Talkin Shop with ShopSabre

If you own a CNC shop and are unsure about financing new equipment because of changing interest rates, this episode of Talkin' Shop with ShopSabre is for you. Hosts Brandon Bombardo and Nick Peters explain why now is a smart time to finance your next CNC machine, thanks to recent Federal Reserve rate cuts that make lending more favorable for business growth. Find out how low interest rates can mak...

Welcome to Talkin' Shop Episode 229 with Brandon Bombardo and Nick Peterson! Today we're diving deep into the #1 thing that matters more than marketing, automation, or even price: Customer Service – and why manufacturing in-house (instead of outsourcing or importing) gives your customers a dramatically better experience. Most shop owners think customer service starts when the phone rings. Wrong. I...

Feeling stretched, overwhelmed, or straight-up uncomfortable in your shop right now? That's not a problem — that's your sign you're growing. In Episode 228 of Talkin' Shop with ShopSabre, Brandon and Nick get real about why business growth feels so damn uncomfortable for small and medium-sized manufacturers — and why leaning into that discomfort is the fastest way to level up your shop, your team,...

Is buying an American-made CNC router just about patriotism, or is it a smarter move for your bottom line? In this episode of Talkin Shop, Brandon and Nick break down why domestic machinery is the superior choice for small and medium-sized shops focused on long-term profitability and growth. We dive past the slogan to discuss the real-world impact of quality control, parts availability, and reliab...

Paralysis by Analysis: It's the silent killer of progress and the reason good ideas never take shape in your business. In today's world of endless information and decision fatigue, overthinking is one of the biggest threats to your company's growth. Join hosts Brandon Bombardo and Nick Peters for Episode 226 of Talkin Shop as we dive deep into what "analysis paralysis" is, why it happens, and—most...

With the economy in 2025 being so unpredictable, learn how to keep your shop moving forward even when things get tough. Stay productive, confident, and proactive by using proven strategies from ShopSabre's Talkin' Shop podcast. Hosts Brandon Bombardo and Nick Peters discuss real-world challenges such as supply chain issues, rising costs, and labor shortages, and show how you can turn these problem...

Discover the key difference between being busy and being truly productive in your manufacturing or shop business—essential for entrepreneurs aiming to scale efficiently. In this episode of Talkin' Shop, host Brandon Bombardo and guest Nick Peters dive deep into why wearing "busy" as a badge of honor often hinders real progress, and how shifting to focused, measurable efforts can transform your ope...

In this episode of Talkin' Shop, Brandon and Nick tackle a critical decision for shop growth: financing new CNC equipment versus paying with cash. Discover why using cash reserves might be slowing you down and how strategic leveraging can protect your cash flow and scale your business faster in 2025 and beyond. Brandon argues that financing a productive asset, like a CNC machine, should be viewed...

What is the true definition of success? In this episode of Talkin Shop, Brandon and Nick Peters provide a realistic blueprint for how to build a successful business that not only survives but thrives. They challenge the "one-size-fits-all" definition of success and explore the essential mindsets and strategies you need to win. Learn about the three core mindsets of successful entrepreneurs: resili...

Are you a CNC shop owner or fabricator striving for more precision, greater output, and increased revenue? In this insightful episode of "Talkin' Shop with ShopSabre" [00:08], hosts Brandon Bombardo and Nick Peters dive deep into the philosophy that mastery is built, not bought. This isn't about quick wins; it's about refining your craft and taking deliberate steps towards sustainable growth. Disc...

In this episode of Talkin' Shop, we're tackling a topic every entrepreneur knows all too well: the haters and doubters. We'll break down why negativity can feel so powerful and, more importantly, how to shift your focus to what truly matters – your supporters. We'll discuss practical strategies for dealing with online trolls and turning criticism into motivation. After all, haters don't pay the bi...

Unlock the true power of "American Made" with Brandon and Nick on Talkin Shop with ShopSabre! This episode goes beyond the surface to reveal how choosing American-made products drives business success, enhances quality control, and strengthens the economy. Avoid the hidden costs of imports and understand why investing locally is a smart move for long-term reliability and growth. Topics Covered: Th...

In this insightful episode of Talkin' Shop, hosts Brandon Bombardo and Nick Peters dive deep into the critical topic of 'Perception vs. Reality in Business'. Discover why trusting your process is the ultimate protection for your business, especially in a world where opinions often spread faster than facts. Learn about the 'Dunning-Kruger effect' through a memorable real-life example and understand...

Today, we're diving into a topic that's on everyone's mind right now: uncertainty.  The world is unpredictable — supply chains, costs, customer demand — and waiting until problems hit is no longer an option.  That's why forward-thinking CNC shops are turning to AI and predictive tools to stay ahead.  Don't worry, this isn't about replacing people with robots — it's about giving your shop better vi...

Today I wanna step back away from the machines and the numbers and the stress and talk about something a little bit bigger and that's running a business, managing a shop, or even just working in the industry. It's not always easy, but here's the truth, it's not that bad. When you actually zoom out it's a ride that's worth enjoying. Chapters (0:00) Intro  (2:30) Open Customer Questions / Comments: ...

Do you grow your shop by adding more people… or by investing in CNC automation?  Today, we are going to break it down.   Chapters (0:00) Intro  (0:53) Open Customer Questions / Comments:  (2:42) Present your prices (7:04) Will you guys be at FabTech 2025? (8:05) It's cheaper for me to hire a guy than to use a machine   (10:39) Main Topic: Manual Work vs Automation (36:10) Outro Check out all of ou...

In today's episode, we discuss the myth that on-site support is needed when you buy a CNC machine. Chapters (0:00) Intro (0:52) Dad Joke (1:13) Open Customer Questions / Comments: (2:38) Referring to the Dinosaur Video – Cool cut but no Spoil board? (4:24) What nesting software are you using with the FiberSabre videos? (5:00) Why would anyone buy a machine through a dealer?     (6:20) Main Topic:...

Today on Talkin' Shop — the podcast where we dive into the realities of business ownership, manufacturing, and building with precision.   Today's episode is all about Defying the Odds — Why business owners are built to beat the statistics  - how to keep proving it every day.    Episode Chapters: (0:00) Intro  (0:23) Open Customer Questions / Comments:  (3:53) 1. When comparing equipment, what are...

Today on Talkin' Shop — the podcast where we dive into the realities of business ownership, manufacturing, and building with precision.   On today's episode, we're discussing how rapid technological advances are reshaping our ability to turn challenges into opportunities—and how, if misused, they can just as easily turn success into setbacks. Episode Chapters: (0:00) Intro  (0:23) Open Customer Qu...

Today on Talkin' Shop — the podcast where we dive into the realities of business ownership, manufacturing, and building with precision.   On today's episode, we're joined by special guest—Chad Wilson, a key member of our sales team. Episode Chapters: (0:00) Intro  (0:23) Open Customer Questions / Comments:  (6:46) 1. I heard from another vendor that ShopSabre imports their frames , is this true?  ...

Today on Talkin' Shop — the podcast where we dive into the realities of business ownership, manufacturing, and building with precision.   On today's episode, we're joined by a special guest: Jeff Hill, CEO of Oneida Air Systems. Episode Chapters: (0:00) Intro  (0:23) Open Customer Questions / Comments:  (4:27) 1. The Dust Dock takes too much time, why would anyone want to use that ?   (9:35) 2. Wh...

Today on Talkin' Shop — the podcast where we dive into the realities of business ownership, manufacturing, and building with precision.   Today's episode we're joined by Tricia Grissom of Becker Pumps Episode Chapters: (0:00) Intro  (0:23) Open Customer Questions / Comments:  (8:24) 1. When it comes to vacuum hold down – why would I just not add another pump if I need more holding power?   (10:39)...

Today on Talkin' Shop — the podcast where we dive into the realities of business ownership, manufacturing, and building with precision.   Today's episode we're joined by Eric Kollmansberger of Schmalz Episode Chapters: (0:00) Intro  (0:23) Open Customer Questions / Comments:  (3:41) 1. When considering shop efficiency, the lift systems will ultimately slow me down from naturally loading and unload...

Today on Talkin' Shop — the podcast where we dive into the realities of business ownership, manufacturing, and building with precision.   Today's episode we're joined by Nic Frost of Frost CNC Tooling Episode Chapters: (0:00) Intro  (0:23) Open Customer Questions / Comments:  (2:14) 1. When considering speeds and feeds, why are you not programming at maximum every time ?  (4:56) 2. Does a cheap to...

Today on Talkin' Shop — the podcast where we dive into the realities of business ownership, manufacturing, and building with precision.   Today's episode is all about how to stand out when others pull back —and how CNC technology gives you the edge when the economy gets tight.   Episode Chapters: (0:00) Intro  (0:23) Open Customer Questions / Comments:  (2:42) 1. The problem we have here – We cann...