Info

Business of Machining

John Grimsmo of Grimsmo Knives and John Saunders of NYC CNC discuss their success, struggles, goals and more as machinists, business owners and entrepreneurs.
RSS Feed
Business of Machining
2024
March
February
January


2023
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2022
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2021
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2020
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2019
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2018
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2017
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February


All Episodes
Archives
Now displaying: September, 2019
Sep 27, 2019

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. Grimsmo shared a chat on his Insta story (@johngrimsmoknives) between him and Erik, and it left people guessing.  

BUT Grimsmo KNOWS what he wants. 

After visiting his dream shop a couple days ago, he says: 

“[The shop] is different than what I expected, but it’s also everything I expected. Price wise, it works” - Grimsmo

NYC CNC 5-Axis Machining Class FINALIZED

Saunders finalized his first 5-axis machine training class! The ROBODRILL is rigged up and ready, are you? 3/6 slots are already sold out, so reserve your slot ASAP  

2 Day Class (Dates): Dec 5 - 6, 2019 

Price: $1750

Hey girl, you wanna Netflix n’ LEARN??

Both Johns recommend the Netflix documentary on Bill Gates

What is YOUR definition of success?

Highlight: Everyone has a different definition of it, and yours shouldn’t be defined by someone else’s parameters for your life. 

“Work and family are really the only two things I care about in the world” - Grimsmo 

Saunders and Grimsmo discuss what success means, and what role happiness plays in the equation. 

Book recommendation: 

Delivering Happiness By Tony Hsieh

Also discussed in this episode: 

  1. Google ads campaign for fixture plates. What social media platform is best for your business to advertise on?
    1. Check out Grimsmo’s video on cleaning out the Mori Mill 
  2. Saunders visit with QualiChem, and a discussion of different coolants and filtering methods (Water matters!)
  3. Cleaning parts with an Ultrasonic Cleaner, and which one to buy 
  4. Saunders admits that he’s warming up to lathes. Proof: “I have a fanuc in the shop, and I like lathes” - Saunders. Will BOM ever be the same again??
Sep 20, 2019

#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 embrace it! Who doesn't love a high-precision company that can kick back while in the throws of a haughty, sophisticated event like EMO?? We ALL do. By engaging with the community, they're fast becoming the holy grail of machining no longer hidden!

With Great Machines Comes Great Responsibility

The final signature on Kern paperwork at the kitchen table brings about entrepreneurship topics that have no time for subtlety. Grimsmo and Saunders get deep into the cavernous issues surrounding determining a presence, focusing on value for the community, profitable companies getting the side eye, and a major caveat to leadership: no one is holding your nose to the grind stone.


"As difficult as this is, I've grown into it and I'm enjoying the challenge. " - Grimsmo


Stay tuned for the RETURN of Chip Break!
Saunders has a video in queue about the top 10 business success tips that he swears by. The list might be old and crusty...but the points are things you may have never considered!


Leap into Automation
Unfortunately, a local college doesn't quite have the infrastructure to cultivate a thriving robotics program, which means SMW ends up purchasing the first piece of their automation puzzle: a FANUC Robo Drill with a Robotic Arm & Vision System. Once Saunders is finished crying into his Space Mouse, the plan is to dive in head first and figure out how to implement the robotic arm into production for the new mod vise system!

How to Send a Machine Abroad
Step 1. Call CSA
Step 2. Insert Maple Syrup into Elelectonics Enclosure?
Step 3. Hope that's enough to smooth things over...

Sounds like a legit plan!


You CAMplete me.
Moving the body really gets the blood flowing--to your head, that is!
During a morning workout routine, Grimsmo is struck by the realization that he might have miscalculated and purchased tooling that won't be able to reach! "I need CAMplete like....NOW."

ProvenCut to the Rescue
1/8" ball end mills are snapping at the collet nut, so CAMplete whips up some specialized tooling with a more rigid shank to save the day. While that's a good short-term solution, but is the issue REALLY shank rigidity? The Johns dive into deeper questions about tool pressure, number of flutes, axial doc, and coolant. The Johns turn to ProvenCut to double check a recipe and compare notes in Fusion 360 to get to the root cause.

If you don't already, consider following ProvenCut's Instagram! 

Click Image Below 

 

 

Sep 13, 2019

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 just buy more stuff later” - Grimsmo

“This is like getting an HD TV when you’ve been reading and brailing your whole life” - Saunders

“Stabilizing your tool can improve your finish” - Saunders 

THE CONTEST CONTINUES

Submission Deadline: Tuesday September 17th, 2019.
Winner announced on September 20th Episode!

Grimsmo and Saunders are now both using the project Saunders created: Proven Cut ("We break tools, so you don't have to!")

Meet up with Saunders on Oct 9th! 

If you're in the mid-west, come check out the Haas event on October 9th. Pssst, they'll have a UMC 500! 

Haas Training in the Midwest

Sep 6, 2019

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 machine features to purchase or skip to maximize utility.

Holding tight to visions of automation, they discuss benefits and drawbacks of CAPTO holders, bar feeders, and palletization.

European Manufacturing Philosophy - Investing without Hesitation?
Visiting machine shops isn't just about the cool machines and parts. Company values, cultures, and philosophies make themselves known. Saunders reflects on his tour of 3D Tech Draw and one striking observation spanning factories in Europe; namely the lack of hesitation to make long term investments in tooling or automation.

Watch 3D Tech Draw Tour | http://bit.ly/2m2On09


NEW MISSION
If you're headed to EMO (the world's largest trade show) this year, you have an assignment: FIND GRIMSMO'S EROWA AND STICKER BOMB IT!


STOP THINKING AND DO IT!
Our minds love to make up unrealistic emotions about the items on our to-do lists. Often, DOING the task is rarely as bad as THINKING about it. Speaking of to-do lists, could a deliberately drawn, small box beside the task lead us to be more deliberate and methodical?

Self Imposed Deadlines - You're NOT REAL, MAN!
Deadlines are a necessary part of being a business owner. The question is: How can you create deadlines that you believe in, that give you the same sense of urgency and dedication that an outside force of accountability can produce?


ERP TIME
Saunders makes the mental decision to move forward on implementing ERP. He continues to gather information, specific needs, and arrange meetings with end users to determine which system will work best for SMW.  

 

1