What They Don’t Tell You About Heat Treat, Retirement or Robots (PMTS RECAP) | 21
Patrick, Cameron, and Bradley are diving deep into shop life this week — the kind of stuff you don’t always hear talked about out loud.Bradley just got back from PMTS and saw a robot setup that legit blew his mind — we’re talking about loading vises, inspecting parts with lasers, updating offsets… all automated. Could that kind of tech actually work in a one-man job shop?Patrick walks through how he’s heat treating tool steel in-house, and why it’s not some mysterious black magic — just the right temp, some foil, and knowing your steel. Meanwhile, Cameron chimes in on the chaos of custom work, making things efficient, and why retirement plans in this trade aren’t as straightforward as they should be.Oh — and they all swap stories on the messiest, worst, and weirdest jobs they’ve ever had to machine. Spoiler: there are some gems.If you’re into real shop talk, no fluff — just machining, learning, laughing, and trying to keep the lights on — you’re in the right place.👇 Jump in the comments: Do you heat treat your own parts? Ever tried shop automation? What’s the worst job you’ve had to run?🔔 Subscribe, Rate, and Review to never miss an episode. Your feedback helps us bring you the content you love!Drop your comments or topic ideas in the forum here:https://www.practicalmachinist.com/forum/categories/the-impractical-machinists-podcast.102/Or listen to our podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxzIM06jyJCYTCMGUQLgKXNtpq-HqvV2QConnect with the hosts on Instagram:Patrick Mcclintock: IG: https://www.instagram.com/job_shopper_tn/ or PM@Job Shopper TNCameron Graves: IG: https://www.instagram.com/machiningiscool/ or PM@MachiningiscoolBradley Thomas: IG: https://www.instagram.com/marvelmachining/ or PM@MarvelThanks for listening!!!
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1:23:51
I Didn’t Realize What I Was Missing - Until I Left this Shop | 20
When the job starts draining you, sometimes the best move is walking away. Here’s what happened next.Burnout doesn’t hit all at once — it builds slowly, especially in high-pressure work environments. In this episode, we talk about what it really feels like to hit that point, why one of us finally decided to leave a demanding job, and what life is like on the other side.We also dive into bigger questions:– What makes a healthy work culture?– How do you keep a team motivated without burning them out?– And how can leaders build shops people actually want to work in?This isn’t just a story about machining — it’s about finding balance, building better workplaces, and making hard choices for the right reasons.🔔 Subscribe, Rate, and Review to never miss an episode. Your feedback helps us bring you the content you love!Drop your comments or topic ideas in the forum here:https://www.practicalmachinist.com/forum/categories/the-impractical-machinists-podcast.102/Or listen to our podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxzIM06jyJCYTCMGUQLgKXNtpq-HqvV2QConnect with the hosts on Instagram:Patrick Mcclintock: IG: https://www.instagram.com/job_shopper_tn/ or PM@Job Shopper TNCameron Graves: IG: https://www.instagram.com/machiningiscool/ or PM@MachiningiscoolBradley Thomas: IG: https://www.instagram.com/marvelmachining/ or PM@MarvelThanks for listening!!!
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1:22:10
Why Most Machine Shops FAIL at Efficiency - Feat. Chris Zappettini | 19
What if you could shave hours off cycle times, optimize your machining strategies, and get your entire shop on board with process improvements—without the usual resistance?In this episode of the Impractical Machinists Podcast, we sit down with Chris Zappettini, owner of Zappettini Consulting and co-host of Within Tolerance. Chris has spent years inside machine shops across the U.S., helping businesses cut waste, improve workflows, and implement smarter machining strategies. But as he explains, real improvement isn’t just about faster cycle times—it’s about getting everyone from the shop floor to management to buy in.Chris shares a behind-the-scenes look at a recent project where rethinking material selection, tooling, and machining strategies slashed cycle times from 15 hours down to just 7 or 8. He also dives into the power of five-axis machining, custom G-code macros, and how well-organized CAM systems and fixture libraries can transform efficiency.But this conversation isn’t just for shop owners—programmers, operators, and anyone who’s ever fought against change on the floor will get valuable insights on making processes smarter, not harder. Chris also opens up about life as a consultant, from navigating difficult customers to ensuring shops stay competitive in an ever-evolving industry.🔔 Subscribe, Rate, and Review to never miss an episode. Your feedback helps us bring you the content you love!Drop your comments or topic ideas in the forum here:https://www.practicalmachinist.com/forum/categories/the-impractical-machinists-podcast.102/Or listen to our podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxzIM06jyJCYTCMGUQLgKXNtpq-HqvV2QConnect with the hosts on Instagram:Patrick Mcclintock: IG: https://www.instagram.com/job_shopper_tn/ or PM@Job Shopper TNCameron Graves: IG: https://www.instagram.com/machiningiscool/ or PM@MachiningiscoolBradley Thomas: IG: https://www.instagram.com/marvelmachining/ or PM@MarvelThanks for listening!!!
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1:28:24
Biggest Risks in Machining, Tools, and Burnout | 18
Machining is more than just making parts—it’s stress, tight deadlines, and trying to balance work and life without losing your mind. In this episode, we talk about the reality of burnout in the trade, handling overwhelming RFQs, and when taking big risks actually pays off.And much more! Stick around to the end for a big announcement from Patrick!🔔 Subscribe, Rate, and Review to never miss an episode. Your feedback helps us bring you the content you love!Drop your comments or topic ideas in the forum here:https://www.practicalmachinist.com/forum/categories/the-impractical-machinists-podcast.102/Or listen to our podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxzIM06jyJCYTCMGUQLgKXNtpq-HqvV2QConnect with the hosts on Instagram:Patrick Mcclintock: IG: https://www.instagram.com/job_shopper_tn/ or PM@Job Shopper TNCameron Graves: IG: https://www.instagram.com/machiningiscool/ or PM@MachiningiscoolBradley Thomas: IG: https://www.instagram.com/marvelmachining/ or PM@MarvelThanks for listening!!!
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1:27:34
From the Air Force to a Machine Shop…Then I Lost It All | 17
🚨 He risked it all to build a machine shop from scratch—then one bad deal took everything.Charles Sanborn IV’s journey is a rollercoaster of risk, redemption, and hard business lessons. At 18, he was on the verge of going to prison. Instead, he joined the Air Force, a decision that changed the course of his life. But the real story starts after that—when he turned his passion for machining into a full-blown business.While still serving, Charles built a machine shop from the ground up, growing it into a thriving business. But one massive contract, a bad deal, and a costly mistake led to losing everything—his shop, his home, and everything he worked for.This episode of Impractical Machinist is a must-watch for anyone who’s dreamed of running their own shop, taken big risks, or learned the hard way that success in machining isn’t just about making parts—it’s about making the right decisions.💬 Have you ever taken a business risk that didn’t go as planned? Let’s talk about it in the comments.Connect with Charles Sanborn here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cindertrackfab/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-sanborn-a0093126b/🔔 Subscribe, Rate, and Review to never miss an episode. Your feedback helps us bring you the content you love!Drop your comments or topic ideas in the forum here:https://www.practicalmachinist.com/forum/categories/the-impractical-machinists-podcast.102/Or listen to our podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxzIM06jyJCYTCMGUQLgKXNtpq-HqvV2QConnect with the hosts on Instagram:Patrick Mcclintock: IG: https://www.instagram.com/job_shopper_tn/ or PM@Job Shopper TNCameron Graves: IG: https://www.instagram.com/machiningiscool/ or PM@MachiningiscoolBradley Thomas: IG: https://www.instagram.com/marvelmachining/ or PM@MarvelThanks for listening!!!
Welcome to The Impractical Machinists, a podcast for machinists’ who are creative, innovative and a cut above the rest. Join hosts Bradley, Cameron, and Patrick as they discuss everything from CNC machining, tool innovations, shop floor challenges, business strategies, and the latest trends and techniques shaping the industry. Our episodes provide valuable insight and actionable tips from real machinists that you can apply in your own shops. Whether you’re a veteran machinist or just starting out, tune in and turn up the productivity on your machining operations.
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