Video: Okamoto - I DO give a chuck! 

Book: THE GRINDING WHEEL

The Rask order is nearing completion and the stork's bringing the VF2.

Saunders has a fantastic week. Systems are falling into place but he reminds himself "not to count his chips while he's at the table." Grimsmo still thinks it's a good idea to pat yourself on the back every once in a while.

The guys discuss accounting, tool organization and an important question that was posed by Saunders in episode 17. Now that Grimsmo's had some time to think, he's got some answers but what if it wasn't the right question to ask? Tune in to find out about a project that will give some weight to spinner production and Saunders's $11.82 "teaser nugget." Can anyone guess what's going on with that? Hmmm...

Orange Vise Tour 

Grimsmo returns from vacation but was he able to relax?

Saunders tinkers with a new plan for organizing tools. Just because they're the same size doesn't mean they go together. To maximize efficiency, you may need to think outside your tool box.

PROCESS RELIABILITY, tell me what it means to me... Reliable and consistent results take the cake over pushing tool paths to the limit.

The guys get to the nitty gritty on boring heads, tool life and custom macro for probing. Saunders plans to test his codes to instill some confidence.

Grimsmo dreams of a book about FANUC macro code for his birthday. "If it's a Fanuc intruction book, it'll probably have to come freight delivery." -Saunders

The Founder, a movie about the McDonald's franchise, offers food for thought. Even if you don't plan on franchising your business, this movie could help you "dial in" your processes.

Are they status boards...work-flow boards? No one is sure exactly, but they're working like a charm! Tune in to find out what the guys will be calling them "henceforth."

Delivering Happiness: http://amzn.to/2sGeaO9 Grimsmo Pierson MPS Video: http://bit.ly/2slM8T6 "We've got to talk."  The suspense is killing Grimsmo after receiving cryptic messages from Saunders during his Californian machine shop trip.   Saunders and Grimsmo get honest about the current state of their businesses.  Bootstrapping has its merits to a point but it can also inhibit your personal growth.  If you don't let others build the ship, you'll never get to steer it!  Being able to steer when the tides are changing is crucial. For the first time in 10 years, it's not John Saunders and the business; it's the business and John Saunders.  While Grimsmo has been embracing more managerial practices, he feels that breaking the bootstrap barrier is far way but Saunders believes that now is the time. Saunders might have gone to California but Grimsmo gets a taste of Hollywood when he visits a prop-designer in PA with Carl from Lakeshore Carbide. Now that Saunders is back in the building, it's time to get caught up.

Pierson Tour: http://bit.ly/2tk4c4w

Grimsmo Knives work-flow boards: http://bit.ly/2slM8T6

Pierson QC Review video: http://bit.ly/2slWfab "Goals are tools that allow me to say no"--What does that even mean?   On this episode of Business of Machining, Grimsmo and Saunders are taking action to improve workflow processes and quality control. While Grimsmo visits a machine shop at a local college, SMW hosts a TIG Welding class with Roy Crumrine and Jonathan Lewis (WELDING TIPS AND TRICKS PODCAST).  Grimsmo shares an Instagram photo that strikes Saunders in a profound way.  Pictures are STILL worth a thousand words--and shows that inspiration and perspective can be cultivated from anywhere! Saunders adds another new member to the team with a focus on Arduino and automation and Grimsmo gets a few new suggestions for a chip load issue on the lathe.               

"I'm not the host, we're co-hosts" and for now, they want to keep it that way.  For these two, paying it forward and reciprocity keeps the wheels turning. Blade Show has amazing products but for Grimsmo, the people and interactions are the bread and butter(knife).  Today, he plans to chop up 20 billets of timascus. Got heartburn?  It might be your workholding.   Saunders racks his brain about his current system and Grimsmo offers some perspective on plausible solutions while the Richard King Scraping Class is hard at work.   The 30-year-old Okamoto grinder turns out some impressive results when subjected to the 5-Block test.

What a shame! In a hotel, sometimes the only place with decent WiFi is beside the pool in beautiful weather. Today marks day 1 of Blade Show 2017 in Atlanta, GA.  This week is full of productivity, positivity, and new considerations.

Saunders hones his communication skills, grows the SMW roster, and shares an official result of negotiations spanning several months.

Grimsmo's week has been full of rask parts, fidget spinners, shipping, and family time.  Serious questions and a fresh perspective on an old cliche' precipitates discussion about his next business move. 

Although coming up with excuses is easy, Saunders holds Grimsmo's feet to the fire.  It's time to put a plan in action. Join in to find out what's on the horizon!      

The Okamoto grinder gets TLC and opens the door to the grinding world for Saunders.  Although Grimsmo's not wearing his tuxedo shirt,  he DOES have a lesson on the saga of the "Linda Wheels."  For entrepreneurs, self-evaluation and reevaluation is a skill that must be practiced.  While it poses challenges to decisions and beliefs, it can unveil new and better solutions to problems.  This past week has been full of productivity and new ideas on work-flow.

Grimsmo gears up attend the blade show in Atlanta and Saunders get the shop ready for TIG welding courses.

X-Rays and broken bones but everyone is safe!  Full of energy and passion, the Open House has an even better year than the last.  Grimsmo gears up for his  6th trip to the world's largest knife show. The amateur bug bites Saunders when Niagara Cutter pays a visit and it was caught on camera. The E-Myth Revisited is (oddly enough) REVISITED by Saunders. Are you a technician, a manager, or an entrepreneur? Join them as they discuss current roles and responsibilities and goals for the future.  What would you do if money were no option?  Sometimes you have to think big! E-Myth Book: http://amzn.to/2rjGH85