The Lone Machinists

By Jamie Peacock & Curt Van Filipowski (Feat. Jon Dillehay)

Curt and Jamie dive into business and manufacturing as one-man shops.

... more

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FAQs about The Lone Machinists:

How many episodes does The Lone Machinists have?

The podcast currently has 52 episodes available.

The Lone Machinists episodes:

December 23, 2025Ep. 52: Everything Is a Packaging Problem (So We Bought Lasers)
In this canned episode of The Lone Machinist, Jamie and Curt go full laser-brain and unapologetically geek out over CO₂ lasers as shop support tools — specifically for packaging.
From hacked-up K40s and DIY laser builds to cutting foam, cardboard, MDF, acrylic, sandpaper, and occasionally setting things on fire, they break down why lasers quietly become one of the most valuable machines in a modern shop. The conversation drifts through parametric packaging, origami-grade box design, why cardboard is terrifying, why bubble wrap is the devil, and why making your own packaging still beats outsourcing — even when it absolutely shouldn’t.
They also cover diode vs CO₂ vs fiber lasers, bed-of-nails workholding, extraction mistakes, dying laser tubes, LightBurn evangelism, and the harsh reality of competing with retirees charging five cents a minute.
If you’ve ever thought “maybe I should get a laser,” this episode will convince you — and then warn you why you probably shouldn’t.
Links Discussed:

LightBurn: https://lightburnsoftware.com/

OpenBuilds: https://builds.openbuilds.com/
The Lone Machinist:

Website: https://thelonemachinists.com/

Bonus Content: https://thelonemachinists.com/#bonus-content

Merch: https://www.jspeceng.com/online-store

Patreon: https://patreon.com/TheLoneMachinists
Need Work Done? Check out Subtract Manufacturing at: https://subtractmanufacturing.com/
Want to try out Toolpath? Give it a go and get 10% off by using the code TLM10 at checkout: https://toolpath.com/
Jamie:

http://instagram.com/jspec_engineering

https://www.jspeceng.com/
Curt:

https://www.instagram.com/confoundedmachine/

https://www.confoundedmachine.com/
...more
39min
December 16, 2025Ep. 51: Horsepower Is a Lie (And Other Garage Shop Myths)
In this episode, Jamie and Curt dismantle some of the biggest myths in home and garage machining. No, you don’t need 100 horsepower. No, a bigger phase converter won’t magically create more power. And yes, you will destroy your driveway at least once. From machine layouts and electrical realities to coolant disposal horror stories and scrap economics, this episode is a practical — and occasionally unhinged — guide to making industrial equipment behave in residential spaces.
The Lone Machinist:

Website: https://thelonemachinists.com/

Bonus Content: https://thelonemachinists.com/#bonus-content

Merch: https://www.jspeceng.com/online-store

Patreon: https://patreon.com/TheLoneMachinists
Need Work Done? Check out Subtract Manufacturing at: https://subtractmanufacturing.com/
Want to try out Toolpath? Give it a go and get 10% off by using the code TLM10 at checkout: https://toolpath.com/
Jamie:

http://instagram.com/jspec_engineering

https://www.jspeceng.com/
Curt:

https://www.instagram.com/confoundedmachine/

https://www.confoundedmachine.com/
...more
43min
December 09, 2025Ep. 50: The Proteum Protocol: Inside Dylan's Machining Mind
Join Curt, Jamie, and special guest Dylan as they navigate a week packed with cursed tolerances, and unhinged workholding ideas.
They dive into Dylan’s questionable engineering philosophies, the psychology of over-tightening everything, and why some jobs require therapy instead of tooling.
Expect chaos, CNC heresy, and the kind of unfiltered commentary that should probably require a permit.
Want to try out Toolpath? Give it a go and get 10% off by using the code TLM10 at checkout: https://toolpath.com/
Need Work Done? Check out Subtract Manufacturing at: https://subtractmanufacturing.com/
The Lone Machinist:

Website: https://thelonemachinists.com/

Merch: https://www.jspeceng.com/online-store

Patreon: https://patreon.com/TheLoneMachinists
Jamie:

http://instagram.com/jspec_engineering

https://www.jspeceng.com/
Curt:

https://www.instagram.com/confoundedmachine/

https://www.confoundedmachine.com/
Dylan:

Proteum Machining: https://www.proteummachining.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/proteummach/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ProteumMach

Within Tolerance Podcast: https://www.withintolerancepodcast.com
...more
1h 51min
December 02, 2025Ep. 49: One Spring to Rule Them All.
Join Curt and Jamie as they flirt with disaster via stainless chip-welds, rogue wave springs, and Spinderella doing witchcraft-level tolerances.
They also endure pot-plant side quests, vacuum-fixture dark magic, and a Chop-o-Matic jailbreak that dumps 10 kilos of pins on the floor.
Peak chaos, peak craftsmanship, peak “why are we like this?”
Links Discussed:

VERY INTERSTING VIDEO: https://youtu.be/vjvudx-6RV4?si=cpjbjOhjm8xtCJDi
The Lone Machinist:

Website: https://thelonemachinists.com/

Bonus Content: https://thelonemachinists.com/#bonus-content

Merch: https://www.jspeceng.com/online-store

Patreon: https://patreon.com/TheLoneMachinists
Need Work Done? Check out Subtract Manufacturing at: https://subtractmanufacturing.com/
Want to try out Toolpath? Give it a go and get 10% off by using the code TLM10 at checkout: https://toolpath.com/
Jamie:

http://instagram.com/jspec_engineering

https://www.jspeceng.com/
Curt:

https://www.instagram.com/confoundedmachine/

https://www.confoundedmachine.com/
...more
1h 6min
November 25, 2025Ep. 48: German Precision & Other Nightmares
Join Curt and Jamie as they dive into coated-tool alchemy, German cans of death, and the eternal struggle against stupid-long gauge lengths.
They also unpack hydraulic holder upgrades, the Imperializer’s grand return, pallet fever dreams, sublimation spray sorcery, and why making tiny brass parts is sometimes better than dealing with tool steel tantrums.
It’s another episode of precision, profanity, and questionable engineering philosophy — powered by short tools, long opinions, and even longer rants.
Links Discussed:

Prusa Video: https://youtu.be/FG75hVA0xsw?si=kQbDsEzZRby5q0Va

Blender 3D: https://www.blender.org/
The Lone Machinist:

Website: https://thelonemachinists.com/

Bonus Content: https://thelonemachinists.com/#bonus-content

Merch: https://www.jspeceng.com/online-store

Patreon: https://patreon.com/TheLoneMachinists
Need Work Done? Check out Subtract Manufacturing at: https://subtractmanufacturing.com/
Want to try out Toolpath? Give it a go and get 10% off by using the code TLM10 at checkout: https://toolpath.com/
Jamie:

http://instagram.com/jspec_engineering

https://www.jspeceng.com/
Curt:

https://www.instagram.com/confoundedmachine/

https://www.confoundedmachine.com/
...more
1h 11min
November 18, 2025Ep. 47: Probe It Till It Works
Join Curt and Jamie as they dive into a week of machining mayhem, including the saga of the impossible tool stick-out, eight-sided geometry gymnastics, and a near-miss crash that proves physics always wins.
They also get into probe repeatability experiments, neighbor-induced noise paranoia, hand-crafted chamfers, and the eternal battle between fancy 3D toolpaths and good old common sense.
It’s another episode of chatter, chaos, and questionable overhangs — held together by coffee, carbide, and pure stubbornness.
Links Discussed:

Michael Reeves gaslighting ai: https://youtube.com/shorts/WP5_XJY_P0Q?si=IUFpwV_guSkmgj3r

electronic lead screw: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009697369216.html
The Lone Machinist:

Website: https://thelonemachinists.com/

Bonus Content: https://thelonemachinists.com/#bonus-content

Merch: https://www.jspeceng.com/online-store

Patreon: https://patreon.com/TheLoneMachinists
Need Work Done? Check out Subtract Manufacturing at: https://subtractmanufacturing.com/
Want to try out Toolpath? Give it a go and get 10% off by using the code TLM10 at checkout: https://toolpath.com/
Jamie:

http://instagram.com/jspec_engineering

https://www.jspeceng.com/
Curt:

https://www.instagram.com/confoundedmachine/

https://www.confoundedmachine.com/
...more
1h 23min
November 11, 2025Ep. 46: The Spindle Witch Project
Join Curt and Jamie as they discuss their week, including Spinderella’s royal crown upgrade, the great ABS hoard, Brick Shit House’s tournament domination, and Fondler 2’s triumphant debut.
They also dive into AI-assisted customer service, VFD tuning woes, round-bar philosophy, and why every shop should have bathroom SOPs.
It’s another week of chaos, craftsmanship, and coolant fumes, with a touch of royalty.
Links Discussed:

Once we were Spacemen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdcjiLEtcVM

Local AI: https://localai.io/

Self-Centering Vices (AliExpress): https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008804700687.html
The Lone Machinist:

Website: https://thelonemachinists.com/

Bonus Content: https://thelonemachinists.com/#bonus-content

Merch: https://www.jspeceng.com/online-store

Patreon: https://patreon.com/TheLoneMachinists
Need Work Done? Check out Subtract Manufacturing at: https://subtractmanufacturing.com/
Want to try out Toolpath? Give it a go and get 10% off by using the code TLM10 at checkout: https://toolpath.com/
Jamie:

http://instagram.com/jspec_engineering

https://www.jspeceng.com/
Curt:

https://www.instagram.com/confoundedmachine/

https://www.confoundedmachine.com/
...more
1h 14min
November 04, 2025Ep. 45: The Great Coolant Massacre of '25
Join Curt and Jamie as they discuss their week, including topics such as Bertha’s farewell move, the Coolant Flood Disaster, Carl’s lucky retrofit, Spinderella’s VFD woes, and why admin work might just be the real horror show.
Links Discussed:

Jamie's phase converter: https://arcweld.co.za/phase-converter-single-three-phas

Wild DIY CNC: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSuntravel

M66: https://linuxcnc.org/docs/devel/html/gcode/m-code.html#mcode:m66

Mediocre maker syil x4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bC6kKlsh2sQ&t=638s
The Lone Machinist:

Website: https://thelonemachinists.com/

Bonus Content: https://thelonemachinists.com/#bonus-content

Merch: https://www.jspeceng.com/online-store

Patreon: https://patreon.com/TheLoneMachinists
Need Work Done? Check out Subtract Manufacturing at: https://subtractmanufacturing.com/
Want to try out Toolpath? Give it a go and get 10% off by using the code TLM10 at checkout: https://toolpath.com/
Jamie:

http://instagram.com/jspec_engineering

https://www.jspeceng.com/
Curt:

https://www.instagram.com/confoundedmachine/

https://www.confoundedmachine.com/
...more
1h 15min
October 28, 2025Ep. 44: Oil Beats Coolant, Fight Me
Join Curt and Jamie as they discuss their week, including topics such as Retrofitting Spinderella, Phase Converters, and Fancier tool options..
Links Discussed:

Delta EMI Filter: https://www.deltaww.com/en-US/products/EMI-Filters/ALL/
The Lone Machinist:

Website: https://thelonemachinists.com/

Bonus Content: https://thelonemachinists.com/#bonus-content

Merch: https://www.jspeceng.com/online-store

Patreon: https://patreon.com/TheLoneMachinists
Need Work Done? Check out Subtract Manufacturing at: https://subtractmanufacturing.com/
Want to try out Toolpath? Give it a go and get 10% off by using the code TLM10 at checkout: https://toolpath.com/
Jamie:

http://instagram.com/jspec_engineering

https://www.jspeceng.com/
Curt:

https://www.instagram.com/confoundedmachine/

https://www.confoundedmachine.com/
...more
1h 7min
October 21, 2025Ep. 43: Victory, vengeance, and very questionable tooling decisions
Join Curt and Jamie as they discuss their week, including topics such as The Arival of Spinderella, the magic of the Siemens Oscilliscope, and the frustration of Facebook Scams.
Links Discussed:

Star gazing binoculars: https://www.analogsky.co/

Alternative Camera Firmware: https://thingino.com/

fudion for linux: https://github.com/cryinkfly/Autodesk-Fusion-360-for-Linux
The Lone Machinist:

Website: https://thelonemachinists.com/

Bonus Content: https://thelonemachinists.com/#bonus-content

Merch: https://www.jspeceng.com/online-store

Patreon: https://patreon.com/TheLoneMachinists
Need Work Done? Check out Subtract Manufacturing at: https://subtractmanufacturing.com/
Want to try out Toolpath? Give it a go and get 10% off by using the code TLM10 at checkout: https://toolpath.com/
Jamie:

http://instagram.com/jspec_engineering

https://www.jspeceng.com/
Curt:

https://www.instagram.com/confoundedmachine/

https://www.confoundedmachine.com/
...more
1h 12min

FAQs about The Lone Machinists:

How many episodes does The Lone Machinists have?

The podcast currently has 52 episodes available.