Business of Machining

Entrepreneurial visions are known for being lofty, clearly defined, fixed ideas backed by extreme conviction. The truth is, visions evolve. Where you are now was probably an inconceivable thought back then. If you're thinking of becoming a manufacturing entrepreneur but don't know where to start, the guys have one simple piece of advice that can be the driving force for your business! Establishing...

This week we talk about new shops and the sometimes ugly process behind it. Also John Saunders finally gets a lathe! Other topics discussed this week are the beginning of their careers in the early YouTube days. Finally getting a part made right just feels so good! John Grimsmo talks about the Saga pen being in full effect. Saunders' Fanuc Robodrill is rocking hard, it is making him re-think the r...

ATTENTION: CALLING ALL PARKING LOT CIRCLERS! We want to feature YOU! If you're a Business of Machining podcast listener, send us an audio clip so we can add it to future episodes! Make sure to listen to this episode for further details! What's Up in Saundersland? John returns from Spectre EDM in Blue Ash, Ohio. "Good EDM Shops never cut corners (pun intended)." If you have any burning questions ab...

What would Scott Harms do? We all have people we look up to, and take cues from in our lives. For Saunders, of course, that person is a machinist. Saunders got to TOUR of MetalQuest in Hebron, Nebraska, so keep an eye out for that on his youtube channel Teaser: This guy is positive AND realistic! It’s a story of slow growth, but it’s very relatable as an entrepreneur.  GOOD VIBES Even though...

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE Finding a space that fits your business but still allows room for growth can be tricky. The mammoth 26,000 sg ft building turns out to be a bust for Grimsmo. However, he's found THE ONE and it's PERFECT--as long as the concrete's deep enough (more on that later). You don't know what you don't know. Signing leases might seem casual and straightforward especially if you've per...

Taking it to the NEXT LEVEL  Should The Business of Machining be more than a conversation between machinist/entrepreneur buddies? Saunders and Grimsmo discuss what makes BOM stand out among podcasts, and how to be more clear in their intentions for the podcast.   Who can you trust?? To answer to your question “Be careful in this day and age because anybody will answer your question”...

SHUT IT DOWN FOR CMTS! Grimsmo and the gang are shutting down the shop and heading to CMTS to learn! Everyone has an eye out for things that could improve GK processes AND now that Grimsmo's in a 5-axis mindset, he's ready to absorb as much as possible. TIME SUCK/DISTRACTION? Although trade shows are fun and full of information, they can also steal time from your business. Attending a trade show c...

Buckle up for this EPIC episode of BOM! Saunders and Grimsmo both have a LOT to talk about as Grimsmo bargains for the shop of his dreams, and Saunders takes on multiple projects that each have BIG  implications and potential .  Behind the GrimsBRO scenes  When it comes down to it, Grimsmo Knives was started by two brothers, and they continue to make big business decisions together....

#INSTAMACHINIST WARM FUZZIES & GERMAN CHILL A simple, offhanded comment in episode 134 generates a heart-warming response from the machining community. Click Image Below to Check Out Original Post from Ignite Digi     Operation StickerBomb = Success! At first, Kern Microtechnik isn't about that sticker bomb life but when they realize that people aren't defacing property, they fully e...

Do you even lathe, bro? “I LOVE LATHES!” - Not who you’d expect As Saunders gets deeper into research for his potential lathe, he plays 20 (000) questions with Grimsmo. If you’re thinking about buying a lathe yourself, or you just need some basic lathe tips, this is the episode for YOU!  Get your notebook out, and let’s get started!  Quick tips:  “Get what you know you’ll need, and...

LET'S DO THIS THANG. If you're a parking lot circler, share the podcast for a chance to WIN!   Submission Deadline: Tuesday September 17th, 2019. Winner announced on September 20th Episode!   Hints of an upcoming lathe purchase have been gracing these podcast episodes for some time. Saunders asks Grimsmo for advice on the right number of radial and axial live tool holders AND which machi...

In this episode: NEW IDEAS:  “It’s amazing what can happen when you Palletize your life!” - Saunders Grimsmo’s new love...The BUYER’S Choice System If you know about Grimsmo Knives, you know about their Maker’s Choice system. This is the way they’ve been selling their knives for YEARS. The title of the Buyer’s Choice System says it all; if your name is picked, you can order a knife specific t...

Settling In Nicely Anyone remember what it felt like to push that clunky snooze button on an LED Panasonic alarm clock? The Grimsmo family is settled comfortably in their new home--so much so that John has no recollection of his alarm or swiping the snooze. Double Time Reality Although Grimsmo's slowly inching toward handing off more responsibility within his company, this week it's double duty. S...

Work/Life Balance Saunders had a great time at Autodesk Fusion 360! Now it’s onto the Field Museum in Chicago with his family.   “Your business and personal life has to go hand in hand!” - Grimsmo  Grimsmo moved into the new house over the weekend, and it already feels like home.  When can an entrepreneur start to give themselves a salary? Saunders talks about putting your prof...

Portland, Oregon. Autodesk Fusion 360 Academy Day 2. Sans the glitz, glam, and exuberance of Autodesk University Las Vegas, the close-nit vibe and Fusion focused course material makes for an amazing time. Saunders shares an AWESOME Fusion 360 hack from Rob Lockwood's 5-Axis Fixturing Course. IT'S A SMALL WORLD During the event, Saunders has dinner with Don Grant from Helical/HarveyTool, the same p...

Our podcast name is DA’ BOM In other words, welcome back to the Business of Machining folks, where we talk about business, machining and in this case, budgets.  Grimsmo and Saunders dive into all those little bits of business advice you would never think to give to a new entrepreneur if asked. They talk best budgeting software, time management, shipping, and lots of seemingly mundane, but equ...

THE SCOOPS AHOY OF CNC MACHINING Grimsmo's KERN will be used as a positional 3-axis for knife making at first, meaning he doesn't need crazy tool or gauge lengths--at least until he decides to get fancy. IT'S A GRAVY SITUATION! EARTH TO SMW! Saunders and his team are back to Earth from visiting the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., where Adam Savage, Andrew Barth, and...

Hungry...for SUCCESS? If you wanna be an entrepreneur, you've gotta HUSTLE! And if you're in the manufacturing industry, you're also making parts. Grimsmo balances running the shop/being the boss, with learning the new machine.  On Grimsmo's decision to buy a Kern... “You’ve restored harmony” - Saunders It's not two lathes against one mill, now there will be an equal number of each.  Y a...

Apollo 11. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. 50th Anniversary. Adam Savage. Project Egress---need I say more!? SMW was given an amazing opportunity to collaborate with other makers and Adam Savage's team to make an Apollo 11 hatch door replica for the 50th anniversary of the lunar landing. If you'd like to see the assembly of the door on July 18, 2019, click here for details! Click the Im...

The Elements of a Machine Shop: Coffee, Coolant, Oil, and FIRE!  Swiss Lathe Update?  “I have both crashed it and set it on fire” - Grimsmo About the fire…it wasn’t THAT bad Folks from the manufacturer of Grimsmo’s Mist Collector reassure Grimsmo that the machine is usually completely fine after a small fire like that.  Regardless...GRIMSMO PARKING LOT TEST OF THE FLAMMABILITY OF OI...

Apollo 11. PARTS. NASA. SMITHSONIAN. ADAM SAVAGE?? Breaking the Silence on Project Egress! This "Top Secret" mission is a collaborative, maker-inspired, project to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing. Saunders shares his crazy story about what the project is, why it's so important, how it ties into his renewed passion for 5-axis machining, and why he's ready to get a "r...

Easy as 1-2-3!  It's easy to commit to recording this podcast every week when you love it!  “This is one of my favorite things to do each week” - Saunders “This podcast is a safe space for us to brag OR complain” - Grimsmo Even after so many episodes, the podcast’s format remains the same: two buddies gush over machining, the challenges that come along with it, and running a business. Th...

YOU BETA NOT MISS THIS! Saunders and his team gear up to launch their biggest project yet: redefining how the machining world consumes and learns speeds and feeds! Sign up to be notified about the beta launch HERE! BladeShow Brain Blur Erik & Jo (pronounced Yo) drive the tail of the dragon on the way to the most important show of the year. Although booth decor might not be their forte, who nee...

Saunders pushes through the pain of a bowling injury. He's still tough enough to make parts on his new 5-axis machine! And there's SO MUCH to learn about it.  Saunders wants to work on the 6th side of a part with his 5-axis, and then eventually tab it off Let's start a tab.  Saunders gives some tips on how to tab off a part, and what he's learned since starting to play with his 5-axis. "...

BE AWESOME: BE BETA! For over a year and a half, Saunders and his team have been pouring themselves into a new business venture! John considers this "the biggest thing he's ever done" and rightfully so. The goal: redefining the way the machining world consumes and learns speeds & feeds. Click HERE  to be notified when the beta launches! Pearly Whites Using the tried, true, cheap, and belo...