Best CNC machining Podcasts (2025)

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The Best First CNC Machine | Lean Built - Manufacturing Freedom E121 1:14:09

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13d ago1:14:09

1:14:09

When Jay asks what machine someone should buy to start a small job shop, Andrew gives a direct answer: without committed, repeatable work, he wouldn’t buy anything. But both Jay and Andrew do offer their recommendations, and that opens a broader conversation about the unstable economics of prototypes, customers who send sketches instead of CAD, and…

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Ep 347: Breaking Kindles, Baby's First Synth, and Barcodes! 49:43

1d ago49:43

49:43

This week, Hackaday's Elliot Williams and Kristina Panos met up over coffee to bring you the latest news, mystery sound, and of course, a big bunch of hacks from the previous seven days or so. On What's That Sound, Kristina got sort of close, but of course failed spectacularly. Will you fare better and perhaps win a Hackaday Podcast t-shirt? Mayhap…

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Paralysis by Analysis: Stop Overthinking & Grow Your Business | Ep 226 48:06

3d ago48:06

48:06

Paralysis by Analysis: It's the silent killer of progress and the reason good ideas never take shape in your business. In today's world of endless information and decision fatigue, overthinking is one of the biggest threats to your company's growth. Join hosts Brandon Bombardo and Nick Peters for Episode 226 of Talkin Shop as we dive deep into what…

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Running a “First Class” Cold Heading Company, with Joe Bennett-EP 135 35:30

5d ago35:30

35:30

Our guest on today’s podcast is Joe Bennett, Vice President of Sales at Seaway Bolt and Specials, a privately held cold heading company in Columbia Station, Ohio, founded in 1957. In the cold heading process, coiled steel is cut into slugs, which are then hit multiple times, ultimately pounding them into a desired shape. The [...]…

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Forged Through Fire: How Phoenix Heat Treating Rebuilt Its Culture, Systems & Leadership, 496 1:04:05

1d ago1:04:05

1:04:05

In this episode of MakingChips, we sit down with Charlie Hushek, President of Phoenix Heat Treating, whose family has been in the heat-Treating world for over a century. Charlie is a fifth-generation heat Treatinger—but his leadership story is anything but inherited. When he stepped into the business in 2020, he wasn't handed stability. He was hand…

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Building a Company That Can Survive Without You | Lean Built - Manufacturing Freedom E122 54:53

6d ago54:53

54:53

Andrew opens with a simple shop-floor idea that changed how their teams celebrate progress: a six-inch clear tube filled with colored marbles. That playful visual turns into a deeper conversation between Jay and Andrew about the power of collective improvement, the limits of mental capacity as organizations grow, and the art of estimating through F…

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Ep 346: Melting Metal in the Microwave, Unlocking Car Brakes and Washing Machines, and a Series of Tubes 55:55

5d ago55:55

55:55

Wait, what? Is it time for the podcast again? Seems like only yesterday that Dan joined Elliot for the weekly rundown of the choicest hacks for the last 1/52 of a year. but here we are. We had quite a bit of news to talk about, including the winners of the Component Abuse Challenge -- warning, some components were actually abused for this challenge…

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Navigating Uncertainty for CNC Shop Success | Ep 225 47:17

11d ago47:17

47:17

With the economy in 2025 being so unpredictable, learn how to keep your shop moving forward even when things get tough. Stay productive, confident, and proactive by using proven strategies from ShopSabre's Talkin' Shop podcast. Hosts Brandon Bombardo and Nick Peters discuss real-world challenges such as supply chain issues, rising costs, and labor …

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Another AI Episode (But This One’s Actually Useful)-EP 255 12:02

12d ago12:02

12:02

The last six months I’ve been using AI to help me with everything from business negotiations to dealing with my kid’s pneumonia. It’s become a daily part of how I operate—at work and at home. The big difference between it and just googling is that you have a conversation with it. Check out the video [...]…

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Inside the Winners' Circle: Top Shops 2025 Live from the NASCAR Hall of Fame, 495 46:51

12d ago46:51

46:51

Top Shops 2025 brought together the most innovative, forward-thinking leaders in manufacturing—and this year's gathering at the NASCAR Hall of Fame felt like stepping directly into the winners' circle. Surrounded by the energy of hundreds of top-tier manufacturers, we sat down with the four shops recognized as the crème de la crème in their categor…

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Ep 345: A Stunning Lightsaber, Two Extreme Cameras, and Wrangling Roombas 57:23

16d ago57:23

57:23

It's a wet November evening across Western Europe, the steel-grey clouds have obscured a rare low-latitude aurora this week, and Elliot Williams is joined by Jenny List for this week's podcast. And we've got a fine selection for your listening pleasure! The 2025 Component Abuse Challenge has come to an end, so this week you'll be hearing about a fe…

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#436 Blocking wax 49:24

16d ago49:24

49:24

Topics: Blocking wax Measuring porosity in metal Nesting software White light interferometer Audio issues fixed?By johngrimsmo

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Citizen CNC Swiss Lathes, with Marc Klecka 34:18

18d ago34:18

34:18

We’re seeing an uptick in the Swiss market on the Graff-Pinkert side of the business, particularly Citizen machines. In response, we thought now was a great time to share an interview Noah conducted in 2021 about Swiss-Type CNC machining. He talks to Marc Klecka, founder and president of Concentric Corporation, a prominent distributor of Citizen-Ci…

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Busy vs. Productive – How to Work Smarter and Grow Faster | Ep 224 39:36

18d ago39:36

39:36

Discover the key difference between being busy and being truly productive in your manufacturing or shop business—essential for entrepreneurs aiming to scale efficiently. In this episode of Talkin' Shop, host Brandon Bombardo and guest Nick Peters dive deep into why wearing "busy" as a badge of honor often hinders real progress, and how shifting to …

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IMTS Insider: Building the World's Largest Manufacturing Show, 494 34:19

19d ago34:19

34:19

When you walk into IMTS—the International Manufacturing Technology Show—it's easy to be awestruck by the machines, the energy, and the sheer scale. But few people realize just how much planning, logistics, and collaboration go into bringing that experience to life. In this episode of MakingChips, we sit down with Mark Kennedy, Senior Director of Ex…

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The Power of Looking Back | Lean Built - Manufacturing Freedom E120 54:32

20d ago54:32

54:32

In this episode, Andrew and Jay take a walk down memory lane. What starts as Andrew revisiting old shop photos turns into a conversation about the hidden value of reflection in a culture obsessed with constant improvement. The two discuss how looking back fuels gratitude, strengthens company culture, and reminds teams that today’s “normal” was once…

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Board with Lasers, Op-Amp Torture, and Farewell Supercon 9 1:13:08

23d ago1:13:08

1:13:08

Hackaday Editors Tom Nardi and Al Williams spent the weekend at Supercon and had to catch up on all the great hacks. Listen in as they talk about their favorites. Plus, stick around to the end to hear about some of the highlights from their time in Pasadena. If you're still thinking about entering the Component Abuse Contest, you're just about out …

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High Quality People, High Quality Work: Making Small Big with Goldman Sachs 10KSB, 493 41:24

22d ago41:24

41:24

We're coming to you once again from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Summit in Washington, D.C.—the largest gathering of small business owners in U.S. history. This time, we're joined by two inspiring leaders from the Metalworking Nation who prove that the heart of American manufacturing beats strongest in small towns and family-run shops.…

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#435 Kern float sensors 41:27

23d ago41:27

41:27

Topics: Audio issues on podcast? Waterjet mod vises Kern float sensors The power of vision systems and AIBy johngrimsmo

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Financing vs. Cash: A Shop's Growth Guide | Ep 223 34:20

25d ago34:20

34:20

In this episode of Talkin' Shop, Brandon and Nick tackle a critical decision for shop growth: financing new CNC equipment versus paying with cash. Discover why using cash reserves might be slowing you down and how strategic leveraging can protect your cash flow and scale your business faster in 2025 and beyond. Brandon argues that financing a produ…

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Scaling Smarter: Lessons from Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, 492 38:33

25d ago38:33

38:33

We're coming to you live from Washington, D.C., at the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Summit—the largest gathering of small business owners in U.S. history. With more than 2,700 entrepreneurs in one place, the energy is electric, and the conversations are powerful. Among them is our guest, Brandon Dahms, owner of Innovative Manufacturing & E…

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Rare Earths Aren’t Rare, with Julie Klinger-Ep. 254 41:53

26d ago41:53

41:53

“Rare earths aren’t actually rare, nor are they earths,” Julie Klinger told me. Julie is an associate professor at UW Madison and literally wrote the book on rare earth elements—Rare Earth Frontiers: From Terrestrial Subsoils to Lunar Landscapes. I interviewed her last week, the day after Trump signed a rare earths deal with China, which [...]…

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Season 5, Episode 13 - Navigating Cash Flow 21:43

26d ago21:43

21:43

Join Mike & Dave as they discuss a vital topic while owning your own shop - cash flow. This episode will help you prepare for 2026 and allow you to see what exactly where your money is going.By EBITDA Growth Systems

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The Lean Advantage: Building Smarter Systems and Stronger Teams, 491 50:49

26d ago50:49

50:49

In this powerful installment of the Machine Shop MBA series, we welcome two guests who embody the heart of continuous improvement: Noah Goellner, President of AME and Hennig, and Nick DeGeorgia, Manufacturing Engineer at P1 Industries. What starts as a story of one listener's journey—from cutting chips to becoming a lean champion—evolves into a mas…

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Lessons from the Gemba Summit in Belfast | Lean Built - Manufacturing Freedom E119 56:18

27d ago56:18

56:18

Fresh off the Gemba Summit in Belfast, Andrew shares lessons from across the pond with Jay. What starts as a deep dive into lean culture at the Titanic Belfast turns into a candid conversation about scaling small businesses, visiting your vendors, and rethinking what it means to “fix what bugs you.” Andrew and Jay unpack how lean principles evolve …

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#434 Measuring anodizing hardness 52:25

1M ago52:25

52:25

Topics: Should we die with zero? Measuring anodizing hardness Engineering change notifications Home assistant Foam update Video on probing Lights Out Automation - integratorBy johngrimsmo

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The Mindset for True Business Success | Ep 222 49:27

1M ago49:27

49:27

What is the true definition of success? In this episode of Talkin Shop, Brandon and Nick Peters provide a realistic blueprint for how to build a successful business that not only survives but thrives. They challenge the "one-size-fits-all" definition of success and explore the essential mindsets and strategies you need to win. Learn about the three…

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From the Shop Floor to the National Stage 25:19

1M ago25:19

25:19

What does PMPA leadership in modern manufacturing really look like? In this episode of Manufacturing Mavericks, we sit down with Brian Adams, President of the Precision Machined Products Association (PMPA), for a candid and wide-ranging conversation, recorded live at Datanomix HQ in Nashua, NH. Brian shares his personal journey from sweeping the sh…

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Ep. 129 – Recruiting Long Term Shop Employees, with Bill Cox (Part 2) 16:01

1M ago16:01

16:01

In part 1 of my interview with Bill Cox, owner of Cox Manufacturing in San Antonio, Texas, Bill talked about the power of his company’s robust apprenticeship program. But how does Cox Manufacturing get so many employee candidates, while most machining companies are dying to get any job applicants? Answer—the company has built a strategic [...]…

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Ep. 128 – Building a Great Apprenticeship Program, with Bill Cox 27:29

1M ago27:29

27:29

Unlike the majority of machining companies right now, struggling to find enough skilled people to fulfill demand, Cox Manufacturing in San Antonio, Texas, boasts a continuous pipeline of new talent. In fact, Bill Cox, the company’s owner, says right now the company has a stack of applications for shop apprenticeships, of which he will pick [...]…

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How to Manage Outside Processes Like a Pro, 490 48:11

1M ago48:11

48:11

Every machine shop relies on outside processes—whether that's heat treating, plating, grinding, or coating. But every time a part leaves your building, your risk profile changes. Quality, timing, and accountability become harder to control. In this episode of MakingChips, the hosts sit down with Charlie Hushek, owner of Phoenix Heat Treating and a …

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Think in Seasons, Not Sprints | Lean Built - Manufacturing Freedom E118 45:36

1M ago45:36

45:36

How do you lead your company through the chaos and cadence of a production year without burning out your team or yourself? In this episode, Jay and Andrew unpack Andrew’s “Four Quarter Business Rhythm” document, his framework for understanding seasonal production cycles, planning proactively, and preparing his team to thrive when it's go-time. From…

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Episode 343: Double Component Abuse, a Tinkercad Twofer, and a Pair of Rants 42:11

1M ago42:11

42:11

This week, Hackaday's Elliot Williams and Kristina Panos met up across the universe to bring you the latest news, mystery sound, and of course, a big bunch of hacks from the previous seven days or so. In Hackaday news, OMG Supercon is almost here! And we just revealed the badge! In other news, we've still got a contest running. Read all about the 2…

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#433 15 minute time tracker and critical task lists 51:36

1M ago51:36

51:36

Topics: Foam update Rachel Whiteread art exhibit 15 minute trackers Mailcall from Abom79 Buying a paving company Water filtrationBy johngrimsmo

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CNC Mastery: Refine Your Craft & Grow Your Shop | Ep 221 43:52

1M ago43:52

43:52

Are you a CNC shop owner or fabricator striving for more precision, greater output, and increased revenue? In this insightful episode of "Talkin' Shop with ShopSabre" [00:08], hosts Brandon Bombardo and Nick Peters dive deep into the philosophy that mastery is built, not bought. This isn't about quick wins; it's about refining your craft and taking…

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How to Persuade Anyone Before You Even Speak-EP 253 7:59

1M ago7:59

7:59

Last week another machinery dealer mentioned that being a family business was part of why she wanted to work with us at Graff-Pinkert. I don’t know if that was the deciding factor, but it reminded me that persuasion often happens before you say a word. This concept of convincing someone before you even start making [...]…

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Maximizing Profitability with Advanced Financial Tools (The Financial Playbook Every Machine Shop Needs), 489 1:02:39

1M ago1:02:39

1:02:39

Finance doesn't have to be a mystery—it can be your greatest advantage. In this episode of the Machine Shop MBA series, we sit down with Jon Hughes, Erik Skie, and Mike Estes from CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) to unpack the financial principles that separate high-performing shops from those that just get by. Together, they dig into how manufacturers can…

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The Power of Fractional Expertise | Lean Built - Manufacturing Freedom E117 55:32

1M ago55:32

55:32

Andrew and Jay dive into the art of optimization, from shaving seconds off CNC cycles to teaching kids the power of one-piece flow. Andrew shares how tuning a Brother machine saved 13 hours across a 5,000-part run and reflects on when optimization really pays off. The two discuss lean principles in action, shop tours, and the balance between effici…

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Ep 342: Poopless Prints, Radio in Your Fillings, and One Hyperspectral Pixel at a Time 1:12:57

1M ago1:12:57

1:12:57

It was Elliot and Dan on the podcast today, taking a look at the best the week had to offer in terms of your hacks. We started with surprising news about the rapidly approaching Supercon keynote; no spoilers, but Star Trek fans such as we who don't have tickets will be greatly disappointed. Elliot waxed on about taking the poop out of your prints, …

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#432 Raspberry Pi Home Assistant and webcams 56:01

1M ago56:01

56:01

Topics: Stress relieving titanium Robot flip fixtures Foam update Raspberry Pi Home Assistant and webcams Probing too much Telescopes and lensesBy johngrimsmo

CNC Machining Podcasts