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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.
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Business of Machining
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Now displaying: December, 2017
Dec 29, 2017
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-school. Saunders uses sheets of paper to get ideas in order.
Those little pieces of paper summon ideas to improve project organization.
TACTILE INSTAGRAM POST
 
Is Grimsmo on the verge of a huge decision or is it a case of "LIFE-STYLE CREEPING?"  
When the ball is in your court, the thought of taking a giant leap in growth is seductive.  
 
Click HERE for NYCCNC's recommended reading list.
 
LLCs, sub chapter S, loans, reinvesting capital--intricate components of a business entity can be very "TAXING" to say the least.  Saunders and Grimsmo discuss financial discipline.
"Money can't buy you happiness but it does buy you options." - Saunders
 
Coming Soon: 
A new shop tour video from Grimsmo!
Saunders struggles to decide whether or not to sub-out the job for creating a fixture plate for the VM3...  
 
While you finish laps in the parking lot and get ready to watch new videos from Grimsmo Knives, the end of this podcast might leave you with a  lump in your throat!
 
This is a private conversation between Saunders and Grimsmo ONLY but this time, they break the 4th wall.  
 
Happy Holidays from everyone at Grimsmo Knives and NYCCNC!  From the bottom of our hearts, we want to thank you for being a part of this community.
 
2017 was a year of challenge, change, and growth;  a year chock-full of ups and downs, twists and turns-- and it's been great.
 
2018? BRING IT ON!
Dec 22, 2017

“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.   

 

SHARING IS CARING.

Get insight into the internal workings of NYCCNC here.  

Coming Soon: Saunders will share the start-to-finish process of the Imperializer in upcoming videos.

Dedicated hardware devices. We need them.  Sure, you own a calculator or a phone but who wants to get their pockets wet trying to convert inches to millimeters??

Click here to cure “wet pocket syndrome.”

When bringing a product or service to market, you might be headed for a shark-infested ocean!  Steer clear and head for the big blue instead.

Get your copy of The Blue Ocean Shift here.

Grimsmo shares his freight troubles and the necessity of hiring an agent becomes imperative.

Those Linda Wheels THOUGH!

Saunders and Grimsmo discuss problems and solutions for grits and thread-mills. Some problems aren’t worth the time and money to be solved.

If you haven't HEARD, Grimsmo's got a new Tumbler Video!

New Year, New You?

Although hesitant to make New Year’s Resolutions, the Johns agree that the New Year is coming at a fitting time.

 

“I need to quit” - Saunders

Saunders relays the importance of keeping stress levels down while still maintaining productivity by delegating tasks.

 

Inspirational ending note...

“We need to strengthen our blind faith in what we do” - Grimsmo

Dec 15, 2017
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 rumors about his absence from YouTube.  
The drought is over!
 
University Study on GK
 
Speaking of YouTube: DON'T FEED THE TROLLS
The guys discuss riding the social media roller coaster, the conscious decision to avoid negativity, and the fine line between pandering vs. creating genuine content.  Having a community that has your back makes all the difference.
  
Imperializer Video
 
Shop Update Video
 
iPad Time Machine Video
 
Clarifying the SCOPE of your business is an on-going process.  So, what's your tagline?
Saunders has one but he doesn't love it just yet. Takeaway = You've got to start somewhere.
 
 
Has Saunders finally discovered lathe love? HAH.  Love of 5th axis? Definitely.
There might be a new goal for IMTS 2018.  One thing is certain: A recent visit from HAAS brings MACRO gains.  
 
First 5th Axis Part Video
 
If your machines have tool changers but haven't heard of OPTIONAL STOP, get in on this pro-tip!
 
ON TAP TODAY: 
 
Rasks, a refurbish, and improving processes. The dino-digging knife is getting some TLC.  
 
Pre-historic Post
 
Saunders works with new intern (Alex) to demystify thread milling with information 
straight from The Machinery's Handbook.
Dec 8, 2017

“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.

Jonathan Lewis is back to teach another Tig Welding class. 

Superior Welding Instagram

Get your pro-membership for NYCCNC here.

“Find great people, get them on your team, and let them do great things” - Saunders

Both of them have taken on a new team member in the past week; Saunders hired an intern from an award winning high school robotics team with a passion for engineering. Over in Canada, Grimsmo’s new Media Producer (and first hire), Erin Kelly, is taking on full time duties and crushing it. Grimsmo can’t stop generating ideas for his team to accomplish together and getting more excited about his work. By the time the new machinist arrives in January, it will be as if he’s “split himself into four people”.

Anything else? Yeah, lots!

Saunders reminds Grimsmo to get excited about what you do, and John talks about how this can reduce stress levels.

Having trouble with thread mills?  Saunders offers advice.

Engineering students from McMaster do a presentation on Grimsmo Knives. Stay tuned to Grimsmo’s YouTube channel to watch the presentation and the chat afterwards between the students, Grimsmo, and Erin. More videos coming soon!

Saunders talks about custom vacuum plates.

Grimsmo combats his supply problem by making Rasks instead of Norseman knives. He declares he will never run out of material again.

Review of new Vibra Tumbler (spoiler: it’s great!). Video of unboxing and review coming on Grimsmo’s YouTube channel soon!

There is a lot of power in communication, especially if you’re a supplier. As Grimsmo says, “the human empathizes with personal problems, but the business doesn’t’ care at all.”

Get ready to hear the podcast with less and less of a lag between taping and publication. With two media people, “The Business of Machining” will be much closer to real time.

Dec 1, 2017
"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.
 
If you didn't make it this year don't fret. Catch the keynotes, livestreams, and more for free here!
 
 
Stop! Hey! What's that sound? 
 
Production and quality are full steam ahead at Grimsmo Knives but the earsplitting sound of the tumbler is driving everyone nuts. With new equipment on the way and a media person to tackle branding and YouTube, John's bursting at the seams with ideas! 
 
Check out the CMTS Video to see the Vibra Tumbler here.
 
Vibra Website
 
Leica A60 Microscope
 
 
 
Growing, Growing, Gone?
Adding people means increasing payroll. An accountant can show you the numbers but what story does it tell?  According to a U.S. Bank study, 82% of businesses fail because of cash flow problems.  
 
Budgeting Video
 
 
Machine Shop ROI
 
Generalized Business Assessment
 
NYCCNC struggles with demand while Grimsmo Knives struggles with supply.  The guys discuss a direction for the podcast and desire to allow people to connect in a more personal way.
 
 
How many circles the parking lot does it take to finish a Saunders and Grimsmo podcast?
The fact that people tune in leave both Johns awestruck--even after all this time. 
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