• My most profitable month EVER... - Ep. 134
    Oct 23 2025

    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.

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    1 hr and 32 mins
  • This is why I should have Threadmilled - Ep 133
    Oct 9 2025

    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.

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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • I bought ANOTHER Doosan... - Ep. 132
    Oct 2 2025

    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

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    1 hr and 23 mins
  • ITAR in the Home Shop - Ep. 131
    Sep 26 2025

    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.

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    1 hr and 40 mins
  • Fabtech is not for machinists - Ep. 130
    Sep 18 2025

    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.

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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • They don't understand tolerances - Ep. 129
    Sep 15 2025

    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.

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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • Not so micro... - Ep. 128
    Sep 4 2025

    In the 128th episode of "Taps and Patience," AJ and Harrison discuss their recent challenges in machining, particularly AJ's struggles with warping large parts and Harrison's updates on family matters and new projects, including the use of a CMM for medical parts. They dive into details about their respective experiences with different machining tools and the importance of safety measures in their shops, such as eyewash stations and fire extinguisher placement. The conversation touches on the complexities of utilizing CAD software like Fusion in ITAR-compliant scenarios and their perspectives on various CNC machines, notably the Doosan and Haas, reflecting on performance and reliability within their operations.

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    1 hr and 29 mins
  • The Great Machine Shop Book Club - Ep. 127
    Aug 21 2025

    In the 127th episode of Taps and Patience, hosts AJ and Harrison discuss a variety of topics, including new machinery at Harrison's shop, upcoming automation solutions, and the status of production orders. They also touch on the challenges of teaching and the evolution of AJ's teaching style to better accommodate students of varying speeds and skill levels. The conversation shifts to book recommendations, where they share a range of both business and fiction titles, emphasizing the importance of learning and self-improvement in their respective fields.

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    1 hr and 24 mins