Parts Department

By Justin Brouillette & Jem Freeman

Justin Brouillette (Portland CNC) & Jem Freeman (Like Butter) discuss CNC machines, their product design and manufacturing businesses, and every kind of tool that they fancy.

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4.5

88 ratings

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FAQs about Parts Department:

How many episodes does Parts Department have?

The podcast currently has 134 episodes available.

Parts Department episodes:

March 04, 2025131 - Beeswax, Brushes, and Bathroom Heat
Jem and Justin chat about shop improvements, from Justin's new dust boot designs to Jem's successful tumbling solution using local beeswax polish. They discuss business challenges like Justin's Shopify glitch that blocked dust boot sales and Jem's Profit First distribution adjustments. Tech talk includes Claude 3.7's capabilities, AI-powered research, and Jem replacing a $350 review app with custom code. The episode wraps with Justin's bathroom heater installation and Jem's table tennis upgrades.
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DISCUSSED:
✍️ Comment or Suggest a Topic - New voice message option
Blocked Add to Cart Crisis ⠄
Sentry.io - bug finder
KittaConfig Beta
Buy Fucking camera for podcast
Popped a Line - YCM
Oops PF no profit ꘎
Tumbling bees wax sloppy good ꘎

AI ZONE
New Claude 3.7! Party ꘎
One shot config rework attempt, unfair?
Saved $350 and coded a replacement in an hour ꘎
Deep Research 👀 ⠄
Hours and hours in cursor this week ꘎
Slowwwwww cash cows

IMPROVEMENT OF THE WEEK
JUSTIN - HEATER
JEM - TABLE TENNIS

00:00 Potato CAM 4 Lyfe
01:17 Product Development and Prototyping Insights
04:23 Sales Trends and Market Analysis
06:33 Website Functionality and Customer Experience
09:18 Coding Practices and Version Control
12:23 Financial Management and Profit Strategies
16:46 Shopify Add to Cart Nightmare
24:27 Financial Priorities: Paying Yourself First
24:56 Machine Maintenance: The Importance of Listening
30:51 Innovative Solutions: Using Technology in the Workshop
33:40 AI in Manufacturing: Exploring New Tools
39:33 Building Custom Solutions: The Value of DIY
47:21 Shop Improvements: Enhancing the Workspace

---
Profit First Playlist
Classic Episodes Playlist
---
SUPPORT THE SHOW
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Show Info
Show Website
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Please note: Show notes contains affiliate links.

HOSTS
Jem Freeman
Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia
Like Butter | Instagram | More Links

Justin Brouillette
Portland, Oregon, USA
PDX CNC | Instagram | More Links
...more
52min
February 25, 2025130 - Don't tell Notion
Jem and Justin chat shop, managing the endless stream of emails, building AI agents for everything from Profit First to Therapy and everything in between, Jem has been a naughty boy and Toolpath has bought Chatter!
Watch on Youtube
DISCUSSED:
✍️ Comment or Suggest a Topic - New voice message option
Inbox Zero - celebrate or be fearful? ꘎
Could an AI agent help to manage Profit First?
PF home accounts out of hand, lawyers say never split up ꘎
Workflowy ꘎
Workflow apps,
Gemini daily driver ꘎
Cursor
INDUSTRY NEWS:
Toolpath buys Chatter
Al Whatmough on Within Tolerance
Dust Boot product dev
Hustle fatigue
Emotional state too closely linked bank account balance
Instagram @parts.department

---
Profit First Playlist
Classic Episodes Playlist
---
SUPPORT THE SHOW
Become a Patreon - Get the Secret Show
Review on Apple Podcast
Share with a Friend

Discuss on Show Subreddit
Show Info
Show Website
Contact Jem & Justin
Instagram | Tiktok | Facebook | Youtube

Please note: Show notes contains affiliate links.
HOSTS
Jem Freeman
Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia
Like Butter | Instagram | More Links
Justin Brouillette
Portland, Oregon, USA
PDX CNC | Instagram | More Links
...more
58min
February 18, 2025129 - Coffee, Cobots, and Coding
Jem & Justin chat Moccamasters, bad millennial design, and coffee snobbery. They cover AirShop updates, YouTube milestones, and a barrel polishing query. Plus, Vention's new sanding cobot, post-processor woes, Cursor coding tips, and the joys of TextExpander. Laura's back on payroll, profit distribution fixed.
Watch on Youtube
DISCUSSED:
✍️ Comment or Suggest a Topic - New voice message option
Moccamaster makes better coffee than I used to
Hello Linda
Thanks for all you that inquired about AirShop
Shandy Vention Sanding Robot Turnkey - website
2025 PF spready upgrade ꘎
New income goal, new accounts, new fixed distribution amounts, 11 months in. ꘎
Added Laura back on the team officially
Jonny post-processor gold star!
Getting cursor chat to talk to cursor composer? Help
Terrible LLM emails this week
New prompt tuning to compensate, still crap.
PS2 rides shotgun ꘎
Slow steppers ꘎
PS2 to States in – Tuesday, 13 May 2025
Barrel tumbling whelp ꘎

Chapters
00:00 Jazzy Hands
03:19 Mother-in-law Coffee Experts
07:54 Launching New Ventures and Community Engagement
10:51 YouTube Success and Content Creation
16:34 Automation in Manufacturing and CNC Challenges
22:22 AI Post-maker
27:00 Navigating Post-Issue Challenges
28:07 Understanding Cursor: Chat vs. Composer
30:03 The Importance of Context in Coding
32:03 Dictation and Its Impact on Productivity
34:48 Degradation of AI Models: A Recent Concern
38:01 Managing Memory in AI Agents
39:53 Setting Up a Local Coding Environment
43:00 Progress on the PS2 Project
44:33 Timeline for Production and Shipping
48:35 Spreadsheet Management and Payroll Insights
51:25 Elevator Ding.mp3

---
Profit First Playlist
Classic Episodes Playlist
---
SUPPORT THE SHOW
Become a Patreon - Get the Secret Show
Review on Apple Podcast
Share with a Friend

Discuss on Show Subreddit
Show Info
Show Website
Contact Jem & Justin
Instagram | Tiktok | Facebook | Youtube

Please note: Show notes contains affiliate links.
HOSTS
Jem Freeman
Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia
Like Butter | Instagram | More Links

Justin Brouillette
Portland, Oregon, USA
PDX CNC | Instagram | More Links
...more
52min
February 11, 2025128 - Introducing: AirShop
Justin unveils AirShop, a new app to streamline inventory & quoting, born from his own shop's needs. Jem's sales are up, he's dipping dowels & using AI coding! They discuss automation, 5-axis machines, and website woes, and celebrate good weeks.
Watch on Youtube
DISCUSSED:
✍️ Comment or Suggest a Topic - New voice message option
DexArm 😍
Oops went live with AI pricing ꘎
Bulk Price Editor
First GeoCities order ꘎ !!!!
Within Tolerance EP - 246
🟠 AirShop
Holy fugggen shit take my money ꘎
Quoting, inventory, what makes an ERP?
Coding in natural conversation ꘎
How do I finish SQ 👉 Shopify migration? ⠄
Shopify variant hell is back ꘎
Is typing dead ꘎
Finally a good week ꘎
Sex toy dowel dipper success ꘎
Two geocities orders ꘎

---
Profit First Playlist
Classic Episodes Playlist
---
SUPPORT THE SHOW
Become a Patreon - Get the Secret Show
Review on Apple Podcast
Share with a Friend

Discuss on Show Subreddit
Show Info
Show Website
Contact Jem & Justin
Instagram | Tiktok | Facebook | Youtube

Please note: Show notes contains affiliate links.

HOSTS
Jem Freeman
Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia
Like Butter | Instagram | More Links

Justin Brouillette
Portland, Oregon, USA
PDX CNC | Instagram | More Links
...more
46min
February 04, 2025127 - Robot tour therapy
From nesting software shenanigans to exploring robot-filled shops, Jem and Justin navigate the chaos of running machine businesses. Justin tours a fantastic robot automation shop. They tackle everything from the Bambu firmware mess to pencil sharpener prototypes, while Justin shares his therapy journey. Between testing new productivity tools and fighting cash flow battles, they keep it real about January's challenges and the constant juggle of growth. A classic episode of shop talk meets real life, with a dash of productivity theater and price increase contemplation.
Watch on Youtube
DISCUSSED:
✍️ Comment or Suggest a Topic - New voice message option
Nesting stories
OpenNest
BlockEdit
Rhinonest / Rhinocam
The sickness
Share Cart link
80/20 Ideabuilder Extrusion config
Youtube – I toured a robot workshop (😍)
First Cuts on PS2 Pencil Sharpener
Bambu Firmware fiasco
DeepSeek R1
Productivity Theatre Quote Register Nonsense ꘎
Justin gets a therapist
Update Shottr ?! - annoying fellow
Raycast
Bonkers good Jan
Short Week, Still Behind
Cash Flow Struggles
Considering a Weekend Sale
Upcoming Price Increases
Auto Tape machines

Chapters
00:00 New Year Vibes
01:38 Design Software Chat
04:27 Cool Configurators
07:22 Work-Life Balance
09:41 Sick Days
12:22 Workflow Tools
15:06 Online Product Setup
17:39 Extrusion Builds
20:10 First Cuts
21:38 3D Print Talk
22:42 Bambu Drama
25:32 AI & Sim Theory
29:33 Business Talk
30:58 January Numbers
34:44 Marketing Tips
37:07 Productivity Tools
41:25 Therapy Real Talk
43:52 Raycast

---
Profit First Playlist
Classic Episodes Playlist
---
SUPPORT THE SHOW
Become a Patreon - Get the Secret Show
Review on Apple Podcast
Share with a Friend

Discuss on Show Subreddit
Show Info
Show Website
Contact Jem & Justin
Instagram | Tiktok | Facebook | Youtube

Please note: Show notes contains affiliate links.

HOSTS
Jem Freeman
Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia
Like Butter | Instagram | More Links

Justin Brouillette
Portland, Oregon, USA
PDX CNC | Instagram | More Links
...more
45min
January 28, 2025126 - Llama shall have what it demands
Jem and Justin chat about robot training, viral videos, nesting software woes, and inspired dowel finishing methods. Features shop talk about CNC automation, Fusion 360 pains, and label printing solutions.
Watch on Youtube
DISCUSSED:
✍️ Comment or Suggest a Topic - New voice message option
New youtube upcoming, tour
UR Playtime UR Cobots and Robots
People are so scared of new ideas (dumb white men) ⠄
Millions more views, mostly hate comments
Millions all round.
Oligarch eyes, vendor lock-in ꘎
Jem's new muse
Nesting in Fusion
More scripts to fix Fusion's massive flaws
Label printing out of Airtable
Pool cue dipping rig success ꘎
Dust boot recommended by Multicam
New PDX Airport killeth
99pi PDX Carpet Episode
Configurator re-skins
Plain Jane HTML hosting within Shopify
Raycast.com - 10% off with link

---
Profit First Playlist
Classic Episodes Playlist
---
SUPPORT THE SHOW
Become a Patreon - Get the Secret Show
Review on Apple Podcast
Share with a Friend

Discuss on Show Subreddit
Show Info
Show Website
Contact Jem & Justin
Instagram | Tiktok | Facebook | Youtube

Please note: Show notes contains affiliate links.

HOSTS
Jem Freeman
Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia
Like Butter | Instagram | More Links

Justin Brouillette
Portland, Oregon, USA
PDX CNC | Instagram | More Links
...more
43min
January 20, 2025125 - Inappropriate drill pressing
Jem and Justin discuss 3D printing technicalities, coding with AI agents as amateur software developers, barrel finishing of timber components, the value of long form video, Jem is reading profit first again, Notebook LM from Google, the fatigue of the hustle.
Watch on Youtube
DISCUSSED:
✍️ Comment or Suggest a Topic - New voice message option
BBL Ideal Printing steps, 0.04mm
Superb Yoda Model
Configurator circles
Cursor coding, AI code workflow
Dedicated Drilling
Barrel finishing
Long term value of long form video
Linus interview with Colin and Samir
Profit first, third time lucky
Notebook LM
Shopify API check out authentication
Hustle fatigue
IG popping orf
Retrospective journalling value

---
Profit First Playlist
Classic Episodes Playlist
---
SUPPORT THE SHOW
Become a Patreon - Get the Secret Show
Review on Apple Podcast
Share with a Friend

Discuss on Show Subreddit
Show Info
Show Website
Contact Jem & Justin
Instagram | Tiktok | Facebook | Youtube

Please note: Show notes contains affiliate links.
HOSTS
Jem Freeman
Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia
Like Butter | Instagram | More Links
Justin Brouillette
Portland, Oregon, USA
PDX CNC | Instagram | More Links
...more
55min
January 14, 2025124 - Cat palace for kids
Jem and Justin return from holiday breaks and to discuss building cat palaces, AI scripts with Claude. They discuss shop improvements, Gridfinity strategy, and share thoughts on QR codes and self-centering drill jigs. Plus, thoughts on reading habits and notebook psychology.
Watch on Youtube
DISCUSSED:
✍️ Comment or Suggest a Topic - New voice message option
Jem's instas serie (shelves), spouse appreciation
Expensive weeks off! ꘎
Cat palace for kids ꘎
Hot Wheels ꘎
Preorder Fiasco - 8 hrs with Claude
Even more Cursor enthusiasm
Kitta Scam Product ꘎
Mercury banking
Scripts, scripts, scripts! – Nack fixes, Label Print on repeat
Nick Cave ꘎
Fresh eyes, new resolutions, bad habits ꘎
Notebook is a place - Verge 2:34:32 (Book) The Notebook - Roland Allen
Slow to make but rewarding ꘎
Where do your QR code labels go to? ⠄
Veritasium QR Code
Drill Jig for DB - awesome suggestions
Cheap Self-Centering Vise
Shirts we got
Op shop = Thrift Shop
Bluey Rabbit in space Sleepytime episode

---
Profit First Playlist
Classic Episodes Playlist
---
SUPPORT THE SHOW
Become a Patreon - Get the Secret Show
Review on Apple Podcast
Share with a Friend

Discuss on Show Subreddit
Show Info
Show Website
Contact Jem & Justin
Instagram | Tiktok | Facebook | Youtube

Please note: Show notes contains affiliate links.
HOSTS
Jem Freeman
Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia
Like Butter | Instagram | More Links

Justin Brouillette
Portland, Oregon, USA
PDX CNC | Instagram | More Links
...more
54min
December 24, 2024123 - Christmas Special
An extra special/long episode for doing dishes as you collapse into the holiday season. Thanks for listening this year! Jem and Justin.
Watch on Youtube
DISCUSSED:
✍️ Comment or Suggest a Topic - New voice message option
Year Review - Justin
Biggest things or impacts
Profit First
Printed product expansion
Now have 4ct - X1
CNC tooling
Understated impact of new child

Year Review - Jem
Looking forward
Covid down time and reading profit first
Sense of ownership

Justin Mantra/Theme 2025
Flow
Following 2024 lesson, do the obvious thing
Simplify software stack
Double revenue
Outsource and delegate
Fiverr, Upwork
Virtual assistant?
AI Agents!?!
Robots, automation?
CS offloading - disconnect
Meditating

Jem Mantra/Theme 2025
OPEX creep
DIY Config Launch
Increase product % mix
Get back on the tools (not too much)
Default diary

Other
Eric Larson's - Within Tolerance 5⭐️'s
ChatGPT swings and roundabouts ꘎
Discovered second battery
JUSTIN - make video of offsets on YCM
Another power outage, options
Lean day upcoming
Gemini 2?
CNC Feeds & Speeds Calculator
Cursor.com

---
Profit First Playlist
Classic Episodes Playlist
---
SUPPORT THE SHOW
Become a Patreon - Get the Secret Show
Review on Apple Podcast
Share with a Friend

Discuss on Show Subreddit
Show Info
Show Website
Contact Jem & Justin
Instagram | Tiktok | Facebook | Youtube

Please note: Show notes contains affiliate links.
HOSTS
Jem Freeman
Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia
Like Butter | Instagram | More Links

Justin Brouillette
Portland, Oregon, USA
PDX CNC | Instagram | More Links
...more
1h 17min
December 17, 2024122 - Blue Unicorns & Task List Trauma
Jem and Justin discuss Mac hardware trends in machining, share their perpetual task management struggles, and explore workshop innovations. A bike-fluencer emerges, they debate Shopify's AI assistant, and using smart lighting for production notifications.
Watch on Youtube
DISCUSSED:
Next: Year Wrap Episode - Send in here!
Your Themes / Plans for next year!
M4 Mac Mini
Fusion Benchmark
Japanese Wooden Satellite ⠄

Decommissioned satellites must re-enter the atmosphere to avoid becoming space debris. Conventional metal satellites create aluminium oxide particles during re-entry, but wooden ones would just burn up with less pollution, Doi said.
Something wrong with me, latest note taking saga
Negative or normal
Getting Things Done
Day Plan - Nack
Best AI Tool Ever - I grow weary, and her time is perilously short 🤣
First brand deal - Tern Orox
Parenting is hard AF sometimes ꘎
3D Print tip - slice by object ⠄
GPT-o1 tries to escape ⠄

When the model was led to believe it would be "shut down" while working toward its goals in these tests, it quietly attempted to deactivate the oversight mechanism 5% of the time, OpenAI said. At one point after the AI found documentation saying it would be replaced by a new model, it tried to abandon ship by copying its data to a new server entirely. To avoid being deleted, some AI models would even pretend to be later versions of their models to trick their developers, what I assume is the equivalent of slapping on a fake moustache and saying "he went that-a-way."
Shopify Sidekick ⠄
PS2 modular milling machine

---
Profit First Playlist
Classic Episodes Playlist
---
SUPPORT THE SHOW
Become a Patreon - Get the Secret Show
Review on Apple Podcast
Share with a Friend

Discuss on Show Subreddit
Show Info
Show Website
Contact Jem & Justin
Instagram | Tiktok | Facebook | Youtube

Please note: Show notes contains affiliate links.

HOSTS
Jem Freeman
Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia
Like Butter | Instagram | More Links

Justin Brouillette
Portland, Oregon, USA
PDX CNC | Instagram | More Links
...more
48min

FAQs about Parts Department:

How many episodes does Parts Department have?

The podcast currently has 134 episodes available.

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