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Other Machine Co. changed its name to Bantam Tools in 2017, and its flagship Othermill Pro became the Bantam Tools PCB Milling Machine. The shift was more than a new logo: the company repositioned itself toward professional customers and contemporary reports described machine and workflow improvements. “Apparently nothing else” was a wry headline, not a literal account of every change.
What changed, and when?
On September 6, 2017, WIRED and Hackaday reported that Other Machine Co. had become Bantam Tools. The company’s flagship desktop mill, the Othermill Pro, was renamed the Bantam Tools PCB Milling Machine; Hackaday called it the Bantam Tools Desktop PCB Milling Machine. WIRED reported that Bre Pettis, MakerBot’s founder and former CEO, bought Other Machine Co. that spring and worked with company founder Danielle Applestone on the rebrand after a few months. Hackaday described the Othermill as the company’s main product.
Why did the company rebrand?
The change reflected a shift in intended audience, not just a different name and logo. WIRED said Bantam Tools was turning its focus from hobbyist makers toward professionals who could use a compact mill at work. Applestone explained the mismatch between the company’s earlier messaging and its customers: “We had this great maker-focused marketing message, but 90 percent of what we were selling wasn’t to makers.” That 90 percent was her statement as reported by WIRED in 2017, not independently audited sales data.
The product pitch was to bring prototyping in-house. As Applestone put it, “What we do is eliminate that whole process of outsourcing.” Rather than send circuit-board files to a manufacturer and wait for boards before testing revisions, a team could mill a prototype on a desktop machine. WIRED quoted Pettis describing an earlier ambition: “One of my early goals was to have a MakerBot on every single desktop across the entire world.”
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- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
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Did the machine itself change?
Contemporary coverage described improvements alongside the rebrand, so it would be inaccurate to say literally nothing else changed. WIRED mentioned dust collection and saved setup preferences. Hackaday listed a PCB probing system, fine-dust collection, and automated material-thickness probing, and said the new projects were compatible with the older Othermill. The reports do not establish that every improvement launched on the rebrand date.
The machine’s core role was desktop CNC milling. WIRED described PCB prototyping as well as cutting metal, wood, and other hard surfaces with drill bits. The appeal was not limited to circuit boards: it was a compact tool for small milling tasks and materials that could be worked with the machine’s cutters.
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- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
What did it cost and how precise was it?
WIRED reported a price of $3,200 in 2017; that is a historical figure, not a current price. The same 2017 article described milling precision as “25th of a micron.” That is WIRED’s wording, not an independently verified tolerance specification, so it should not be treated as a guaranteed result for every material, cutter, or setup.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the 2017 coverage does—and does not—establish
The reporting documents the historical rebrand, the intended change in customer focus, and several machine or workflow features. It does not establish Bantam Tools’ present-day legal identity, current product lineup, product availability, or pricing. A 2017 article is not enough to make a current buying recommendation or confirm that the named machine can still be purchased.
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- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
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- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
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- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
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- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
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- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
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