Justin Brouillette & Jem Freeman

Parts Department

Business EN ↓ 187 episodes

Justin Brouillette (Portland CNC) & Jem Freeman (Like Butter) discuss CNC machines, their product design and manufacturing businesses, and every kind of tool that they fancy. Show Website - https://dept.parts

Author

Justin Brouillette & Jem Freeman

Category

Business

Podcast website

dept.parts

Latest episode

Jul 7, 2026

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Episodes

85 - Phone Booth 5-axis 06.02.2024

In this nail biter, or wait, is it an ankle biter? Jem is still waking up and Justin has had a bajillion coffees. Or has he? We'll never know for sure. 5-axis lust, getting older, learning Fusion 360, the Bezos row boat, plus making workshops better-er. Get on the goose! Read on with your ears already, Candice. Watch on Youtube DISCUSSED: ✍️ Send Comments on this Episode Please note: Show not...

84 - Union Pie Warmer 30.01.2024

Join Jem and Justin as they dive into the peculiar world of Australian scorpions and their bedtime antics! They'll also discuss the latest on KittaConfig's deadline, remote installations, and the unexpected use of pie warmers. Plus, insights into decoupling time input, pre-June must-dos, product development, and the excitement around the new Haas DC1. Get tips on custom fixture washers, ply table...

83 - Expensed my Haircut 23.01.2024

In this episode, Jem and Justin dive into the world of productivity and organization. They discuss the benefits of the Full Focus Planner and the Nack Day Plan for staying on track. The episode also touches on the new PDX CNC assembly area and Jem's fresh approach to the new year with a focus on stationery. They revisit the impactful lessons from "Delivering Happiness" and "Atomic Habits." The duo...

82 - Additive to Replace Subtractive? 16.01.2024

Jem and Justin are back from holiday break. They dive into the challenge of disconnecting, explore radius gauges on Makerworld, and share their latest workshop upgrades. Hear about their experiments with hot wax dipping inspired by honey-making, and Justin's insights from 'The Machine that Changed the World'. Plus, a look at turning off social media, the potential of offline LLMs, and the intrigui...

81 - Business, Maker. Business Maker 26.12.2023

Jem and Justin review 2023 and plan for 2024 - delegating growth, strategic impatience, streamlining operations, new products, improving sales. Watch on Youtube DISCUSSED: ✍️ Send Comments on this Episode Please note: Show notes contains affiliate links. Year in Review Responsible use of materials vs Lean waste Plans for 2024 Jem – Strategic Impatience Justin – Delegating Growth E-myth Tasks...

80 - Condiment Regret 19.12.2023

Jem and Justin dive into CNC advancements with Bambu Handy and RhinoCAM, ponder over Rhino Block vs. Fusion, and discuss US-grown maple ply. They share insights on finding industry experts, discuss a new Langmuir Titan 25T Press brake, and talk about the potential of GPT-4's offline version. They wrap up with a call for listener submissions on 2023 reviews and 2024 plans. Watch on Youtube DISCUSSE...

79 - Lean Baby 12.12.2023

Jem and Justin are back! Babies, configuration tools, how many drugs can you get into a CNC router, and some neat ChatGPT tricks. Watch on Youtube 💙 Send 2023 Review or 2024 Plans for Next Episode DISCUSSED: ✍️ Send Comments on this Episode Please note: Show notes contains affiliate links. Laura's Recycled Plastic Chipper KittaParts Configurator Beta  Dowel Making Machine  small ve...

78 - Hot Apricot Yoga 14.11.2023

In this episode of Parts Department, Jem and Justin discuss failed products, ongoing improvements in 3D printing, hiring new staff, making progress on workflow systems, using AI to analyse business data, the growth of configurable CAD, and getting coworkers onboard with QR codes. Watch on Youtube - Making not this week, sorry folks! DISCUSSED: ✍️ Send Comments on this Episode Please note: Sho...

77 - Wet and Mouthy 07.11.2023

Jem and Justin discuss printing progress Jem has made after troubleshooting issues with Bambu PETG filament. They talk about tips for Justin as he prepares for upcoming parental leave and the challenges of documenting processes. Jem shares they've hired a new production operator Watch on Youtube DISCUSSED: ✍️ Send Comments on this Episode Please note: Show notes contains affiliate links. Bamb...

76 - Deleting my Teenager 31.10.2023

In this episode of Parts Department, Jem and Justin cover a range of topics including using AI to generate product images, keeping legacy products going, workflow automation experiments, the power of paper planners, and launching new products. Watch on Youtube DISCUSSED: ✍️ Send Comments on this Episode Please note: Show notes contains affiliate links. Default diary scorecard Archive Lightroo...

75 - Time to pull the plug? 24.10.2023

Justin and Jem commiserate about the difficulties of growing their product businesses while still needing to do custom client work to pay the bills. They're impatient with the slow transition and want to steer their companies in new directions. But it's tough when technical problems like Justin's temperamental 3D printer eat up time and mental bandwidth. Still, Jem finds joy tinkering on passion p...

74 - Shit Kicker Applications 17.10.2023

Jem and Justin discuss playing language games with AI assistants, hiring for their workshops, automating workflows, balancing polished vs raw social media content, and ongoing machine maintenance issues. Watch on Youtube DISCUSSED: ✍️ Send Comments on this Episode Please note: Show notes contains affiliate links. Let's play a game A Comic Rip make automation (Integromat) Veeqo - multichannel...

73 - Insert Witty Furniture Joke 10.10.2023

Jem and Justin dive into hot manufacturing topics like DC spindle swaps, roboforming advances, smarter factory tech, Aussie wood vs Thor tools, recruiting challenges, and secrets to better production development. Watch on Youtube DISCUSSED: ✍️ Send Comments on this Episode Please note: Show notes contains affiliate links. Forced Tool Swap Spindle swap, go DC? EMF? Roboforming Smarter Every Da...

72 - Wrong Size Reamer! 03.10.2023

In this episode Jem and Justin chat about experimenting with GitHub to share code for Fusion 360 scripts, using large language models like GPT-4 and Claude for data analysis, drama in the 3D printing community around the new Bamboo MakerWorld platform, and setting up repeatable fixtures and tool setups for machining tricky parts like forks. Watch on Youtube DISCUSSED: ✍️ Send Comments on this Epis...

71 - Configured Desires 26.09.2023

Jem's client bails, pushing project dates while Justin dives deep into Fusion 360 Configurations and his killer script for importing multiple STEP files. Jem’s feeling a bit broken, but the show must go on! We geek out over Airtable automation and MIRO for mind mapping. Also, catch our chatter on the 'Sauls Goodman' print, courtesy of Sidnaique. Don’t miss this one, especially if you love to nerd...

70 - Beyond the Wonderwall 19.09.2023

In this episode, Jem and Justin delve into the intricacies of Fusion 360 and Bommer, explore the potential of FloDesk Email for PDXCNC, and stress the importance of ethical tech migration. They also discuss Rhino WIP's compatibility with Apple Silicon and reveal Justin's game-changing Fusion 360 import script. Amidst all the tech talk, Jem shares insights on team management and the success of WIFL...

69 - Less Boot to Lift 12.09.2023

Jem's got vocal issues but that ain't stopping us. We're talking about growing on Etsy and Amazon while also discussing the struggles of balancing different roles in a small business. Plus, exciting updates on Fusion 360 and the start of our KittaParts Config project. Watch on Youtube DISCUSSED: ✍️ Send Comments on this Episode Please note: Show notes contains affiliate links. Jem has lost 83...

68 - App Unitaskers 05.09.2023

Jem and Justin dive deep into tech and tool talk this episode. They hash out the potential of the MacBook M2 for CAD work and debate the best ERP-style apps for machine shops. They chat about the NYC CNC Bourne & Koch shop tour. Got an Avid CNC? Keep an ear out; Dust Boots are coming. Oh, and they're scheming up some wild torture tests for CNC tools. Tune in to get the lowdown. Watch on Youtub...

67 - Fusion Summit Descent 29.08.2023

Justin unpacks Fusion Summit details, discusses CloudNC, and a new fast way to import files into Fusion 360. They tackle the tangled web of quoting—should it be simple or super complex? The guys also vent about the production clock ticking too fast and debate whether Gantt charts are a savior or a pain. Plus, a chinwag about the new Airtable AI Beta. Watch on Youtube DISCUSSED: ✍️ Send Comments on...

66 - Sprinkle the Special Sauce 22.08.2023

From hiring to sales brainpower, Jem and Justin navigate the ups and downs of the business. With wit and insight, they dive into design, quotes, and even a Bambu breakdown. Don't miss it! Watch on Youtube DISCUSSED: ✍️ Send Comments on this Episode Please note: Show notes contains affiliate links. New Hire Sales Good Design is Intuitive Damage Control mode Send Follow-up SMS for Quote Custom...

65 - Yes Chef 08.08.2023

Join Jem and Justin as they share a PSA warning about LinkedIn, reveal the lowdown on Bambu ASA Filament, introduce fresh KittaPartsKittaParts accessories, and untangle the web of product naming conventions. The duo then draws parallels between running a workshop and a bustling commercial kitchen, "The Life Aquatic," "Yes, Chef!," and "The Bear." Also a discussion on lean methodology and the power...

64 - It's Tinker Time 01.08.2023

Join Jem and Justin as they discuss new ChatGPT tricks, challenges in AI and Fusion 360's improved performance on Apple silicon chips. Expect laughter, NSFW anecdotes, and an exploration of shop happiness. Watch on Youtube DISCUSSED: ✍️ Send Comments on this Episode Please note: Show notes contains affiliate links. Hiring Corner Everything I want to talk about is NSFW 🙊 (we really need to re...

63 - Your Questions Answered 25.07.2023

Hosts Jem and Justin tackle your burning queries in this lively AMA episode! They discuss investment in custom work, frame depth cutting dilemmas, debris broom sales, and responsible client-off turning. Hobbyist table saws and creative processes aren't left out either. Watch on Youtube DISCUSSED: ✍️ Send Comments on this Episode Please note: Show notes contains affiliate links. Mike - Exclusi...

62 - Fancy Tuxedo Advertising 18.07.2023

Jem and Justin are back from their things and ready to titillate. They discuss PDX CNC's hiring process, share their insights from "Answer the Public," explore Meta's new Threads, and ponder the ups and downs of the AU Economy. Plus, they geek out over edge finders and give a sneak peek into the Fusion 360 Summit! Watch on Youtube DISCUSSED: ✍️ Send Comments on this Episode Please note: Show...

61 - The Basement Van 04.07.2023

In this episode of Parts Dept., Jem and Justin delve into the world of fulfillment, discussing the intricate process of counting parts. From drug scales to counting scales, they explore the challenges and strategies involved in shipping pre-orders on time. They also touch upon productivity tools like Notion and Airtable's marketing automation. The conversation takes an exciting turn as they dive i...

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