In this Machine Talk episode, Will Mund and I break down the next layer of CNC machines by focusing on motion. After covering machine foundations in the last episode, we get into what actually makes a CNC move, including box ways vs linear guideways, what “hand-scraped” really means on box ways, and how all of it affects rigidity, speed, and long-term wear. We also dive into ball screws, preload, backlash, and what to look for when you’re judging machine accuracy and performance.

In this episode of the Machine Tool Maniacs Podcast, I sit down with Brandon Atkinson of Elevation Machine to talk about our history growing up in manufacturing and how we both leapfrogged through different shop environments to end up where we are today. Brandon breaks down how Elevation Machine helps manufacturers buy and sell quality used CNC machines and fabrication equipment through a consignment style model that’s designed to maximize value for both buyers and sellers. If you’re navigating a career in manufacturing, upgrading your shop, or looking to sell equipment the right way, this episode is packed with real world insight.

In this episode, Matt and his wife Nicole break down how machine shops, CNC machinists, and product-focused entrepreneurs can start using short-form content to market what they offer. We cover why simple videos are enough to begin, how to show up consistently, and why perfection is not required. In today’s market you don’t have a real choice, if you plan on running a successful business, you must figure out how to show up on social media. If you’re a shop owner, a machinist building your own products, or someone in manufacturing who needs stronger marketing, this episode gives you a practical starting point.

In this episode, Will Mund joins to break down predictions for manufacturing in 2026: tariff impact on U.S. supply chains, workforce challenges, and how desktop/entry-level CNC machines could expand training pipelines for new machinists. A quick listen for CNC machinists, shop owners, and anyone watching the future of American manufacturing.

In this end-of-year wrap-up episode, Will Mund and I break down what actually mattered in manufacturing in 2025. We cover the launch of Machine Tool Maniacs, Will’s progress with Greenlight Machinery, key industry moves, and how AI is already affecting CNC programming, quality, and customer engagement.

If you’re a CNC machinist or machine shop owner, this is a quick look back at the trends that shaped 2025.

Machine Tool Maniacs where every story is a success story.

Get ready to sit down with Kelly Rus of Precision Machine and Repair to break down how he built a machine shop from the ground up in just a few short years. Kelly started by buying out a one-man shop and shipping it to a small town in Georgia, then setting up in the corner of a dump truck company with manual machines doing repair work. What really changed the trajectory was committing to a 24-hour breakdown repair model, which helped him earn trust fast, stand out in a small town, and charge premium rates. We talk about how he leveraged LinkedIn and TikTok to get access to large factories, the real pros and cons of running a shop in a small community, and how learning to adapt to customer needs has been critical to his growth. If you’re building a shop, doing repair work, or looking for practical ways to separate yourself and get taken seriously, there are a lot of solid nuggets in this one you won’t want to miss.

In this second part of my conversation with Chris Lamb from Triple Axis Manufacturing, we get into the real nuts and bolts of running a small machine shop. We talk about his actual equipment setup from near free machines to inspection gear, how he finds work without chasing every job online, and why networking has been the biggest multiplier for his business. We also dive into building and selling your own products, the marketing struggles nobody warns you about, and why diversification and quality systems matter even for the smallest shops. If you are running a garage shop or thinking about starting one, there are some serious nuggets in this episode you do not want to miss.

Part one of my conversation with Chris Lamb of Triple Axis Manufacturing is all about coming full circle. We dig into what it’s like growing up in a family machine shop, learning the trade from your dad, and how those early lessons stick with you whether you realize it or not. Chris shares his time in the military working on Blackhawk helicopters, how that discipline and attention to detail shaped him as a machinist, and why he eventually found himself back in manufacturing as an inspector while quietly building a shop in his garage. This episode is packed with real talk for small shop owners and anyone thinking about starting a shop on the side, covering the mindset, sacrifices, and long game it takes to turn experience into something of your own. This is part one of a two-part series with Chris, setting the foundation for how his journey came full circle and led to the shop he’s building today.