Capabilities
Pi Fabricators is a full-service metal fabrication, CNC machining, and engineered wear solutions provider located in Salem, Oregon. Founded in 2019 by Nick and Daniel Bechtoldt. Daniel Bechtoldt, PE — a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Oregon (PE License #89334). Nick Bechtoldt brings extensive management experience from managing production facilities at a planer mill. Below is an overview of our shop capabilities, equipment, and services.
CNC Machining
Doosan DNM 5700 Vertical Machining Center
High-rigidity vertical machining center with 4th-axis rotary capability for complex multi-sided work in a single setup.
- Travel (X/Y/Z): 41.3" x 22.4" x 20"
- Table: 51.2" x 22.4", 2,205 lb capacity
- Spindle: BT40 BIGPLUS, 8,000 RPM
- Tool Changer: 30-tool ATC
- Control: FANUC 0i-M
- 4th-Axis: Precision keyways, complex geometries
- Through-Spindle Coolant: Standard
Summit 19 x 80 Engine Lathe
Manual engine lathe for turning, facing, threading, and taper work across a wide range of part sizes.
- Swing Over Bed: 19" (27" over gap)
- Between Centers: 80"
- Spindle Bore: 4-1/8" through-hole, D1-8 Camlock
- Speeds: 12 speeds, 22–1,500 RPM
- Threading: Inch & Metric
- Motor: 7.5 HP, 3-Phase
- Accessories: Taper attachment, steady rest, following rest, 3-jaw & 4-jaw chucks
Metal Fabrication
Cincinnati Series 3 Press Brake
Heavy forming capacity for bending plate and structural components.
- Capacity: 90 Tons
- Bending Length: 144" (12 ft)
- Between Columns: 126"
- Throat: 10.5"
- Open Height: 12.75"
- Back Gauge: 24" travel
- Weight: ~16,000 lbs
General Fabrication
- MIG & TIG welding — carbon steel, stainless, aluminum
- Custom weldments & structural assemblies
- Heavy-wall pipe fabrication
- Auger flight welding
- Jib crane for heavy component handling
Engineered Wear Solutions
CNC-Controlled Thermal Spray
CNC-controlled hardfacing system for precise, repeatable coating application. Extends component service life 10–50x compared to uncoated mild steel.
- Coatings: Nickel superalloy, chrome carbide, tungsten carbide
- Applications: Abrasion, impact, corrosion, high-temp (1,200°F+)
- Process: CNC-controlled spray parameters for consistent thickness & bond strength
Additional Hardfacing
MIG Tungsten Carbide Embedding — Tungsten carbide particles embedded into a weld matrix for debarker flights, auger tips, and high-abrasion components.
Weld Overlay Hardfacing — Chrome carbide and other hardfacing alloys for compaction tubes, hog grates, and glass breaker skirts.
Surface Preparation & Finishing
Abrasive Blasting
- Manual Blasting Cabinet: Precision surface prep, coating removal, pre-weld cleaning
- Media: Crushed steel shot, spherical shot
- Applications: Surface profiling, shot peening
Mass Finishing
- Tumble Blaster: Batch deburring, descaling, surface profiling, shot peening
- Centrifugal Barrel Tumbler: Precision deburring, edge radiusing, surface finishing
- Applications: Pre/post-weld prep, paint prep, fatigue life enhancement
Additional Capabilities
Heat Treatment
- Controlled-Atmosphere Furnace: Fusing thermal sprayed coatings, in-house annealing for stress relief and heat treatment of fabricated components
Quality Assurance & Metrology
- Granite Surface Plate: 4 ft x 6 ft precision-grade reference
- Inspection: Bore gauges, height gauges, micrometers, calipers, thread gauges
- Licensed PE: Daniel Bechtoldt, Oregon PE #89334
Material Handling
- Jib Crane: Heavy workpiece loading & positioning
- Custom Fixturing: For large and awkward components
Industries Served
- Wood Products & Forestry
- Recycling & Waste Processing
- Mineral Processing & Perlite
- Agriculture
- General Industrial & Manufacturing
Engineering Services
Pi Fabricators is co-owned and co-operated by Daniel Bechtoldt, PE, a Professional Engineer licensed in the State of Oregon (License #89334). Our engineering capability allows us to design, analyze, and optimize components and wear solutions — not just fabricate to print. From redesigning a single-piece auger into a maintainable assembly with a removable tip, to engineering heavier-duty compaction tubes that withstand hardfacing with acceptable warpage, our integrated engineering approach delivers smarter, longer-lasting solutions.
Manufacturing Network
In addition to our in-house capabilities, we coordinate with a trusted network of manufacturing partners for specialized processes including precision line boring, hard chrome plating, custom pipe bending, and other services. We manage these relationships and quality standards, providing our customers a single reliable point of contact for complex, multi-process projects.