Parts Department

By Justin Brouillette & Jem FreemanBusiness Entrepreneurship Technology Leisure Hobbies

Parts Department episodes

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.
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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

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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
48 min
December 10, 2024121 - Filament Fantasies
Jem and Justin chat about their appreciation for 3D printing, highlighting a mostly printed filament spool winder. The conversation touches on community-driven platforms like Maker World, the complexities of print settings, and the evolving landscape of 3D printing. They also explore topics like branding, AI tools, and the cultural appreciation of imperfection in Japan.
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DISCUSSED:
✍️ Comment or Suggest a Topic - New voice message option
Final dash in summer
Downgraded IG
Japan imperfect ❤️
Seconds listed ⠄
Flux Ultra
Flux Generated images of Cobot CNC routers
Can someone make an AI Mesh to Solid Body converter? I'll donate.
Amazing free creations
Justin's list of amazing free prints
Bambu X1E
GPT is fired, Claude
Branding PYNOS
Printed linear ways
Turn off read receipts on Instagram!
2025 Nack Calendars are a Go!

JOIN THE BOOK CLUB
Books we've discussed
Book Club? Company of One - better not bigger

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Profit First Playlist
Classic Episodes Playlist
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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
54 min
December 03, 2024120 - Low effort flow
Jem and Justin get back to Book Club with Simon Winchester's "The Perfectionists," discovering how sewing machines became precision's foundation. Between busy shipping weeks and spring production, they test shop automation with Roombas and CNC cobot sanders. Specially recommended countersink gauges, and organizing local deliveries. They find new entertainment in Suno v4, tackle email marketing via Flodesk, and share of Bryan's Shop Stool Podcast.
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DISCUSSED:
✍️ Send Comments on Episode
JOIN THE BOOK CLUB
Books we've discussed
The Perfectionists: How Precision Engineers Created the Modern World
Using a sewing machine as the first grinder for gauge blocks is mind blowing
Guns guns guns
Stuff the British Stole
Pulley Block Machine

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RouteXL
Sawdust Bureau - Table mission
Bryan's podcast - The Shop Stool Podcast
Dirty but effective weekend sales
Huge swing to Nth Melbourne
18 order shipped in a week ꘎
Bit of Airtable love - delivery view and planning
10 thousand springs by Friday
Lazy bot frustrations
System prompt design agent
Suno v4
Countersink gauge from Eric Clear Irons
Hot lap season ꘎
I wanna get serious about robots ꘎
CNC sanding heads
Toolstoday CNC Sanding Attachment
Shop Roomba Video
Flodesk email marketing

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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
56 min
November 26, 2024119 - Conical Chamfering
Jem and Justin celebrate the launch of ThreadBoard! They script a new chat box and let an AI agent control their workspace computer. Claude tries using the configurator, and they find Qwen2.5 Coder 32B is way less lazy than GPT-4o. They tackle measuring and QC’ing ThreadBoard chamfers, possibly with a conical chamfer probe. There’s a follow-up on the Jet HVBS, Patrick from Douglas Fir Design asks about AI voice chat models, Vertical Calendars are in jeopardy, PDX CNC announces an End of Year Upgrade Sale, and they chat about laser engraving.
Watch on Youtube
DISCUSSED:
✍️ Send Comments on Episode
ThreadBoard is live!
New chat box scripted!
Keeping score.
Workspace computer controlled by AI agent
Claude tries to use the configurator
Qwen2.5 Coder 32B way less lazy than GPT4o
How to measure and QC ThreadBoard chamfers!?
conical chamfer probe?
Jet HVBS Follow-up ⠄
Patrick (Douglas Fir Design) asks about other AI voice chat models? - Haven't tried but seems promising - Nomi.ai
Vertical Calendars in jeopardy
PDX CNC End of Year Upgrade Sale
Laser engraving - xTool F1

JOIN THE BOOK CLUB
The Perfectionists: How Precision Engineers Created the Modern World
---
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
43 min
November 18, 2024118 - Heavy Couch Work
Jem and Justin cover a lot in this episode! Justin’s been working on Zapier SMS magic for show notes, while Jem dives into pricing blocks for the upcoming ThreadBoard launch. They also chat about using Easy CSV Editor and dynamic HTML configurators. Will Justin fire as Jem tunes out the BOM, and they discuss after-hours work and gift-giving—with Justin making custom gift boxes for a special carbide gift. They wrap up by comparing web chat vs. text chat, exploring custom pop-ups, and finishing their thoughts on Extreme Ownership.
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DISCUSSED:
✍️ Send Comments on Episode
Justin made Zapier SMS magic for show notes
CSV - What use this junk for!? Easy CSV Editor
ThreadBoard Launch Product launch accountability ThreadBoard ꘎
Making pricing blocks in Rhino for ThreadBoard and more products
Is Nack back?
Making HTML configurators - dynamic wall size
I love Cody for VS Code
Will Justin fire me!?!?!? Jem has stopped listening to the BOM
How much after hours work do you do? ꘎
Giftgiving - Justin making gift boxes for that special carbide gift
Podium SMS
Web chat vs text chat - direct contact experiment
Custom pop up for chat box
Labels, CSV, data merging with Dymo app - PDX CNC Video
Debrief field ꘎
Product revision tracking
Finishing up: Extreme Ownership
Leading up the chain

---
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
59 min
November 12, 2024117 - No time for tracking
Jem and Justin explore custom configurator development, shop equipment decisions, and tool inspection methods. They answer a bunch of listener questions, discuss transitioning from premium software to DIY solutions, debate the value of time-tracking systems, and share insights on KPI tracking for small manufacturing businesses. Side conversations cover Google Voice limitations and the merits of microscopes for tool inspection.
Watch on Youtube
DISCUSSED:
✍️ Send Comments on Episode
KPIs
DXF for Laser Fusion Plugin
Opendesk
Cody
KittaParts config $$$
Comment to DM - KP?
Hammock-ing
Jet 712 👎
Kicked off PS2
Blackhole issue, not an issue 😒
Debriefing Projects
Get a Microscope

Questions
jktableco - Separate phone line for the business? Whole phone or just an app to add it to your phone.
jktableco - Hiring help or professionals, CPA, marketing, website, etc.
debrisbrooms - What is Justin going to buy to one up Jem’s fryer? Any other non-trad tools in the shops?
marc_demontigny - How much looking back at how long things actually took to CAM or cut do you do, and if you do, how do you do it?
marc_demontigny - You incorporate that into future projects?
CNCcut.Melbourne - Any tips to check if a used tool is sharp or blunt? Do you track tool usage in any way? - Lee

---
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
53 min
October 29, 2024116 - Broken Blackholes
Kids causing chaos this week as Justin and Jem tackle their small businesses amongst parenting. Conundrums of product fulfillment, shipping efficiency and laser engravers.
Watch on Youtube
DISCUSSED:
✍️ Send Comments on Episode
Kids!
Product options and fulfilment
Shipping via courier vs in-house delivery van
Couriers are great!
Automated Laser Engraving xTool F1
Laser engraving with auto conveyor video
Good cash week = good mood?
New TTT and TT options

---
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
38 min
October 22, 2024115 - Pour one out for Pi
Jem and Justin chat Fusion training, a rampant payroll tool, online guide improvements, AI eco impacts, and frustration with horizontal bandsaws. Is Jem ready to ditch Fusion?
Watch on Youtube
DISCUSSED:
✍️ Send Comments on Episode
One-on-one Fusion training
Super scare
Fusion 2D outputting - MapBoards to Export 2D Files from Fusion
Duplicate with Joints 🚨
Gusto - Easy Payroll
QR Blaster
ATC Pedestal Guide - How better?
Checklist Manifesto
Bandsaw Issues - Jet 712 broken part after 3rd use? Binding up
Better ways to make online guides?
Notion
Just make it better, Justin
Camera off, can't be bothered making content right now
Moving away from Fusion modelling
I didn't get to say goodbye, to Pi - Desktop app?
macWhisper
Impact of AI
Voice morphing
These number crunchers
First 1 milli
Grounding - why?
Philip: GtP is new and good, and yall should enbrace the change. Maybe you don't want the first component by drfault, but it far exceeds the old ground (now called pin) which is/was a timeline feature, not like ground. It does away with all of the rigid grouping, and as-build joints to origin, and it also lets you edit the inital 'free move' that we got when inserting a component.

---
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
49 min
October 15, 2024114 - Lazy pull lean
Jem and Justin chat about 3D-printed vacuum workholding, crazy insurance lumps, a $420k robot cell, and fun with QR codes. Plus, a peek into Profit First and hitting Q3 revenue goals like butter!
Watch on Youtube
DISCUSSED:
✍️ Send Comments on Episode
mmmmmmmachining, distracted fun
3D printed vacuum workholding
Patreon longer 3D fixture walkthrough
Flyback Diodes
Veritasium QR Code
Barcode scanner
Little things job swap
insurance lumps (my lovely lady lumps)
Airtable, Fusion, Insurance,
Multicam support group - Join here
$420,000 robot cell
Twig and Bot

Profit First
Q3 Distribution - 96% of AIM PDX
Q3 Rev 16% over target - Like Butter

---
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
33 min
October 08, 2024113 - Hands-on wetting device
Jem and Justin discuss hacking CNC machines, wild AI camera tech, and share insights on Profit First, new tape vendors, and AI voice cloning. And they both start insourcing/outsourcing products where they didn't prior.
Watch on Youtube
DISCUSSED:
✍️ Send Comments on this Episode
Machine Hacks, Networking, and YCM (Fanuc) Auto Door Release
seconds since epoch
Multicam backtracking
Multicam owners/support group - sign up here
Multicam backtracking
Wild $70 Pi AI Camera

Profit First
Timing Account - Insurance lumps
Capital & Repairs Account
New Tape Vendor
Battery week
Fork
Home system
Shell Game - AI Voice Clone Podcast
Still local curious, local docs functionality
Insourcing parts
Outsourcing parts
PDX CNC On-site CAD/CNC Training

---
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
55 min

About Parts Department

From the publisher's feed

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.