Jason and Chris are back this week! Chris talks about working like a mad man to finish up a project, visiting me, and his current trip to LA. Jason shares his funding journey, new X2 products, and new machinery. We all chat about motivating people, effective planning, 3d printing and more! Check out Zap's IG @zap.consulting and Jason's IG @jason_x2devgroup ----------------------------------------- Help support the podcast www.patreon.com/withintolerancepodcast

Zach is back this week and we chat all about fixing Kerns, adding a swiss lathe to his shop, and all the changes his business has gone through since the last time on the show. Listen in to hear the incredible modifications and fixes Zach has done to his machines, and hear how this skill scored him a job. Check out Zach's IG @zachsmiami ----------------------------------------- Help support the podcast www.patreon.com/withintolerancepodcast

This week I'm joined by Uriel and Kyle from Arda Cards! Any of my listeners who have been following along Uriel and Austere Manufacturing's journey will know of his application of lean principles to optimize his business. In this effort he uses Kanban cards, and this lead to him developing Arda Cards with Kyle. We chat about lean principles, ordering headaches, and how Arda has made Kanban cards easy. Check out Arda Cards IG @arda.cards Check out Austere's IG @austere_manufacturing ----------------------------------------- Help support the podcast www.patreon.com/withintolerancepodcast

Chris joins me this week to catch up on a whirlwind of a past couple weeks! Chris talks about success with lathe probing, and a change of coasts. I talk all things Hermle C250 and new shop. Check out Zap's IG @zap.consulting ----------------------------------------- Help support the podcast www.patreon.com/withintolerancepodcast

In this episode of Within Tolerance, Graham Francis joins me to discuss Lights Out Mfg. Graham shares his journey from childhood fascination to mechanical engineer, detailing his experiences at King Machine, transitioning to sales, and partnering with Rapid Design Solutions. We delve into their automation solutions for machine shops, including integrating robots for machine tending and specializing in machine loading systems. Graham highlights the role of automation in upskilling employees, previews upcoming projects, and envisions a fully automated system. We explore tool life management, automation preparation, industry challenges, and the trend of automation adoption in machine shops, emphasizing the need for education and promotion within the industry. Rapid Design Solutions first episode here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/withintolerance/episodes/Within-Tolerance-Episode-24---Rapid-Design-Solutions-e9fi62 Check out Lights Out MFG's IG @lightsout.mfg ----------------------------------------- Help support the podcast www.patreon.com/withintolerancepodcast

This week I am joined by everyone's favorite Selway Sr. Apps Engineer, James Meyette alongside Chris Zappettini. James discusses his journey in manufacturing, from machinist to applications engineer, touching on experiences with companies like Cummins, Mori Seiki, and MasterCAM. He also dives into his role at Selway, sharing experiences in applications engineering, customer interactions, and resolving technical issues. We talk about tool measurement systems, the MX330 PC-10's capabilities, equipment selection based on needs, and advice for aspiring machinists, stressing the value of diverse learning and hands-on experience in the dynamic field of machining. Check out James' IG @cncappsjames Check out Zap's IG @zap.consulting ----------------------------------------- Help support the podcast www.patreon.com/withintolerancepodcast

Chris talks about his whirlwind last couple weeks wrapping up his shop move and his success with gear hobbing. I share the new machine we bought, talk about my new experience at Hermle training, and thoughts on Heidenhain. Check out Zap's IG @zap.consulting ----------------------------------------- Help support the podcast www.patreon.com/withintolerancepodcast

I am joined by a familiar name with a new company this week. Many of you may recognize Jonathan Hornell-Kennedy from @coreprintpatterns and his previous episode (81), but this week Jonathan is back to talk all about his new company @frameworkbikes . We talk about his path into bike making, carbon fiber filament winding machines, machining frame components, testing them and more! Check out Frameworks' IG @frameworkbikes ----------------------------------------- Help support the podcast www.patreon.com/withintolerancepodcast

This week I have Zap back to give updates, and answer listener questions. Zap gives an update on his personal and work life. He talks about his recent trip to New York where gear hobbing on lathes yielded great results. He emphasizes the value of automation and we share our dream machines. We both discuss marketing strategies and the importance of soft skills. I also dive into the trials of getting the new shop ready to move in. Check out Zap's IG @zap.consulting ----------------------------------------- Help support the podcast www.patreon.com/withintolerancepodcast

This episode I am joined by Shawn Conour, the president of Conour MFG. We discuss his company's patented racking arm valve, the machining process involved, and our experiences in the machining industry. We also touch on the challenges of running a machine shop, the exciting projects we're working on, power grid reliability, gun building, tool research, and more! Check out Shawn's Youtube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqijBq9JDSo Check out Shawn's IG @Conour_MFG ----------------------------------------- Help support the podcast www.patreon.com/withintolerancepodcast

In this episode, I'm joined by Kenny Urban, the machine shop supervisor at Meyer Tool and Manufacturing. Kenny discusses his passion for getting kids involved in manufacturing and highlights their facility's specialties in cryogenic assemblies. We delve into the benefits of Hurco machines and the importance of programming and CAM software. Kenny also shares his journey into manufacturing. We address listener questions, discuss the challenges of machining titanium, and touch on 5-axis machining. Kenny's research on Torlon and his recommendations for leadership assessments wrap up the conversation. Check out Kenny's IG @patriot_mucheenist ----------------------------------------- Help support the podcast www.patreon.com/withintolerancepodcast

This episode I have a conversation with Michael Gimbel of Gimbel Automation. Michael shares the journey of his company and how they transitioned from contract manufacturing to engineering consulting and eventually to adding Gimbel Automation. We talk about spindle gripping best practices, solutions for programming them, the product offerings from Gimbel Automation and more! Check out Gimbel's IG @gimbelautomation ----------------------------------------- Help support the podcast www.patreon.com/withintolerancepodcast

Recorded earlier this year, the long awaited episode with Keaton from Swift Universal is here! Keaton shares his story, from starting a small shop while attending college all the way up to his recent purchase of a Kern HD. Keaton shares his experience with growing a business, SBIR grants, and more! Check out Swift's IG @swift_universal ----------------------------------------- Help support the podcast www.patreon.com/withintolerancepodcast

Ethan Patane is back this week to talk about a year of mentorship and instruction. Ethan gives me his "Seven Things to Forget" to be a better mentor, we talk about how to bring more people into manufacturing, and things he looks at when evaluating potential employers. Head over to impact.rit.edu/project/40222 to help the RIT FSAE team on their new build! Check out Ethan's IG @e.patane515 ----------------------------------------- Help support the podcast www.patreon.com/withintolerancepodcast

Easton is back this week to talk about his whirlwind year full of work, machine acquisitions, and adding to the Moria Manufacturing team. Other big news is Proteum found a new shop! I share lessons learned from the search and eventual signing of the lease. Easton and I also talk about dealing with stress, work-life balance, and the mental toll of shop ownership. Check out Easton's IG @moria_manufacturing ----------------------------------------- Help support the podcast www.patreon.com/withintolerancepodcast

Ever struggle to enact change at your company? This month's book club book is for you then! I am joined this week by Alex Kern and Chris Zappettini to discuss "Leading Change" by John Kotter. We all discuss how to start change, successes and failures in changes, and more! Check out Zap's IG @zap.consulting Check out Alex's IG @chiefbub ----------------------------------------- Help support the podcast www.patreon.com/withintolerancepodcast

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) and his decision to focus on Baja SAE racing in college. He talks about his time as the manufacturing manager of the Baja team, the challenges they faced during a design change, and the lessons he learned as a leader. He also discusses his experiences working for a semiconductor automation company and a turbo machinery machine shop. Listen in to hear Ledyard's manufacturing journey, and how he came to start his own shop! Check out Ledyard's IG @lhmengineering ----------------------------------------- Help support the podcast www.patreon.com/withintolerancepodcast

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 IG @oneeartim ----------------------------------------- Help support the podcast www.patreon.com/withintolerancepodcast

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 multiple times, and his attitude of continual perseverance no matter what. Jack Welch Episode of BtB - Part One: Jack Welch Is Why You Got Laid Off | BEHIND THE BASTARDS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZv7wc7USQE Check out Jason's IG @jason_x2devgroup Check out Zap's IG @zap.consulting ----------------------------------------- Help support the podcast www.patreon.com/withintolerancepodcast

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 ----------------------------------------- Help support the podcast www.patreon.com/withintolerancepodcast