The Impractical Machinists

Practical Machinist

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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Top 10 The Impractical Machinists Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best The Impractical Machinists episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to The Impractical Machinists for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite The Impractical Machinists episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

What Do You Do When Customers Don’t Pay on Time? | 09

The Impractical Machinists

10/29/24 • 87 min

Topics:

Kenny's Career Journey
Handling Complex Jobs
Dealing with Payment Issues
Fixture Design and Methodology
Least Favorite Machines
Manual Programming and Macros

In this episode of Impractical Machinists, we’re joined by Kenny Urban, also known as Patriot_mucheenist, who takes us on his journey from law school dropout to running a top-tier fabrication and machine shop. Kenny dives into everything from ASME-certified welding and machining exotic materials like titanium and niobium to managing tricky high-stakes projects for government labs.
Along the way, you’ll hear stories about old-school machining tricks blended with new-school tech, practical hacks for efficiency, and the realities of balancing complex jobs and cash flow. Tune in for shop banter, insights on fixture design, and a whole lot of laughs—because machining isn't just work, it’s a way of life.

🔔 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/threads/podcast-introduction.429158/
Or listen to our podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxzIM06jyJCYTCMGUQLgKXNtpq-HqvV2Q
Connect with the hosts on Instagram:
Patrick Mcclintock: IG: https://www.instagram.com/job_shopper_tn/ or PM@Job Shopper TN
Cameron Graves: IG: https://www.instagram.com/machiningiscool/ or PM@Machiningiscool
Bradley Thomas: IG: https://www.instagram.com/marvelmachining/ or PM@Marvel
Thanks for listening!!!

How Clean Should Your Machine Shop Be? | 06

The Impractical Machinists

09/17/24 • 73 min

TOPICS:

Cleaning and Organizing Your Machines Shop
Coolant Tank Maintenance
Using Social Media to Grow Your Shop
Lead Time Estimation

Ever struggled with keeping your machine shop efficient and profitable?
Join Patrick, Cameron, and Bradley in this packed episode of The Impractical Machinists podcast as they discuss everything from essential cleaning and organizing strategies to the power of social media in driving business.
Learn how to accurately estimate lead times, manage workloads with ERP systems, and handle unexpected client requests. Gain valuable insights into personal experiences, the importance of written processes, and the role of workforce training in optimizing shop floor operations.
Plus, a special shout-out to Shopfloor Coffee for their contributions to workforce development!

Shop Improvements, Work Preferences, and Career Moves | 04

The Impractical Machinists

08/20/24 • 101 min

The Impractical Machinists Podcast crew is back with more insights on improving your shop, handling job stress, and taking the leap to be your own boss!

Join Patrick, Cameron, and Bradley in this engaging episode of The Impractical Machinists podcast, where they share the highs and lows of running a machine shop. From tool organization and shop improvements to tackling customer expectations and complex projects like castings and UHMW, they offer practical advice and real-world stories.
Learn about their favorite materials to machine, and get insights on knowing when it's time to leave a job or start your own shop.
Don't miss this honest and valuable conversation for machinists of all levels!

Topics:

Favorite and Least Favorite Types of Work
Favorite Shop Improvements
Reasons to Stay or Leave a Shop

Do You Really Need $100K To Start a Machine Shop? | 05

The Impractical Machinists

09/03/24 • 102 min

Main Topics:

Why Manual Machines Still Matter
New vs. Used Machines
Hidden Startup Costs
Managing Debt

Thinking of starting a machine shop? Join special guest Ian Sandusky as he shares his journey and insider advice on choosing the right equipment, financing strategies, and managing the true costs of machining—from tooling to software. Discover the pros and cons of new versus used equipment, the importance of avoiding unnecessary debt, and practical tips for overcoming challenges. Packed with valuable insights and some good laughs, this episode is a must-listen for anyone in the machining industry!

Should You Hire More Humans or Invest in Robots? | 08

The Impractical Machinists

10/15/24 • 83 min

TOPICS:

Program Management
Automation vs. Hiring Employees
Cheap Automation Solutions
Metric vs. Imperial
Upcoming Projects

Automation or more employees – which one is the right move? In this episode of the Impractical Machinist Podcast, Patrick, Cameron, and Bradley dive into the day-to-day challenges of running a machine shop. They explore whether automation, with tools like robots and dual-station vices, is the way to go or if hiring more hands-on help makes better sense.

The conversation also touches on essential topics like managing CAM programs, organizing files efficiently, and using tools like Dropbox to avoid machine mix-ups. The hosts share their favorite tips on keeping tools aligned, handling materials, and working with carbide tools for optimal performance.

You’ll hear their stories about balancing workloads, dealing with delayed jobs, and navigating programming mishaps—plus insights on scheduling operations to keep things flowing smoothly. If you've ever dealt with G-code errors, unexpected tool behavior, or wondered whether you’re using your tooling system effectively, this episode is packed with practical advice.

Tune in for a real-world shop talk!

Why Fixtures Matter...and Why Machines Has Gotten So Expensive? | 07

The Impractical Machinists

10/01/24 • 56 min

TOPICS:
IMTS Recap
Fixture Design
Tool Holders
Rising Machines and Tooling Costs
When is it worth taking the time to design a fixture, and when should you just clamp and go? And why are machines getting more and more expensive nowadays?
In this episode of the Impractical Machinist Podcast, Patrick, Cameron, and Bradley get real about some of the most pressing questions machinists face today.
Whether you’re looking to save time on the shop floor or just curious about why machining is getting so expensive, this episode is full of practical advice, industry insights, and a few laughs along the way.

Shop Wide Breakdown and the Struggles of Hiring and Training | 02

The Impractical Machinists

07/23/24 • 78 min

Ever faced a job shop nightmare and wished you had known more?
Join Patrick, Cameron, and Brad in this exciting episode of the Impractical Machinists podcast as they dive into the challenges of running a job shop. From equipment failures and employee drama to untangling complex tax laws and managing critical job delays, hear firsthand how they navigate these challenges. Gain practical advice on threading Acme rods, mastering tax deductions, and balancing stress, all while learning the importance of community support. Whether you're a veteran machinist or new to the trade, you won’t want to miss this episode.
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:40 Work-Life Balance
04:05 Employee Tardiness / Challenges of Hiring and Training
27:03 Dealing with Equipment Failures
01:17:19 Outro
Drop your topic ideas in the forum here: https://www.practicalmachinist.com/forum/threads/podcast-introduction.429158/
Or watch the video on our YouTube channel here:
https://youtu.be/V8nC8u7bCF0

CAM Software, Walk-in Customers & More! | 01

The Impractical Machinists

07/09/24 • 49 min

Welcome to the very first episode of "The Impractical Machinist"! Meet your hosts Patrick, Cameron, and Bradley as they kick off this journey with a bang. What started as a quirky Instagram group chat has morphed into a lively community of machinists, programmers, and shop owners. In this debut episode, we dive into hilarious and heartwarming shop stories, uncover the unexpected beginnings of our group, and share some jaw-dropping moments from the shop floor. Get ready for a mix of humor, insight, and a whole lot of machine talk. Whether you’re here for the tools, the tales, or the camaraderie, this episode has it all. Join us and become part of the madness!
TOPICS:
- Walk-in Wednesday
- 3D Printing
- CAM Software
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:00 Walk-in Wednesday
15:00 3D Printing
35:00 CAM Software
47:52 Outro

How We Became Machinists | 03

The Impractical Machinists

08/06/24 • 67 min

In our latest episode, Patrick, Cameron, and Bradley share their unique stories of how they started in machining. No matter where you begin, there's a place for you in this trade. Tune in now!

Chapters:
00:00 Intro & Updates
06:55 Pathways into Machining
08:35 Patrick's Apprenticeships
37:01 Bradley's Start in Machining
42:16 Cameron's Start in Machining

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FAQ

How many episodes does The Impractical Machinists have?

The Impractical Machinists currently has 9 episodes available.

What topics does The Impractical Machinists cover?

The podcast is about Machining, Podcasts, Technology, Business and Careers.

What is the most popular episode on The Impractical Machinists?

The episode title 'Shop Wide Breakdown and the Struggles of Hiring and Training | 02' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on The Impractical Machinists?

The average episode length on The Impractical Machinists is 78 minutes.

How often are episodes of The Impractical Machinists released?

Episodes of The Impractical Machinists are typically released every 14 days.

When was the first episode of The Impractical Machinists?

The first episode of The Impractical Machinists was released on Jul 9, 2024.

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The Impractical Machinists

Practical Machinist

Top 10 The Impractical Machinists Episodes

FAQ

How many episodes does The Impractical Machinists have?

What topics does The Impractical Machinists cover?

What is the most popular episode on The Impractical Machinists?

What is the average episode length on The Impractical Machinists?

How often are episodes of The Impractical Machinists released?

When was the first episode of The Impractical Machinists?

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