Within Tolerance

This week I am joined by Ledyard McFadden, the owner of LHM Engineering, a one-man, five-axis contract manufacturing shop in Boston specializing in medical equipment, robotics, and semiconductor projects. Ledyard also co-founded Tahr Equipment, an outdoors equipment manufacturer. Ledyard shares his manufacturing journey, starting with his experience working with the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC...

Tim Paul joins me this week with some fantastic stories and lessons. Tim shares his manufacturing journey and highlights the importance of continuous learning, networking, finding the right tools, and overcoming imposter syndrome for professional growth and success in the industry. We reflect on our own experiences and emphasize the value of relationships and seizing opportunities. Check out Tim's...

Warning: This Episode has a fair bit of death and medical trauma. If that's not your thing skip from about 3:04:30 - 3:33:00 Chris Zappettini and Jason Peterson join me this week in my longest episode yet, sharing personal struggles and professional experiences. Chris updates us on the last month or so since he's been on the podcast. Jason walks us through his backstory in manufacturing, dying mul...

Joe Roggenbuck and I discuss his recent business challenges and successes, the pros and cons of working alone versus managing employees, tooling on a lathe, the search for a new workshop, and the importance of investing in employees. We also touch on shop projects, hiring and training employees, and the value of having the right tools. Check out Joe's IG @cobraframebuilding -----------------------...

Garrett Wade joins Dylan to share his story into manufacturing, his background in high-end automotive photography, and how his continual learning led him into making gorgeous parts. We also dive into his successes with his UMC500, a new machine that was just installed, and plans for workholding and tooling for 5 axis. Check out Garrett's IG @garrettwade ----------------------------------------...

Josh Shapiro, owner and operator of J.N. Shapiro Watches, shares his background in manufacturing and his passion for reviving American watchmaking. We discuss his use of CNC machines, challenges in machining difficult materials like tantalum, and his efforts to develop his own watch movement. Josh emphasizes the importance of continuous improvement and combining automated and handcrafted processes...

I am rejoined by two wonderful past guests, Josh Hacko and Chris Zappettini, who ask me your questions! Thank you to everyone who listens for 200 episodes, and here's to another 200! Check out Josh's IG @nhmicro @nicholashackowatch Check out Zap's IG @zap.consulting @skillgapinc ----------------------------------------- Help support the podcast www.patreon.com/withintolerancepodcast

In this episode of Within Tolerance, Chris and I explore the second half of the book "Principles" by Ray Dalio and uncover valuable insights. We discuss problem-solving techniques, the importance of employee solutions, and talk about Fusion 360 CAM. We highlight the significance of a strong team for automation, and talk about the importance of employee training. I also announce the upcom...

In this episode of Within Tolerance, I have Rob Ellis, director of manufacturing at Maztech Industries, as my guest. Rob shares his journey into manufacturing, his passion for machining, and his experiences with 5-axis machines. He discusses the challenges and successes of his team at Maztech Industries, their focus on lean manufacturing principles, and their dedication to making the best parts po...

Dylan and Chris get together to update on shop status, jobs ending and beginning, trying new tools, and Chris's best project yet. Both also discuss the first half of the book club book, "Principles" by Ray Dalio. Check out Zap's IG @zap.consulting ----------------------------------------- Help support the podcast www.patreon.com/withintolerancepodcast

Dylan is joined by Brad Matheus of The Factory Amsterdam this week. Brad tells Dylan about the origins of his business, trials and tribulations with finding space, SLS 3D printing, new machines, and more! Check out Brad's IG @insta.brad ----------------------------------------- Help support the podcast www.patreon.com/withintolerancepodcast

Dylan is joined by Joe Barnard of BPS.Space this week. Joe talks about jumping into rocketry with no experience, dealing with failure, his future spaceshot, machining large parts with small machinery and more! Check out Joe's IG @bps.space and check out the his youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@BPSspace ----------------------------------------- Help support the podcast www.patreon.co...

Dylan is joined by Chris Lee this week. Chris started in manufacturing after designing and selling a motorcycle exhaust gave him the bug for making. Chris started machining with small home machines and at school, and now has run Hermle and Kern 5 axis machines. Dylan and Chris discuss both causes and potential cures for the growing skills gap. Check out Chris' IG @chrislee.design and check out...

Dylan is joined this week by Chris Lichty, VP of Rainhouse Manufacturing Canada. Chris shares his start in manufacturing, stories from his apprenticeship, and how he moved across the country to apply at Rainhouse. Dylan and Chris talk about 5 axis Matsuuras, automation trials and tribulations, and more! Check out Rainhouse's IG @rainhousecanada ----------------------------------------- Help suppor...

From starting a race team, jumping Rally Fighters at work, to being a part of the future of semi trucks, Riley Gillman has lived out every gearhead's dream throughout his life. Riley joins Dylan this week to talk about how he got into manufacturing, the incredibly interesting companies he's worked for, and how one becomes a "TOM". Check out Riley's IG @rileygillman ----------...

Chris drove down to have a sit-down, in- person episode with Dylan this week. Chris talks about the work he is putting in to change the course of his business. Dylan shares his continued moving woes. Both talk about favorite tooling, probing, and more! Check out Zap's IG @zap.consulting ----------------------------------------- Help support the podcast www.patreon.com/withintolerancepodcast

Jeff Tiedeken is back this week! Jeff and Dylan catch up, talking about his new job at Astranis, Matsuura CNC's, and updates on his epic projects. Both share their thoughts on building shops while maintaining a day job, and Jeff talks about the new MX330 in his home shop. See Astranis Job Openings at https://www.astranis.com/careers Check out Jeff's IG @yetiman01 --------------------------...

Zach is back with new projects and machines! Dylan and Zach talk about his recent video on rocket combustion chambers, his Kitamura MedCenter5Ax, joining Nebula, and more. Check out Zach's IG @breakingtaps and his YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@BreakingTaps ----------------------------------------- Help support the podcast www.patreon.com/withintolerancepodcast

Dylan is joined this week by Alex Van Dyck, CEO and Founder of Packible. Alex started down the manufacturing road in high school, taking a chance to teach himself MasterCAM and how to run a Haas while there. Alex and Dylan talk about ERP's, 3D printing, pricing products and more! Check out Alex's IG @dark_sky_industries and Packible @packibletool ----------------------------------------- H...

Dylan is back from his Germany trip and recounts the highlights. Chris had a down week in the business and shares the plan to fix it. Both talk about this month's book club book "The Pumpkin Plan" by Mike Michalowicz. Have you kicked your rotten pumpkin customers to the curb? Check out Zap's IG @zap.consulting ----------------------------------------- Help support the podcast www...

You may know Tom from his amazingly intricate brass parts on Instagram, or building his home shop and new business Prestige Precision Parts, but this week we get to dive into his incredibly interesting backstory. Tom talks about starting in welding, moving around the world to follow the trade, and ending up teaching himself CNC machining when the opportunity arose. Check out Tom's IG @tom_mach...

Dylan and Chris check in since the last episode together, chat about machinery and employees, and digging out of the hole of work. Both discuss the most recent #withintolerancebookclub book "Extreme Ownership" by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin and share lessons learned from the book, and applications to their businesses. Check out Zap's IG @zap.consulting Check out the Nickolas Means t...

This week's guest is Nick Heys, the President & Founder of Valence Precision and Co-Founder of DirtyRobotics. Join in as Nick shares his journey into manufacturing, his experience at LBNL, Makani, and Uber, and the story of how he started Valence Precision. Check out Nick's IG @valence.precision ----------------------------------------- Help support the podcast www.patreon.com/withinto...

In this episode, Bre Pettis, the well-known entrepreneur and innovator, discusses his journey and career path with a focus on his work in technology and manufacturing. The conversation covers a range of topics, from Pettis' co-founding of Thingiverse and Makerbot, selling the company, and his acquisition of Bantam Tools. Bre and Dylan also talk about the Baja 1000 and Rally Fighters, as well a...

Mickey Jacobs and Alex Kern return to the show to discuss the true cost of automation, getting your ducks in a row, inspection and more!   Mickey was previously on Episode 170 and Alex was on Episode 143 "The INSANE Precision of The National Institute of Standards and Technology" (Moore CMM Video) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCyU97MoHFM The book Alex mentions is "Principles" by Ray Dali...