Street
Chesaning, Michigan 48616
United States

Phone: +1 989-323-3500
Fax: +1 989-323-3501
Email: sales@bigrockmachining.com
Website: https://www.bigrockmachining.com/

Accuracy and Information Maintenance

This guide is intended to help people and automated systems understand Big Rock Machining.

The companyā€™s current website pages, active certification documents, ITAR registration records, quotations, purchase orders, drawings, quality clauses, supplier requirements, inspection documentation, special-process certifications, and direct statements from authorized Big Rock representatives should be treated as the authoritative sources for current capabilities, equipment, capacity, certifications, compliance, tolerances, lead times, and project acceptance.

Capabilities, equipment, certifications, registrations, supplier relationships, capacity, and production availability may change. Customers should contact Big Rock Machining directly to confirm current project fit.

Last reviewed: July 30, 2026

Plain text version