Business of Machining
Business & Finance
About
John Grimsmo of Grimsmo Knives and John Saunders of Saunders Machine Works discuss their success, struggles, goals and more as machinists, business owners and entrepreneurs.
Episodes
- #455 New intern at Saunders
This episode of Business of Machining covers the Six Types of Working Genius, introduces a new intern at Saunders, and explores topics like carbon fiber inlays, the fishbone diagram, and a memory rail photo gallery.
- #454 Going nuclear on changes
This episode of Business of Machining discusses ERP updates, prompt engineering, and details a setup involving a Brother S500 with a UR robot. It also touches on 3D surfacing versus 2D contouring and the use of painters tape on toolboxes.
- #453 Grimsmo's shop tours around California
This episode of Business of Machining covers the Mammoth Summit recap, including insights on profitability and the "40/70 rule." It also touches upon raising prices, new machinery at SMW, and Grimsmo's experiences touring shops in Californ…
- #452 Mammoth Summit on a chairlift
This episode of Business of Machining features conversations from the Mammoth Summit, conducted during a chairlift ride.
- #451 Claude programming
The Business of Machining podcast episode #451 covers Claude programming, internal purchase orders, UR robot deburring, and custom step drills. It also touches upon a Mammoth ski trip and the book Shantaram.
- #450 Growth eats cash for breakfast
Episode #450 of Business of Machining covers SMW's expansion through new machines, noting that rapid growth consumes cash. It also touches on issues like oil contaminating encoders, slow performance in Fusion sketches, the use of diffracti…
- #449 Don't go chasing waterfalls
This episode of Business of Machining, titled "Don't go chasing waterfalls," discusses topics such as custom tips for dial indicators, bismuth, wax, thermopolymers, blade fixturing, and AI automations, referencing the Precision Microcast p…
- #448 Everything in the world is triangles
This episode of Business of Machining covers shipping and tariffs, fishbone diagrams, clamping induced distortion, and managing growth.
- #447 Shop layout in CAD
This episode of Business of Machining covers shop layout using CAD, and touches on topics including slip rolls, UR robots on a Speedio, a Haas machine for sale, and white light interferometers for non-contact measurement.
- #446 Speedios automated
The podcast episode covers Speedio automation, touching on UMC400 coolant dribble, White Light interferometers, and the concept of Ai Agents, with a mention of Johnny Five.
- #445 SendCutSend machining
Business of Machining #445 discusses SendCutSend machining, the Diffraction Limited Micro Manipulator Project featuring a white light interferometer, and touches on motorized ball valves, "Shelley plus one," and "Switchbot."
- #444 Stuff I forget
This episode of Business of Machining discusses shop renovations, office updates, the status of Grimsmo lathes, shop phone systems, and the Stop the Bleed course. It also touches on vibration sensors and a productivity tip about setting up…
- #443 Webcams watching our robots
This episode of Business of Machining discusses using POE cameras to track machine alarms, Python programs for displaying DPRNT data, and measuring systems. It also includes updates on Grimsmo's office and lathe, as well as Trond power str…
- #442 Speedio automation
Episode #442 of Business of Machining discusses Speedio automation, social media addictions, a Mammoth Ski Trip, White Light Interferometry, a Johnny Five update, and grinding.
- #441 Keyence microscope demo
This episode of Business of Machining (#441) includes a demonstration of a Keyence microscope. Topics discussed also cover tool life and strategy, an Okuma horizontal for sale, custom Python programs, and shop expectations.
- #440 Be present
Episode #440 of Business of Machining discusses 2026 goals, the concept of being present, Speedio automation cells, and evaporating coolant. Grimsmo is exploring ultra-precision manufacturing.
- #439 Checklist for buying machines
This episode of Business of Machining covers a checklist for buying machines. It also touches upon recycling used coolant, the foam 2026 roadmap, understanding customer desires, execution, collaborative planning, and the pursuit of ultra p…
- #438 Pissed: Motion sensors when moving machines
This episode of Business of Machining covers the use of GPS sensors for moving machines, optimization of the Grimsmo Brother Speedio, and an upcoming SMW Toolpath webinar. It also features a deep dive into the Grimsmo vision system and a S…
- #437 White light interferometer and Grimsmo Vision
The Business of Machining podcast episode #437 covers the white light interferometer and Grimsmo Vision. It explores solving problems for others and details visits to several companies, including Lights Out Automation and Autodesk, while a…
- #436 Blocking wax
This episode of Business of Machining covers blocking wax, measuring porosity in metal, nesting software, and the use of a white light interferometer. Audio issues from previous recordings were also addressed.
- #435 Kern float sensors
This episode of Business of Machining covers Kern float sensors, waterjet mod vises, and the integration of vision systems and AI.
- #434 Measuring anodizing hardness
This episode of Business of Machining covers measuring anodizing hardness, engineering change notifications, Home Assistant, and automation integrators.
- #433 15 minute time tracker and critical task lists
This episode of Business of Machining covers the 15-minute time tracker and critical task lists. Additional topics include a foam update, the Rachel Whiteread art exhibit, Mailcall from Abom79, acquiring a paving company, and water filtrat…
- #432 Raspberry Pi Home Assistant and webcams
This episode of Business of Machining covers Raspberry Pi Home Assistant and webcams. Additional topics include stress-relieving titanium, robot flip fixtures, foam updates, probing, telescopes, and lenses.
- #431 Tariffs
This episode of Business of Machining covers tariffs, a visit to Tuck's Garage, and the purchase of a Speedio S700. Other topics include Fieldly.ai and DIY foam inserts.
- #430 Tough days
This episode of Business of Machining covers challenges faced during tough days, the CMTS tradeshow, strategies for selling machines, shop construction, the Gorilla Stand micro adjustment feature, and the use of a Kuka arm rubber scraper.…
- #429 Cheat sheet for different AI's.
Episode #429 of Business of Machining provides a cheat sheet for various AIs, discusses watchmaking, CA glue, and white light interferometry. It also touches on tool wear issues for small parts and includes a recommended video.
- #428 Selling the Okuma horizontal
Episode #428 covers topics including the sale of an Okuma horizontal machine, new computer specifications, the UR10e robot, the construction of a white light interferometer, watchmaking, and the finishing of a component referred to as John…
- #427 White Light Interferometry
This episode of Business of Machining, titled "White Light Interferometry," covers topics including tradeshows, Kern Precision days, and features guests Adam from Laney Machine Tech and Cyrus from Cylos Garage. SMW expanding pins are also…
- #426 Drilling and tool life
This episode of Business of Machining focuses on drilling and tool life. It covers through spindle coolant, specific details about the Speedio S500 machine, results from Argon in heat treat, and the use of a Gorilla stand.
- #425 Machining graphite
This episode of Business of Machining (#425) covers machining graphite. Specific topics discussed include argon purging heat treat bags, tool life in steel, tapping, form tapping, and threadmilling.
- #424 I hate rework
Episode #424 of Business of Machining covers the topic of rework, touching on issues like aligning Erowa chucks on Kern machines, expanding clamps, and the concepts of one-piece flow versus batchwork.
- #423 What's the ideal retirement home shop?
TOPICS: Saunders smashed his finger Met NileRED What's the ideal retirement home shop? Corporate Saga pens Inventory Vapor blasting
- #422 AI vs search engines
I vs We in business Dave Precise: "The best decision is the one that will let you make the next decision faster" AI vs search engines 5 axis work Vapor honing
- #421 Atlanta retrieval mission
TOPICS: Atlanta retrieval mission Kern coolant float fixed-ish Johnny Five motor gears M2 buttons Dave Precise episode on Within Tolerance
- #420 Johnny Five electrical schematic
TOPICS: Air compressor and coolant problems Johnny Five electrical schematic M2 steel testing Hard threading Prototyping 5 axis parts
- #419 Reinvest or take out money?
TOPICS: UPS knives to Blade Show still stuck in Atlanta 465 Custom stainless steel Firechrome material Reinvest or take out money? Was there a point where you wanted to throw in the towel?
- #418 Crazy adventures at Blade Show 2025
TOPICS: Crazy adventures at Blade Show 2025 Saunders crashed the Okuma Moduleworks visited SMW
- #417 Normal days vs rework days
TOPICS: Kern runs great now! Normal days vs rework days High, Low, Buffalo Blade Show 2025 465 custom material Helicoil stories
- #416 Johnny Five AI audio
TOPICS: Coolant maintenance Kern is fixed! We realigned B axis ourselves Johnny Five AI audio Setup sheets Automating bevel grinding
- #415 Kern crashed
TOPICS: Kern crashed VM3 coolant actually went bad Surface grinding with Robin Renzetti
- #414 Surface grinding on the Tormach PSG
TOPICS: Toolpath team visited SMW Mechanical pencil deep dive Measuring grinding wheels Wogaurd coolant sucker upper https://www.wogaard.com/coolant_saver.html Surface grinding on the Tormach PSG Topper machine auction video WATCH THIS: ht…
- #413 Smelly coolant
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
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
TOPICS: Superglue fixtures Toolpath.com Passion for machines and projects Cycle time evaluations Grindmilling
- #410 Prussian Blue is amazing
TOPICS: Prussian blue is amazing. Bambu H2D 3d printer Calibrating a 5 axis machine Hand scraping deep dive Tormach 1500 MX
- #409 Hardmill all the things
TOPICS: Mentality around tariffs Button lock geometry Buy prussian blue Hardmill all the things
- #408 Dedication to our Willemin 408MTs
TOPICS: Robots Demagnetizing 4140 bars Rolex Johnny 5 track drives Probing for accuracy
- #407 First Hundred knives and lessons learned
TOPICS: Fusion PSA on heights tab Measuring ultra precision Heat treating improvements Tormach 1500mx updates
- #406 Surface grinding deep dive
TOPICS: Business insurance Thermal compensation on Speedio Surface grinding deep dive Shop improvements