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Malachi Greb, my guest on today’s show, has a mission, “freeing humans, one robot at a time.” He is the founder of Elite Automation, a company that designs automated systems for manufacturing clients, taking manual processes and automating them with robotics, conveyors, vision, and more. They also provide robotic welding systems. Malachi and I talked about some of the latest technologies in the robotics field. Malachi also hosts the Manufacturing Come Up Podcast. We discussed his career journey, from dropping out of high school on purpose to founding his own company in his 20s, which has grown to 27 employees in just a few years. Perhaps the most interesting thing we talked about is how Malachi channels the same type of programming skills he uses in robotics to create a business system that enables him to scale his company. If you’re looking for an interview with an astute entrepreneur who doesn’t like to take no for an answer, or you just want to learn about industrial robots, this one’s for you. Question: If you could automate one task in your life, what would it be? Listen on your favorite podcast app using pod.link, or:                                                                                                  View the podcast our YouTube Channel. Follow us on Social and never miss an update! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swarfcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swarfcast/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/todays-machining-world Twitter: https://twitter.com/tmwswarfblog ************* Link to Graff-Pinkert’s Acquisitions and Sales promotion! ************* Interview Highlights Noah: What’s your story? How did you come to start Elite Automation? Malachi: I started off a little bit rough – dropped out of high school at 16 but got a quick GED at 17. I began college to be an electrical lineman but realized I needed a commercial trucking license for the job. At that point in time, I had a suspended license, and I was going to be suspended for like two years. So I pivoted to robotics. After graduating, I worked for a systems integrator, gaining skills in areas like robot and PLC programming, vision, motion control and safety systems.  Noah: What made you start Elite Automation? Malachi: The company I was at didn’t have the leadership that was needed to grow. It was in business for 20-something years at that point, and it was still a fairly small company.  I kind of had it in my mind at some point that I wanted to be an executive in a company. And, I don’t do very well in the corporate setting as far as climbing a ladder Noah: How did you break into working with big auto companies?  Malachi: They usually start small, outsourcing programming, then increasing project scope and cost if you deliver. Building relationships takes consistency and patience.   Noah: On your t-shirt it says, “Freeing People One Robot at a Time.” Do you see a parallel in how you have designed your business to free yourself from day-to-day 9-5 tasks?  Malachi: I came from a programming background. It’s definitely created a mentality of a very systematic approach that paired with my desire to scale the company and grow it to one of the largest companies in the world.  The objective is to free my time so I can operate as CEO of the company. Noah: Cobots versus standard industrial robots. Are Cobots a bit overrated? Malachi: I’d say they are overrated. Especially if they’re not equipped with other tools like a vision system, bin picking vision, things along those lines.  And people are trying to use them in complex situations, which doesn’t really help with their name. Also you probably lose somewhere around 30% speed (compared to traditional robots). But there are also really good use cases for them too. Like if something fits within their payload and it’s a slower cycle time. Palletization makes a lot of sense with collaborative robots because you don’t have to worry about putting up the full fencing around it. Noah: Thank you, Malachi. Note: This transcript excerpt is a condensed depiction of the interview, partially created with the assistance of AI. Various sentences and paragraphs have been combined or paraphrased to improve readability.

Most shop owners get comfortable after 50 years. John Griner gets uncomfortable on purpose. John has been making screw machine parts since 1979 while starting countless other businesses, which he refers to as “hobbies.” As a machinery dealer, I’ve bought and sold equipment from John over the years. He’s always a tough negotiator and always interested in trying new equipment and specking on opportunities that seem undervalued. And, he’s usually having fun with his business, which makes him fun to work with. Today we’re exploring what it means to build a life around calculated risks, being most comfortable when you’re being uncomfortable, and keeping business fun. Listen on your favorite podcast app using pod.link.        View the podcast at the bottom of this post or on our YouTube Channel Follow us on Social and never miss an update! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swarfcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swarfcast/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/todays-machining-world Twitter: https://twitter.com/tmwswarfblog ************* Link to Graff-Pinkert’s Acquisitions and Sales promotion! ************* Interview Highlights From Race Cars to Entrepreneurship  John’s journey into manufacturing began when he was frustrated he couldn’t find reliable parts suppliers for his racing hobby. “The people making my (race car) parts, they’d either charge me too much, they wouldn’t get them done on time or they’d mess them up,” he recalls. So he did what any determined gearhead would do: he started making his own parts. What began as a solution to a personal problem became the foundation of Griner Engineering. After working as a tool and die maker for a semiconductor manufacturer and later an aircraft sheet metal fabricator, John’s boss gave him the news that would change everything: “Friday is going to be your last day working here. And I’m going to give you all the work that you possibly could want.” John’s reaction? “That was the happiest day in my life. I literally went up my little space and broke into tears.” When asked about his business philosophy, John admits he’s had to “have my head examined” for some of his decisions. But these weren’t reckless gambles—they were calculated risks that often paid off spectacularly. One of his biggest wins came in the early days when Ford threatened to cut prices in half and move work to Canada. Instead of accepting defeat, John bought his first Hydromat—a quarter-million-dollar investment that represented the entire value of his building at the time. “I didn’t think they’d succeed at it,” he says of the Canadian supplier. He was right. Not only did he keep the business, but Ford eventually became 70% of his revenue. Another memorable gamble came when a $2 million company took on a $4 million automotive job, requiring three Hydromats and $3.5 million in equipment. “One year made a million dollars profit off of it,” John notes, proving that sometimes the biggest risks yield the biggest rewards. The Art of Being Uncomfortable What sets John apart from many business owners is his relationship with discomfort. While most people seek stability and predictability, John thrives on challenge and change. “I like to be uncomfortable. I’m bored. I get bored,” he explains. “I’m uncomfortable when I’m comfortable.” This philosophy has kept him exploring new opportunities well into his 70s. His latest “hobby” involves 3D printing and manufacturing suppressors—a venture that combines his love of learning new processes with his knack for finding undervalued opportunities. John’s approach to new ventures is telling—he calls them “hobbies” rather than businesses. But don’t let the casual terminology fool you. “All my hobbies always have turned into businesses,” he explains. “Anything I do, I try to turn into a business.” From exotic animals (his first wife’s clowning business complete with monkeys and an alligator in the bathtub) to software development, from a failed Mexico plant to his current 3D printing venture, John has never been afraid to explore new territories. Throughout our conversation, John repeatedly emphasized the importance of enjoying what you do. “I think just enjoy what you’re doing. I personally myself, I like new opportunities, learning new things,” he says. His approach to business challenges is refreshingly pragmatic. When I asked about his tolerance for difficult employees, he admitted, “I don’t really demand respect out of people. If they can kind of figure it out… long as we get the job done, I’m not saying that’s the right way, but that’s just how I tend to do things.” Taking Calculated Risks When asked about the role of luck in his success, John points to several “last-minute saves” that kept his business afloat during tough times. In 2004, when material prices doubled and customers refused to pay, he sold his Mexico plant at the perfect moment, getting back the cash he needed to weather the storm. “I’ve had money fall in my lap a lot of times,” he admits with characteristic humility. For aspiring entrepreneurs, John’s advice is simple: “Find somebody with the money. Follow the money.” Rather than buying equipment first and hoping for work, he suggests finding customers who need work done, then building the capability to serve them. He also believes service industries might offer better opportunities than manufacturing for new entrepreneurs, citing higher hourly rates and lower capital requirements. At 71, John Griner continues to challenge himself with new ventures, new technologies, and new markets. His secret isn’t avoiding discomfort—it’s embracing it. In a world where most business owners his age are thinking about retirement, John is learning 3D printing and exploring new markets. “I need some challenge,” he says. “I like to keep playing the game.” For John Griner, the game is never over. That’s exactly how he likes it. Question: What’s the biggest risk you’ve taken in your business? How did it turn out?

On today’s episode we continue our season talking about companies who produce their own products. Our guest is George Breiwa, founder of DynaVap, a company that produces a unique type of vaporizer, using Index multi-spindles and CNC Swiss lathes. George says that one of the keys to the company’s success is growing and nurturing a community of passionate customers. Main Points George describes DynaVap’s VapCap 2020 M vaporizer, which he prefers to refer to as a selective thermal extraction tool. To operate the VapCap M a user removes a temperature indicating cap and places a chosen substance (often dry herb) for consumption inside the extraction chamber. Then the user applies a portable heat source to the VapCap such as a lighter. George also showcases a battery powered induction heater that can be used with the VapCap. (3:10)  George talks about the differences between thermal extraction (using a vaporizer) and smoking. He says that when burning a smokable substance, portions of it are burned away rather than extracted, whereas with thermal extraction, the plant material is heated to a temperature where the active compounds evaporate and can be extracted, leaving everything else behind with minimal chemical changes a no incomplete combustion byproducts like tar, resin and carbon monoxide. (Fingers crossed that I summarized him correctly!) (5:05) Noah asks George about the health ramifications of using DynaVap’s vaporizer. George says health and safety depends on the substance being extracted and if it is done in moderation. He suggests that using a VapCap is a healthier alternative to smoking. (6:40) George describes how DynaVap’s products are machined. Tube stock is custom drawn at the mill in variable thicknesses to manufacture the various parts. Again, he shows the 2020 M VapCap, which does not require tools to assemble or disassemble its four parts. The 2020 M can be purchased in a variety of colors. George describes one color called rosium (see video), which he describes as pink, gold, and blue with a little bit of green. The color is produced through a process called PVD (physical vapor deposition), which he says is very commonly used when producing carbide cutting tools for CNC machines. He also describes another model the company sells called AzuriuM, which starts as blue but changes to several different colors when exposed to heat. (8:40) George talks about the value proposition of DynaVap’s product, which uses an external heat source (like a lighter) rather than using a built-in battery like a typical vaporizer. He says the VapCap’s small size and portability are significant advantages. DynaVap’s products can fit in a person’s pocket and also are extremely durable because they don’t have sensitive electronic parts. He says a person can throw a VapCap on the ground or even drive over it with a car and it will hold up. He says he is confident DynaVap’s products will remain functional for 20 to 30 years if taken care of properly, and the only parts that may need to be replaced are the o-rings.(12:30) George talks about how DynaVap makes its products. He says the tip is machined on an INDEX multi-spindle (MS22-8 with double NCU). (14:20) George discusses the company’s approach to marketing its products. DynaVap focuses primarily on growing relationships with the customers it already has, giving them the tools and knowledge to talk about the product with others. He says the primary way people are introduced to the product is by personal interaction with others who already have it. (16:05) George talks about the impact of building a community around a product. He says many of DynaVap’s customers learn about its products in online communities like Reddit. He says the ability to customize a product to suit a personal preference is highly appealing to the company’s customers. DynaVap designs its products so that creative people can customize certain components. It shares necessary dimensions with the public and even supplies certain materials for customers to make after-market accessories like interchangeable stems. Meanwhile, the high-precision parts are still made by DynaVap. DynaVap’s community of users post photos online of their homemade components. (18:50) George explains that the starting cost of a DynaVap vaporizer is $75, while the top of the line models sell for $180-190. (21:05) George says the most important factor in the company’s growth is its user community and “social proof.” This wasn’t something he initially realized, but he discovered that the more the company supported and engaged with customers, the more the customers shared their love of the products with others. (22:30) George talks about how the DynaVap’s numerous online videos show how passionate he is about the company’s products. (23:55) George says that getting customers to have a great experience with a product requires educating them. He says DynaVap devices are simple to use, but they do require users to learn how to operate them properly. He draws a comparison to a chef’s knife. Most people know how to use a knife, but how many people do so correctly? (25:00) George states that while using DynaVap devices may seem to require more work than similar products, few customers seem concerned. The company’s user community also provides resources to overcome the initial learning curve. (26:35) George says community enrichment of customers is a very important aspect of bringing a new product to market. He says if the customers don’t know who you are and you don’t know who your customers are, then you need to familiarize yourself and engage with them, or you will not be successful. (27:55) George shares something he recently learned. He reports that traveling to Europe right now is not difficult. He just spent two weeks in Amsterdam on business. He traveled on commercial airlines in major airports and experienced no issues or concerns. His COVID-19 test was negative upon his return. (28:30) Question: What online communities do you belong to?

I know a ton of people reading this will relate to what I’m talking about: starting something that feels completely daunting. So here’s another blog about my new YouTube channel, I Learned It on a Podcast—partly because I desperately need viewers, but mostly because this episode hit me hard.” “For those new to the show: I Learned It on a Podcast is my attempt to create what I always wished existed—something that highlights amazing podcast episodes the way book reviewers highlight great books. I listen to podcasts constantly and kept finding incredible insights that I wanted to share.” Watch the video on youtube I’d already put out Episode 1 when I heard filmmaker Robert Rodriguez on The Tim Ferriss Show during my drive home from work. His insights energized me in a way I wasn’t expecting—which is perfect timing since I’m juggling an amazing wife, a three-year-old, a commute, and a podcast. I laugh to myself when I tell people, “I wasn’t busy enough, so I started a YouTube channel.” This episode ended up being particularly meaningful because it traces my own filmmaking evolution—from making goofy movies with friends in high school, to creating a short artsy film in college, to my 2007 reality show “Jew Complete Me” (yes, that was really the name), and now to this YouTube channel. It’s a reminder that creative journeys are never linear, and sometimes the best projects come from embracing uncertainty. Listen on your favorite podcast app using pod.link.        View the podcast at the bottom of this post or on our YouTube Channel Follow us on Social and never miss an update! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swarfcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swarfcast/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/todays-machining-world Twitter: https://twitter.com/tmwswarfblog ************* Link to Graff-Pinkert’s Acquisitions and Sales promotion! ************* Key Takeaways from The Video Embrace Your Limitations as Creative Fuel Rodriguez made his breakthrough film “El Mariachi” with just $7,725, proving that constraints don’t have to be obstacles—they can be catalysts for extraordinary creativity. When film stock alone costs thousands of dollars, he had to shoot much of the film in one take. Manifest Who You Are Being One of the most powerful concepts discussed is Rodriguez’s approach to identity: he printed business cards calling himself a filmmaker before he’d made his feature film. As he puts it, you don’t call yourself an “aspiring filmmaker”—you’re either a filmmaker or you’re not. This mindset shift from aspiring to being is transformative. Use Daily Habits to Build Your New Identity After committing to doing one small action daily toward the channel—whether it’s watching a tutorial, brainstorming thumbnail ideas, or planning content—the consistent habit gradually built the identity of being a YouTuber. So claim your identity, embrace your constraints, and build small daily habits that support who you’re becoming. You don’t need clarity to begin—you just need to begin. Question: What are you putting off sharing?

Have you ever wondered if bone screws could actually be machined from real tissue? If that were possible, where could one get such bone? What animals would be safe enough? Here’s an old favorite episode. If you haven’t listened to it before, it is going to expand your mind. And you get to learn a thing or two about ranching! Today’s podcast is the first episode of our new season about companies related to medical manufacturing. Our guests are Jim and Mary Rickert, owners of Prather Ranch in Fall River Mills, California. Prather’s closed herd, in which no female cattle have been introduced since 1975, enables it to sell cow bone and other organic matter to medical manufacturing companies that require material from disease-free animals. Listen on your favorite podcast app using pod.link.        View the podcast at the bottom of this post or on our YouTube Channel Follow us on Social and never miss an update! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swarfcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swarfcast/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/todays-machining-world Twitter: https://twitter.com/tmwswarfblog ************* Link to Graff-Pinkert’s Acquisitions and Sales promotion! ************* Highlights Jim and Mary Rickert talk about the history of Prather Ranch, which has been operated as an agribusiness since the 1860s. They bought the ranch in the ’80s. (3:30)  Mary and Jim explain that Prather Ranch has a closed herd, which means that no new female cattle have been introduced for a significant period of time. It is a quite large ranch, with 2,600-2,800 cattle. The primary ranch hasn’t had any females introduced since 1975, and Prather’s backup closed herd has not had any female animals introduced since 1992. The animals are constantly tested for illnesses, and if they are infected they are removed from the herd. Also Prather Ranch only uses its own trucks to transport animals between ranges to further prevent infection coming in from the outside. They say their ranch is the truest example of “herd immunity.”   (4:10) Jim and Mary talk about the Prather Ranch’s primary business, selling organic beef. The ranch even has its own slaughter house, which no other ranches have, to insure the meat undergoes the strictest health standards. (8:40) Jim and Mary talk about their secondary business. In addition to selling beef to consumers, Prather Ranch supplies companies in the biomedical sector with raw biomaterials that come from its cattle. Biomedical companies want to buy organic materials from Prather Ranch because they can feel secure that the livestock don’t have diseases, such as Mad Cow Disease. (10:00)  Prather Ranch first started selling organic material from its livestock in 1990 to the Collagen Corporation, which was manufacturing collagen for cosmetic procedures. (11:00)   Jim and Mary talk about customers that took bone from cow femurs and machined into bone screws, pins, or plates. Then those parts were supposed to dissolve inside the recipient body. People at the time also were using bones from humans, but it was hard to get enough quality bones from dead people. Mary and Jim think that bovine raw materials are generally superior than that of humans because people can know about the animals it is coming from—the animals are in a controlled environment, unlike people. (13:00)  Jim and Mary say that the bone screws and similar products made from cow bone unfortunately sometimes are rejected by recipients because their bodies recognize they are foreign materials. Human bone can also be rejected. These types of bone transplants are less popular now and have been supplanted by synthetic bones made in a lab. (15:15) Jim and Mary talk about a startup company currently working on a new technology that overcomes the body rejection, which is in Stage 3 of testing.  The following is a summary of the technology: When a person’s bone is crushed, the company machines a slightly smaller replica out of cow bone using a 3-D scanner. Then undifferentiated T-cells are extracted from the patient’s body fat. Then they 3-D print new cells based on the extracted T-cells around the reconstructed bone. Through a series of other complex processes they join the new cells to the reconstructed bones. Afterward, the patient’s body hopefully will accept the new reconstructed bones. (16:50-21:30)  Jim and Mary talk about other biomedical technology that companies are trying to develop using bovine products to improve the people’s quality of life. Jim and Mary say that it gives them purpose to be able to give animals a healthy comfortable life, produce healthy meat, and contribute to manufacturing products that can help people’s quality of life. They say they have been officially certified since 2003 that their animals are raised in a humane manner. (21:30) Noah asks a few beef questions. Jim and Mary say that in their opinion male and female beef tastes the same. They say the taste of beef is dependent on how gently the animals are treated—less stress means better flavor. Mary’s favorite cut of beef is Filet Mignon, Jim likes New York Strip, Rib Steak, and some hamburger if it is dry aged with the proper type of added fat. (24:00) Jim and Mary say they have recently learned about how to handle employees who have contracted Covid-19, as two of theirs just got the virus. (26:30)  Mary says at restaurants she is hesitant to order beef because she knows too much about the typical beef producing process. Jim says he is a lot less picky. (27:00)  Question: Carnivorous readers—What is your favorite type of meat or favorite cut of beef?

A few months ago, we brokered a Tornos MultiSwiss 8/26 from Germany to a shop in Massachusetts. To make sure the machine was in top shape, we brought in two Tornos experts—my friend Dulio and his longtime mentor, Donato Notaro–today’s podcast guest. Donato had just officially retired after nearly 50 years in the machining world, much of it spent at Tornos in Switzerland. He still works freelance. Born in Italy, raised in Switzerland, Donato has done service work on at least four continents. He’s the kind of guy who checks backlash like a surgeon testing vitals. We talked about Swiss apprenticeships, traveling the world to service machines, and what makes multi-spindles so damn complicated. Listen on your favorite podcast app using pod.link.        View the podcast at the bottom of this post or on our YouTube Channel Follow us on Social and never miss an update! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swarfcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swarfcast/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/todays-machining-world Twitter: https://twitter.com/tmwswarfblog ************* Link to Graff-Pinkert’s Acquisitions and Sales promotion! ************* Interview Highlights How His Machining Journey Started Donato didn’t grow up dreaming of fixing CNCs across the globe. As a kid, he actually thought he’d become a photographer—or maybe a pilot. But when it came time to choose a profession, he entered the Swiss apprenticeship system and trained to become a machinist. It turned out to be the path of a lifetime. As a young journeyman, he had the chance to travel to Australia—an opportunity that thrilled him. At the time, the country was actively recruiting skilled tradespeople, and being a machinist from Switzerland was like being a Brazilian soccer player: the pedigree meant something. You showed up, and people assumed you knew what you were doing. Donato Notaro checking MultiSwiss 8/26 in Germany That trip launched Donato’s global career. Over the decades, he’s worked in Korea, Russia, Iran, the U.S., and countless other places. He told me about a time in Tehran when he managed to talk his local contact into arranging a visit to see the Ayatollah—just because he was curious. That’s Donato. A technician with wanderlust and a deep love of people and culture. The Fading Glory of the Trades in Switzerland While Donato’s career started in a strong trade culture, he’s seen big changes back home. Switzerland still has the strong apprenticeship infrastructure, but fewer young people are choosing that path. In his apprenticeship class at Tornos, there were over 20 students. Today, it might be 3 or 4. Just like in the U.S., Swiss young people are more drawn to university degrees and white-collar jobs, even though trades like machining still offer strong careers. Donato just retired from Tornos at 65—not entirely by choice. In Switzerland, it’s standard to push people out around that age, even if they’re still sharp and capable. For a guy who lived and breathed machines, that can’t be easy. Why Multi-Spindles Fascinate Him Donato has worked on every kind of CNC machine you can think of, but multi-spindles are still his favorite. Why? The complexity. He explained how multi-spindles require a different kind of brain—one that sees the whole system, not just one operation. When something’s off, it’s not always obvious where the problem is coming from. You’ve got to track the issue through a maze of moving parts and overlapping processes. It’s exactly that complexity that keeps him interested. Other machines might be easier, more predictable. But multi-spindles? They demand your full attention—and they reward it, too. Question: What’s the most interesting country you’ve worked in—and what made it stand out? (To contact Donato for his services, find him on LinkedIn)    

Our guest on today’s show, Howard Sheldon, grew up working in his family’s third generation precision turning company. He planned to eventually take over the business from his father, but unfortunately succession didn’t happen the way he had hoped. Howard left his family company in his mid-30s, and 10 years ago started his own Swiss turning company, Sheldon Precision Engineering Ltd.  Howard turned out to be a natural entrepreneur, and he has built a thriving business that gives him the lifestyle he wants. Starting a business from scratch gave Howard the opportunity to create his ideal company and run it the way he envisions, instead of being constrained by the ways of a business that had been around for half a century. If you’re currently working in a family business or you’re dreaming about founding your own manufacturing company that YOU can run the way YOU want to, I recommend you have a listen. Listen on your favorite podcast app using pod.link.     .   View the podcast on our YouTube Channel. Follow us on Social and never miss an update! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swarfcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swarfcast/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/todays-machining-world Twitter: https://twitter.com/tmwswarfblog   ************* Link to Graff-Pinkert’s Acquisitions and Sales promotion! ************* Interview Highlights Interview Howard Sheldon grew up working at his father’s screw machine job shop, which his grandfather had originally started in 1948 as the Wembley Screw Company in London. Howard’s father eventually bought the business from his grandfather after a messy situation in which his grandfather had tried to sell the company behind his father’s back. There was contention over ownership and equity that caused strain in the family relationship. Howard’s father had even started another machining company in secret around the time of the turbulent succession.  Growing up, Howard worked summers and holidays at his father’s shop. After graduating from college, he came on full time. He started in the maintenance department to get exposure to all areas of the operation. The first machine he ran was a Wickman multi-spindle that he nearly crashed his first time running it. Howard’s dream was to eventually take over the family business from his father. However, as he got older and wanted more responsibility, he kept “banging into” his father who didn’t want to cede control. Howard likens his father’s demanding management style to a combination of Alan Sugar and Gordon Ramsay’s brash business personalities.   Howard says his father didn’t think he had the tenacity to really run the company long-term. This took a toll on his confidence in his own abilities, despite the tremendous manufacturing knowledge he had gained by coming up through the ranks of the family machining business. Eventually, Howard left his father’s company to pursue other career paths. He started a private tutoring franchise but realized after a year the business did not have great upside. Then he landed a job as an applications engineer for cutting tools manufacturer Iscar. While servicing manufacturers’ tooling needs, Howard realized he had deep technical expertise to offer. He also observed that the business owners he called on were “regular people” who had just decided to take the entrepreneurial leap. This restored his confidence that he could successfully run his own machine shop. In 2014, at age 37, Howard started his own CNC turning shop, Sheldon Precision Engineering, with one used Citizen A32 Swiss lathe in a 1,000 square-foot building. Over the next 10 years, Howard grew Sheldon Precision, reinvesting profits into more Citizens and Miyanos.  Howard is currently implementing systems at his company such as the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) to establish a clear vision and organizational structure for scaling responsibly. He wants the business to be able to run independently from him as much as possible. He recently changed the workweek for his seven employees to a 38-hour week over four days. (In England, the standard work week for manufacturing is a four and half days.) I asked him if his people request to work overtime, and he said they never have because they value their time with their families. Howard also has set a goal for himself that he will be able to work a four-hour workweek by the time he turns 50. Howard told me, “You’ve got to make your business work for you. If your business is a pain in the ass, and you’ve got to slog your guts out each week, it’s not working for you. You’ve got to let go of the shop floor eventually. Get people to do it. And then you can work on the business and get it working for you.” Despite his difficult relationship with his father, Howard says he has tremendous gratitude for the knowledge of business and manufacturing he learned from him. He knows he would not have created the successful company he has today had it not been for working at his father’s company and then leaving it.  Eventually, Howard’s father visited Sheldon Precision Engineering. He was extremely proud of the business his son built, and their relationship flourished.  

I just launched a new YouTube show where I share the most fascinating lessons I’ve learned from podcasts—ideas that can help you grow in business and life. It’s called I Learned It on a Podcast. The first episode dives into a topic I know Swarfcast listeners will appreciate: how to communicate, negotiate, and really listen—even when you disagree with someone. The episode works great in audio, but to get the full experience, I highly recommend checking it out on YouTube. Listen on your favorite podcast app using pod.link, or:       * View the episode on YouTube! Follow us on Social and never miss an update! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swarfcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swarfcast/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/todays-machining-world Twitter: https://twitter.com/tmwswarfblog ************* Link to Graff-Pinkert’s Acquisitions and Sales promotion!   Main Points Our machining community isn’t always known for warm and fuzzy communication skills. We’re direct, we’re practical, and we get things done. But whether you’re negotiating with a difficult customer, managing a team, or trying to resolve a supplier issue, the ability to truly listen and connect with people can make or break your success. These are some insights from three incredible experts who’ve mastered the art of human connection: Make People Feel Heard First Simon Sinek’s conversation with negotiation expert William Ury, author of one of the famous negotiation books, Getting to Yes, revealed something powerful: all negotiations are fundamentally the same, whether you’re dealing with family drama at Thanksgiving or hammering out a contract with a new client. The secret? Making people feel heard before you try to be heard. When you don’t agree with someone, instead of just stating your side, ask people about their views. If you’re a Republican, ask a Democrat to tell you why they believe what they do. Show genuine interest, and there is a good chance they will reciprocate. Start by Telling Them How They Feel Chris Voss, the ex-FBI hostage negotiator, was interviewed on another podcast I like, The James Altucher Show. He shared fascinating neuroscience about what happens when people feel listened to. Turns out, it literally produces bonding chemicals in the brain. When someone feels heard, they see you as less demanding and more trustworthy. Instead of telling people your side, first tell the other person how they feel before the conversation starts. Let them correct you if they want. I did it recently, and it worked beautifully. I said to an independent contractor, “I’m driving you crazy,” “You don’t think this is a good deal for you.” He felt heard and we came to a resolution. Imagine how this could transform your next difficult conversation with a customer or supplier. Ask What Kind of Conversation They Want The third podcast was an interview with communication expert Charles Duhigg, who wrote the best seller, Super Communicators. I love this book. He introduced a game-changing framework: every conversation falls into one of three categories—social, emotional, or practical. Conflicts happen because people are having different types of conversations than their counterparts without realizing it. Someone wants emotional support while the other person is trying to solve a practical problem. This could happen at work and often at home. When a heated conversation starts, he prescribes asking people what kind of conversation they want to have. Do they want advice, do they want to be heard, or do they just want emotional support? What if, instead of jumping straight into problem-solving mode, you first tried to understand what type of conversation they needed? These aren’t just feel-good techniques—they’re practical tools that can save you time, reduce stress, and actually get better results in your business and personal relationships. Your Challenge I’m throwing down a challenge to the Swarfcast community: try one of these techniques this week. Next time you’re in a tense situation, pause and really listen first. See what happens when you make someone feel heard before you try to make your point. Ask people what kind of conversation they want to have. I really hope you check out the YouTube show. I’m going to talk more about communication methods, as well how to accomplish goals, or just fun topics like the minds of dogs—the next episode coming out June 13. Question: When was the last time you changed your mind? What happened?        

My guest on today’s podcast, Jared Daily, could have been a mechanical engineer or even a doctor if he wanted to, but instead, he followed his passion and became a journeyman machinist right out of high school. Then he fell into a career 24 years ago, teaching precision machining to high schoolers at South Adams High School in Northeast Indiana, which happens to be the Number 1 machining region in the United States. Jared ’s classes sound fascinating and challenging. They usually ditch the text book to do hands-on projects like build a car engine from scratch using high-end CNC and manual equipment. His mission is to teach kids real skills that will make them elite precision machinists when they get into the working world. He wants his students to have the same confidence in themselves that he has, and to be problem solvers, not button pushers. Listen on your favorite podcast app using pod.link, or:       View the podcast our YouTube Channel. Follow us on Social and never miss an update! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swarfcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swarfcast/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/todays-machining-world Twitter: https://twitter.com/tmwswarfblog ************* Link to Graff-Pinkert’s Acquisitions and Sales promotion! ************* Interview Highlights Noah: What got you interested in machining? Jared: I was on track to be an architect until I found out that meant six years of college. I knew college wasn’t for me. I could have gotten the grades. I was a good test taker. But I just didn’t want to go down that path. Towards the end of my sophomore year, my guidance counselor pulled me in his office and said, Hey, they’re starting up this new class at South Adams. We think you’d be good for it. We looked at your transcript and seeing you’ve taken every shop class, we think you’d be good for this new machine trades class. So, I signed up for it. The rest is history as they say. Noah: After you graduated and did your apprenticeship what brought you back to teach at South Adams? Jared: They were talking about shutting down the class, and I knew how much it had helped me get started. Noah: Your old teacher was leaving, correct? Jared: Yeah, he was taking over the machining program at a local college. We were talking one day, and I said, well, if they’re going to shut it down because you’re leaving, what would it take for me to start teaching?  So he checked, and it was possible in Indiana for people to go straight from industry (to teaching). Having done a registered apprenticeship gave me enough documented training. Noah: When you first started teaching did you use the textbook?  Jared We started going through the textbook, but right before Thanksgiving that first year, three of the students came up to me. They said, this isn’t working. And I said, good, because this isn’t working for me. How can we change it?  Thanksgiving break, I racked my brain and definitely prayed about it. I came back in the afternoon class and said, hey guys, we’re going to build an engine. We’re going to design and build an engine from scratch. And we basically designed an engine on the chalkboard. We had colored chalk for the different parts. We went through the Machinery’s Handbook for fits and allowances. We went through strength and materials. We even made a dummy connecting rod and stress tested it. We went through a lot of the engineering, and then every student made their own parts. And this is the twenty-fourth year. We design a new project every year in the afternoon class. Noah Graff: Do you have standardized tests that you have to give in your class? Jared: We have a NIMS test. It’s all on the computer. Job planning, bench work layout, measurement, material, and safety. There’s a project you have to do. You have to pass the test online to be able to get the certification. Noah: Many of Graff-Pinkert’s machine shop customers tell us their operators are only willing to run one type of machine. Why do you think that is? Jared: That’s probably one of the biggest things I’ve seen over 24 years. The confidence level of today’s youth is not as high for things they’ve never done before.  I think standardized tests and things like that have affected them. I tell my students multiple times a week that my goal is to fail a hundred times a day. Because if you’re not failing, you’re not learning anything. Noah: When we prepared for this interview, you gave me a quote about 96% of the population. Can you summarize that for me? Jared: Basically, 2% of the world’s population can think like Einstein or has the athletic ability of Michael Jordan. They can do stuff that nobody else can do. And then there’s 2% that may have a mental or physical handicap, so they can’t do what the rest of the population can do. That leaves 96% in the middle (who have the potential to do anything). Now is it stuff we should be doing? That’s another question. Are we following our talents? Are we following our path that God set us on?  Could I go be a banker? I think I could. Do I want to? No. Could I go be a doctor? Possibly. Do I want to? No. Noah:  How does it make you feel when you see the impact you’re having on a student? Jared: Seeing the aha moment. You know, when a kid’s frustrated, can’t figure it out. All of a sudden it clicks, and they kind of see the connection. That’s probably the coolest moment. Noah Graff: You often talk to students and parents about the merits of apprenticeships versus college. Tell me about that. : I swore as long as I was going to be (teaching), I would never get a college degree. The first parent teacher conference talking to the parents of C or D students in the core classes I tell them I was making $50,000 a year in Adams County, Indiana, and I didn’t have a college degree. That was four years out of high school, and I was making $50,000. I explain that to them and how apprenticeships work. You can just see their eyes light up. Noah: Do you have any advice for administrators and teachers relating to the trades? Jared: Stay in contact with your local industry, the manufacturers, the value-added companies. That’s where the biggest tax dollars are coming from.  When it comes to recruiting, one of the biggest things people tell the companies is stay in contact with the teachers. If you’re a machinist, the best thing you can do for our career, our trade, is to let the young people know what you do and how you do it and what it’s for. I challenge people to think of one thing that machining has not touched. Question: If you could go back in time, would you have gone to college?          

Chris Armstrong has saved me more times than I can count—helping us at Graff-Pinkert through tough machinery deals, especially when it comes to Swiss machines. Citizens? He’s our guy. But today’s podcast isn’t just about technical know-how. After years of driving coast to coast fixing machines and solving problems most people wouldn’t touch, Chris is shifting gears—rebuilding how he works, the kinds of parts he makes, and how he makes a living. This is a story about the machining world. It’s about burnout, comebacks, and the deep, rare purpose you find when you fix things for a living. Listen on your favorite podcast app using pod.link.        View the podcast at the bottom of this post or on our YouTube Channel Follow us on Social and never miss an update! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swarfcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swarfcast/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/todays-machining-world Twitter: https://twitter.com/tmwswarfblog ************* Link to Graff-Pinkert’s Acquisitions and Sales promotion! ************* Interview Highlights Chris has been one of Graff-Pinkert’s go-to guys for Citizen Swiss questions for years. We’ve leaned on his expertise countless times. He knows machines inside and out—but just as important, he understands people, process, and philosophy in the machining trade. During COVID, many shops shut down. Machines sat idle. Maintenance was skipped. Skilled workers moved on. Chris saw it firsthand—not just across the country, but even in his own production shop. It wasn’t an overnight collapse, but a slow decay. And when things spun back up, they broke—ball screws failed, hoses cracked, wires frayed. Chris became a kind of traveling emergency mechanic—reviving machines all over the U.S. (aways traveling by car). He joked that he goes “coast to coast, like butter and toast.” But even as he fixes other people’s shops, he has been laying the groundwork for something new of his own. And I’m proud to say: our we played a small part in it. A few months back, Graff-Pinkert sold Chris three beautiful Swiss machines we had imported from Japan—a Citizen L20, an A20, and a DMG MORI Sprint 32/5. Here’s the full-circle part: Chris was actually the one who got those machines running when they arrived at our shop. He tuned them up, brought them back to life—and eventually, brought them home. Now, he’s using them to make high-pressure water components, intricate fittings for chip-making infrastructure, and parts out of notoriously nasty materials like Hastelloy. Not high-volume widgets. These are the kinds of jobs that require experience, intuition, and relentless attention to detail. In our conversation, Chris talks about the profound satisfaction of transforming a beat-up machine into something shiny and singing again. We discuss “good cop/bad cop” dynamics in management, the importance of clear communication on the shop floor, and why sloppy math still drives him nuts. We also talk about what it means to take pride in your craft—not just to produce parts, but to teach, to serve, and to show up. For Chris, that’s not just a business model. It’s a calling. If you’re into Swiss machining, small business grit, or stories of rebuilding from the inside out, this episode is for you. Question: Share a story about a machine you brought back from the dead. This blog was assisted by ai.