Business of Machining

TOPICS: How to have a crappy day (vendor issues, forklift gets stuck) Grimsmo considers adding 2 Brother Speedio Machines Graphite EDM Vacuum Setup, Manual Indexers, UR Robots Purchasing Horizontal CNC Machines, Tool Matrix     Considerations, & Tombstone Workholding Purchasing CNC Machines: Travel, Weight Capacity, Automation Washdown & Spin Drying Parts Want to take over the DeWalt product line at SMW? Culture Code & Clear Communication Deep Dive on the Fancy Chip Conveyor

TOPCIS: Horizontal Machining centers for 3 axis machines. Renishaw touch probes. Double vs single touch. Grimsmo thinking hard about buying a Datron Neo. Saunders is still dreaming about a Hermle RS1 pallet changing 5 axis machine. Porsche update from Saunders on his 944.

Topics: KERN calls in sick at Grimsmo Knives Pride in Work & Small Business Culture: Read Small Giants! Last Part for Willemin Arrives Today! Eumach Spindles 3D Printing: Voron & Prusa Haas DT-2  Saunders' Porche Grimsmo Debates the Fate of the Mori

TOPCIS:   A year in review from both Saunders & Grimsmo. Taking guilt free time off. Grimsmo got a Voron v0 3d printer. Performance reviews for employees. Putting pride into your work.

TOPICS: Small Business Growth & Efficiency Staffing Concerns Handling Potentially Fraudulent Orders Work Culture & Employee Impact Eumachs, Power Outages, and New Quenching Plates for Heat Treat Automating Processes IoT: Operating on "If this, then that" Don't Automate for the Sake of It Performance Reviews for Employees

TOPCIS: Winding down 2021. 3 Things that Grimsmo and Saunders that changed their businesses this year. Deep dive into ERP systems. Grimsmo ran their Kern for 136.5 hours last week! What makes us successful?

TOPICS: Bootstrapper VS Life Style Creeper: Which Gets a Seat at the Table? Production Hurdles at GK - Machining - Heat Treat - Surface Grinding - Processes - Tabbing Strategies: AutoDesk...we need a 2D Contour Tab Finishing Strategy PLZ! Shift Toward Cycle Time Improvement SMW Pipe Dream? New Stabilization Product Sells Like Hot Cates at SMW Quality of Life Improvements Jib Crane Plate Inventory Storage Crates CDI Meters: WHY DIDN'T ANYONE MENTION THESE BEFORE!? Optical Comparator Can High Demand Be Dangerous? Willemin Repairs #worthit

TOPCIS: Small Giants: Great book about growing a company. Sourcing a new chain hoist. Cogsdill burnishing tool. Business Vs. Personal life. Measuring the pressure on the arbor press.

TOPICS:  - DIY a Monochromatic Light Source & Optical Flats from Ukraine - Geeking Out: Zeiss- From Eye Doc to CNC Machine Shop - ERP System Development: Are We There Yet? - 10 Rules for Entrepreneurial Success  - Okuma Chip Conveyor - Wasting Pans! - Ultrasonic Cleaners - The NEW Prusa: Don't Over-Engineer Parts! - Thanksgiving in the USA     We really appreciate everyone who tunes in to listen, everyone who has helped us along the way, and everyone who is part of the CNC family!

TOPICS: Saunders got his Okuma chip conveyer this morning. Horizontal milling machines. Haas lathe origin went wonky. Grimsmo is diving into optical flats. Watch this! Rask blade surface finish issues. Willemin updates.

TOPICS:   - Fraud and small businesses: Don't be emotional; make a protocol! - Okuma Training & Pre-Staged Tooling Quirk in OSP: Post Processor Solution? - Starrett Optical Comparator & Mitutoyo Electronic Indicator - Visible Valley in Knife Spine: How to Pinpoint the Problem - Debate on Hiring Gives Saunders New Perspective - Higher Education: Is is a Must?     Read 10 pages per night!  The Hard Thing About Hard Things - Ben Horowitz Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't  

TOPICS: Student internships & explaining machining to a 16 year old. Willemin updates! Grimsmo purchased an optical comparator and it is incredible. Horizontal milling machines. Saunders' Okuma is getting isntalled. Daily to do lists is huge!  Preview attachment Saunders regional map_v2.pdf     Saunders regional map_v2.pdf 6.7 MB    

Topics: Grimsmo shares exciting updates about the powered up Willemin as Saunders eagerly awaits word on his own Willemin! Loading Code Onto Machines (Sneakernet, Ethernet, and Floppy Disks) Deep Dive into Automation Cells, Robot Arms, & Erowa Pallet System Haberle automation cell for Fanuc Robodrills: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v53DmWinRWk - Okuma is arriving at SMW! Good thing they've got Northern Tool rigging skates Horizontal Milling Machines Podcast winner, "Stress is a choice." Starrett Optical Comparator strapped to the top of a Miada?  

TOPICS: Saunders had a humbling experience shooting and editing a video to completion again! Watch here. New air compressors. Optical comparators. 8 Deadly wastes - D.O.W.N.T.I.M.E Saunders is getting his Okuma very soon! Grimsmo gets the Willemin powered up!

Topics: - Okuma TMAC Tool Monitoring & Tracking - POCKET SIZED INDUSTRIAL 5-AXIS MACHINE BY CHIRON - Automation Systems (HERMLE RS-1) - Heat Shrink Automation Cell - Zeiss Microscope - Robots VS Cobots (FANUC, KUKA, & UR) - PODCAST CONTEST WINNER ANNOUCEMENT! - KERN Micro HD - The Benefits of Hydrostatic - Grimsmo searches for more 3-32 through-coolant drill bit - Troubleshooting Bowed Parts 

TOPICS: "Clouds & dirt" Saunders is improving Lex work orders. Email screenshots to [email protected] Saunders is jumping into different roles. Grimsmo had the kern running for 39 hours! Saunders new Okuma is 2 weeks away. Shop updates, more space? Grimsmo has a potential collaboration in the work.

Topics:  - 240 is a special number! Grimsmo and Saunders share their experiences with the Volvo 240.  - Shipping & Receiving at SMW Needs Work and LEx (ERP System) Has become a Nightmare - WIllemin: Something is Definitely Missing  - Air Compressors and Paralysis by Analysis  - Why Aren't We Making Money? Livestream - Shiny Happy Challenge Coins from Vince  - 3D Printed Chip Augers for the Haas  - Tweaking Tool Life on the KERN  - Fresh Desk: A way to centralize customer service and communication for small businesses

TOPCIS: Saunders chats about LEX and what ERP systems cannot handle. Grimsmo had a week off from the shop and was able to get tons of programming done. Willemin is almost up and running! Saunders received the Shapeoko HDM. Share the podcast! Email proof to [email protected] to win a sit down chat with Saunders & Grimsmo!

TOPICS:  - Power Surges at GK after a night of thunderstorms - Haas Tap Recovery is GREAT! - Scary Haas Software Bug on Haas - Internet Speed: Don't Overlook Your Router's Limits! - Live Stream about LEx ERP System - Grimsmo's Vacation - Grimsmo Explains 75 Hard - Power to the Willemin - The Excitement of Buying Used Machine Tools

TOPCIS: Saunders toured 3rd gen machine in Utah. John & Erik finished their latest book and are working closer than ever. Inventory management. Ted Lasso! Flood sensors and coolant filling. High feed endmills. DHL Issues.

TOPICS:  Spindle Utilization - Both Johns calculate the weekly percentage of working hours for their machines and discuss factors that affected those outcomes. Don't let the ERP become the company POS!   Internal Culture & Branding  Mori Spindle Time Increase - Grimsmo is tracking spindle time so he can make in-process tweaks to get MORe out of the Mori Upcoming Business Videos That Everyone Needs Why isn't my business making money!?  Economic Downturns & How to Protect Your Business Warranty Repairs for GK: Is there a good solution? WILLEMIN, KEARN, & ESA INSPECTION Shipping Errors - Saunders and Grimsmo share recent shipping mistakes and preventative measures to implement.  Grimsmo Bros Book Club: Erik and John are reading Attraction by Gino Wickman to make big plans for the future of GK.  Is this the Grimsmo Finer Things Club!?

TOPCIS: Mental health in running a business. Asking why 5 times. Saunders got a new machine! Okuma M660! All about surface grinding and finishing. Robot Pallet Loader? Process reliability. Think of something you are grateful for every night.

Topics:  Accountabilibuddies & Truth Relentless by Tim Grover Hardmilling Speeds & Feeds CBN Endmills for Norseman Variable Feedrate & CNC Acceleration/Deceleration Adam the Machinist: Carbide for Hardmilling Zedaro Cutting Tools (WNT, Ceratizit, etc.) De Boer Tool in Toronto, Canada Weird Alarm on KERN Saunders considers custom drills LSC, Sandvik, Magical McMaster Process Reliability Disciples  Cost Per Edge Dobson Pipe Organ Fire & Pipe Organ Tuning Tools

TOPICS:   CBN Endmill testing. Humble vs confidence. Saunders building accounting data to LEX. Grimsmo is going to use oil on the willemin. Rushing emergency parts. Saunders solves lathe chatter. Saunders playing with a new shop layout.

TOPICS: Naming Products and Businesses Willemin Update: Oil or Coolant? While the machine can run both, after a 17- year run with oil, the experts advise Grimsmo not to change. Fire suppression is a must! CHANGE THAT WHEEL! Grimsmo creates an alert for the KERN. CNC ALARM: Tool Radius Too Large & Cutter Compensatio Fusion 360 View Toolpath, Show Points, and Smoothing Rodico Putty - Green > Blue? Machine Tool Weldments VS. Castings Resonance VS. Dampening by Spencer Webb Tornos: Cracked Guide Bushing Communication for Small Businesses Liquid Nitrogen Generator? Shipping & Freight (we assure you, there's nothing too large for a freight carrier to lose). 

TOPICS:   Grimsmo got their Willemin delivered. How to be eternally optimistic. Ted Lasso - Show The Last Dance - Show Atomic Habits - Book Relentless by Tim Grover - Link Winning by Tim Grover - Link Saunders got their ERP system all knowing. Saunders Marketing director is doing great!

Topics: Saunders Get Hosed by the DIY CNC Machine Washdown System Plastic VS Brass Quick Disconnects Grundfos MQ3-35 Pump The Worst Freightmare Ever: A Perfect Storm Customs Duties & Warranty Work Ted Lasso - A Dose of Optimism & Leadership Threading  Fusion 360 Imperial VS. Metric for .STL file export & Improved Contour Selection Multi-Part Probing & Renishaw Macros Re-cutting Chips, High Feed Mill, Swiss Cheese Fixture

TOPICS: Saunders' grandfather has a great quote: "if something is wrong, and it can be fixed, fix it, and if you can't, don't worry about it". International shipping via DHL. Grimsmo bid on his first machinery auction! Saunders is still fine tuning coolant washdown system. Kern senses pallets loading. Airtags to track shipments?

Topics:  Tour of Miltera CMM machines and Tolerances on Norseman Features Born & Koch - Grinding Wheels on a Mill Sweetwater Sound, Inc. - Business Plans and Visions Willemin Update Stainless Steel SFM & Endmill Chipping

TOPICS:   Grimsmo tries to figure out a Kern alarm he has never seen before. SMW got their new DT2 milling machine and it is QUICK! Saunders is taking a Javascript course to edit post processors better.

TOPICS: Business Problem Solving & Developing Systems DIY Coolant Washdown System Shipping, Customer Service Air Compressor/Drain System IoT Failure Google Sheet To Do List Thingyverse RC F1 Car: 3D Printed Parts & Inspiration Pro-Active Machine Shop Maintenance Learning the KERN - Mid Routine Program Restart: Heidenhain Block Scan, Haas Setting 36 Programming G-Code using Visual Studio Code Detecting Syntax Errors Grimsmo Knives Shop Tour Video Fluke Power Meter Determines Power Availability for Willemin Growth Vs. Scaling: Approaching with Caution Sister Tools & Multiple CNC Mills Lathe Tooling & Tool Life Seco Quick Change Toolholder on the Swiss Capto Toolholders for the Nakamura SMW Fixture Plate Packing & Shipping Process Check out Spencer Webb's IG @spencer_webb_nh for Kinetic Precision PFG Stones

TOPICS:   Being vulnerable & making decisions. Moving and reorganizing areas of both shops. CORE VALUES. Traction by Gino Wickman Saunders installed a coolant washdown system. Chip management & draining coolant. Renishaw probe batteries. Draining air compressors!

TOPICS: - Chip Trapper VS. Freddy - Machine Shops & Climate Control - Regularly Scheduling Maintenance - DIY Washdown system for the Haas? - 3D Printing a Detent Dropper Mechanism Creality LD002H - Information and Operations Overhaul at SMW - Communicating Important Information for Team

TOPICS:   Both John's are reading Traction by Gino Wickman. Has tons of great information. What are the most important numbers to monitor in your business? Do you watch cash on hand on a daily basis? Standardize info without the noise. Grimsmo is trying to machine acrylic, which is tougher than it looks.

Topics: Grimsmo shares an update about firing his father How the justice system relates to owning a business Saunders leans toward LEx tracking inventory and communicating with Shopify's API Astronaut Hangout: Outer Space, Infinitesimal Perspectives, & UFOs GK Seco Tool Update Swiss IRL - Setup, Material, Guide Bushings, Turning Centerless Ground Material Willemin - A Customs Nightmare Helpful Advice for Decision Making - More alternatives = Better decisions KERN - Tool Life & Pallet Management

TOPICS: This week Saunders & Grimsmo give a deep dive into all their employees and what they do.

TOPICS: Grimsmo quits (this is a good thing, we promise)! ERP Systems & Purchase Orders Raw Material Shortages Willemin (Mill-ish) coming to Grimsmo Knives from Ohio Haas VF-3 & Haas DT-2 for production at SMW! KERN & lights out production Diagnosing Tool Life Killers & Solutions (Chip Evacuation, Fusion 360 Adaptive with Ramp Taper Angle, tool coatings, through spindle coolant, flute count, magnetism, and more!) Higby Threads, CNC Lathe Love, Master Ring Gauges Dimension Drawings for QC at SMW Fusion 360 FINALLY allows threading with a grooving tool!  

TOPICS: How do business leaders spend their time inside their company? Saunders wants to hire a machinist or an operations manager. Saunders did an awesome tour with Area 419. DT1 Favorite machines. "Leadership is being present." Lathe facing passes and how to get the best finish. Saunders QC bin for diamond parts is getting better and better.

TOPICS:  Area 419 Tour will be premiered on YouTube Monday April 19th, 2021 at 1:30 PM EDT!  Cashflow, Loans, and Post Covid Economic Impacts Grimsmo's purchased a used Willemin Neodymium Magnets Swiss Miss - Saunders Decides Against Swiss for Reversible Inserts CNC Lathe Probing & Tooling Options Business Mindset - The Shift from Preparer to Reviewer

TOPICS: Saunders is settling in and working very hard on some updates to the shop this past year. Grimsmo dives into new coolant dispenser. Being a parent and teaching your kids cool stuff! Oil vs coolant. Grimsmo talks about ordering two new lathes! Cycle time speed increases across different machines.

TOPICS: SMW and Grimsmo in limbo between the lone bootstrapper and leader of a team Plurality of Swisses. Saunders and Grimsmo discuss production volume, process reliability, and other decision making factors for buying new CNC lathes I'm Nak sure if I need a Willemin or Nak. Grimsmo and Saunders debate about whether or not the Nak should be let go in favor of a Willemin Mill Turn Sourcing centerless ground 17-4 Stainless Bar feeders & Automation Area 419 Tour of the new shop gets Saunders dreaming big. The tour is set to premiere on YouTube on Monday, April 19th! GK products like the SAGA, Norseman, and Rask increase in demand Superordinate Shop Goals - Giving the team a unified vision Renishaw Probe Replacements = Worth It!

TOPICS:   Grimsmo crashed a Renishaw spindle probe on the Mori. Saunders hired an intern just to focus on Johnny Five! Orbit mechanical water timer for filling coolant. Should we both get another swiss lathe? Saunders is reorganizing the whole shop. Doing a night run of pallets is a game changer.  

TOPICS: Just Start! Saunders and Grimsmo discuss the importance of context and relativity when it comes to business advice. SNAP OUT OF IT! You may not realize you're in a comfort zone! Work Smarter AND Harder? The age old debate. Intelligence Vs. Diligence & Practice Vs. Skill Lights out production on the KERN Saunders hires out the cleaning and bookkeeping! Odoo ERP at Seneca Woodworking & Using Data SMW got flooded! Delay on/off switches: https://amzn.to/3eU8ZB2 Martin upgrades the Shapeoko into a detent track burnishing machine How and when to hire more people Grimsmo talks about the possibility of selling the Nak for a bigger Tornos! Oil Vs. Coolant Ultrasonic Cleaning  

TOPICS:   Saunders' makes something awesome that went to the bottom of the ocean! Machining titanium Fusion 360 Tool Library issues and fixes Catching up on backorders. Shipping delays and organizing. Playing catch-up. Grimsmo gives a deep dive into swiss lathes and purchasing info for Saunders

TOPICS Learning - The importance of Curiosity and the Dunning-Kruger Effect (overestimating your competence) 3D Printers for Dual Extrusion Pivotal Machinist Moments - Area 419 Tour, Never Stop Quitting Your Job, and the Downside of Bootstrap Mentality. It Figures. After releasing the "How to Get Paid On Time" video, Saunders gets stiffed. Don't Take It Personal! Implementing systems and strategies for handling problematic situations is a MUST. Whip It Good! Haas Lathe Spindle Liner Whipped Itself into Shape? Lights Out, KERN ON. Grimsmo and his team arrive at the shop to find the KERN still running after successfully completing 10 pallets.

TOPICS: Saunders talks about his experience with quitting his day job and when you should to. Do you spot holes in machining? Saunders goes into a huge rabbit hole of 3d printing. Lathes, Lathes and more Lathes! Hot glue in the shop? What are the uses? Saunders does a shop tour at Area419

TOPICS   Does a College Education Matter? Grimsmo and Saunders share their different paths and initial interests BEFORE they got into CNC machining. Someone is looking for a new machinist---could it be you? Optical Flat & Monochromatic Light for Part Flatness @laneymachinetech Grimsmo and Saunders offer each other workable solutions for tool break detection and other quirky issues. Renishaw probing macros and lathe part off techniques

TOPICS:   Reaming holes. Endmill coatings and storage. Grob factory tour. Tool like time and replacement methods. Johnny Five returns. Links: https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/09782467

TOPICS: Trusting Instincts Social proof for marketing and branding Creative Fixturing and Workholding Grimsmo and Saunders Approved Tools! Grimsmo's Favorite Gripper Pad The "I can't believe it exists already" wrench Good reasons to outsource things beyond the scope of your business Xometry Pay - Solving Collection of past due accounts for businesses? Prusas, 3D printed 1/4" Royal Collet for sub spindle & Gauge Housings   UP NEXT:  FEBRUARY 2021 GOALS FOR GK

TOPICS:   Ordering Lathe Material - Purchasing/procurement Finances in Business What makes you happy? Growing a business in 3 stages Lathe talk Past due accounts receivables? Creating your own cnc machine?