Making Chips Podcast for Manufacturing Leaders

Sometimes the path into manufacturing isn't a straight line but more like a ricochet. That's exactly how Mark Christopher's journey began. From nearly flunking out of college to becoming a key voice at DN Solutions, Mark's story is a testament to what happens when curiosity meets opportunity. What started as a fallback plan quickly evolved into a 30-year career built on solving problems, challenging assumptions, and helping shops unlock their full potential.
In this episode of MakingChips, we sit down with Mark to explore not just where he's been—but what he's seen. And when you've walked into shops from small mom-and-pop operations to aerospace giants, you start to notice patterns. One of the biggest? The shops that win aren't just buying machines—they're buying capability, flexibility, and time.
The conversation quickly shifts into one of the most important topics in modern manufacturing: automation. Not the buzzword version, but the real, boots-on-the-ground reality. The kind that helps shops run lights out, say "yes" to jobs they used to turn down, and turn spindle time into a competitive weapon. Mark breaks down how shops can justify the leap, avoid costly mistakes, and think differently about ROI.
But this isn't just about machines—it's about people. The episode highlights a powerful theme: untapped potential. Whether it's underutilized equipment or team members ready to level up, the opportunity is everywhere. The challenge is having the vision—and sometimes the courage—to act on it.
If you've ever wondered whether automation is worth it, when to make the leap, or how to build a shop that's ready for what's next… this episode delivers. Because at the end of the day, if your machines—and your people—aren't being fully utilized, you're leaving opportunity on the table.
Segments
(0:00) How machinists unknowingly shaped your childhood
(1:23) Mark's story: From "voluntold" career moves to finding passion in manufacturing
(7:41) Transition into the machine tool world and exposure to shops across North America
(10:06) Head to the DN Solutions Manufacturing Without Limits event
(11:09) Industry outlook: strong demand, workforce challenges, and the rise of automation
(13:08) Why shops hesitate on automation—and how to properly evaluate ROI
(18:36) Real-world example of using automation to unlock high-margin, expedited work
(21:33) Why we love the quality of SMW Autoblok workholding 
(22:20) Rethinking the traditional path: starting with advanced machines and automation
(25:20) Case study: how 5-axis and automation dramatically increase capability
(30:11) Paperless Parts: Scaling challenges and the importance of systems over brute force execution
(37:30) Common mistakes when investing in automation and how to avoid them
(40:20) Understanding true utilization and maximizing machine uptime
(42:03) Automation as a tool to upskill and empower employees—not replace them
(47:30) Check out the Hennig WorkFlow automation system so your shop never stops
(48:20) Growing trend toward automation-ready machines and modular shop growth
Resources mentioned on this episode
DN Solutions Manufacturing Without Limits event
Why we love the quality of SMW Autoblok workholding
Request a demo from Paperless Parts to see how they can help you scale
[email protected]
Check out the Hennig WorkFlow automation system so your shop never stops
Connect With MakingChips
www.MakingChips.com
On Facebook
On LinkedIn
On Instagram
On Twitter
On YouTube

Finding skilled talent isn't the problem anymore, it's developing it. And in manufacturing, the shops that win aren't just the ones with the best machines, they're the ones connected to the right pipeline.
In this episode, we sit down with Gary Nadeau of Westfield Technical Academy, a program that has been quietly producing highly capable machinists for decades. With a structure that blends classroom learning, hands-on shop experience, and real-world co-op placements, Gary and his team have built something most regions are still trying to figure out: a reliable bridge between education and industry.
But even a program like this isn't immune to change. Gary shares how shifts in culture, attention spans, and mechanical exposure are forcing educators to rethink how they teach and engage students. From breaking projects into smaller wins to leveraging tools like 3D printing, the approach to developing talent is evolving in real time.
This conversation isn't just about one school. It's about what's possible when manufacturers and educators actually work together and what's at risk if they don't. If you're struggling to find talent, this episode might challenge you to rethink where you're looking and how involved you need to be in building the pipeline.
Segments
(0:00) Why education is a critical piece of the next generation of CNC leaders
(2:06) Introduction to Gary Nadeau and Westfield Technical Academy's legacy
(3:06) Overview of the school and how the machining program works
(9:01) Gary's personal journey into machining and teaching
(12:26) Join Nick at the DN Solutions Manufacturing Without Limits Event
(13:30) The challenge of attracting students to manufacturing programs today
(16:28) Using 3D printing and creativity to spark student interest
(17:30) Competing programs and how students choose career paths
(19:15) Why students often grow to love manufacturing once exposed to it
(22:16) Breaking curriculum into smaller wins to keep students engaged
(26:06) SMW Autoblok offers world-class workholding products 
(27:20) How machine shops can get involved and support local programs
(32:30) Curriculum alignment with real-world shop needs
(33:57) The impact of losing instructors and funding challenges
(36:21) Frustrations with education priorities and funding decisions
(40:31) Paperless Parts: The Speed of AI without the risk
(41:45) The most rewarding part: seeing students succeed in their careers
(43:26) Stories of graduates thriving in manufacturing and life
(46:15) A call to action for shops to engage with schools and build the pipeline
Resources mentioned on this episode
Join Nick at the DN Solutions Manufacturing Without Limits Event
SMW Autoblok offers world-class workholding products 
Paperless Parts: The Speed of AI without the risk
Westfield Technical Academy
[email protected]
Connect With MakingChips
www.MakingChips.com
On Facebook
On LinkedIn
On Instagram
On Twitter
On YouTube

What does the next generation of manufacturing ownership really look like? In this episode of MakingChips, we sit down with Mason Nicholas, a 21-year-old shop owner who's building his business one machine, one customer, and one sleepless night at a time. His journey didn't start with a formal apprenticeship or engineering degree. It started with motorcycles, model cars, a 3D printer, and a curiosity about how things are made.
Mason walks through the unconventional path that led him into machining, from teaching himself CAD during COVID to interning in multiple shops while still in high school. Along the way, he learned programming, fixturing, production workflows, and the realities of shop life. That hands-on exposure eventually turned into entrepreneurial ambition, and before long he was running parts at night on a CNC knee mill, chasing work, and learning the business the hard way.
The conversation dives deep into the realities of starting a shop young. Mason shares how he bootstrapped his first Haas, balanced customer work with learning, and navigated common early mistakes like chasing low-margin work and trying to be everything to everyone. The hosts also unpack the importance of niching down, building cash reserves, and choosing a long-term strategy instead of chasing short-term revenue.
Looking ahead, Mason outlines his vision for building a specialized aerospace and defense shop, investing in five-axis capability, and eventually creating a talent pipeline to bring new people into manufacturing. It's an honest conversation about ambition, discipline, and what it takes to turn passion into a sustainable manufacturing business.
Segments
(0:00) Mason Nicholas and his unconventional path into manufacturing
(3:54) Learning machining through high school programs and internships
(6:52) Running parts at night, landing his first customers, and early job costing mistakes
(9:57) Buying his first Haas and officially launching the business
(11:33) Leaving his job and committing to entrepreneurship
(14:45) Check out the Hennig WorkFlow Automated Pallet Delivery System
(15:35) What his one-man shop looks like today
(19:19) First IMTS experience and seeing the industry's scale
(20:34) Head to the DN Solutions Manufacturing Without Limits event
(21:33) Bootstrapping growth and reinvesting into tooling and equipment
(23:14) Deciding when to buy the next machine
(25:09) Paperless Parts is built for shops preparing for CMMC Level II 
(26:58) One-man shop realities and five-year growth vision
(29:10) Creating a future talent pipeline and second shop concept
(31:31) Technology, certifications, and preparing for aerospace work
(33:16) Lights-out machining and maximizing spindle uptime
(36:44) Cash flow discipline and managing capital-intensive growth
(42:49) Advice for new shop owners on niching down
Resources mentioned on this episode
Cherry Creek Innovation Campus
Hennig WorkFlow Automated Pallet Delivery System
Head to the DN Solutions Manufacturing Without Limits event
Verdant Commercial Capital
Paperless Parts is built for shops preparing for CMMC Level II 
Nathan Bourgeois - Owner at Ouroboros Space and Defense
Mace MFG
Connect with Mason on LinkedIn
 
Connect With MakingChips
www.MakingChips.com
On Facebook
On LinkedIn
On Instagram
On Twitter
On YouTube

What happens when a college engineering student buys a CNC machine just to experiment… and accidentally builds an aerospace machine shop? That's exactly what Nick Preece did. What started as a curiosity fueled by YouTube videos and garage tinkering quickly evolved into Preece Machining & Assembly, a fast-growing shop focused on complex, high-mix aerospace work.
In this Gen CNC episode, Nick shares how he bootstrapped the business from a used mill and a $1,200/month goal into a 10+ machine operation. Alongside his brother Tanner, the two built a company rooted in technical problem-solving, disciplined growth, and a willingness to learn everything the hard way, from customer concentration risk to hiring challenges.
The conversation dives into how young shops can compete with larger manufacturers by focusing on complex work, building strong customer relationships, and creating positive sales pressure. Nick also explains how painful lessons around diversification forced them to rethink outreach, refine their quoting strategy, and become more intentional about the work they pursue.
Nick also discusses scaling a team, investing in five-axis capability, and even bringing on strategic partners to accelerate growth. With a vision of building a full "PMA campus" and a culture built on kindness and urgency, Nick offers a real-world look at what it takes for the next generation of manufacturing leaders to grow fast without losing focus.
His advice for anyone starting a shop? Don't just compete, turn it up to 11 and deliver something exceptional every single time.
Segments
(0:00) Introduction and welcome to Gen CNC featuring Nick Preece
(2:24) Preece Machining & Assembly overview and aerospace focus
(4:22) Origin story: learning machining on YouTube and starting in a garage
(7:40) Working with family and division of responsibilities with Tanner
(12:39) Bootstrapping the first machine to multiple machines and five-axis investments
(15:00) Head to DN Solutions Manufacturing Without Limits event
(15:59) How they make decisions on capital equipment
(17:47) Sales and marketing strategy, customer concentration, and diversification
(20:15) Building a sales process and generating positive sales pressure
(21:34) First in, First Order: What is your ideal part profile?
(27:7) Pricing pressure, margins, and competing during slow periods
(30:54) Hiring strategy, workforce challenges, and recruiting experienced talent
(33:55) Shop culture: kindness, urgency, and high performance
(36:33) Why we love SMW Autoblok for workholding
(38:48) Long-term vision and building a "PMA campus"
(42:39) Five-axis strategy and thoughts on automation
(45:10) Why you need to come see us at IMTS 2026
(46:04) Bringing on investment partners and scaling the business
(49:24) Nick's advice to young founders: "turn it up to 11"
Resources mentioned on this episode
NYC CNC/John Saunders
John Grimsmo
Head to DN Solutions Manufacturing Without Limits event: DN-Solutions.com
Paperless Parts: What is your ideal part profile?
Why we love SMW Autoblok for workholding
Hire MFG Leaders
Why you need to come see us at IMTS 2026
Connect With MakingChips
www.MakingChips.com
On Facebook
On LinkedIn
On Instagram
On Twitter
On YouTube

What happens when a childhood obsession with trains turns into a manufacturing business? In this episode of MakingChips Generation CNC, we sit down with Chris Huffman, a young shop owner who launched Huffman Machining Solutions at just 21 years old. Now 26, Chris is building his business one machine, one customer, and one calculated risk at a time.
Chris didn't grow up in a machining family, and he didn't follow the traditional path into manufacturing. Instead, his curiosity started with steam locomotives and model trains. That fascination led him to learn how parts were made, which eventually pulled him into machining. Along the way, he realized he didn't just love trains. He loved the process of turning raw material into precision components.
That passion evolved into opportunity. Requests for custom parts began to pile up, and Chris saw a path forward. With minimal overhead, a steady job at a community college, and a willingness to take calculated risks, he bought his first machine, found a small space, and started building his shop from the ground up.
In this conversation, Chris shares the realities of starting young. He talks through financing equipment, navigating insurance challenges, buying used machines, and learning business skills on the fly. He also opens up about the mental side of entrepreneurship, including the pressure of hiring a first employee and the responsibility that comes with building something bigger than yourself.
This episode is a great look at what the next generation of manufacturing founders actually looks like. It's not about overnight success. It's about passion, persistence, and slowly laying the track to build a sustainable machine shop.
Segments
(0:00) Introduction to Chris Huffman and the Generation CNC young founder series
(1:06) Starting a machine shop at 21 and the story behind Huffman Machining Solutions
(4:30) From model trains to machining and discovering a passion for manufacturing
(9:18) Why you need to come see us at IMTS 2026!
(11:00) Desire to work on historic locomotives and falling in love with machining itself
(14:10) Demand for parts lead to launching the business in 2022
(16:16) Transitioning from teaching machining to running a shop full-time
(19:30) Financing the first machine and lessons learned about tooling costs
(22:02) Buying a used Mazak and costly surprises after purchase
(25:54) Adding additional machines and building capability as a one-man shop
(28:43) Paperless Parts: CMMC compliant and secure option for estimating and quoting 
(29:55) The "#ThankAMachinist" mindset and educating others about manufacturing
(33:20) Hiring plans, apprenticeships, and outgrowing the current space
(37:13) The fear and responsibility of hiring the first employee
(38:40) Why we created Hire MFG Leaders (and why you should use it)
(39:08) Learning the business side: scheduling, marketing, and sales
(41:39) Long-term goals including ISO certification and ERP implementation
(43:15) Letting go of machining work to grow the business
(45:21) Opportunity to acquire retiring shop owners' businesses
(46:50) Hosts' reflections on passion-driven paths into manufacturing
Resources mentioned on this episode
IMTS 2026: https://www.imts.com/
Paperless Parts: https://www.paperlessparts.com/
Coffey Machining Group: https://coffeymg.com/
The E-Myth Revisited: https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Revisited-Small-Businesses-About/dp/0887307280
Huffman Machining Solutions: https://huffmanmachining.com/
Connect with Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-huffman-93b69423b/
[email protected]