Keeping a 135-Year-Old Facility Running:
A Conversation with a representative from Washington State Penitentiary
Deep inside the walls of the Washington State Penitentiary, maintenance never stops. The facility spans more than 500 acres and has been in operation for over 135 years, with miles of gates, doors, and systems that all need to stay in working order. We spoke with the Maintenance Supervisor at the Penitentiary, to learn how his small in-house machine shop — equipped with Lagun machines — helps keep the entire operation running smoothly.
Q: Tell us a bit about the maintenance operation at the Penitentiary.
Representative:
We’ve got a maintenance department that handles the entire facility — that’s everything from gates and doors to HVAC systems and security infrastructure. The prison sits on about 500 acres, and since the place is over 135 years old, a lot of the original equipment just isn’t around anymore. You can’t exactly order replacement parts for machinery built in the early 1900s, so we end up fabricating most of what we need right here on-site.
Q: What kind of equipment do you use in your machine shop?
Representative:
Right now, we’ve got a Lagun Turnmaster Lathe, a small manual mill, a surface grinder, and another small lathe. We also have press brakes, shears, and all the usual fabrication equipment for welding. But when it comes to precision work — cutting shafts, threading, or turning bushings — we rely heavily on the Lagun lathe.
Q: How often do you use the Lagun machines?
Representative:
Pretty much every day. There’s always something that needs to be repaired or replaced, and we’re constantly fabricating new parts. Whether it’s custom bushings, threaded shafts, or components for gates and HVAC systems, the Lagun is running daily.
Q: How have the machines been performing for you?
Representative:
They’ve been great — solid and reliable. We do our regular cleaning and lubrication, but we haven’t had any issues at all. The Lagun has been a real workhorse.
Q: You mentioned your new lathe has a variable-speed head. How has that changed your workflow?
Representative:
Yeah, the new variable-speed head with rapid traverse on the bed has been a game-changer. I’ve always worked with gear-head lathes, so there was a small learning curve at first, but the variable speed makes things smoother and faster. It’s much easier to use — especially when training new operators.
Q: Speaking of training, are others learning to run the shop as well?
Representative:
I’m training a few people now. I’m the supervisor in this area, so I’m trying to get others up to speed so I’m not doing it all myself. The Lagun’s ease of use definitely helps with that — it’s straightforward and simple to teach.
Q: What kind of parts do you typically make on the Lagun?
Representative:
Mostly bushings and shafts — a lot of components for doors, gates, and HVAC equipment. Some of those pieces are pretty old and completely unavailable for purchase, so we recreate them from scratch. The biggest parts we usually turn are around two to two-and-a-half inches in diameter, but there’s always a variety of work coming through.
Q: How was your experience working with Lagun during the purchase process?
Representative:
Excellent. There was a bit of a hiccup with delivery because of our government deadline, but Tracy at Lagun went above and beyond to make sure we got the machine on time. She really put in extra effort to coordinate everything, and we were able to receive it before the cutoff. That kind of customer service made a big impression.
Q: Would you recommend Lagun to others in your field?
Representative:
Absolutely. The machines are dependable, easy to use, and backed by great support. For us, the Lagun has become essential to keeping this historic facility running.
For over a century, the Washington State Penitentiary has stood as one of the oldest operating prisons in the Pacific Northwest — and behind its gates, Lagun machines help ensure it continues to function every single day. From fabricating custom components to maintaining decades-old infrastructure, Lagun’s commitment to reliability and precision reaches even the most unexpected places.
