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: January, 2018
Jan 26, 2018

The business of the business of machining podcast (you read that right)
Although the podcast is first and foremost a conversation,
the Johns realize its potential to evolve.

Saunders gushes over his MHUB Chicago experience. To be clear, MHUB isn't JUST a maker's space. MHUB provides framework for businesses to succeed as well as make products!

This year, in lieu of a traditional open house, NYC CNC and MHUB present the Manufacturing Entrepreneurship Summit (MES) a day before IMTS (America's Largest Trade Show). MES will be Sunday, September 9th, 2018 and it's FREE!

Register HERE! 

"I want to earn enough to justify the lifestyle I want to live--that is, farting around a machine shop!" - Saunders

Grimsmo determines that constant improvement does NOT equal progress. There's always room for improvement but does it get you closer to your goal? Sometimes Tie Fighters get in the way and other times, they are exactly what you need.

Boxes, Bubble Wrap and Tape: A Medium for Messages?
Unfortunately, your product isn't the only thing that speaks to your reputation. Speaking of tape, find out WHY a gummy tape dispenser leaves Saunders wanting to crawl into a hole.

Coming Soon:
GK's newest employee and SMW's BOSS Laser Cutter.

Click HERE to become a Business of Machining Patron!

Jan 19, 2018

The Business of Machining Podcast has hit the big 5.0.! That is, their 50th episode.

Hunger: A Common Denominator for Successful Entrepreneurs

Success requires more than making a product.  Remember: You are not an island and neither is your business.  

Why are you an entrepreneur, anyway?

Let’s just say, it’s not REALLY about the money...or is it?

Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh offers insights.

Get a copy here.

What would THAT GUY do?  

Building relationships lets you climb inside the mind of someone else.  Instead of making decisions based on emotion, removing yourself from the equation proves worthwhile.

A NEW SAGA EMERGES: Norseman Fixtures

“It’s like putting all of your eggs in one basket...but it’s a SWEET basket.” Check out Grimsmo’s Fixturing Strategies here.  #worthit

Creating fixtures could benefit you! So, now’s the time to get schooled.

Register HERE for the February 2018 - Fixturing & Workholding Class

When Your Coolant Isn’t Cool Anymore  

Grimsmo replaces his 2.5 year-old coolant and makes a 50 lb (23 kg) discovery that’s been hiding.

Saunders gets a new Skimmer! You can see which one here.

ON YOUTUBE:

Getting Views VS. Providing Content You Want To Provide

The pressure of expectation runs high but at the end of the day, it’s about being true to yourself.

Grimsmo’s doing it right!

Check out the new GK FOAM CUTTING VIDEO!

Jan 12, 2018
"If we don't have fun, we die." - Grimsmo
 
A lack of fun and creativity could send you spiraling downward; away from the top of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs--a.k.a. the food pyramid of humanity.
 
For the 2018 Open House, Saunders Machine Works joins forces with MHUB to bring
The Manufacturing Entrepreneurship Summit (MES) to Chicago, IL!
 
PERFECT TIMING
The Manufacturing Entrepreneurship Summit will be held on Sunday, September 9th, 2018--the day before IMTS (America's Largest Manufacturing Show) begins.  
Two awesome events--- same place, same week, same trip!  Yes, please!
 
NYC CNC Event: MES Registration (Free!)
IMTS Registration (only $45!)
 
 Do you come from a land down under?
Next Generation Manufacturing with John Saunders & Autodesk CAM will be held on Tuesday, March 13th, 2018 in Sydney, Australia! Register here!
 
For growth's sake?  
You might think you're clear on the mission and direction of your business until 
"Hollywood" knocks at your door. Grimsmo struggles to be a careful yes man.
 
Operator Error - It's not only at your CNC machine
Thinking errors are REAL and they're muddying your brain.  All-Or-Nothing thinking is detrimental to perceptions of success and failure. 
Saunders finds himself in the midst of irony: His perceived failure of the LESS STRESS goal is adding MORE stress.   
 
How do I sharpen thee?  Let me count the ways.
Obviously, everyone that owns a GK has a super expensive belt grinder and 
Erik standing by to take care of it, right?
 
Grimsmo plans to make videos for knife sharpening at different price points AND maintenance!
 
Saunders faces his irrational fear about his Norseman after watching the new Dino Digging Video.
 
ITERATION
Fixture Plate Protectors + Laser Cutting = Mold Not Needed?
Saunders is on the hunt for a Laser Cutter.
 
Machining a Mold - Fixture Plate Protectors Video
 
Grimsmo shares cliff notes about the Hedgehog Concept from Good to Great by Jim Collins. Get your copy here.
 
Bye, Bye Bridgeport
Saunders sends some machines packing while Grimsmo defends purchases he hasn't used by coining a NEW TERM.  
Someone call the machinist's version of Webster's!
 
You CAN touch this!
Saunders shares an idea for bringing maintenance reminders back into the physical world, where digital alerts can't be ignored. Speaking of physical reminders, he STILL has this beat-up list of rules to live by on his desk after 10 years.
 
Jan 5, 2018

Dreaming of Air Bearings

Air bearings do what?  Keep Grimsmo up all night, apparently!  

Every Minute Counts

Customer service inefficiencies suck away time and get Saunders into a funk. While some things are out of your control; one thing is certain: you do have the ability to make your own happiness.

 Accounting - KNOW YOUR TICKS AND BOBS!

Saunders and Grimsmo discuss pros and cons of accounting software such as Chase, Xero, Wave, and QuickBooks.  Software is definitely not "one size fits all."

“Any process only works as good as you use it.” - Grimsmo

Looking Back

You might know your goals but do you know what they aren’t?  Grimsmo and Saunders reflect on how success has impacted their work/life balance.

Getting FIRED = better leadership?

Grimsmo contemplates batching parts to free up the lathe for exciting new products.  Finally, if you'd like to become a patron, visit the Business of Machining Podcast Patreon!

Coming Soon:

Guest series - Once a month, a guest from the machining industry will hop on board!

Flashlight Fridays!

 

1