#403 Make decisions and dealing with the consequences.

·52 min·5 clips

John Grimsmo reveals his biggest leadership shortcoming: getting too involved in his team's everyday decisions.

John Grimsmo and John Saunders open the episode by framing their podcast as a space for two manufacturing entrepreneurs to discuss business challenges and technical projects. Grimsmo introduces a key theme: enabling team members to make decisions and live with the consequences, reflecting on his own tendency to over-involve himself. He shares insights from a Toolpath board meeting, emphasizing the importance of reducing friction for repeat tasks while managing risks like machine crashes. The conversation shifts to software, with Grimsmo discussing Chatter, a tool for real-time machine monitoring that he uses to check his VF2's status from his phone. He highlights its potential to revolutionize manufacturing by closing the loop between CAD, CAM, and machine feedback. Saunders mentions his experience with Chatter's alpha version and desire to connect more machines. They delve into practical shop solutions, with Saunders describing a camera system using Raspberry Pi and My Eye software to monitor a transfer station between buildings, eliminating communication needs. Grimsmo talks about OpenCV for image recognition, citing examples like Tormach's robot part picking. The hosts discuss robotics, with Grimsmo detailing his Tormach robot's success in part cleaning and his challenges with programming for stacking parts. Saunders shares Grant's work with a UR robot and Click PLC for automation. Grimsmo then covers his marketing efforts, explaining a new YouTube strategy inspired by a visit to Hacksmith's shop, focusing on thumbnails, titles, and video structure to boost growth. Saunders offers a contrarian view, praising Grimsmo's existing business success over becoming a full-time YouTuber. They touch on machining topics like modifying end mills, precision measurement jigs, and surface grinding techniques. Grimsmo shares specific projects, such as making washers for CMM probing and DLC coating covers for knife parts. The episode concludes with updates on their shops, including Grimsmo's Fields knife launch and Saunders' facility improvements, wrapping up with casual banter about Gen Z slang.

As heard by us

A grounded conversation about communication, machine choices, marketing, and the practical weight of growth.

Business of Machining frames a familiar small-business tension with useful precision: when someone is struggling, is the better response support, solutions, or first asking what kind of help is wanted?

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Why you'd press play

You will hear two manufacturing entrepreneurs turn current shop problems into plainspoken decisions about communication, controls, marketing, and keeping growth workable.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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