Machine Shop Tech Talk – Details, episodes & analysis

This is the first episode, focusing on youth in Manufacturing!

Join us as Atulram Vucha shares from his journey as a young man of 21, through school, and into his very exciting career path, completely designed by his interests!

Connect with this amazing young man on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/atulramv/

Join us on Machine Shop Tech Talk as we sit down with Noah Graff, a seasoned expert in used machinery and host of Swarfcast, to explore why buying used machines might be the smartest move for your shop. From massive cost savings (think half the price of new!) to snagging equipment unavailable in today’s market, Noah shares practical insights—like how a $25,000 used screw machine can outshine a $2M new one for the right job.We dive into real-world examples, debunk myths about used equipment, and uncover how startups and veterans alike can leverage the used market to boost ROI and grow. Plus, hear cautionary tales about shady dealers and tips for finding trustworthy brokers. Perfect for machinists, shop owners, and anyone passionate about bringing manufacturing back to North America. Links to Noah’s blog (Today’s Machining World) and podcast (Swarfcast) below—don’t miss out!Check out Swarf Cast here:https://todaysmachiningworld.com/swar...Connect with Noah on LinkedIn:  / noahgraffswarfcast  [Chapter Selection]0:00 - Introduction: Welcome to Machine Shop Tech Talk0:34 - Meet Noah Graff: The Used Machinery Treasure Hunter4:42 - Reason 1: Availability When New Isn’t an Option6:25 - Reason 2: Massive Cost Savings7:54 - Reason 3: Matching Equipment to Your Needs9:25 - Reason 4: Entry Point for Startups10:40 - Reason 5: ROI-Driven Choices for Veterans11:03 - Tip 1: Research Your Dealer to Avoid Scams16:46 - Tip 2: Ask Around Before You Buy19:40 - Tip 3: Watch for Red Flags in Trust21:56 - Wrap-Up: Connect with Noah & Final ThoughtsProduced by Arthur FieldEdited by Arthur FieldRecorded by Arthur FieldWant to partner with Arthur?https://tidycal.com/meetarthur

What if your biggest frustrations at work are actually career gold?

In this episode of Machine Shop Tech Talk, Arthur Field sits down with Ray Harkins (GM @ Lexington Technologies, educator to 95K+ manufacturing pros) to crack the code on:
🔧 How customer complaint led to 120K in savings (and a promotion)

🔥 Why hiding mistakes is the #1 career killer in manufacturing

📊 The “ugly data” hack that makes you irreplaceable

Ray shares:

• “Your customer complaints aren’t problems – they’re free consulting reports.”

• “Documenting failures isn’t about blame – it’s building a portfolio of future wins.”

• “If your data doesn’t embarrass leadership, you’re not digging deep enough.”

Todays guest is a CMMS all-star! My buddy Greg Christensen is the host of CMMSradio, a podcast about all things CMMS (computerized maintenance management software), and a consultant who draws on his 3+ decades of experience in CMMS, FM, Maintenance Management, and the like. After thousands of demos, even more client interactions and projects, and numerous deployments. Co-founder and VP of CMMS, relentlessly pursuing the "elusive win-win," the podcast helps even more companies and people navigate their CMMS journey with expert guests, inspiring monologues, and a no-nonsense approach that is real, raw, and relatable. If you have a CMMS project and want some insights - Connect with Greg and follow CMMSradio on your favourite podcasting medium. He's passionate about the space - ALL of it - and loves to help solve problems. Visit https://www.cmmsradio.com to schedule your consultation with Greg. Want to check out the other conversation I had with Greg? Head over to his YouTube  @cmmsradio  He's got tons of wisdom to share with you all on your journey Produced by Arthur Field Edited by Arthur Field Recorded by Arthur Field https://www.meetarthur.ca Want to grab a virtual coffee? https://tidycal.com/meetarthur

Do you know the importance of the trades to North America? Don't know what to do to make a difference?! Fear not, on todays episode our guest brings you a ton of actionable options to secure the future of North America. Todays guest is moving and shaking the manufacturing industry as BDM for Loudon County in Virginia USA, with one of THE longest titles ever, you can hear the man himself deliver it a few minutes into the video. Connect with Brandon Ferris, MS, MBA https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-ferris-bdm Produced by Arthur Field Edited by Arthur Field Recorded by Arthur Field www.meetarthur.ca Want to grab a virtual coffee? https://tidycal.com/meetarthur

Ray has spent his career in manufacturing, starting in the quality assurance field he has worked his way up to running a company while also devoting his weekends and evenings to developing courses to train up anyone on the skills they need most.

Don has been in the cutting tool world his entire career, in this episode he lays out the keys to having success with any tools at the spindle.

In this episode of Machine Shop Tech Talk, Arthur sits down with Jesse, the owner of a machining and fabrication facility, to dive into his incredible journey from building skateboard ramps as a kid to crafting custom drumsticks and eventually manufacturing gunstocks on CNC machines. Jesse shares his story of perseverance, innovation, and the importance of loving what you do. From sleeping in his car at trade shows to retrofitting industrial machines, Jesse’s journey is a testament to the power of hard work, creativity, and finding your natural rhythm in life.

Whether you're in manufacturing, entrepreneurship, or just looking for inspiration, this conversation is packed with valuable insights and lessons on overcoming challenges and building a life you love.

In this episode of Machine Shop Tech Talk, Arthur sits down with Tim, a passionate advocate for trades education, to discuss his groundbreaking work in bringing machining education to high schools in Calgary. Tim shares how he developed an open educational resource (OER) called Machine Shop Fundamentals, a free online curriculum designed to teach students and teachers the basics of machining, from reading measuring tools to safely operating lathes and mills.

Discover how Tim rallied local businesses, suppliers, and educators to donate tools, provide training, and support high schools in offering machining credits to students. Learn about the challenges he faced, the surprising lack of awareness around machining as a career, and the inspiring results he’s already seeing—like students transitioning from high school to post-secondary machining programs.

If you’re passionate about trades education, community building, or manufacturing, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiration. Tim’s story proves that with a little initiative and collaboration, we can make a big impact in our local communities.

In this episode of Machine Shop Tech Talk, Arthur sits down with Andriy to dive deep into the world of SR&ED (Scientific Research and Experimental Development). Did you know that billions of dollars in government funding are left unclaimed by Canadian companies every year?

Whether you're a machine shop, a manufacturer, or a tech innovator, SR&ED could be the key to unlocking significant financial support for your R&D efforts. Andriy breaks down what SR&ED is, who qualifies, and how you can take advantage of this program to reinvest in your business.

From debunking myths to sharing real-world examples, this conversation is a must-listen for any Canadian company looking to grow and innovate. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn how you can reclaim up to 60% of your R&D expenses!