In the 136th episode of Taps and Patience, hosts AJ and Harrison, along with guest Ken from Flux Work Holding, discuss Ken's transition from Robertson Custom Creations to primarily focusing on Flux Work Holding, detailing the challenges and growth he experienced in refining his product line amidst changes in e-commerce and marketplace dynamics. Ken emphasizes the efficiency gains he achieved by adopting new machinery, specifically a Hermla five-axis machine, and shares insights on product development, marketing strategies, and his approach to maintaining a niche business model with an eye toward automation rather than expansion. The conversation also veers into technical discussions about the design and functionality of vices, culminating in a light-hearted exchange about coffee preferences and future growth strategies for Ken's business.

In the 135th episode of "Taps and Patience" hosts AJ and Harrison discuss their current work challenges and successes, with AJ sharing insights on recent jobs including complex part machining and shop improvements, while Harrison updates on the setup of a new lathe machine. They also delve into various teaching methods for work coordinate systems, revealing the struggles AJ faces in helping his students grasp the concepts involved in probing macros. The episode concludes with a blend of light banter about robots, upcoming projects, and the importance of streamlining shop operations.

In episode 134 of the "Taps and Patience" podcast, AJ and Harrison chat about their experiences with work and machinery, including updates on Harrison's new machine and its complicated electrical setup. They discuss their ongoing workload, productivity improvements, and the exciting potential for new automation technologies in their businesses. AJ shares that he's had a record month in income due to increased efficiency and successful projects, while Harrison highlights his growth and plans for the future, including exploring new machinery options.

In the 133rd episode of the Taps and Patients podcast, hosts AJ and Harrison discuss their hectic October work schedules, including details about Harrison's new machine which is awaiting a transformer and power upgrade to become operational. AJ shares a challenging experience with part manufacturing and shipping issues that led to broken tools and costly shipping problems, emphasizing the need for efficient processes in a machine shop. They also touch on upcoming advancements in Harrison's adherence to AS9100 standards, their ERP system progress, and a new teaching methodology AJ is implementing, concluding with a call for collaboration on manufacturing projects.

n Episode 132 of the Taps and Patience podcast, AJ and Harrison discuss Harrison's new lathe, a DN Solutions Lynx 2100 LSYB, its specifications, features, and the expected learning curve associated with it. They also touch upon challenges faced in machining, such as warping of materials and improving operational efficiency, and discuss the importance of adapting workflows and systems to keep up with their growing manufacturing needs. Finally, they introduced a new tool developed for generating Kanban cards from Fusion tool libraries, emphasizing the balance between busy work in the shop and higher-level strategic thinking.Check out our Kanban Generator: https://subtractmanufacturing.com/kanban

In the 131st episode of Taps and Patience, hosts AJ and Harrison are joined by guest Ben, discussing their backgrounds in machining and the evolution of their respective businesses. Ben shares his journey from trade school to founding his shop, Prickly Pear Prototypes, which focuses primarily on ITAR work for defense startups and research labs. The conversation also touches on marketing strategies, growth challenges, and the intricacies of managing a machine shop, highlighting the importance of documentation and finding the right balance between production capabilities and business management.

In the 130th episode of "Taps and Patience," hosts AJ and Harrison discuss various topics including AJ's broken microphone, their experiences at Fabtech, and AJ's busy week preparing parts for shipment and participating in a meetup. They also delve into Harrison's recent work fabricating medical parts, challenges with quality control using CMM, and the nuances of using different measuring tools to improve accuracy. Throughout the episode, they reflect on manufacturing best practices, advertising strategies, and the dynamics of running their respective businesses while sharing insights on machining techniques and tools.

In the latest episode of Taps and Patience, AJ and Harrison discuss changes in their work environments, sharing struggles with specific machining challenges, including issues with tool setups and material warping. AJ reflects on his experiences with his recent projects, such as teaching classes and upcoming Mastercam training, while Harrison talks about the complexities of managing a young company and navigating client relationships, especially with a new medical project. They also explore the idea of creating an open-source franchise model for machining that shares best practices and standard tools to help others grow in the industry.