Business of Machining

Proud Machining Moments Hit Home Sometimes you only need an upward glance to find comfort and strength.  Click Image Below to See the IG Post:   #Throwback #NeverForget An epic Lakeshore order is a testament to how far you've come but the past is never too distant. The Taig ER-16 spindle and some cheap double-sided end mills conjure up fond memories of the early days.   Saunders discusses the emotional impact of a "major curve ball." This health concern causes terror and confusion, but one thing is clear: it puts life into perspective. "It's not a sprint. It's a marathon."   YOU ARE WHAT YOU WANT TO BE Although entrepreneurs are driven by behavioral economics such as fear, convictions and outside interactions, at the end of the day, it's decision time. The Johns discuss how their ideas and plans have evolved. BOOKS TO HAVE YOUR NOSE IN: Freedom's Forge: How American Business Produced Victory in WWII Big Mistakes: The Best Investors and Their Worst Investments The Perfectionists: How Precision Engineers Created the Modern World "SPEEDS AND FEEDS ARE YOUR THING." - Grimsmo "YOU HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING YET." - Saunders CASH CRUNCH: How cash flow management can affect your business decisions. STUPID GOALS? Goals are easy to declare BUT they ignore the actions between.  

The Pen and Knife Balance With limited machines, Grimsmo is always trying to balance knife and pen production. Sometimes he has to get creative. Saunders and Grimsmo talk tools, and creative solutions to achieve Grimsmo’s high standards. “That would work, but it wouldn’t be the finish I want” - Grimsmo Sometimes the solutions are simple. “We both figured out at the same time that the live tool needed to go first...it’s just one of those little things that takes forever to figure out” - Grimsmo SMW Bought a 5 - Axis! It’s a Haas UMC-750, and Saunders signed the paper work for it last week. It should be delivered in about 2 - 3 weeks (so soon!). Look out for the video on Saunders’ YouTube channel.  To make space, they would also move the other machines around a little. “You’ve got your high-end cell, and your training cell” - Grimsmo Pro-tip: You don’t want too big of a machine because it makes it very difficult to get to a small part, so you have to solve that by lifting the part up high off the table. Interested in getting trained in 5-Axis machining? Keep following Saunders for updates on potential classes. “I’ve always been more interested in showing what you can do with a machine, rather than showing what you can’t do with a machine” - Saunders Grimsmo’s Future 5 - Axis “I would get a palletized version...Rob Lockwood sold me on the idea” - Grimsmo. Listen to the episode with Rob Lockwood as a guest! It’s episode 93 of this podcast. “I try to push the boundaries for accuracy, not so much for power” - Grimsmo Failed Lean "Fixes" Collaborative video between Grimsmo, Saunders, and Jay Pierson.  Where have YOU tried to go lean, and it just didn’t work out? 3D Printing without heat...Can it be done? Saunders tours a revolutionary 3D Printing company called Fabri Sonic. “You can put electronics in your 3D printed part!” - Saunders Hacks: The Snippet Tool on every windows computer. It’s so small, but helps SO much. Creating a keyboard shortcut in your phone to fill out your hashtags automatically. At the end, Grimsmo and Saunders get into measurement techniques, and solving problems by probing. Saunders mentions that he learned a great technique from Edge Precision’s YouTube channel!

It's cold. It's winter. Who cares? Moving on. This episode is a hodgepodge of entrepreneurial and philosophical gold nuggets. From Maslow's Hierarchy to epoxy floors, the Johns cover it all. Even IF we are in a simulation...it doesn't matter! Machinist's Philosophies After watching the Joe Rogan podcast episode featuring David Goggins, Saunders is particularly fired up! Joe Rogan + David Goggins Podcast Episodes #1212 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvWB7B8tXK8 #1080 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tSTk1083VY Rollercoaster of Entrepreneurial Love It's normal to get down but maybe you have to get down to get back up. Without overcoming struggle, you can't get a sense of accomplishment.

Getting Social In 2019, and sharing reality! Grimsmo starts to post Instagram stories daily. Bonus: We get more info on the upcoming Saga Pen! BUT Saunders and Grimsmo agree that they don’t need to stay up-to-date on everything all the time. “Use Instagram the way that works for you...we’re not just going for clicks and views, we’re trying to build a community of people who care, and want to see what we’re doing” - Grimsmo Example of a Reality Check: In Grimsmo’s latest video, Jo mentions that we’re using the old tumbler a little more than the new tumbler lately. And that’s just a reality. Saunders guest stars in another podcast! It’s called The Edge with Bantam Tools This company is now owned by Bre Pettis, one of the owners of NYC Resistor, and the 3D printer company, MakerBot.  Growing Pains = Long Term Gains To think about hiring, you’ve gotta think about firing Saunders and Grimsmo talk about the difficulties of being an entrepreneur. “I hired too quickly, and I fired too slowly. The problem with having a bottom performer on your team is that he/she gets all the attention, when the second worst performer flies under the radar” - An inspiring entrepreneur Saunders is quoting “Being an entrepreneur is something I wouldn’t wish upon my worst enemy, yet all of my best friends are entrepreneurs” - Grimsmo Great example from The Eagles Biopic on Netflix What did it feel like when the band broke up? “It was a terrible relief” - Don Henley Even when there’s no specific problems with the team, as an entrepreneur, it’s still necessary to constantly be thinking about the future (which includes the future of employees). Saunders and the Mobile Desk Saunders gets a backup battery for his computer, and sets everything up to be movable. Now he can move his office, into a quieter space. Let’s talk about finance! Growth eats cash for breakfast! “I haven’t yet felt the benefits of running a profitable business” - Grimsmo Saunders and Grimsmo discuss how to regard the finances as accurately as possible. “Most businesses fail not because of lack of profitability, but because of cash flow” The Saga: Almost a Year in the Making The Grimsmo Shop seizes every chance they get to make pen parts when the lathe isn’t making knife parts. Grimsmo talks about Angelo’s strategies to tighten those tolerances on the super small parts of the pen. The pens will be sold through the Maker’s Choice list, but it’s not live yet. Subscribe to Grimsmo’s Instagram and YouTube for updates on this. Lathe is running well, and Grimsmo adjusted the SFM! What is SFM? There’s a video for that. Saunders has a question for the audience! The big fan is great for cooling the air, but we want a better climate control system for the summer. “I wanna buy a beer for an HVAC guy!” - Saunders ALARM! Wrong tool in spindle Grimsmo had two pallets alarm out at one custom code that he had put in. It helps protect his tools and his parts with one warning called “wrong tool in spindle”

Spoke Too Soon.  Last week's episode featured Great Mood Grimsmo. He was in high spirits only to find Norseman fixture alignment issues that would plague the team for the remainder of the week. He and Angelo wade through the GD&T lake to find the variance and formulate a possible solution that involves changing the probe tip from 6mm to 2mm.  Click the Photo to View Post!   For Saunders, Monday morning bestows some thorn-in-your-side gifts. A letter from the bank creates strained relations, a Fusion 360 glitch causes Manual NC to malfunction, and an RFQ response from a vendor that results in a purchase, except they left out one TINY detail. TELL ME SOMETHIN' GOOD! As more machinists open their shops to viewers via social media and YouTube, big name companies recognize the potential benefits. The landscape of the machining industry is evolving.  While proprietary information is still kept confidential, more businesses are warming up to visitors and sharing. To boot, long gone are the days when the idea of having 2 Renishaw probes on the same machine seemed cray-cray. What makes the BEST WEEK EVER? Hint: It includes the National Tooling and Machining Association and ZEISS. Processing Post Processing If you want to get started on Post Processing, check out the videos on the NYC CNC page HERE. Spooky Sounds and Stethoscopes: Solved. The strange noise emitted from the VF-2SS in episode 100 has disappeared. Was it a major issue or a simple fix? You know what really GRINDS my gears? Quality Control. Quality and lead time issues with outside vendors provoke questions. Saunders has reservations about bringing a particular process in-house but keeps an open mind to solutions. Don'tcha wish you had a Bourdelais around the corner?

This episode is a good mix of strategic philosophy and technical discussions. Stay tuned for talks about how to stay motivated AND motivate your team at the same time! Such is the life of an entrepreneur. The Johns will also talk troubleshooting, and favorite tools. Pass it on Grimsmo fixed the pass link on the Maker’s Choice “Congrats” e-mail, and now people can pass the purchase link along quickly if they don’t want it. Without that link working, it takes 24 hours for turnover! What do you want in a knife? Grimsmo adds a short survey to the Maker’s Choice system so people on the list can answer a few questions and help the Grimsmo team tailor knives to the market. But this raises the question “how do you differentiate between valuable and non-valuable feedback?” Grimsmo’s systems may be improved, but he’s not finished yet! Saunders and Grimsmo discuss how to integrate knife customization back into the Grimsmo business model. “Don’t paint the future with the past. You have a lot more maturity now when it comes to your ability to run product through the shop” - Saunders The Saga Continues… The Grimsmo pen is still in the works, and getting prettier by the day. But at 32 rockwell, is the new material for the button and slider too soft? Skye gets assigned the task of clicking the pen all day to find out. What’s your favorite tool? Saunders: ¼ inch end mills FTW! There are so many reasons why they’re great! A well versed fellow from Helical Solutions visits the SMW shop and breaks down just how unique end mills really are. Saunders also toured Helical Solutions’ shop! Check it out on Youtube! Grimsmo’s favorite tool? The Leica Microscope. It’s used all day every day at the Grimsmo Shop, and knives just couldn’t be made the same without it. For those of you who are going to ask about Grimsmo’s Lathe Insert Tool that he mentioned: VBMT 110302PSF AH725 Slow and steady does not always win the race (if you’re a machinist) “That’s a classic example of how you think you’re gonna be safer and smarter by going slower and easier, but it doesn’t always mean that” - Saunders How much is too much lifestyle creep? “I know there’s life style creep, but I just don’t feel bad about it” - Saunders’ friend There’s a difference between treating yourself, and spoiling yourself.  Crush it! 

Happy 2019! The guys elaborate on the first time they met in person at the 2015 Tormach Open House. Did Grimsmo inadvertently set a precedent when he purchased his first vertical machining center before having a shop to fit it? The guys get caught up in festivities, family, and friends. This time of year reminds us to cherish time with our loved ones, to reflect, and to ring in the new year with a zest for life. Tom Lipton's sobering words hit home and leave Grimsmo with goosebumps. Check out the post HERE IS THIS REAL LIFE? The Saunders family takes off to D.C. for an impromptu vacation. While visiting museums, he finds himself in awe! Preventative Maintenance Talks Be a good machinist by taking care of your machines! 10 Things YOU Can Improve for 2019 Spooky Sounds and Stethoscopes The VF2 is making a weird noise, so it's time to get to the bottom of it. Could it be a rotary union coupler issue? Knife Parts Stocked?  YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS!   Sayonara, Kyocera Inserts? Previously, the SAGA clips decimated insert after insert BUT WHY!? Angelo and Grimsmo pour through the code to find the place where old habits die hard. They are pumped to see if adjusting the SFM will solve the problem! Stay tuned for an update! Find out which machine Grimsmo's got his eye AND a quote on!

Last podcast episode of the year! BUT how important is the calendar year anyway when you’re constantly trying to achieve your goals? “I’m already living in 2019” - Saunders 2018 THEME OF THE YEAR: STRESS (and how to cope) Saunders went through some of the older episodes, and apparently the Johns talked about this a lot. “I’m okay stressing about the future. I’m not okay stressing about the present” - Saunders GRIMSMO AGREES “If you’re stressing about the present, it means you’re doing something wrong or you need to do something” - Grimsmo Are you ever satisfied when you’re committed to continual growth? Saunders debates between a vertical spindle or a CMM, but there’s always another thing that will make your business more effective. Just remember that the things you really really wanted last year have now become a part of the regular process flow.    2018 Quote of the Year! (from a previous episode that Saunders dug up) “Did we have fun? If not, we die” - Grimsmo Should work be fun? Thanks Eleanor, but fun sure makes it easier! “There is something to be said for diving into your work, but loving your work makes it that much easier” - Grimsmo Check out the book Saunders mentions! Warren Buffett’s bio Snowball Shifting Pens to Priority at the Grimsmo Shop Knives have been a priority for a long time, Grimsmo struggles with taking the time he needs to get pens MOVING! At least there’s no doubt that the pen needs to be a staple product. SO, time to get Swissish... Saunders: “Dude, you NEED a Swiss Lathe!” Grimsmo needs a Swiss Lathe for pen parts. THE E-MYTH REVISITED (Revisited by Grimsmo, that is) Going 100 PERCENT into the new year! Episode 100 will come out then. For now, what’s your legacy?

Down for the Count An illness drags Grimsmo home to recuperate for a few days. Did it have a negative effect on GK production? Urban Survival Gear: The Chapstick of Pens Apparently, this pen has magical features not listed in the description. It vanishes but only reappears once replaced! Check Out Tactile Turn Pens HERE Deep Cuts Grimsmo gets his FIRST custom knife from Brad Southard, complete with sweet engraved surprises. Buying a part of the story is the best way to support small makers! Check out Brad's Knives HERE  Husky Style Toolbox Finds a Home After purchasing the new toolbox, no one was sure where to put it but don't worry...Angelo's got this. Fellow Entrepreneur Frustration While growth is the epitome of success for most companies, they risk spreading themselves too wide, leaving their original specialty to suffer. "Quality isn't a light switch." - Rob Lockwood LEAN GONE WILD. Could it be a thing? Saunders entertains the idea of a video about lean shop improvements gone wrong. Hey, what can I say? Sometimes Kaizen foam gets out of control! Dialing in the 2019 Direction Saunders films a new YouTube channel intro that defines specific areas of focus for the new year.  Stay tuned for its upcoming release on January 1st, 2019! Relishing the Two-Pallet Run After burning the midnight oil to fine tune the CAM, Grimsmo's tandem pallets are ready for a test! Before you get gung ho about tombstones and pallets...there are a few things to consider. Array storage probing, anyone? Siri's Kryptonite Saunders points out the utility of recording voice notes; however, you may want to forego the transcription. Small Improvements. Big Impact. Saunders is pairing down. Smaller desk, less clutter, one monitor instead of 2 AND Jared's gettin' a new PC. Check out the popular NYC CNC Article on What Computer to Purchase for Fusion 360! Screwed Up in a Good Way GK is building up knife part inventory so SAGA production can commence. Fun Fact: Each knife has 7 screws! Does The Canadian Dream include a Swiss Lathe? Analyzing downside risk causes Grimsmo to approach a new machine tool with extreme caution. 'MURICA Serial No. 1776 With thoughts of American independence on his mind, Grimsmo's coming up with something awesome for the 1776 knife. Next Week's Episode The guys will rummage through 2018 podcasts. The past is close, yet so far away.

Starts off on a SUPER positive note: “We’ve got the recipe down!” The team is taking initiative, and making projects their own. “You need the best guy to come up with the process. Then it’s trainable, it’s a recipe.” - Grimsmo Healthy shops, happy team Do your machines need filters? Where are we at in the SAGA of the Saga Pen? “Priorities, man” - Grimsmo Knives are the first priority, and the lathe has been running non-stop for the past few weeks in the Grimsmo shop. That’s awesome! But it means there’s less lathe time for pen parts (which are entirely made on the lathe). Saunders’ Challenge: What spindle to buy next? Check out Saunders’ December shop update! It breaks down how to budget, and what time of year is best to buy.   DOUBLE TROUBLE Grimsmo is successfully running two pallets(!!) at a time now on his mill, but getting this to work was no cake walk. Among the casualties: a Cogsdill Tool “I was so worried about the programming side of it, that I didn’t worry about the mechanical side” - Grimsmo Your tolerance is inTENTH!   The Johns talk machining and getting their tolerances down to tenths. Sad news: factory closing the doors after 100 years of operation 100,000 sq/ft factory closes down Saunders goes across the street to say goodbye, learn, and check out the auction Back to the Grind...ing company The Supfina fine grinding machine is no longer happening for Grimsmo. BUT Nifty Bar upped their game and meets the Grimsmo standard in grinding! Could this be better? Questions raised:  Q: Can an FAQ make up for a subroutine? A: On a shopify website, perhaps!   Tune in to hear Saunders’ and Grimsmo’s 2019 goals! Sneak peak: Grimsmo: Get a new fixture installed to allow a four pallet setup Saunders: Work steadily on improving the Shopify website

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE...where you might get a little misty-eyed. The cycle has ended; the coolant is off so WHY is the foam still growing!? With no through-spindle coolant and small ER collets, Grimsmo's got no explanation for the extreme coolant atomization--annoying problem but fun to say!   Saunders notices an off-white tinge occurs sooner than it should but instead of replacing it and shrugging it off, he examines potential root causes. Will sending samples reveal what's really going on? Improving Shop Environment Quality for $200? Yes, please. Saunders has been working to improve shop air quality. Between the Big Ass Fan, the ERV, and the new Fan/Filter Modification from Grimsmo's new lapping machine video, it's like a breath of fresh air. So far, it's working great but whether or not the charcoal filter will clog remains to be seen. Want to get an upgrade? Check out this NYCCNC page for a bill of materials. Double Dose AU Toronto pays Grimsmo a visit to talk Fusion 360. PLUS, the Elliot Matsuura APS Engineer stops by to talk machine tools and custom codes! What makes it Swissish? There's some fuss on WhatsApp about the  Tsugami SS327-5AX Swiss Lathe with B-Axis Pallets? Check. Code? Please wait. Grimsmo wants the code to complete for one pallet, rewind, move over, and start from the stop but there's one BIG problem: Fanuc and it's dinky memory size... Come on, MAN.  It's 2018!  You can't even BUY memory that small anymore!  To make matters worse, logic can't be used in the DNC side of memory which holds 2G (plenty of room).  So, that means 2-3 hours of alone time (hand coding) and the pallets should be good to go.   Tune in to hear about Grimsmo's end of 2018 thoughts AND outlook for 2019!

It feels like winter in Canada (brrr), but America just had their thanksgiving weekend! Just remember, big data collection never takes a vacation. Directed Marketing is WEIRD Big box stores, like Target, have to stay ahead of the competition and now (in the digital age), that involves marketing to individuals. But even stores that collect big data can fail if they don’t use it properly; Target failed in Canada! “The store’s called Target because everyone’s a target” - Grimsmo’s dad joke of the day #DJOTD These days, it’s necessary to be a little more aggressive with marketing, but is GK or NYC CNC ever going to get into it? The NYC CNC website is getting REVAMPED They will be phasing out paid memberships, and bringing NYC CNC content (videos, articles etc.) back to the open open source world. Saunders is really excited about paying it forward through his website. BUT there’s a catch. “Pro-articles” are still behind a padlock. You have to give your name, e-mail address, and a little information about yourself if you want access to those. It’s NYC CNC’s own way of getting to know its customers a little better. Saunders and Grimsmo talk about their friendship, and how far they should push each other. Meanwhile...at the Grimsmo Shop The lathe has been running almost non-stop for the last two weeks. Yay! Sometimes it goes for a while without being used. That’s mainly because knife parts are a priority, but pens are coming soon and they are going to keep the lathe SUPER busy.   Saunders and Grimsmo discuss other ways Grimsmo can use the lathe. “Things you need to do before buying a new machining center” - the title of the article that Saunders is working on In this article, he’s going to cover what to ask, be aware of, how to buy, what not to buy, what to negotiate when buying a new machine, details to think about, financing options, and much more. Listen to this episode, and you might just hear a little of the advice before the article gets out. “You don’t ask you don’t get. I mean, that’s the rules of life right there” - Grimsmo Videos Coming Soon to a YouTube channel near you! Keep an eye out for a Haas “Tips and Tricks” video on Saunders’ channel Grimsmo’s working on prepping the fixtures that Amish made for him, and getting clamps made. There’ll be a video on that today (Friday)! Saunders (feels like he) is in a whole new shop! The shop has been rearranged to maximize productivity and efficiency. They are also working on a final purge and getting rid of things they don’t need. Saunders is going to continue to reorganize today, as well as set up his new Energy Recovery Ventilator, which is an awesome air filtration system.   ONE MORE MONTH OF 2018 Next week, we’re going to talk about new years goals! Here’s a little teaser: Saunders is thinking that he wants to work on being more “in control”, and have a more calm, cool, and collected sort of mentality going into the new year.

THAT STINGS. Verbal agreements feel warm and fuzzy at first but have nasty side effects. While it feels awkward to request a written agreement from a friend or a service provider you've worked with before, be assured; there are far worse consequences. "Free is the most expensive price you could ever pay for something." Offering "blem" products at a discount to the public initially sounded like the obvious thing to do; however, when customers started relying on blems instead of purchasing a full priced product, it robs your business. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas...including an Urban Technical Gear pen. That means, someone's in the market for a new pen--eagerly awaiting the commencement of SAGA production. Nerding Out Level: Business Operation The guys discuss the benefits of FREIGHT SHIPPING. Alarm Bells The anodizer discovers corrosion on the fixture plates. Will the plates be saved? More importantly, can the SMW team solve the mystery? After a day-long bearing cage setup, GK is rearing and ready to make tons of them...but there's a problem: Tiny way oil tank runs out way too fast. Production screeches to a halt during the night and at daybreak, with half of the expected quantity in hand, the guys formulate possible solutions for keeping that oil level in check. Linear Scales and Servo PID Loops Anyone know how it works? Saunders is curious to find out whether the scales or the servo's loops take precedence. ERP. DO YOU EVEN KANBAN, BRO? If you think procurement is the same as purchasing, think again. Grimsmo continues to utilize ProShop for purchase orders while Saunders scratches his head at his current kanban problem.

  Welcome to Autodesk University With a focus on Fusion and Manufacturing Special guest for this episode: Rob Awesome Lockwood! Here is the link of the event Grimsmo, Saunders, and Rob Lockwood were at.  It's time for Grimsmo and Saunders to head to class for four days straight of learning, inspiration, and a little bit of teaching.   In this episode, we catch Saunders, Grimsmo, and Lockwood in the thick of the event in Las Vegas, and hear their thoughts on the courses they've attended so far and what they think of popular topics of the event. “It’s wonderful to meet the architects of [Fusion 360]” - Saunders Featured classes:  101 Tips on Fusion 360 - Maximize the number of features you know about, and use, on Fusion 360 (especially helpful for the self-taught machinist) “The self-taught Fusion experience means that we’re probably missing out on some key functions that would make our lives easier” - Grimsmo "The most valuable stuff that I've gotten is the underpinning stuff of fusion" - Lockwood Under the hood of Fusion 360 - Keep your sketches light weight! Utilize Macro Programming and Probing to Make More Parts, Better - Taught by Grimsmo Speeds and Feeds - Taught by Saunders CAM with Generative - Overview by Lockwood Design Thinking with Fusion 360 - Jeff Smith (@blaster701 on Instagram). Saunders loved this class! It got him to think more about designing with intent.  Let's Talk Fusion The three machinists discuss the changes Fusion could make, the changes they have made, and what the implications of these changes could mean for the software and the community. “If everyone is doing it incorrectly, there's really a discussion to be had about changing the workflow” - Saunders What's the hot topic of the conference? Generative Design “Everyone’s talking about generative here” - Grimsmo "Some of the designs look like when you see a whale carcass" - Lockwood "What’s neat about [generative design] is, by definition, all of the results are manufacturable, technically” - Lockwood "Ask me about singularity"  - A quote Lockwood's conference badge Saunders and Lockwood both give their definitions of Generative design in manufacturing, then the three of them discuss its implications. They also discuss the definition of singularity design for manufacturing.  Psst...Miss the event but want to watch the classes anyway?  Fear not! Lots of the classes were recorded and are online. Fusion Payment Model Fusion continues to offer the free version, but there is only one paid version now and it’s 500 dollars a year. These three believe it's a good value, and an easy to understand model We may be talking about Fusion and manufacturing a lot, but don't forget... "Autodesk is a giant company, and the world is a giant place, and our manufacturing sector is a small percentage of what they do" - Grimsmo The conference is finished, and everyone's back home, but they are feeling more inspired than ever.  What do YOU think? How can a design software improve buildings of the future such as hospitals and schools?

Anodizing Paintball Guns, a Brochure, and a Parking Lot Jay Pierson's story of past failure in his MHub speech conjures entrepreneurship jitters of 2010 for Grimsmo. Failure is almost a pre-requisite for success and as a major industry player points out on the NYC CNC forum, "You first have to exist [in other people's minds]." Click HERE to Watch Jay's Speech Don't forget: the successful people you admire today were once standing in your shoes. [[]>-- Renaissance of Making IN THE MAKING --

Happy Halloween! Dry Ice anyone? It’s super cool! (pun intended) Check out this project another machinist did with dry ice.   Grimsmo talks about the benefits of quenching your blades in dry ice after heat treat, and is working on a palette that will also improve the process. Saunders is also working with dry ice to blast parts. Before you become a mad machinist for Halloween, maybe this solution will fix your mill: Did your machine stop working? Grimsmo tried many different ways to fix his Mori, but in the end he just had to UN-press his emergency stop button...and turn his machine off and on about ten times.   Keeping track of mistakes and solutions It’s not just parts a machinist/entrepreneur needs to track, it’s also thought processes. Learn about how Saunders and Grimsmo use documents on their computers, and ERP software to keep track of everything going on in their shops and minds.   “It’s important to be able to easily search for the solution” - Saunders SAUNDERS WANTS YOUR OPINION Saunders is comparing different ERP softwares, so if you have implemented or used the small business ERP software from SAP, Oracle, or Odoo, Saunders wants to hear from you! You can contact him here.   The Grimsmo Team has a new addition to the shop: an Engis 24” plate lapping machine! No training required. Grimsmo and Saunders discuss the extent to which training is valuable for new machines.  Check out Grimsmo’s Instagram for pics of the new machine, and stay tuned on their YouTube channel for a video all about it.   Saunders is clearing up the shop to make more room. His philosophy to help him get it done? “If we’re not using it, it’s not making us happy, and it’s not part of our story, it goes” - Saunders Jumping write into November Grimsmo does not have a completed pen and it’s the end of October, BUT he still thinks he can get pens into production in November. Save your business A LOT of money by thinking about exchange rates The Grimsmo Team is 100% Canadian! But their customers aren’t, which means not all their banks should be either. Grimsmo shares the plan that he and Barry hatched to save money on the business by thinking about exchange rates, monthly costs, service fees, and product subscriptions. “For every transaction through Shopify, we’re paying a percentage transactional fee” - Grimsmo That’s all for now folks!

Shootin' the Breeze Grimsmo and his son, Leif, pay Saunders a quick visit. TURNS out, machining isn't the only thing he's precise about. Saunders digs into his quality engineering obsession. How to Win Friends & Influence People is a life-changing read. Do yourself a favor and get a copy by clicking HERE! Family Heirlooms Everyone says they look AND act like brothers, so when Grimsmo becomes the owner of a sentimental Kennedy toolbox, it just feels right. TUFF STUFF Jack Roman from Tuff Writer Pens features GK in his EDC (Every Day Carry) + Micro Manufacturing Documentary. Tuff Writer Pens

Grimsmo is putting pens write back into the game! He and Angelo had a nice long meeting where they made A TON of changes to the internal workings of the pens. Curious about what changed? Watch out for new Saga Saturday videos coming again soon on Grimsmo’s YouTube channel! Learning is great, and it’s even better if knowledge can be used right away! Saunders learns what a “living hinge” is (keep listening to find out), and he bought a Skyhook crane (which is also new territory for him). Which would YOU choose? Red or Blue? And no, we’re not talking about pills. “Welcome to the Loctite Episode!” - Grimsmo The Johns discuss loctite, different variations you can get, and how its versatility makes it so AMAZING! What does loctite do? Fills in all the gaps and gives you 100 percent thread. It prevents the start of the reverse rotation. The Balance of Risk and Reward There’s always a risk when you sit down with a mentor or someone in the field, but from Saunders’ experience, the good always outweighs the bad. Saunders talks about his trip to New York. He did SO MUCH in the two days he was there, but especially enjoyed his tour of the VAHL shop. There will be a video of that, so keep an eye out on Saunders’ YouTube channel for the shop tour! Take away from the trip? Saunders says it’s always great to get a little out of his comfort zone, but he has to reflect a little more before he knows exactly what lessons he's learned. How do you measure lean? Saunders and Grimsmo discuss what goals that have when they implement lean strategies into their workflow. “Better results at the end of the day is all the matters” - Grimsmo The machines Saunders has makes him: “parts , money and happy” Workflow improvements? Grimsmo uses UpWork a lot to get results, and now the shop is also considering a fine grinding machine that would cut down on lapping time. Grimsmo is going to visit Saunders this weekend! It’s a great time for them to just hang out, and be dads together.

:: Solving a toolpath mystery :: :: The John Saunders Turkey Machine :: :: Don't judge a fish by how it climbs trees :: DEFINING BUSINESS OBJECTIVES Saunders asks himself, "What the heck ARE we?" Does having multiple areas of specialty dilute the business? After some revelatory conversations, he's "zeroing" in on what it means to be SMW. "Daddy, I'm trying to find John Saunders Turkey Machine Shop." While enjoying the Canadian Thanksgiving festivities, Grimsmo's daughter, Claire, is on the hunt for a hilarious and totally under-rated video. Click The Image to Watch! MACHINE SHOP LINGUISTICS Often, words lose their meaning and need updated to accurately reflect our ever-changing world. By changing the suffix, the word "Marketing" gets new life. TOOLPATH MYSTERY SOLVED! The gradual arc on a GK knife handle goes from 1 line of G-code to 50, leaving behind noticeable facets that the guys have to buff out. Luckily, in this digital age, we can turn to the machining community to ask for help! Thanks to @laurenswijnschenk, the proverbial thorn in Grimsmo's side is gone. Check out his Instagram HERE! BUST OUT THE FUSION 360 First, pull over and open your laptop! Have you ever used the "View Toolpath" feature in Fusion? If you haven't, you aren't alone! IMTS 2018 - GET YOUR FIX The NYC CNC full length IMTS video hasn't been published yet but here are some shorter IMTS videos to tie you over! Grimsmo Knives IMTS 2018 Day 1 - Becoming Swissish Grimsmo Knives IMTS 2018 Day 2 - Small Booths IMTS 2018 Top 10 CNC Machines GRIMSMO KNIVES is HIRING Their "We're Hiring" video has been released to the interwebs but in order to be seriously considered, you MUST make a short video about yourself! A deep conversation ensues about the art of hiring employees that you don't want to miss! Click the Image to Watch! THERE MUST BE A FULL MOON Saunders is back in NYC, looking at a Mori Seiki SL-1A with FANUC control...but will the forklift have enough capacity to handle the instruction manuals? Finally Got Some Green Tops! Grimsmo gears up to try out Helical tools for the first time.

What processes work best for your shop? Sometimes it’s as simple as wrapping green tape around material you’re not using or using google sheets more often, and other times it’s necessary to get creative with a new tool! BTW the Grimsmo shop has a band saw now. “It all depends on your goals”- Grimsmo If quantity is your goal, you focus on materials that make products faster. If your goal is quality, you have to invest in materials to make them top notch, but you should make sure it’s not taking any longer than it needs to. Tiny Tolerances Grimsmo and Saunders discuss tolerances. They are a crazy important consideration, maybe even more important than we realize. How do you make sure your perfect parts are actually perfect? Saunders asks himself questions like “What tolerances do I need?” as he plans his trip to NYC to look at a used FANUC 2-axis lathe. The Journey: it never ends. Saunders is inspired by Tony Robbins too! As the Johns discuss realistic goals from the next year, to the next TEN years, Saunders reminds Grimsmo of a Tony Robbins quote: “Most people overestimate what they can do in one year, and they underestimate what they can do in a decade” Everyone puts so much pressure on themselves over the course of a day, or a week or a month, but those little steps will lead to huge results. It just takes time. “It has to grow organically for it to work, and it has to take ten years, and it has to be a struggle” - Grimsmo Ask yourself: Where were YOU last year? It might make you feel pretty good.   As a side note: Grimsmo’s hiring! The official announcement was out on their YouTube channel Thursday Oct 3. Hmmm...What should we buy next? The Johns get Swissish (again) as they talk about how a Swiss Lathe works. With the lapping machine being overused, a fine grinding machine is starting to look like a more real part of the future for the Grimsmo Shop.   Fine grinding machine by Supfina: https://www.supfina.com/home/ Model that Grimsmo is considering: Supfina Spiro F5 Keep an eye out! Saunders is going to releasing a new product by the end of this year!

Get Well Soon, Grimsmo! He might be under the weather but shop life waits for no one... --BURNOUT-- When you enjoy working, you have to be more conscious of that sneaky little thing called burnout. You might not notice until it's too late! Pride and Humility: The Balance William breaks a toy at school. Tony Robbins Total Immersion Grimsmo and Meg attend a Tony Robbins event and return revitalized! Love him or hate him the "I'm Not Your Guru" guru has ways to break limiting thinking patterns and bestow clarity. Using a different framework makes critical decision-making easier. NEGATIVE NANCIES As Saunders releases the first of many Johnny 5 videos, the negative nancies get their panties in a twist because of an estimated 2-year timeline. Rome wasn't built in a day...right? Hesitation Parallels Saunders has found THE microscope and a jib-crane solution but suffers a case of Paralysis by Analysis while actively fighting lifestyle creep. From Grimsmo's last video (BACK FROM IMTS 2018!) he's STILL gotta order titanium round bar BUT this order entails more than clicking a button...

Are you ready to talk technology and tools from IMTS with Saunders and Grimsmo? I hope so! Because this episode gets nice and technical The Johns are back from IMTS, inspired, and ready to get back to hustling. They’re happy they can pick up where they left off because of their awesome employees holding down their respective forts while they were gone, and keeping up with the daily grind and processes. “Make the process the expert” - Grimsmo Thanks for coming out to the Manufacturing/Entrepreneurship Summit! It was a blast! In this episode Grimsmo and Saunders reflect on the event and wrap it up with some final thoughts on certain questions that were asked during the Q and A period. Teaser: Their favourite part of IMTS was talking to and learning from the people, and it’s amazing to see how many parallels there are between entrepreneurs’ stories.   At the show there were plenty of machines of the future, but what about machines of their future? Still lots! Grimsmo discusses Swiss Lathes and 5-Axis machining, and Saunders gives some tips on how to get the deepest of information about machines from company representatives at the show. “It’s almost worth stretching the truth to get a deeper answer about a machine, even its based on a question about a fictional tool” - Saunders Pro tip: Go to a machine show! Even if it's small, it’s a great place to meet like-minded people and get some answers first-hand. Looking into a Microscope Saunders debates getting a super cool microscope from Vision Engineering. Without the show, Saunders might never have found that company. “Go outside your comfort zone and find something you never would have otherwise” - Saunders Crush it this week!

THIS IS NOT YOUR ORDINARY PODCAST! THIS IS AN AWESOME, IMMERSIVE AUDIO EXPERIENCE OF IMTS!  Energy = Kinetic People = Inspirational Podcast = Straight, No Chaser   Experience IMTS as Saunders and Grimsmo as they meet people on their way to AB Tools.  BOOM. You're on the podcast!

Buying Machines for your Business Grimsmo and Saunders talk about the importance of Customer Service when it comes to buying a machine. “Just sell me machines and give me service” - Grimsmo Service is important because.... “Fun Fact: Everything mechanical in the world ceases to work at some point” - Saunders When it comes down to it, the quality of the machine is going to affect your relationship with that company. Don’t forget to consider a warranty!  CALLING ALL LISTENERS! Saunders has a query. The shop in Ohio is getting HOT, and NYC CNC is thinking about getting a climate control system sooner than expected. Specifications for the project: Our shop is 50 x 80 ft. with 15 ft. ceilings NYC CNC doesn't think more insulation is necessary What are our listeners thoughts on using a mini-split? Link to the definition of a mini-split here. How about on an “Energy Recovery Ventilator”? We don’t want to “cool the country with our AC” (as Saunders’ mom would say) ALSO, Saunders would like to know if anyone has a CMX 1100, and what YOUR thoughts are on it. What is it comparable to? Contact Saunders here or at [email protected] Lapping up time Grimsmo can’t wait for the new lapping machine to come in, it’s going to make processes A LOT faster. Pro tip: Using UpWork to solve your problems also helps you get work done faster. Choose the right machine for YOU! The Johns discuss how to choose the right machine for your needs, even when there’s so many solid options out there. The two of them also talk about how to make processes on Grimsmo’s mill more efficient and reliable. IMTS is NEXT WEEK! And the Johns will be there running around, asking questions, and learning new things. They talk about what they want to see at IMTS. Here's a little teaser on Grimsmo’s IMTS list: He wants to learn more about machine tracking software And how about Saunders? Thinking more long term about good coolant management Looking at CMX and DMU 50 machines Don’t forget to SIGN UP for the Manufacturing Entrepreneurship Summit 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. Sunday, September 9th, 2018 (ONE DAY BEFORE IMTS!) and...it's FREE! Workshop Topics: Product Development Bootstrap Entrepreneurship Growing & Operating a Job Shop Optimizing Surface Finishes with CAM & Tooling Fixturing Tips & Tricks Lean Shop Operations Guest speakers: John Grimsmo, Jay Pierson, Tim Paul, Bill Fienup, John Saunders, and Zach Kaplan! PLUS, AN AFTER-PARTY! INFO FOR THE MID-EAST OHIO MODEL ENGINEERING EXPO The Expo is on Sept 29, 2018. AND Saunders is having an open house on the DAY BEFORE THE EXPO! Check out the links below for more information.  Mid-East Ohio Model Engineering ExpoInfo on Saunders’ Shop Tour on Sept 28, 2018

The Grimsmo Grapple: Touchy Subjects The guys do their best to be open and honest but some topics are hard to discuss! Compartmentalizing family vs. business life is easier said than done. At GK, business IS family, so it's near impossible! Process Reliability--NOT JUST FOR PARTS OR BUSINESS OPERATIONS Grimsmo shows tremendous strength in his ability to self-evaluate.  Instead of hiding behind a smile, he admits his own truth. On his quest to become more assertive, unlearning habitual ways of handling conflict and replacing them with more effective strategies is a lengthy process--a process needing constant practice. The old "build-up and blow-out way" isn't the Grimsmo way! GET THE CHIPS OUTTA THERE Throw a couple of broken through-coolant drill bits onto the pile and you've got the making of a "wild week." "Could a line of code turn the coolant on to STRAFE the hole instead of going into it?" - Saunders (To understand this plausible solution, play DOOM or search the urban dictionary). Centered Saunders Being an entrepreneur means you're a defacto leader. As the leader, you inadvertently pass on your ways of handling chaos to your team. If you freak out, they'll freak out. If you approach with a cool head, they'll follow suit. SUB SANDWICHES AND SUCCESS Useful tips can be found everywhere...even at Jimmy John's! While on a lunch break at Jimmy John's, Saunders notices a list on the wall. Warren Buffett's 10 Rules for Success INVESTOR MINDSET Grimsmo shifts his perspective to that of an investor looking from the outside in. Saunders poses 2-sided hypotheticals about what outside investors AND business owners want. ***GET INSPIRED*** Manufacturing Entrepreneurship Summit 2018 - Chicago, IL! The Manufacturing Entrepreneurship Summit will be held at mHub Sunday, September 9th, 2018 (ONE DAY BEFORE IMTS!) and---it's FREE! Workshop Topics: Product Development Bootstrap Entrepreneurship  Growing & Operating a Job Shop Optimizing Surface Finishes with CAM & Tooling  Fixturing Tips & Tricks Lean Shop Operations Guest speakers: John Grimsmo, Jay Pierson, Tim Paul, Bill Fienup, John Saunders, and Zach Kaplan! PLUS, AN AFTER-PARTY! SIGN ME UP!

Moving from CNC to RNR Grimsmo takes a well deserved break. His idea of a vacation? Renting a Tesla and taking it out on the open road to Tobermory for a coupe days. No need for new windows when you’re out in nature! And sometimes you can be most productive when you're relaxed.  The Grimsmo Shop Reaction:  “Guys, John’s gone! We can do whatever we want!...LET'S CLEAN!” The Grimsmo shop has gotten cleaner since he left it on Wednesday last week.  The best advice you can give may shock you! And it’s *drum roll please*... Stay humble.   “Your company comes with merit, and it shows something good about your personality, but still be the kind of person someone would want to get stuck in an airport with” - Saunders Playing fair with your customers Saunders and Grimsmo discuss Tormach vs. vertical machining centers, and the expenses involved in software updates that you aren’t allowed to do on your own. Will their businesses have to take a page from this book in the future? Psst...Can I Rask you a question? Grimsmo answers Saunders query about whether he’s going to start getting into Rask production again anytime soon. Answer: it’s complicated. There’s a technical problem that needs fixing before production can start up again, and Saunders and Grimsmo swap ideas about how to fix it. Possible Solution: The LX 160 New Training Classes at NYC CNC! This is the first week of Saunders’ new Haas machine training classes! You can sign up for a class here Saunders is also working on a secret project, stay tuned into this podcast for him to announce it within a couple months. Quick tip to avoid buyers’ remorse: “Don’t buy the machine unless you can sell yourself on it all day long, everyday” - Saunders Saunders Answers: Should you QUIT your job? Hint: Make sure you don’t turn your passion into a burden, stressing for money can do this. Is #PaulAkersMoment a thing? Saunders gets a new setup for the camera, and reduces setup times. Still SUPER EXCITED for IMTS! Coming up! We’ll hear a lot more about it in the next episode.

The Johns share heartwarming entrepreneurial moments that hit them RIGHT IN THE FEELS. Square One No matter your experience level, the learning should never stop. Each new aspect of business sends you back to the green. If your brain is exploding, you're doing it right! A Testament To Self-Care Grimsmo and Saunders know the drill (pun intended) when it comes to "taking time off." Usually it's for business related events but if you're listening now, Grimsmo has left the building! He's on an adventure--but he may or may not leave the laptop in the FRUNK. The Mori. The Haas. Bada Boom or Biiig Bada Boom? Nail on the Head Ryan Wenner's quote about the "2 most important skills for entrepreneurs" resonates with Saunders. ALSO: Changing your definition of the word "failure" can change your life! Business as Usual Implementation of a shared maintenance schedule is in progress at SMW, which brings up preventative maintenance (batteries in particular). HAAS ATM Groups--we were doing it wrong! That moment you realize you've over complicated tool life management--and LAUGH ANYWAY. HAAS Training Classes at SMW That old block of machining wax is FINALLY getting put to use AND, it benefits those who purchase a Haas without the Renishaw! FEED ME SEYMO--I mean, GRIMSMO! You don't have to be a fortuneteller to know that a BAR FEEDER is in the GK future! THRIVING vs. STAGNATING Growing too fast or not at all could end up in closed doors. While changing your definition of failure, it wouldn't hurt to get new perspective on PROFIT; it's more than just owner take-home. MONEY, MONEY, MONEY now that we have your attention.... Accounting is a dreaded subject for most but you owe it to yourself and business to understand it! Saunders discusses contribution margin and why it's a number he likes to focus on. Click below to learn some accounting basics! Accounting for Machinists and Entrepreneurs: Beginner's Guide AND...if you ARE going to borrow money, don't get "fleeced." If you have a grip on how loans work, take the quiz and watch "Should I Take Out a Loan?" just to be sure. You don't know what you don't know! ::::Under Pressure:::: TORN about IMTS: Grimsmo is pumped to find his dream machine while Saunders works to regain his curbed enthusiasm. BE STINGY with your time and DO NOT FEEL GUILTY if you have to turn vendors down.

Work/Life Balance: how kids can make you sleep better Sound like an oxymoron? Sometimes we need an escape from work; you can get stressed because you’re working too much. Call it what it is! A BUSINESS. When payroll gets involved, that’s when it gets serious (and when something starts to run like a mini corporation). The Johns discuss the difference between planning and dreaming when it comes to growing your business. “If there’s a decision you can solve for under 100 dollars, solve it yourself.” - Tim Ferriss, Four Hour Work Week The Johns get inspiring (and a little cheesy): “Believe in yourself!” - Saunders “‘It’s fun to dream’ is the wrong phrase. The phrase should be ‘it’s fun to plan’” because it’s all part of the true picture of the business. - Grimsmo “The future will be kind to me, as I intend to invent it” - Saunders QOTD: How do you dream about things? What if I got…? Is a form of planning. Goals to grow the business! For what? Growth! Sometimes you’re not working for a sports car, you work so you can grow your business and invest in it. The Johns talk about what they're working towards.  IMTS is one month away! Grimsmo and Saunders will be there a day before IMTS starts (Sunday, Sept 9) for the Manufacturing and Entrepreneurship Summit, which is a version of the NYC CNC open house, and there will be plenty to learn! Grimsmo will also be doing a workshop on knife making, and talking about the business. The event will be held in a pretty great space called mHUB in downtown Chicago. Register for the event, here! TO-DO or WILL-DO? that is the question.  Putting something on a piece of paper as a to-do list doesn’t mean it’ll get done, and everyone has a different kind of to-do list that works for them. Saunders and Grimsmo talk about the differences between theirs. “Its surprisingly hard to find a system that works for you” - Grimsmo The final part of this episode is all about Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems Grimsmo is in the midst of setting his company up with ProShop but, similarly to to-do lists, everyone uses ERP systems differently.

The Importance of Self-Care Take a second to think about YOU. Have you slept well? Eaten well? If you're used to running on empty, it's time to refuel and recharge. Take care of yourself today. Your business depends on it! Grimsmo goes on a BENDER, but it's not what you think! Engraving is now 98% closer to being a lights-out operation. While he didn't get much sleep, he IS energized by tackling those neglected tasks! MO' Money, MO' Problems So, you've got the revenue but do you have the critical thinking skills to plan and budget wisely? Toolholder Controversy With a plethora of tool holding options and mixed messages from intelligent members of the machining community, making a good choice is tough. Try tossing in a price-point and you have a recipe for uncertainty. The guys discuss REGO-FIX powRgrip, ER Collets, and Shrink Fit, to name a few. DEBATE ON HOLDERS FOR ROUGHING TOOLS: Hydraulics OR Milling Chuck? FEELIN' SQUEEZY... At first, those teensy percentages online stores or payment processors charge seem like nothing but it all adds up! Some payment processors may not take kindly to your product, so BEWARE! Rob Lockwood. Answers. Giant Sandwiches in the Dark. What does it mean? During Lockwood's visit to GK, he was asked what he would change. For the past 3 months, Grimsmo's been eating a GIANT SANDWICH in the shadows--one that he's now ready to share with everyone! S&H Shop Tour Video On that note, here's some food for thought: "Don't become an entrepreneur SIMPLY because you dislike your day job. THIS ISN'T ANY EASIER!"  

Both Saunders and Grimsmo have been working towards the success of their business for about a decade, and an article written about NYC CNC helps them both reflect. Just as a new lifestyle starts to creep up on the Johns, things start to speed up at the Grimsmo shop. Erik beat his knife making record! Now it’s up to the others to keep up! Wake up, John!  How you wake up can determine the rest of your day. What’s your morning routine? Grimsmo has tried out a ton, but both Saunders and Grimsmo have found that getting that extra time with their families in the morning makes them more productive. “Having a focus list helps you say no to a lot” - Saunders Get ‘er done! Saunders decided it was time to revamp their fixture project, but that’s all he had to do with it. Alex the intern did some awesome problem solving and met the challenge head on! It comes down to delegation and trusting your team. Fancy New (Shop) Toys Speaking of delegation, Saunders literally just bought into one of his employees ideas, and now Ed at NYC CNC has a new Mark II 3D Printer because of it! Basically, this machine gives you the ability to run stronger material than a run-of-the-mill $400 3D printer. You can learn a lot more about its special abilities to make an Auger for your Haas in Saunders’ upcoming video! Oh no! Grimsmo’s toaster broke! I guess it’s time for a new tempering oven... When you have a brand new lapping machine, but you’re still using a toaster oven to temper your blades, you know it’s time for an upgrade. Running a machine shop? Get a microscope. ‘Nuff said. Complicated coding makes for more efficient machining; keep an eye out for Grimsmo’s video on engraving! Interested in making knives? Grimsmo’s got some advice for you.  Grimsmo and Saunders have a similar story, but the real reason it's inspiring is because it's replicable. Being an entrepreneur is difficult, but anyone can take small steps to achieve their bigger goals.  For example, take a look at Grimsmo’s first knife. The blade was 304 stainless steel! “Businesses like CAMplete look overwhelming when you see them today, but the reality is that that’s not how anything is built. It’s grown over time” - Saunders Saunders and Grimsmo went to visit CAMplete when Saunders was in Canada, check out the video! Coming soon on Grimsmo's YouTube channel.  Saunders’ Pro tip: lean machining can be done at any level

What today's episode lacks in pep, it makes up for in realism: Entrepreneurship can be exhausting--and it isn't necessarily a bad thing. After the Johns team up in Canada, the overwhelming excitement settles, leaving the need for recuperation behind. Stay tuned for the video and video podcast! GET OUT OF MY SHOP...AND INTO MY KITCHEN? A change in surroundings brings new thoughts and ideas to the table--literally. Saunders and Grimsmo discuss their trip to CAMplete Solutions, Inc.--a company that designed specific software to bridge the communication gap between CADCAM & machines. To learn more about CAMplete Truepath or CAMplete Turnmill, click HERE! Entrepreneurship & Open Minds As Saunders's confidence in 5th-Axis machining increases, he admits, "It's time for a lathe"--with a Y-Axis, of course! The guys discuss Y-Axis benefits and 3-Axis toolpath milling differences & preferences. "It's a whole new world!" - Grimsmo Finicky-FANUC While on their CAMplete adventure, Grimsmo can't help but feel responsible for alarming out the MAM72-35V. Check out Grimsmo's Hanbei Error Alarm Remedy! Torque Wrench Myth Laid to Rest? While the data isn't scientific, Saunders gets confirmation about stored torque wrench values from a reputable defense company! D'jever See This Before? Grimsmos ER11 Lindex Collet Nut Cracked! Click the photo for full IG Post: BIG ASS Fan Arrives at SMW (video coming soon) The nomenclature is fitting and it feels amazing! Grimsmo Knives blows the door WIDE open on new shop developments--Tune in to check it out! It's still a shock when people say they binge on Business of Machining podcast episodes and we want to give a sincere thank you to those who listen and show their continued support! 

It’s Friday today, which means that Saunders picked Grimsmo up yesterday morning to take him on a trip to Kitchener, ON, and visit CAMplete. Saunders is stoked to pick their brains about 5-axis, but they are really just happy to be doing it together! “If you don’t live in a 5-axis world, you wouldn’t even know what you’re missing” - Saunders Let’s talk about processes! Stay tuned for a bonus podcast episode...on YouTube! It’ll be their first video format podcast It’s ALL about the flow Grimsmo’s shop is doing well right now with their one piece flow setup, he and Saunders talk about how to set up their workflows and palettes to maximize their productivity.   How can you improve workflow? What can The Office teach you about machining? Saunders talks about how The Office and the movie “Deep Impact” inspired him to “seize the day, be deliberate, keep planning, and keep working”. Good news: you can do this well into old age. Saunders’ “Not a To-Do List” “One of the things that no one tells you as an entrepreneur is that it can be difficult to not have a boss” - Saunders Saunders and his wife sit down in the morning to talk business and set a focus area for the day. This turns into a focus list that helps Saunders justify how he spends his time. What does a “goal” mean to different people? Article mentioned in podcast: The seven things you must go through before making $1 million in revenue “Actions have to match the ambitions, or else you’re just making it up” - Grimsmo Grimsmo’s upcoming improvements: heat treating processes, and the lock bar insert for the knives. 5-Axis Blues Bliss! Saunders was hesitant at first about going 5-axis, but he is in love with it now!

Do you have a parallel version of you? Maybe it's time to give them a shout and review the first half of the year with them, you may be surprised.  John and John have more than just their names in common; they also are in about the same place business wise, and have about the same number of employees. Now all Grimsmo needs is that new shop! Saunders and Grimsmo discuss the balancing act that is being both a technician and a manager. It comes down to hierarchies, and making employees feel respected and listened to. Coming soon to a podcast near you: Torque Wrenches, the continuing battle! Saunders struggles with his Haas and tries to make 5 axis machining simple “The beauty of 5-axis is that you should have the ability to just do that” - Grimsmo Locking down the lock bar insert! We all know Grimsmo strives to make his knives perfect, and now it’s time to improve the reliability of the process. So far everything is going swimmingly, the insert just needs to pass the “spine whacking” test. Which is exactly what it sounds like.   Lathes, lathes, lathes!!! ...Saunders? Are you still there? The smallest part that Grimsmo has ever made is going to come out of his lathe, and be put into the lock bar insert.  Check out Geissele Triggers: https://geissele.com/ FOMO does not apply to Grimsmo...he wants things to happen without him! AND THEY ARE! The team tried out the new Arbor press the other day, video to come out soon on Grimsmo’s channel. Saunders dream job? High level R&D! Dream vacation? Coming to see the Grimsmo shop! And dreams are coming true next week for both Saunders and Grimsmo, as he'll come by the shop and hang out with the whole crew. Keep an eye out for that video! Who knows what’s going to happen when the two John’s are in the same room!

If you haven't felt STUPENDOUS lately, this podcast will brighten your day. Get ready for a game of Not Metalurgist Part 1 & 2, a nugget of advice from Brad Southard, and Saunders gets his butt kicked by a 5th-Axis toolpath on the HAAS! Up the ANTSY? During the annual Blade Show lull, Grimsmo suddenly finds extra time AND the urge to move on to something new. Instead of making parts, he's pinpointing areas for improvement and keenly observing his behavioral patterns. #itfeelswrongbutitssoright IMPROVEMENT NO. 1 Thanks to the lapping machine, flat is actually FLAT. However, that means turning a critical eye toward the heat treating process. Grimsmo's idea involves a 2-ton arbor press. Wave goodbye! THREADMILLING: Are you "doing it wrong?" If it's wrong but it works, does it matter? Ya might be killin' your tool life though! Grimsmo and Saunders discuss multiple passes, spring passes, cutter comp, and macros for tool life management. VIDEO: Renishaw Probe like CMM IMPROVEMENT NO. 2: LOCK BAR INSERT + DISGUSTINGLY TINY SCREWS...   We Paul Akers'd it! The evolution of the podcast process represents something bigger. Grimsmo shares an EPIPHANY when first encountering macros & tool life management--not knowing where or how to start and NOW, he's teaming up with Autodesk to teach it! So, get out your SAGA and get ready to take notes! The end is nigh for the Super Comfortable SMW Adaptive T-Shirt Campaign---get yours HERE! MYTHBUSTERS: Keep Torque Wrenches Stored at 0? The release of the SHOP UPDATE video provokes a litany of comments surrounding stored torque values. Fact or fiction? If you have any empirical data on this, PLEASE SHARE! Push Cycle Start. Saunders paraphrases an entrepreneurial, button-pushing e-mail.  Both try their best to give advice for a fellow, overwhelmed entrepreneur. Failing isn't the only issue. How do you deal with people losing faith in you after having failed multiple times? FINALLY, 5-AXIS TOOLPATH ON THE HAAS! Click Image for the IG Post!   OTHER LINKS:  READ: Never Split the Difference 3M Radial Bristle Brush NOGA Cine Clamp FOR FILMING INSIDE MACHINES

Where in the world is Saunders now? Stockholm, Sweden! And it’s “life-changing” How could it not be when it's this beautiful? This episode is a shorty but a goodie as our two favourite John’s talk production and management at the Sandvick Coromant headquarters, and how it relates to their businesses. Link to Sandvick Coromant: https://www.sandvik.coromant.com/en-gb/pages/default.aspx Saunders was allowed to film, so keep an eye peeled for a video about his adventure in Sweden. It’ll come out in the net few months on his channel. Highlights of the tour: Sandvick implements lean machining into everything, and the company is always improving (sounds familiar) They are hungry for quality and are always pushing themselves Focus on skilled labourers SO much Emphasis on profitability and the bottom line Grimsmo is awed by how they’re still doing this on a grand scale...and keeping up with production! Major themes that Saunders noticed: They have an “ability to stay focused, and ability to say no” - Saunders “Having that hyper driven focus of what you do, doesn’t mean you can’t do other things later. It just means you shouldn’t do them now” - Saunders How to be a “legacy company” Fun fact: Sandvick started having autonomous forklifts in their company in 1989! That’s been normal to them for the past 30 years! Get ready for some soul searching in future episodes! Hint: it might happen sooner rather than later because Saunders is coming to Canada to hang out with Grimsmo!

Grimsmo: I'm back...I think. GK: You sure? Grimsmo: *rolls into shop at 11pm to feed the lathe* Yep! Grimsmo's recovered from Blade Show 2018! VIDEO: Blade 2018 w/ALEC STEELE and more awesome makers! Delrin Bearing Cage QC Process--DIALED Debur. Pivot. Slip Fit. Insert Bearings. While Grimsmo's catching up on Delrin bearing cages, catch up on SAGA SATURDAY!  Batch Gone Bad Admitting a mistake is difficult but imagine admitting it publicly! Mistakes lead to new processes but make sure your new checklist stays-- in check! Read: The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get things Right  Forum on NYCCNC.com: Batch Flow VS. One Piece Flow TALK SHOP RE: Tool Setting Grimsmo's setting up different tools; touching off and centering them individually by using a dial test indicator in a Noga indicator in a collet. The guys mull over ideas to improve workflow. DIY CNC Turret Lathe? But WHY though? - we think we can - we want a dedicated, highly useful tool to make individual, magnetic, fixture plate hole PLUGS! VIDEO: DIY CNC TURRET LATHE Saunders/Hermle Sit Down Despite the cut-throat nature of the industry, Hermle holds a tremendous amount of respect for other companies who are doing it and doing it well! A rare sentiment these days. Gorilla Glass Curiosity Assuaged? Saunders reads the full e-mail aloud. "It is indeed similar to a Prince Rupert's Drop but a lot COOLER!"-Jason V. Sized Up and Soured What happened in Northeast Ohio? "A Machine tool is only as good as its last mile." PATREON ASKS, GRIMSMO ANSWERS! Grimsmo explores different avenues and decisions that brought him to where he is today. Cool products. Cool Tools. Staff to support the products and tools. "Is that a vision or is that just greed?" Grimsmo feels unfocused but from the outside looking in, Saunders gets a completely different picture! SMOOTHING If you're looking for some sweet duds, look no further! SMW Sweet Toolpath Full Grimsmo Next on the list: JORTS---jk. WHO'S LAPPING NOW? Click Photo to See IG Post! Eric! That's who. According to him EVERYTHING ELSE IN THE SHOP IS WRONG!

First thing’s first: Grimsmo’s back from BLADE SHOW, BABY! To sum up: Awesome team bonding experience. The Grimsmo crew and Brad Southard shared everything (including the booth and the AirBnB) Met SO MANY people during the event, and down in the pit!  “A great way for makers to connect with their customers.” - Grimsmo “Meeting people is what it’s all about!” - Saunders The REVEAL of the SAGA! Grimsmo did it! He crunched and turned the pen project into a pen PRODUCT! And, just like Grimsmo, the pen is complicated and unique (especially the mechanism, which could stump an engineer) Keep an eye on the Grimsmo YouTube channel! There’s gonna be a few videos on Blade Show coming out soon.  That’s a lap! Grimsmo not only decided to get a lapping machine, it was delivered on Wednesday! But it’s just a loaner...the new one is bigger, better, and coming in a couple months. The Negotiator Saunders raves about the book he’s been reading lately called Never Split the Difference by Christopher Voss and Tahl Raz, which is all about the art of negotiation. It’s an art form, and the masters of it find win-win solutions.  Sometimes it’s okay to be blown away by the traction this podcast has, and Saunders takes a quick tangent to thank all our great listeners! (like Alec Steele!)  Our only regret is that maybe we should’ve called it “accountabilibuddies”.  What does Kate Spade have to do with the growth of a manufacturing business? A NPR podcast episode helps Saunders reflect on staying on track to happiness in your business. “Growth can be addictive.” - Saunders “You won’t realize how much energy you lost until you get it back.” - Saunders OKAY let’s get down to nerding out about the new TORMACH SERIES Better spindle, better horsepower, much better enclosure, and so much more that it won't fit in this description! Thinking 5 Axis? So is Saunders; research keeps him focused. Check out the book The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement by Eliyahu Goldratt. It’s an oldie but goodie. Thinking about IMTS already? So are Saunders and Grimsmo. They’ll be heading to MHub in Chicago the Sunday before IMTS to do a talk at the manufacturing and entrepreneurship event.

There Ain't No Rest for the....Knife Maker? Grimso's dragging from pulling a 14.5 hour shift to get the SAGA ready for Blade Show! Speaking of Blade Show, it's TODAY! Gathering the team with pens in pockets, GK heads to Atlanta, GA for the World's Largest Knife Show--and it's going to be his best year yet! If you're headed there, make sure to stop by table 948 to find them! Tolerances on Tolerances Is GD&T controversial? This system for defining and communicating tolerances seems like a great way to employ another lean principle but Saunders senses some hesitance. Work-Flow for Tweaks? Numbered egg crates. Low hanging fruit. Multiple Fusion File Updates? Boring Out Stainless 45RC? With constant surface speed 350 ft/min (106.68 M/min), the RPM changes make the subspindle sing. That little ditty could be a sign of struggle. The MAM72-35V has made a lasting impression on Saunders. Check out the newly released AMAZING Matsuura 5-Axis CNC Show Room and Interview with Katsu Matsuura! It's about the JOURNEY--not the DESTINATION Grimsmo's taking advice about capturing the SAGA of the SAGA on film! See the newest SAGA SATURDAY EPISODE! The journey is ALWAYS on PI TIME. Process Sheets & Manuals Underway The SAGA is the first GK product with documented process sheets! Ed creates a Guide to Shipping for SMW. QUE:The 2-year long Johnny 5 Project With helping hands from the J5 Guru, the SMW team is making headway at a faster-than-anticipated speed but remember, Rome wasn't built in a day. Broken Tools - THOSE ARE ROOKIE NUMBERS! Click HERE to check out the IG POST.

GOOD OL' TUG AND PULL Grimsmo's laser focus on the SAGA means that attention to other business areas may be lacking a teensy bit. Machinist Woes The pieces and parts of your business are running like clock-work but something's missing. Easy Answer: Get a dose of SPINDLE THERAPY! Following the SAGA of the SAGA? If you listen closely, you'll hear the sound of awesome! Blade Show is fast approaching AND the SAGA's in the 5% tweak stage! Grimsmo's on a quest for honest feedback from those around him. If you're going to Blade Show, make sure to stop and say, "Hi!" TIME TO TROUBLESHOOT Grimsmo's trying to drill a 1/4" hole--2" deep but the drills are EXPLODING! Speaking of time, how long do the set-ups take? Touching off each tool = Confusion "You're reinvigorating my hate (for lathes)!" - Saunders SAGA SATURDAY EPISODE 1 Saunders gushes over the mechanism but wants to see more about the lead up! Sharing the PROCESS Showing mistakes takes guts when you have a reputation for excellence but that's HOW EXCELLENCE is made! Excellence in itself IS a process rather than a fugue state. ENTREPRENEURSHIP & BUSINESS TOPICS Minimum Product Viability (ARTICLE) Actionable Items Legitimate Scarcity "Your mama was a snow blower!" SMW team embarks on making the Johnny-5 from Short Circuit and Grimsmo's got only ONE REQUEST. EDuino makes a cameo for a nano second. THE STRUGGLE IS REAL Saunders grapples with a big decision. "This might be the last one I have in me." CALLING BUSINESS OF MACHINING PATRONS: What should the Johns should do while they're visiting together?

Saunders is in Connecticut for a Yamazen/Matsuura event. A new technical center was opened; there’s going to be lots of learning to do! Getting info is great--but info for the sake of info isn’t always a good use of time. You’ve got to know when to get your head out of that Rabbit hole! At the end of the day, you’re making parts, and only need to know so much before getting started. GRIMSMO PEN PROJECT IS A GO #writeyoursagaWhat’s the hardest part about designing a pen? Cutting it on a lathe. Grimsmo works out the final bugs in producing a pen (the Saga), and debates new methods of machining it. “That should not go on a lathe, but I can do it.” - Grimsmo Keep an eye out on Grimsmo’s channel for the first “Saga Saturday” video! Also, is there a replacement for general ER collets? Saunders talks about what he learned from a presentation last week. Busy doesn’t have to mean stressed, and it doesn’t equal success. “Make sure you own your business, it doesn’t own you” - Saunders It's definitely...something! Maybe even a milestone? Grimsmo can focus without interruption now! It may not seem like a big deal but this is actually a milestone for his business.  Question of the Day: How do you market your first product?

*YAWN* Saunders is s bit sluggish from last night's informative and intoxicating brain picking session after a DMG event in Chicago. At a customer panel, Devon--1186 mfg and Albert from Machined Concepts share their stories and some food for thought: 5-Axis isn't just for one-offs or complex parts! A great deal of people are using 3+2 machining in a production environment, which is a great way to transition into full 5-Axis capabilities. So, does that make automating a 3-Axis machine worth it? Maybe not. 1186 mfg Tour A NEW METRIC Calculating your REVENUE per sq ft per YEAR has its merits. THE SAGA of the SAGA Grimsmo gets a blast from the past when he steps into a local spring making shop. With the fitting nomenclature and high quality, custom springs checked off the list, GK gears up to bring as many pens to Blade Show 2018 as possible! Get your Blade Show tickets here! CORPORATE ESPIONAGE? Alarm bells are raised when Saunders stumbles across a knife maker who's got a strikingly similar mechanism design...and you'll never guess who it is! Grimsmo wants to be open about the processes and design for the new product BUT for now, he wants to keep the "secret sauce" simmering for a bit.

Hiring is RISKY business... But Grimsmo’s gotten super lucky so far! Saunders points out that Skye might just have been Grimsmo’s riskiest hire, but so far it’s all good! How long should it take before hiring = more product produced? First it’s necessary to get a system set up! Grimsmo is in the midst of switching from temporary solutions to permanent solutions. Looks like it’s time to talk ERP SYSTEMS! How to sketch a pen without a pen to sketch? The Johns talk about Grimsmo’s process for designing and making pen parts on the ever slow Fusion.   Also, if you didn’t document the process, did you even make the pen? Grimsmo feels bad about not making progress videos for the pen. BACK TO BASICS Sometimes the best improvement you can make to a shop is getting rid of everything that doesn’t make your product. Saunders would tell you BE BRUTAL ABOUT IT! Go for the purge. On a softer note, you can read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing. Grimsmo mentions this book as a method of organizing your life. It’s nice when things take a while. Okay, this maybe isn’t the case if you’re waiting for Fusion to load, but if you’re learning something new or making a decision, the Johns agree that rushing doesn’t equal results.   “Everything of value comes after much hard work” - Grimsmo   Are you in the Chicago or Hartford, Connecticut, area? Do you want to meet Saunders and the Saunders Machine Works team? Now’s your chance! Wednesday May 8th Saunders will be in Chicago for the DMG Mori Innovation Days Tuesday May 15th Saunders will be in Hartford, Connecticut, for Matsuura’s Open House. Both events are free, and the Johns are always thrilled to meet listeners!

New INTERN for Grimsmo Knives! At the risk of making the podcast solely congratulatory, Saunders gives his pal a pat on the back. GK Mother of Pearl Video FAST LEARNERS? New people at the shops seem to learn at an alarming rate but processes viewed through a 10-year learning experience lens seem more complicated than they truly are. If it's easy to learn, that's a good sign! Revising the Welcome Guide Driving culture is easy via paper but does it accurately reflect the in-action shop culture? The Johns don't have all the answers BUT the questions produce sparks! MAXIMUM BENEFIT THRESHOLD? Saunders praises the benefits of living in a digital age from a distance. There is a point at which things are TOO digital. When you start ignoring alerts, it's time to get physical! WW 195 Taskmaster NEW CHAPTER--or something like that. Life journeys are gradual; pinpointing the beginning or end of a chapter proves difficult. Saunders embarks on a more defined focus. The 7 things you must go through before making $1 million in revenue Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh on Amazon Set an M01 Should a limit be defined that triggers an automatic re-evaluation of your company? Rinse, Repeat, and RESCHEDULE? Grimsmo turns his attention to rescheduling the order of events for knife making and this simple change could be paramount! Plus, Rob Lockwood, the originator of this podcast is visiting GK tomorrow---and we're jealous!

IT’S JOH TIME! And no, that’s not just John’s name misspelled. The Grimsmo team took a field trip to the 2018 Joint Open House last week!   Trip Notes: Have your codes and questions ready on the cloud. There are SO many people with answers there! Sweet to see an MX 330 in the flesh metal Spent 5 hours at Elliott Matsuura Checked out the Robodrill for a half hour Keep an eye out for the 2018 Joint Open House video on Grimsmo’s channel! Can’t wait? Here’s Grimsmo’s video from the 2017 Joint Open House New machines are definitely in the cards for Grimsmo! As a laser falls lower and lower on his list of necessities, robots seem more plausible. But could robots take over the Grimsmo shop one day? On the other hand, Saunders couldn't live without his CO2 laser!  Either way, Grimsmo's gonna need a new machine for the PENS he's officially bringing to market! He shows Saunders the prototype pen, and plans to bring 200 to Blade Show!  Thinking outside the box Someone somewhere has the skills you need, don't be afraid to ask for help.   “That’s the kind of question you need to ask yourself and the industry; here’s the job I need, is it possible? Can it be done?” - Grimsmo IMTS IS 5 MONTHS AWAY!  Look out for Grimsmo and Saunders as they run around learning a ton together.  Grimsmo hiring again??  A sixth person is coming to work at the Grimsmo shop for a co-op placement, he's a manufacturing engineering student. The Irony of Capitalism; "The more successful you are, the better financing is" - Saunders Saunders reflects on staying competitive.  Do you remember contour? No? That's because GoPro beat the marketing battle.      Everything’s always improving, and software is no different. Grimsmo and Saunders discuss what they’d change about Fusion. What would you?

Even amidst the morning grogg, the Johns still manage to talk big picture. Today, is a Matsuura day and MAM-OH-MAM it's going to be awesome. While Saunders is in Connecticut to learn about values that drive Matsuura, Grimsmo heads to the Elliot Matsuura Joint Open House with his team to check out the BROTHER SPEEDIO S700X1. everybody's workin' for the weekend...but the MAM72 works ON the weekend. HOW DO WE LEVEL UP? Well, you can't have your cake and eat it too. Serious discussion ensues about debt and why it MIGHT be a necessary evil. One thing is certain: Something's Gotta Give. Beginner's Guide to Accounting for Machinists and Manufacturing Entrepreneurs FROM THE OUTSIDE IN Grimsmo to put himself in a new role for a different perspective. What would you do if you were an outside investor looking at your own company? How I Built This Podcast Finally, Grimsmo gives an update about knife #1000

Grimsmo’s wish list is GROWING! He's lapping up a ton of information about Lapping Machines as the Grimsbros get “pickier with age.” And hey, a diamond grit is a Grimsmo’s best friend! Another thing on his wish list is a profilometer, to help measure the smoothness of the each blade’s surface. Machining in Ohio vs. California vs. Australia. What’s the difference? Should you invest in an ERP system? ERP System: Enterprise Resource Planning Does business size matter when it comes to considering an ERP system? Or is it just how you use the data? "Foundations of Mechanical Accuracy" --Call or E-mail Moore Tool Company, Inc. to get your copy! Never scrape super glue from your inlays again! Superglue Fixturing Video To finish off, take a look at this video by SmarterEveryDay as they shoot a bullet into glass.

GOOOOD MORNING GRIMSMO! Lego Batman and Knife #1000 make for an awesome start to the day. Between us, this knife is gonna be a MOTHER! Knife #1000 on IG Saunders decreases his RPM, which goes hand in hand with meeting his goal for less stress. ALLERGIC TO LEAN Maybe you've had a bad experience or maybe it's got too much hype--Lean may not sound sexy to some but when it's under the franchise lens, you might do a double take. Morning Meetings, Meh? Saunders and Grimsmo discuss COMPANY CULTURE and how to improve it. How do you do it when you're at that awkward stage? Bubble Wrap Mount on IG SOCIAL MEDIA MONSTER - Admit it. You're sick of it too! Saunders posits that we're living in the "Social Media Bubble" but when will it burst? Find out how they tackle comments and different social media platforms. The NYCCNC website forum is behind the paywall to create a troll-free interaction zone. We want to thank those who offer constructive criticism and helpful advice. You are part of this supportive community that makes all the difference!

If winter is over, how can Saunders get chilled out? By CHILLING OUT in Australia, of course. Saunders is back from his 12 day vacation with his wife, and is totally mellowed out, dude, but ready to get back to work.   What was the hardest part for Saunders about being away from the business? Taking a vacation from Social Media Town. Challenge accepted: how long can you go without using YOUR cell phone? Saunders went 3 days in Australia on a desert island.  Grimsmo on social media: “Instagram is there for you to enjoy, you’re not there for it to be consumed. It’s there for you, you’re not there for it” - Grimsmo Can news be spam? “Not willing to pay the price of the daily noise [of daily newsletters and surveys] just for the possible benefit” - Saunders Besides, the Johns can agree that if it’s important, they’ll hear about it from someone else. Adapting your business to the country in which you’re running it Saunders speaking about the Australian mindset on productivity: “That’s the great thing about travelling and seeing other cultures; you don’t have to accept it, you don’t have to like it, but you need to see it.” So, should he cut back on his hustle? How might one succeed in a place like Australia? Or succeed in another country in general that might not have access to the same resources as America? Ask where the demand is, and do a SWOT analysis. Sometimes it’s just about asking the question...“How do I take this disadvantage and turn it into an advantage?” - Saunders Grimsmo on changes to the business: “The one change you make is not solo by itself” - Grimsmo If you make one change, other things have to change to suit that change. Pierson Shop Tour video on the Grimsmo YouTube channel! “Jay does a good job at showing the results, not just the things that you’re planning on doing” - Saunders Question: if you had to set an expiry date on how long something could sit in your shop without you using it, how long would it be? 

Today, the Johns are 1000 miles away--literally! Well, 15130 km or 9400 miles to be more exact. Saunders Soup for the Soul While in Sydney, Austrailia for the Next Generation Manufacturing event with Autodesk, he allows himself to detach, de-stress, and be in the moment. Woosah, for sure! The GK team is on track to smash their best-month-ever record yet again! Spending a day cutting foam means enough for the month but still leaves something to be desired. FOG 'N' BOG Grimsmo installs 2 mist collectors BUT how will he choose to operate it?  Light Switch or Arduino + Powertail, that is the question. Stay tuned for the installation video! Did you say NOISE POLLUTION? While not a common phrase in the U.S., it should definitely be a part of machine shop jargon. Over the ocean and through parking lots to Nicholas Hacko, we go. This place might have THE MOST ACCURATE MACHINE IN THE WORLD! Plus, a threadmill so small it leaves Grimsmo saying, "I gotta calculate that, where's my Imperializer?" Stay tuned for a video tour. Meet Angelo in the GK NEW People and LEAN Improvements Video! REAL ESTATE WOES How big is too big? Grimsmo's thinking hard about the decision to move to a bigger shop. When leasing, unused space is as bad as unused inventory--lean goes out the window. Saunders offers some great suggestions. Check out this ENORMOUS space in the New Possible GK Home Video! 6 Boxes of New Material AHEAD of Schedule? YES PLEASE! Grimsmo gears up to sort through it while Saunders plays with CERA BLOCKS. There's another machine up for consideration at GK--find out what it is!

The podcast flashback last week sent the John’s into a whirlwind of comments about what they were up to around Christmas time. It’s amazing how much changes in just a few months!   Is there a monetary value to time? “There are two limitations in life, time and money” - Saunders As it turns out, time-related stress doesn’t just stress you out, but also your wallet!   So, would spending the money to move to a much bigger shop be worth it for Grimsmo?   Check out Grimsmo’s latest video on their reconnaissance mission to see a potential new shop.   How to Scale Business: Fire Yourself Here’s some news; Saunders got bored! So...he’s probably successfully fired himself! And it feels so good to know they have the systems in place to make workers autonomous. The next question is what will he do next?   In Grimsmo’s corner, Angelo seems to be autonomous on the lathe! Next step: Set up a system and process for business expansion.   “Machining is not a spectator sport” - Grimsmo But the two John’s are going to keep making videos about it anyway. Keep an eye out for Post Processor videos on Saunders channel! It’s amazing how quickly you can go from “I don’t know”, to “let me teach YOU how to do that”.   Grimsmo’s putting it write out in the open...he’s developing a Grimsmo PEN! But will it take 3.14x the amount of desired time to make it to market? Who knows, at least he’ll share as much as he can about the process on the way.   Keep an ear out for an episode where the John’s talk about leadership/management styles.   See you next week, mate! Saunders is headed to Australia, but he’s sticking to the Business of Machining Schedule.