Business of Machining

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John Grimsmo of Grimsmo Knives and John Saunders of NYC CNC discuss their success, struggles, goals and more as machinists, business owners and entrepreneurs.

John Grimsmo & John Saunders


    • May 9, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 45m AVG DURATION
    • 414 EPISODES

    4.8 from 209 ratings Listeners of Business of Machining that love the show mention: saunders, w00t, aluminum, manufacturing, frustrations, seal, johns, knife, smaller, maker, shop, machine, i've been following, i'm always, businesses, entrepreneurship, thanks for sharing, they've, friday, owner.


    Ivy Insights

    The Business of Machining podcast is a valuable resource for entrepreneurs and machinists alike. It serves as an entrepreneurial rallying cry, providing insightful discussions and lessons about running a machining business. The hosts, John Saunders and John Grimsmo, are reliable and dependable in their delivery of episodes, making it an enjoyable and educational experience for listeners. Additionally, the ability to backdate to episode 1 on the app allows for binge-listening and catching up on all the valuable content.

    One of the best aspects of this podcast is the wealth of knowledge and experience shared by the hosts. They provide valuable insights into the world of machining, covering topics such as running CNC machines, dealing with co-workers, and learning Mastercam. The discussions about speeds and feeds, business strategies, and personal growth are particularly beneficial for younger machinists looking to gain knowledge in these areas.

    However, one potential drawback is that some topics discussed may not be relatable to all listeners, especially those who are new to machining or have less experience. While there is still plenty of valuable information shared in each episode, it would be helpful if there were more discussions geared specifically towards beginners or those looking for more basic information.

    In conclusion, The Business of Machining podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in entrepreneurship or machining. Despite some topics being less relatable for certain listeners due to varying levels of experience, the overall value provided by Saunders and Grimsmo is commendable. Their genuine conversations make it feel like a personal discussion rather than just another podcast episode. Whether you own a business or run a machine, you will undoubtedly benefit from this informative podcast.



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    Latest episodes from Business of Machining

    #413 Smelly coolant

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2025 45:42


    TOPICS: Speedio looping the program over and over Saunders programmed a part in Toolpath Waterjet profile is wrong Johnny Five is under control! Smelly coolant

    #412 Renzetti 1-2-3 blocks

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2025 49:20


    TOPICS: Toronto knife show Grindmilling Toolpath mistake Arda and ERP systems Renzetti 1-2-3 blocks Johnny 5 turned on for the first time!

    #411 Cycle time evaluations

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2025 52:36


    TOPICS: Superglue fixtures Toolpath.com Passion for machines and projects Cycle time evaluations Grindmilling

    #410 Prussian Blue is amazing

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2025 47:20


    TOPICS: Prussian blue is amazing. Bambu H2D 3d printer Calibrating a 5 axis machine Hand scraping deep dive Tormach 1500 MX

    mx calibrating prussian blue tormach
    #409 Hardmill all the things

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2025 47:30


    TOPICS: Mentality around tariffs Button lock geometry Buy prussian blue Hardmill all the things

    #407 Dedication to our Willemin 408MTs

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2025 48:15


    TOPICS: Robots Demagnetizing 4140 bars Rolex Johnny 5 track drives Probing for accuracy

    #407 First Hundred knives and lessons learned

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2025 44:14


    TOPICS: Fusion PSA on heights tab Measuring ultra precision Heat treating improvements Tormach 1500mx updates

    #406 Surface grinding deep dive

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2025 49:18


    TOPICS: Business insurance Thermal compensation on Speedio Surface grinding deep dive Shop improvements

    #405 Why are lathe parts not round?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2025 47:09


    TOPICS: Gorilla Stand indicator holder! Why are lathe parts not round? Thermal growth on the Speedio Okuma fake CMM Heat treating 440c and carbide clumping Dishwashing parts at home

    #404 Life as a small business owner

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2025 49:31


    TOPICS: Making ultra flat precision washers Fjell knives are starting to selling Custom ultra precision indicator stands Tarrifs Post heat treat hard turning Hardmilling success

    #403 Make decisions and dealing with the consequences.

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2025 51:44


    TOPICS: Make decisions on your own, as long as you're willing to deal with the consequences. CHATTER machine monitoring Robots! Mastering youtube Dial test indicator stand Surface grinding and lapping Tormach 1500mx

    #402 "Delegating is sometimes just as simple as delegating"

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2025 51:09


    TOPICS: "My Willy is doing great" - Grimsmo Kern was purchased by Ametek. "Delegating is sometimes just as simple as delegating". Auto serial numbers on Okuma Vapor degreaser Diamond lapping Bad 3d printing

    #401 Stress in your business

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2025 51:18


    TOPICS: Heat treated A2 dimensions Grimsmo Fjell update Robot loading solutions Endmill consistency

    #400 Episode 400 baby!!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2025 48:14


    Intern or full time machinist? DOITS 100 Fjell knives Hardmilling and tool life Chatter machine monitoring installed at SMW

    #399 Too much on my plate

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2025 49:20


    TOPICS: Project management at Saunders Tolerance ranges and scrapping parts Python script deep dive Robots to change workpieces and pallets Willemin part release... magnetism? Too much on my plate

    #398 Python script to create the perfect toolpath!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2025 53:41


    TOPICS: NYCCNC has been purchased by DSI Hardmilling Kolsterizing process by Bodycote 5 axis automation and robotics DOITS finally work - Shrink the project - Cannot think about it Grimsmo grinding improvements - Python script to create the perfect toolpath!

    #397 Team oriented wishlish

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2025 50:20


    TOPICS: 2025 changes DOITS Leadership roles Measuring runout in toolholders 5 axis automation at Saunders? Team oriented wishlish Fjell production update

    #396 Raspberry Pi in the shop

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2024 47:00


    TOPICS: Oscilliscope readings on Heidenhain Tool life in A2 steel Raspberry Pi in the shop Tour of Henry Holsters Project management in 2025

    #394 Tracking tool life

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2024 51:04


    TOPICS: Willemin air lines all replaced Saunders is using metric hardware Microscopes in the shop Tracking tool life Machining A2 The ultimate Clamps Lapping precision holes

    #394 DIY 3d printed machine tools with concrete!

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2024 53:05


    TOPICS: DIY 3d printed machine tools with concrete! Flextures and insane tolerances Machining soft blades in the Kern is slow, but better Patterning stress Hardmlling tool life? Chatter machine monitoring

    #393 Fusion tips and tricks

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2024 53:40


    TOPICS: Google Appscripts does awesome stuff Notes to yourself in Fusion 360 and other Fusion tips and tricks Hardmilling update! Hard grindmilling too. Heat treating ideas

    #392 Hardmilling puckchucks on Okuma

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2024 51:21


    TOPICS: Hardmilling puckchucks on Okuma Heat treating ovens Fjell pocket clip success! Prusa new printers

    #390 50 tidbits by Dave Arneson

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2024 41:01


    TOPICS: Hardmilling endmills came in Heat treating and worried about warp Kern still dropping tools Kind words from a listener Solution to Saunders' tolerance issue 50 tidbits by Dave Arneson https://www.airbearings.com/old-pages/news/50-tidbits Lapping for flatness and shiny!

    #390 Take your kid to work day

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2024 48:12


    TOPICS: Take your kid to work day Saunders bought another lathe "I'm stumped" - Saunders Wazer waterjet at Grimsmo Hardmilling

    #389 HARDMILLING!!

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2024 50:38


    TOPICS: Kern is down! Internal inventory levels HARDMILLING!! Magnetic chucks Seville Classics cabinets and tables

    #388 Creating videos for Youtube

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2024 51:32


    TOPICS: Kern tool changers issues Creating videos for Youtube 11:-- error, 30 seconds missing Replacing glass on CNC machines Video - "The universe is hostile to computers" - Veritasium Artwork at home Flocking tumbler liquids DIY fixture rack

    #387 How do you spend your day

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2024 51:58


    TOPICS: Saunders: "Grimsmo, project management is not your strong suit" How do you spend your day DSI free Fusion Fridays Regofix tool change station What's a good 5 axis with pallet changer? Heat treating in argon?

    #386 Leading and coaching strategies

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2024 55:50


    TOPICS: Safe start all operations Listening to the "Aquired" podcast Leading and coaching strategies Hardmilling blades and Puckchucks Laser probing grinding wheel accuracy

    #385 How to hold incredible tolerances reliably?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2024 51:58


    TOPICS: Checking in with your team after being on vacation Veritasium video on QR codes Grimsmo Fjell updates! How to hold incredible tolerances reliably Forcing a pause between each operation in Fusion Hardmilling

    #384 Consultants in manufacturing?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2024 47:32


    TOPICS: Podcast feedback from IMTS Threadmill design change caused issues Hardmilling features after heat treat Saunders recap of IMTS Consultants in manufacturing?

    #383 Saunders is at IMTS in Chicago

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2024 31:37


    TOPICS: IMTS tools and technologies Hard gaging CMM Machines Grimsmo played with a Wire EDM

    #382 Morning Chats, Machining Hacks, and Fatherhood Facts

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2024 47:06


    TOPICS: Family vs business Aluminum fixtures Autodesk CAM Challenge IMTS 2024 planning Rego-Fix PG hydraulic pressing unit Wire EDM Machines

    #381 Being in the right mindset to make good decisions

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2024 52:29


    TOPICS: Grimsmo's family vacation Alarms on Machines American Precision Museum in Vermont Kern toolsetter issues Okuma break detect issues Electropolishing metals

    #380 Rask blade issues

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2024 48:49


    TOPICS: Accounts receivable issues Okamoto surface grinder Rask blade issues New Willemin at SMW

    #379 What systems do you use?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2024 48:29


    TOPICS: Time off with family Inbox zero Getting everything DONE What systems do you use? Smart AI stuff? Machines and processes

    #378 Venturi coolant sucker upper

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2024 50:09


    TOPICS: Book recommendation: 6 Types Of Working Genius Venturi coolant sucker upper Normalizing steel for flatness Solar power for a shop? E-paper display:"#17 Using e-ink (epaper) Price Tags (Shelf Labels) for everyday needs"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCkMu57S_YA

    #377 Tour of Willemin and Kern in Europe

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2024 49:17


    TOPICS: 10 year anniversary of being in Ohio factory tour of willemin in switzerland and Kern in germany Grimsmo Blum update and blade grinding

    #376 Kern ballscrew replacement

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2024 51:47


    TOPICS: Saunders Okuma Genos spindle update Completely off the grid time off Kern ballscrew replacement Speedio high accuracy mode weirdness G68 coordinate shift

    #375 Saunders needs a new spindle

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2024 46:39


    TOPICS: Saunders needs a new spindle Grimsmo Blum probing issues Gen 3 mod vises in productions Macro programming!!!

    #374 Grimsmo's Blade Show adventure

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2024 52:19


    TOPICS: Grimsmo's Blade Show adventure Johnny 5 robot progress!! Fusion "ground to parent" Shop maintenance?

    #373 Great, good, and important companies

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2024 50:10


    TOPICS: Grimsmo pulling late nights to get his new knife done for Blade Show Purchases that are important or not. How to lead others and push them Great, good, and important companies Does anybody actually use PVA support?

    #372 Do I need a "reset"?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2024 48:49


    TOPICS: Do I need a "reset"? Al Whatmough and Carl Bass leadership skills Grimsmo prepping for blade show Hardness testing UMC350 5 axis machine

    reset hardness carl bass grimsmo
    #371 Saunders pushed the PuckChuck to failure

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2024 45:22


    TOPICS: Grimsmo exploded a 440c button Saunders pushed the PuckChuck to failure Building the shop to be easy Adding a bubbler to a coolant tweaking Puck chuck fixtures on the VF2 Building the dream machine from scratch

    #370 Integral knife button tweaking

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2024 44:42


    TOPICS:   Integral knife button tweaking Thermal growth on steel Optical comparator with Baty screen 3d printing brim and build plates Zero gravity tool suspension device - Sloky torque devices Johnny 5 build Offset on horizontal got reset!  

    #369 Creativity vs Productivity

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2024 49:56


    TOPICS: Creativity vs productivity Saunders' Willemin is gone Project management Johnny 5 robot update BlackFox Machining box cutter clip Awkward DOITS phase  

    #368 Weird door alarm on Okuma

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2024 47:19


    TOPICS: weird door alarm on Okuma Product design and prototyping Tolerancing parts Nut runner torque wrenches Lapping parts FLAT Johnny 5 robot!  

    #367 Saunders yard sale open house

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2024 49:54


    TOPICS: Saunders yard sale open house Wall control (pegboard) Drill press upgrades SMW puck chucks and fixture plates Willemin calibration procedure Probe tips Al Whatmough

    #366 Future Goals and Happiness

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2024 50:57


    TOPICS:   Local Ohio Machinist and makers group https://forms.gle/CSLjYSQshDqDCWRE6 Chemistry and filtration of liquids Future goals and Happiness 3 examples of the "rule of inverse Pi" Scissor lift sold Tall castle grips Anodizing crate Grimsmo grinding consistency on Speedio Saunders bent a probe tip Comparing shop cleanliness and organization

    #365 double tape and glue method

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2024 50:08


    TOPICS: double tape and glue method Saunders open house April 13 Willemin crash CNC machines of the Future Looking for an aluminum machine LIGO gravitational device Nut runner torque device Drilling holes efficiently  

    #364 Sense of Community

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2024 56:06


    TOPICS: Latest hyperobsession - Chemistry Saunders yard sale Sense of Community LINK: https://forms.gle/CSLjYSQshDqDCWRE6 Local Machinist and makers group Grimsmo's Week in Review video Life hacks Nakamura window shattered, replacement is in. Torque wrenches LINK:  https://saundersmachineworks.com/collections/equipment-for-sale

    #363 Loneliness in entrepreneurship

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2024 49:11


    TOPICS:   Loneliness in entrepreneurship banking relationships Kosterising heat treat New Willemin coming to Saunders Frustrated with IOT devices Selling tools at the open house   LINK IN DESCRIPTION WITH OPEN HOUSE DETAILS: https://saundersmachineworks.com/collections/equipment-for-sale/products/yard-sale  

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