This week, everything works… except the things we actually need.

We start off optimistically with solar power plans and dreams of energy independence, before immediately spiraling into real-world problems like rising fuel costs, questionable ROI, and whether running a machine shop on sunshine is genius or just expensive optimism.

Then Fusion 360 decides to absolutely ruin Jamie’s week, turning simple edits into 10-minute emotional journeys and making basic machining tasks feel like punishment. If you’ve ever shouted at your CAD software like it personally betrayed you, this one’s for you.

Meanwhile, Curt casually builds “internet in a box” like a doomsday prepper with a Wi-Fi signal, downloads all of Wikipedia, and somehow makes it sound completely reasonable.

We also cover:

 * Why copy-pasting G-code is a dangerous game
 * The exact moment a missing line ruins your day
 * Buying a new 3D printer for “totally valid reasons.”
 * Designing print-in-place tools that might actually save your machine
 * And why backups (and backup plans) are no longer optional

It’s part machining, part tech rant, part “how did we get here?”

Subscribe if you enjoy:
Questionable engineering decisions
Software-induced suffering
And slowly preparing for the apocalypse… but with good documentation

Links Discussed:

 * Noughtical Work Holding: https://www.noughticalwh.com/

The Lone Machinist:

 * Website: https://thelonemachinists.com/
 * Bonus Content: https://thelonemachinists.com/#bonus-content
 * Merch: https://www.jspeceng.com/online-store
 * Patreon: https://patreon.com/TheLoneMachinists

Need Work Done? Check out Subtract Manufacturing at: https://subtractmanufacturing.com/

Want to try out Toolpath [https://toolpath.com/]? Give it a go and get 10% off by using the code TLM10 at checkout: https://toolpath.com/

Jamie:

 * http://instagram.com/jspec_engineering
 * https://www.jspeceng.com/
 * https://www.noughticalwh.com/

Curt:

 * https://www.instagram.com/confoundedmachine/
 * https://www.confoundedmachine.com/

Ep. 66: Fusion Executes Order 66

This week on The Loan Machinist Podcast, Jamie and Curt battle the literal "Demon" of Tolerance Stack-Up, because apparently, adding up a bunch of "tents" actually equals one giant headache

Curt scores a $600 lens for sixty bucks and plays a high-stakes game of "Did I just buy a paperweight?" while Jamie contemplates becoming a full-time electrician because Fusion 360’s latest update is officially "unusable"

We also dive into the oily world of vacuum workholding, where if you aren't pulling enough mercury, you’re just turning your shop into an unintentional oil mist sauna

Plus, Samo the Marmo presses 10,000 rivets by hand, Jamie breaks his resin printer for a Deadpool bust, and we definitely (mostly) don’t talk about Project Hail Mary

Grab your calipers and your patience; it’s just you, the work, and the machines.

Links Discussed:

 * Noughtical Work Holding: https://www.noughticalwh.com/

The Lone Machinist:

 * Website: https://thelonemachinists.com/
 * Bonus Content: https://thelonemachinists.com/#bonus-content
 * Merch: https://www.jspeceng.com/online-store
 * Patreon: https://patreon.com/TheLoneMachinists

Need Work Done? Check out Subtract Manufacturing at: https://subtractmanufacturing.com/

Want to try out Toolpath [https://toolpath.com/]? Give it a go and get 10% off by using the code TLM10 at checkout: https://toolpath.com/

Jamie:

 * http://instagram.com/jspec_engineering
 * https://www.jspeceng.com/
 * https://www.noughticalwh.com/

Curt:

 * https://www.instagram.com/confoundedmachine/
 * https://www.confoundedmachine.com/

Ep. 65: If You Can't Make It Perfect, Make It Adjustable

In this episode of The Lone Machinists Podcast, we remove 94.6% of a perfectly good piece of aluminium just to prove we can, debate whether a bandsaw is the solution to all of life’s problems (it is), and discover that titanium will happily destroy your patience before your tooling. There’s vacuum workholding wizardry, Ultem experiments, and just enough tolerance talk to keep things dangerously precise, plus a brief but important life lesson: don’t punch people, because court has worse cycle times than your slowest machine. Throw in exploding part-offs, intrusive thoughts about building yet another machine, and a suspicious conversation about “sausage polishers,” and you’ve got an episode that’s equal parts machining brilliance and beautifully engineered chaos.

Ep. 64: Sausage Polishers & Shop Logic

In this episode of the Lone Machinists Podcast, Jamie and Curt once again prove that running a machine shop is mostly problem-solving, mild chaos, and questionable purchasing decisions. Jamie explains how Curt bullied him into buying a gimbal and why filming smooth shop footage is apparently harder than flying a plane, while Curt announces he’s defecting in the AI wars and claims Claude is now the smarter shop assistant. Meanwhile in the real world, Jamie is busy pressing thousands of rivets a week, chasing a mysterious lathe issue that keeps snapping tiny parts, and discovering that the “slightly noisy” spindle on a friend’s lathe was actually being held together by hopes, dreams, and a very destroyed bearing. Along the way they rant about AI scraping YouTube creators, the increasingly weird world of AI voice scams, questionable surface finishes, and why recording hundreds of hours of yourself talking on the internet might one day be the dumbest or smartest thing you ever did.

Links Discussed:

 * Noughtical Work Holding: https://www.noughticalwh.com/
 * Toxing: https://tox.com/en-us/technologies/clinching/clinching
 * caleys cans: https://www.youtube.com/@cayleependerass/shorts

The Lone Machinist:

 * Website: https://thelonemachinists.com/
 * Bonus Content: https://thelonemachinists.com/#bonus-content
 * Merch: https://www.jspeceng.com/online-store
 * Patreon: https://patreon.com/TheLoneMachinists

Need Work Done? Check out Subtract Manufacturing at: https://subtractmanufacturing.com/

Want to try out Toolpath [https://toolpath.com/]? Give it a go and get 10% off by using the code TLM10 at checkout: https://toolpath.com/

Jamie:

 * http://instagram.com/jspec_engineering
 * https://www.jspeceng.com/
 * https://www.noughticalwh.com/

Curt:

 * https://www.instagram.com/confoundedmachine/
 * https://www.confoundedmachine.com/

Ep. 62: The Internet Is Forever (And So Are Our Bad Ideas)

This week on The Lone Machinists, Jamie and Curt spiral (responsibly) through ultra-paranoid RAID backups, fiber lines getting excavated into oblivion in South Africa, and the launch of the brand-new Noughtical Workholding Shopify store. We dive into mirrored drives, M-Discs, offsite backups, and why losing your childhood photos is a trauma you only need once. Then things escalate: Haas machines booting up with ads, ChatGPT hallucinating wiring diagrams, gimbals doing unnecessary 360° flips, and the very real possibility that we’re speed-running the darkest timeline. It’s machining, media, marketing, mild conspiracy, and a healthy dose of “just hold it properly” — all in one episode.

Links Discussed:

 * Noughtical Work Holding: https://www.noughticalwh.com/
 * Easily Replaceable USB-C Port Spawned By EU Laws: https://hackaday.com/2026/02/26/easily-replaceable-usb-c-port-spawned-by-eu-laws/

The Lone Machinist:

 * Website: https://thelonemachinists.com/
 * Bonus Content: https://thelonemachinists.com/#bonus-content
 * Merch: https://www.jspeceng.com/online-store
 * Patreon: https://patreon.com/TheLoneMachinists

Need Work Done? Check out Subtract Manufacturing at: https://subtractmanufacturing.com/

Want to try out Toolpath [https://toolpath.com/]? Give it a go and get 10% off by using the code TLM10 at checkout: https://toolpath.com/

Jamie:

 * http://instagram.com/jspec_engineering
 * https://www.jspeceng.com/
 * https://www.noughticalwh.com/



 * Curt:
 * https://www.instagram.com/confoundedmachine/
 * https://www.confoundedmachine.com/

Ep. 62: RAID 1 and Pray

This week on The Lone Machinist, the "Original Kurt" returns to reclaim his throne (or at least a guest spot) as we welcome Jon Dillehay from 2SM Performance and Engine Trix. We dive deep into the mechanical prowess required to maintain a garage-based empire, the tragedy of the Harbor Freight bandsaw graveyard, and why Jamie is currently machining at a feed rate of "boobs millimeters per minute".

In this episode, we tackle the hard-hitting questions, such as:

Can Curt actually read?  Is John a psychic? How many bandsaws is too many? Why are anodizers the devil? The Garage Dream: Waking up at 2:00 a.m. to the sound of money (and Shopify notifications), sipping coffee in a bathrobe, and turning on a phase converter while the rest of the neighborhood sleeps.

Whether you’re here for the two-stroke engine talk, the "dust maker" end mill that evaporates aluminium, or Curt's latest obsession with self-hosting his photos to escape the cloud, there’s something for every machinist who’s ever felt alone with their machines.

Links Discussed:

 * Hofmann and Vratny: https://hitech.co.za/products/hofmann-and-vratny
 * Engine Trix: https://www.enginetrix.com/
 * Mini Monster: https://minimonster.ca/

The Lone Machinist:

 * Website: https://thelonemachinists.com/
 * Bonus Content: https://thelonemachinists.com/#bonus-content
 * Merch: https://www.jspeceng.com/online-store
 * Patreon: https://patreon.com/TheLoneMachinists

Need Work Done? Check out Subtract Manufacturing at: https://subtractmanufacturing.com/

Want to try out Toolpath [https://toolpath.com/]? Give it a go and get 10% off by using the code TLM10 at checkout: https://toolpath.com/

Jon:

 * https://www.instagram.com/2smperformance
 * https://www.2smperformance.com/

Jamie:

 * http://instagram.com/jspec_engineering
 * https://www.jspeceng.com/

Curt:

 * https://www.instagram.com/confoundedmachine/
 * https://www.confoundedmachine.com/

Ep. 61: Schrodinger's Guest Part 2

Welcome to the Loan Machines Podcast, also known as the Schrödinger’s Guest Episode, where we ponder whether John is actually joining us or remains a ghost in the machine. In a harrowing turn of events, Curt recounts his battle with a porcelain ramekin that nearly claimed his eye during a routine oatmeal delivery for his rats—proving that while he wears safety glasses in the shop all day, the kitchen is a lawless wasteland. Meanwhile, Jamie has declared "open season" on expired patents to launch his Nautical Workholding line, including the new Keel Clamps and a control panel he is wiring with exclusively blue wire to ensure maximum "savage" confusion for anyone attempting to troubleshoot it later.

Between reviews of the DC Collet system and its unexpected flex, we dive into the quest for acetone-resistant archival ink for the perfect pen refill and the logistics of punching half a million nails "for her pleasure" on an eccentric press. Whether you are here for the debate on "piss plastic" (Ultem), the shocking logarithmic power of 30W lasers, or Curt’s four-year-old’s deep dive into classic Pokémon, we’ve got you covered.

Links Discussed:

 * Instagram Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs_UgsQg7Vs/?igsh=MzhnMGEwaTU5MzZz

The Lone Machinist:

 * Website: https://thelonemachinists.com/
 * Bonus Content: https://thelonemachinists.com/#bonus-content
 * Merch: https://www.jspeceng.com/online-store
 * Patreon: https://patreon.com/TheLoneMachinists

Need Work Done? Check out Subtract Manufacturing at: https://subtractmanufacturing.com/

Want to try out Toolpath [https://toolpath.com/]? Give it a go and get 10% off by using the code TLM10 at checkout: https://toolpath.com/

Jamie:

 * http://instagram.com/jspec_engineering
 * https://www.jspeceng.com/

Curt:

 * https://www.instagram.com/confoundedmachine/
 * https://www.confoundedmachine.com/

Ep. 60: Schrodinger's Guest

Buckle up for another episode of the Lone Machines Podcast, where we discuss the fine line between professional machining and absolute shop chaos.

In this episode, Jamie recounts his harrowing experience performing spindle surgery with tweezers to float solder into a corroded via—all because his probe decided to quit after being "slightly squished" at 12,000 RPM. He also explains how he's balancing a 700-enclosure production run with a new side hustle: serving as a personal chauffeur for his mother-in-law, conveniently timed to 18-minute machine cycles.

Curt shares his plan to escape the "brain-sucking algorithm" of Instagram by building a custom media site powered by RSS, ensuring his content reaches humans instead of robots. He also reviews his latest purchase: a 90-centimeter parabolic softbox that has effectively turned his garage into the brightest spot on Earth.

Whether you're here for the 3D printing drama, the AliExpress turbo scams, or the tax-deductible commercial vehicles, we've got you covered.

Links Discussed:

 * Grimsmo video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSNo8pVeSZs
 * ano video: https://youtu.be/btjaRaaXCBM?si=oC3BU-5KsRTT69S8
 * Story Telling Is Important: https://youtu.be/Ayhk9HXvZEE?si=m8-AT_ZkVfoX3rLi

The Lone Machinist:

 * Website: https://thelonemachinists.com/
 * Bonus Content: https://thelonemachinists.com/#bonus-content
 * Merch: https://www.jspeceng.com/online-store
 * Patreon: https://patreon.com/TheLoneMachinists

Need Work Done? Check out Subtract Manufacturing at: https://subtractmanufacturing.com/

Want to try out Toolpath [https://toolpath.com/]? Give it a go and get 10% off by using the code TLM10 at checkout: https://toolpath.com/

Jamie:

 * http://instagram.com/jspec_engineering
 * https://www.jspeceng.com/

Curt:

 * https://www.instagram.com/confoundedmachine/
 * https://www.confoundedmachine.com/

Ep. 59: Designed for Quadruple-Jointed Dwarf Mechanics

In this episode of The Loan Machinist, Jamie and Curt dive into the chaotic reality of running a machine shop while battling the elements and outdated technology. Jamie recounts a rough Monday in South Africa where 30mm of rain and a lightning strike claimed a workshop monitor, while his wife "swore at him" over comments regarding his machine's nicknames. Meanwhile, Curt reveals his seizure-inducing Home Assistant automation that flashes every light in the workshop the moment a delivery driver touches his walkway.

The duo discusses the "magic" of VS Code and the necessity of adding dates to post-processors to stop the confusion of "reposting the same program". They also explore the merits of Grip CNC for spindle grippers, which Jamie claims can turn a two-day programming nightmare into a ten-minute breeze.

Finally, Jamie explains why he pays a bean counter to handle his financials: "If I do it, I'm going to jail". Whether you are here for the Pi 5 case talk or the Bridgerton rage-bait, this episode is packed with shop talk and shenanigans

Links Discussed:

 * Smart lathe response to Caleeys cans: https://youtu.be/xt2YxyMm-9o?si=y9kEQaJ4TSfzd4pC   [https://youtu.be/xt2YxyMm-9o?si=y9kEQaJ4TSfzd4pC]
 * Maritool adjustable runout hydraulic sleeves: https://www.maritool.com/Collets-And-Sleeves-Hydraulic-and-Milling-Chuck-Sleeves-Adjustable-Runout-Hydraulic-Sleeves/c21_913_1888/index.html      [https://www.maritool.com/Collets-And-Sleeves-Hydraulic-and-Milling-Chuck-Sleeves-Adjustable-Runout-Hydraulic-Sleeves/c21_913_1888/index.html]

The Lone Machinist:

 * Website: https://thelonemachinists.com/
 * Bonus Content: https://thelonemachinists.com/#bonus-content
 * Merch: https://www.jspeceng.com/online-store
 * Patreon: https://patreon.com/TheLoneMachinists

Need Work Done? Check out Subtract Manufacturing at: https://subtractmanufacturing.com/

Want to try out Toolpath [https://toolpath.com/]? Give it a go and get 10% off by using the code TLM10 at checkout: https://toolpath.com/

Jamie:

 * http://instagram.com/jspec_engineering
 * https://www.jspeceng.com/

Curt:

 * https://www.instagram.com/confoundedmachine/
 * https://www.confoundedmachine.com/

Ep. 58: The Seizure-Inducing Delivery Sensor

In this episode of the Lone Machinist Podcast, Jamie and Curt dive head-first into shop chaos, questionable safety decisions, and machines that just won’t stop printing money.

Jamie introduces the Bukkake Blaster 7000, a new coolant manifold upgrade that blasts hardcore, while Curt reflects on the joy of a machine running nonstop for hours—hot, moist, and perfectly intolerant from the first part to the last. Along the way, they cover long-run machining, thermal stability, laser mishaps, intrusive pneumatic ideas, and why sometimes the correct fix is simply unplugging the wire.

There’s also a surprise structural failure, a wall that absolutely “didn’t need to be there,” and a healthy reminder that lasers do not care about your eyesight—no matter how confident you feel in the moment.

Machining, lasers, money printers, and safety third. Just another day in the shop.

Links Discussed:

 * smart lathe: https://youtu.be/on5yTSBz2tM?si=cNUjLE2XIThAa24l   [https://youtu.be/on5yTSBz2tM?si=cNUjLE2XIThAa24l]
 * a1 changer: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005010477325746.html   [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005010477325746.html]
 * Tiny Trains: https://youtu.be/DlL3AunnM_I?si=TbpS-hlauXLah6-R     [https://youtu.be/DlL3AunnM_I?si=TbpS-hlauXLah6-R]

The Lone Machinist:

 * Website: https://thelonemachinists.com/
 * Bonus Content: https://thelonemachinists.com/#bonus-content
 * Merch: https://www.jspeceng.com/online-store
 * Patreon: https://patreon.com/TheLoneMachinists

Need Work Done? Check out Subtract Manufacturing at: https://subtractmanufacturing.com/

Want to try out Toolpath [https://toolpath.com/]? Give it a go and get 10% off by using the code TLM10 at checkout: https://toolpath.com/

Jamie:

 * http://instagram.com/jspec_engineering
 * https://www.jspeceng.com/

Curt:

 * https://www.instagram.com/confoundedmachine/
 * https://www.confoundedmachine.com/

Ep. 57: Just Another Brick in the Wall

Curt and Jamie dive into business and manufacturing as one-man shops.