Business of Machining

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,...

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...

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 en...

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 th...

Today we're time traveling back to December 20th, 2017. This episode is the ultimate podcast throwback! Saunders tiptoes around a sabotage situation. While success and influence are perceived as a threat to others, keep doing what you love with good intentions. End of Year Reflection Teamwork makes the dream work. While certain employees may not generate direct revenue, long term, they increase ma...

Grimsmo returns from L.A. beaming with excitement after meeting with producers in Hollywood and touring Pierson Workholding. Good friends tell you what you want to hear...best friends tell you what you NEED to hear. Like a best friend should, Saunders offers Grimsmo his full support and genuine concern.  Hollywood can make AND break you, especially if you're not privy to its cut-throat nature...

The John’s celebrate Valentine's Day with episode 54 of the podcast, but Saunders doesn’t have much love for the accounting frustrations he experienced in the past week. What is the AUTOSWEEP function on Paypal? Stay tuned for a video from Saunders. Grimsmo’s Lean Machining Lifestyle Angelo frees up time for Grimsmo to make improvements to the shop. How can you minimize wasted time and effort by g...

Yesterday, the SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket launched.  For all of us, it is a testament to our ability to keep pushing the limits.  Make sure you DON'T PANIC!   Saunders receives an intoxicating opportunity but it takes a while for the gravity to hit. Check out the post HERE !   PAY THOSE DUES Although tips for success are plastered everywhere, they won't be enough...

**HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BUSINESS OF MACHINING!** Machine for 10 years, clean your coolant once. Grimsmo is reunited with his lost chips in this recent Coolant Cleaning video .  Saunders proves his love for combining machining with IoT in the Air Compressor Text Alert video .  In a weekend long conversation on WhatsApp about 5-Axis with pallet pool, what used to seem like a trip to the moon is...

The business of the business of machining podcast  (you read that right) Although the podcast is first and foremost a conversation, the Johns realize its potential to evolve. Saunders gushes over his MHUB Chicago experience. To be clear, MHUB isn't JUST a maker's space. MHUB provides framework for businesses to succeed as well as make products! This year, in lieu of a traditional open house,...

The Business of Machining Podcast has hit the big 5.0.! That is, their 50th episode. Hunger: A Common Denominator for Successful Entrepreneurs Success requires more than making a product.  Remember: You are not an island and neither is your business.   Why are you an entrepreneur, anyway? Let’s just say, it’s not REALLY about the money...or is it? Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh offer...

"If we don't have fun, we die." - Grimsmo   A lack of fun and creativity could send you spiraling downward; away from the top of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs--a.k.a. the food pyramid of humanity.   For the 2018 Open House, Saunders Machine Works joins forces with MHUB to bring The Manufacturing Entrepreneurship Summit (MES) to Chicago, IL!   PERFECT TIMING The Manufacturing...

Dreaming of Air Bearings Air bearings do what?  Keep Grimsmo up all night, apparently!   Every Minute Counts Customer service inefficiencies suck away time and get Saunders into a funk. While some things are out of your control; one thing is certain: you do have the ability to make your own happiness.   Accounting - KNOW YOUR TICKS AND BOBS! Saunders and Grimsmo discuss pros and con...

Have a holly, jolly--uh, happy...Merry Christmas!     No matter how you say it, it's a time of reflection, peace, joy, and hope. Today's episode comes with a gift: NO MORE CRAZY LAG TIME.    Sometimes you gotta go  old-schoo l. Saunders uses sheets of paper to get ideas in order. Those little pieces of paper summon ideas to improve project organization. TACTILE INSTAG...

“Share 90% of what you do, and charge like heck for the last 10%” - Grimsmo’s dad Employer Vs. the employee. With businesses expanding, they research employee rights, benefits, and how to implement that into employment processes, agreements, and online business tools. Choosing software is daunting but when it comes to accounting, WAVE might give QuickBooks a run for its money.     ...

Is this real life?    Entrepreneurship is filled with surreal moments that  leave your head spinning in a good way--and sometimes they come full circle.   Grimsmo's secured downtime for projects pushed to the wayside during Norseman production.  Stay tuned for a new video detailing Erik's tumbler tweaks.    "It's on like Donkey Kong!" Grimsmo addresses rumor...

“The business is becoming its own entity, and we all work for that business” - Grimsmo quoting Pierson Saunders and Grimsmo reunite after missing one of their weekly chats and they have much to discuss.  As their businesses grow at a fast pace, having a great team and managing stress are becoming more important.  The guys work to advance the skills of their teams as well as their own. Jo...

"Everything you do is a representation of who you are, even down to how you wash the dishes." - Grimsmo   Saunders returns from his 3rd round of AutoDesk University feeling refreshed. His perception of AU has evolved from one of pomp and circumstance to one of understanding and appreciation.  Plus, if your're a FUSION ULTIMATE customer, GENERATIVE DESIGN access has been granted...

"It's a good time to be alive." - Grimsmo It doesn't get any better than having the world of information at your fingertips.   SAYONARA lag time!  The guys record using ZenCaster to lean out the podcasts and close the gap between life and release date.   What happens in Vegas...is AUTODESK UNIVERSITY.  Saunders attends to speak about Social Media and Modern Manufacturing. ...

"Grimsmo's frowning at me with disdain--"   "I'm THINKING!"    With Thanksgiving rounding the corner, this episode of Business of Machining offers a lot of food for thought.   After a night of tossing and turning, Saunders uses his inability to sleep to his advantage.   How's that Norseman pallet coming, Grimsmo?   Finishing the much improved pallet while&nb...

The car is kaput. Grimsmo makes due with his mic from home.   If you've successfully changed the insert on a boring bar while holding your child,  you might be a machinist.   Time flies when life is good.  Grimsmo reflects on obsession.  When you say yes to the short term goal, are you short changing yourself?   The path from point A to point B isn't a straight l...

What do speaking French, VENN DIAGRAMS  and SUPERPOWERS have in common? This episode of Business of Machining, of course.   THE STRUGGLE IS REAL: As an entrepreneur, staying true to yourself and your VISION is tough.  Not only do you have to have a passion for what you do; it also has to coincide with what people want.    The launch of the new...

ARIEL. CANADIAN THANKSGIVING IN OCTOBER. BYE BYE, BOOTSTRAPPER?   Saunders chaperones students to Ariel.  If you're looking for inspiration, you may not have to fly across the ocean to find it.   Click HERE for Ariel Video.     Geeking out at the local computer shop, Grimsmo purchases a much needed new laptop.  Despite the new technology, a problematic Fusio...

Saunders says 'tis the season with an Uberchuck commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lncrr_7aJE Saunders visits EMO in Germany while Grimsmo uploads his first YouTube video in months: CMTS! Grimsmo debates the future of producing videos: in-house or enlist outside help? McMaster University partners up with Grimsmo knives for a marketing class project! Saunders speaks on Social Media at a l...

New year, new approach. Grimsmo returns from CMTS; his first trade show since IMTS in 2016. No matter how discerning you plan to be, the almighty sales pitch has the power to undermine due diligence.      Click  here  to time travel back to IMTS 2016   If you're considering EDM, this one's for you.  If not, it's cool anyway. Tune in for a simple ex...