Need For Speed: Midnight Machining

The Force Behind the Machine Tools Pt2.

We continue our conversation about what it’s like being on the distribution side of the CNC machining and manufacturing industry. It’s not all roses on this side either. In part two, Will Mund and I dive deeper into the realities of machine tool distribution, customer expectations, service challenges, applications engineering, shop relationships, and the pressure that comes with keeping manufacturing moving. A real conversation from two people who’ve lived it.

The Force Behind the Machine Tools

From the shop floor to the distribution side of CNC machining and manufacturing. In this episode of Machine Tool Maniacs, Will and I break down our backgrounds in the industry, what led us into applications, service, and sales, and why helping machine shops solve problems became our passion. Real talk on CNC machines, manufacturing culture, and the people keeping this industry moving.

Lone Wolf Loadout

Taylor Jenkins of Lone Wolf Precision is proving that small shops can run at a high level by combining smart automation with practical systems. In this episode of Machine Tool Maniacs Podcast, we break down how he is using Toolpath Labs AI programming along with Gimbal automation to streamline production on his Brother Speedio CNC machines. Taylor shares how AI driven toolpaths, efficient workholding strategies, and automation workflows are helping him reduce setup time, increase spindle uptime, and stay competitive as a growing machine shop. We also get into real world lessons on implementing automation without overcomplicating your process, how to think about scaling a CNC machine shop, and what it actually takes to make lights out machining work. If you are a CNC machinist, machine shop owner, CNC programmer, or manufacturing professional looking to improve efficiency and integrate automation, this episode delivers practical insight you can apply immediately.

Terminating Traditional Automation

In this episode of the Machine Tool Maniacs podcast, Will Mund and I break down the rise of humanoid robots in manufacturing and what it means for CNC machining, machine shop owners, and machinists. We discuss how robots like Figure are already working thousands of hours in real production environments, why humanoid robots fit into machine shops better than traditional automation, and how this could change machine tending, labor, and shop efficiency moving forward. If you are a CNC machinist, shop owner, or manufacturing engineer trying to understand the future of automation, this episode gives you a clear, real-world perspective without the hype.

Fairway to 5-Axis

In this episode, I sit down with Eric Schneiter to talk about his path from running a golf course to diving deep into CNC machining. What started as a drive to build his own invention led him to discover that CNC is at the core of manufacturing. Along the way, the invention took a backseat and a real passion for machining took over. Eric shares how he taught himself to retrofit machines, continues to tinker, and isn’t afraid to take on projects most people wouldn’t touch.