Jason Pohl, best known from the hit TV series American Chopper, now spends his time designing and manufacturing championship belts for organizations like WWE, producing high-precision, TV-ready components from his own shop.
After more than 16 years as the lead designer at Orange County Choppers (OCC), where he created more than 300 custom motorcycles, Pohl wanted to take his work a step further – not just designing parts but building them himself. That passion eventually led him into CNC machining, entrepreneurship, and the launch of Jason Pohl LLC.
Finding a New Creative Outlet in CNC Machining
While Jason loved the design process at OCC, he often found himself envious of the machinists in the shop. As the machine shop grew quieter, Jason, like many independent makers entering CNC machining without formal training, seized the opportunity to teach himself how to run the equipment.
“I found myself in a giant machine shop with literally no one there,” Pohl said. “So, I taught myself how to create G-code for my 3D parts and started making all my own fixtures.”
The hands-on connection between design and manufacturing quickly became addictive. No longer content with creating only digital models, Pohl wanted to control the entire process, from concept sketch to finished part.
After leaving OCC, Pohl set out to build a fully functioning workshop – a personal space where he could control every step of the creative process. Traditional CNC machines were far too expensive for an independent shop, but his discovery of Tormach at 3D Experience World changed everything by offering a lower cost of entry compared to traditional industrial CNC systems.
“The Tormach 1100MX made it possible without risking everything,” Pohl said. “It opened up doors I didn’t think were possible without a huge investment.”
Now operating from his garage studio in Wallkill, NY, Pohl balances his full-time role with Dassault Systèmes and his business, Jason Pohl LLC.
An early hurdle was adapting to CNC machine interfaces. Pohl learned on more complex systems that used cryptic functions and non-intuitive menus—he said Tormach’s PathPilot software changed that instantly.
“PathPilot uses words I already know – ‘copy,’ ‘paste’ and ‘open’ – and it’s visual, just like working on a computer,” Pohl explained. “It was five times easier than the other machines I brought myself up on.”
With PathPilot, Pohl was able to get up and running the same day – touching off tools, loading files and producing finished parts with minimal setup time.
Tormach’s Right to Repair: Why it Matters to Makers
Another major factor that drew Pohl to Tormach was the company’s strong commitment to the “right to repair.” Many machine tool manufacturers restrict users from performing even simple maintenance unless they go through costly service plans or locked-down systems. Tormach takes the opposite approach, giving owners full access and support to maintain, modify and troubleshoot their machines.
“Having the freedom to repair and maintain your own machine is huge,” Pohl emphasized. “With Tormach, you're not stuck waiting on a service tech for something simple. You can keep production moving without missing a beat.”
That flexibility is essential for his workflow, especially when tight deadlines and overnight runs are the norm.
Manufacturing Championship Belts for WWE
One of Pohl’s most high-profile projects is manufacturing championship belts for WWE. He designs and machines the Men’s and Women’s Heavyweight Championship, Universal Championship and Undisputed Championship belts—all parts that need to look flawless on national television.
These components require tight tolerances, consistent surface finishes and the ability to meet demanding production timelines, making reliability and repeatability critical.
“Most of the belts start as designs in SOLIDWORKS,” Pohl said. “I machine about 98% of them on the Tormach 1100MX and then use my fiber laser for the super fine details.”
Because WWE often operates on extremely short timelines, Pohl frequently runs his 1100MX lights-out overnight to meet delivery demands. Once machined, the components are roll-formed, gold-plated, inlaid and then assembled, blending old-world craftsmanship with modern digital precision.
Beyond WWE, he also manufactures championship belts for companies like ABC Supply Co. and for other competitions.
The Tormach 1100MX CNC mill became Jason Pohl’s go-to machine in his workshop.Tormach
Turning Passion into a Business
Today, Pohl has turned his lifelong love for design and manufacturing into a full-fledged business. His workflow, from concept through SOLIDWORKS modeling to machining on the 1100MX, has enabled him to deliver precision, speed and creativity to clients. His setup reflects a growing segment of small-shop and advanced-hobbyist machinists, bridging professional-grade output with compact, cost-effective equipment.
His advice to aspiring CNC machinists and entrepreneurs?
“If it’s your passion, just jump in and do it,” Pohl said. “There’s always risk, but that’s what drives us to succeed.”
Pohl’s journey shows what’s possible when creativity meets capability and when the right tools make the process accessible, flexible and fun.
