The Impractical Machinists

62 Episodes

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The Most Expensive Cutting Tool Isn't Always the Best Choice | 61

2026-11-0301:29:05

This podcast is brought to you by WIDIA. Are you really getting your money’s worth out of your cutting tools? This week on The Impractical Machinists, we're joined by Clay Platt from Kennametal to talk about what goes into choosing the right tooling and getting the most out of it. With carbide prices climbing, making smart tooling decisions matters more than ever. We get into high-feed milling, cutting forces, hydraulic vs. side-lock toolholders, and whether premium carbide is always worth...

I Bought Everyone in the Shop a Phone. It Actually Helped | 60

2026-10-2001:19:16

Taking over the family machine shop means figuring out what to keep, what to change, and how to get everyone on board. Especially when your dad has been running it for 50 years. In this episode of The Impractical Machinists, Dave joins us to talk about growing up cleaning out screw machines, coming back to the family business, and eventually taking the reins. We get into the changes that helped his team keep track of jobs, learn from expensive mistakes, and keep things moving without him wat...

Things Are Changing in Our Shops… Fast | 59

2026-10-0601:27:56

The guys are back from IMTS, and it’s time to get back to reality. In this episode of The Impractical Machinists, Patrick, Cameron, and Bradley look back at their week together at IMTS 2026, from doing live sessions in front of a real crowd to meeting people who actually listen to the podcast (still a little weird). Then it’s back to what’s been happening in their own shops. Patrick talks about what life has been like since going full-time with his shop, including his first late payment, a bi...

We Took The Impractical Machinists to IMTS… Here’s What Happened | 58

2026-09-2253:45

What happens when you get The Impractical Machinists together at IMTS for their first-ever live, in-person episode? A lot of shop talk, a little chaos, and more machines than anyone has time (or money) for. Pat, Cam, and Brad sit down live from IMTS to talk about what caught their eye on the show floor, the machines and technology they didn’t even know existed, and the tools and workholding they could actually see themselves using back at the shop. But as impressive as the equipment is, some ...

My First IMTS… What Am I Getting Myself Into?

2026-09-0824:24

Learn more about The Machinists' Hub here! IMTS is almost here, and the guys are getting ready for a very busy week in Chicago. Patrick, Cameron, and Bradley sit down before the show to talk about what they’re looking forward to, what they actually want to see on the show floor, and what might be a little overhyped this year. From workholding and inspection to automation, AI, and all the unexpected stuff you stumble across at a show this big, there’s plenty on the radar. For Patrick, it’ll al...

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