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ABOUT HEAVY METAL
Heavy Metal Machining is a full-service high-performance engine machine shop dedicated to precision, power, and pushing the limits of what engines can do.
Based in Pinellas Park, FL, we’ve earned a reputation for excellence among racers, engine builders, performance enthusiasts, and professionals across the motorsports and automotive industries.
With years of hands-on experience and cutting-edge machining capabilities, we specialize in building high-performance engines that are built to last — and built to win.
Whether you're racing on the track, towing heavy loads, or restoring a classic, our expert technicians deliver uncompromising quality and performance.
From engine machining and full builds, to one-off custom projects, we offer end-to-end solutions built to win.
We work on everything from street and strip to off-road, marine, diesel, and vintage restorations.
Whether it’s a naturally aspirated small block, a high-boost turbo setup, or a fully custom race engine, we bring the same level of precision, dedication, and craftsmanship to every job.
We don’t believe in shortcuts. We believe in doing it right the first time. Every component is measured, matched, and machined to exacting standards.
Our goal is simple: to deliver engines that perform at the highest level, and for our customers to leave with the best possible results.
ABOUT DEREK
Derek’s passion for machinery began in childhood, working alongside his dad and developing a deep appreciation for how things work.
That early interest grew stronger in high school when he enrolled in a vocational class called Precision Machining—a one-semester course he loved so much he took it every semester from sophomore through senior year. By the time he graduated, he had already built his first race car.
After high school, Derek worked at a few different machine shops and he later joined Molex. He then decided to invest further in his skills by enrolling at Pinellas Technical College, where he earned a 4-year journeyman Tool & Die Machining certification. This training accelerated his career at Molex and laid the foundation for his next chapter.
In 2019, Derek joined Nelson Competition, bringing his Tool & Die machining background. Working closely under Kris Nelson, Derek helped design and build some of the shop’s most competitive engines, contributing to wins in classes like Pro 632, LDR, Pro275, and more.
At the end of 2024, Derek took a major leap and purchased Nelson Competition's machines, acquiring the shop building, and officially launching Heavy Metal Machining with his wife in early 2025.
Today, he brings his lifelong dedication, passion for racing, and precision craftsmanship to every engine and job that leaves the shop.
