The L.S. Starrett Co. is the focus of a recent episode of a television series on the Travel Channel.
The network’s “Made in America” series focuses on U.S. manufacturing companies with long histories of producing high-quality, world-renowned products. Starrett was chosen based on its 125-year toolmaking history and reputation for careful craftsmanship. Starrett is the last remaining full-line American precision tool company that still manufacturers, sells and services its products domestically and worldwide.

“Made in America” is hosted by John Ratzenberger, perhaps best known as Cliff Clavin, the mailman, in “Cheers.” Ratzenberger is a former carpenter, owns a Starrett square and even tried his hand at toolmaking during the filming of the episode at Starrett’s Athol, Massachusetts, headquarters.

“I’ve always thought of machinists as artists,” says Ratzenberger. “When you’re working with tolerances of one ten-thousandths of an inch, if you make a mistake on a piece, you have to throw it away. Leonardo De Vinci could paint over his mistakes, and everyone knows who he is. It’s my job to make the world aware that these are true artists.”

 …