Within Tolerance

Latest Episodes:

Within Tolerance Episode 268 - Curt Van Filipowski of Confounded Machine Oct 22, 2025

Show notes

Curt of Confounded Machine shares how a garage hobby became a thriving EDC pen brand. We dive into retrofitting a Hardinge, moving to a Syil X5 , iso-grid grips, entropic anodizing, and his new “Mech One” mechanism.

Rigibore RADS video mentioned: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0pM5cKUKSA

Check out Curt’s IG @confoundedmachine

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Within Tolerance Episode 267 - Jamie Peacock of JSpec Engineering Sep 19, 2025

Show notes

Jamie Peacock of JSpec Engineering and The Lone Machinists podcast joins to talk one‑man‑shop reality, from building and retrofitting machines to launching the Anchor Point zero‑point system. We hit in‑house anodizing, adding a 4th on Siemens, and why relationships beat everything in business.

Link to the article discussed in the episode: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/lets-talk-cheap-labour-expensive-mistakes-danica-peacock-cqrsf/ Check out Jamie's IG @jspec_engineering

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Help support the podcast www.patreon.com/withintolerancepodcast

Within Tolerance Episode 266 - Pallets, Payments, and Performance Sep 05, 2025

Show notes

California updates with Zap, CMM finally dialed in, HyperMill setup progress, pin finisher optimization, RO water planning, and some honest programming errors. Topics include surface roughness tools, machine comparisons, cost tracking, floating tap holders, and technology perspectives.

Check out Zap's IG @zap.consulting

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Help support the podcast www.patreon.com/withintolerancepodcast

Within Tolerance Episode 265 - Juan March and Blake Nazario of InFab Aug 25, 2025

Show notes

Juan March returns with InFab co‑founder Blake Nazario to share how a shop-floor problem became a purpose-built ERP for high-mix job shops. We cover InFab’s beginnings, its rebuild for multi‑tenant use, ITAR/GovCloud and CMMC, plus AS9100 tools. Juan also updates us on Jax’s growth: a larger facility, a Datron ML Cube, DMG DMC 85 with integrated pallet pool, a new CMM, and an industrial “Roomba.” We wrap with quoting realities, roadmap, and practical lessons on communication and traceability.

Check out Juan’s IG @jaxmfg

InFab's IG @infab.app

and learn more about InFab at infab.app

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Help support the podcast www.patreon.com/withintolerancepodcast

Within Tolerance Episode 264 - Three Mics, One Shop with Zap and Justin Aug 15, 2025

Show notes

Zap, Justin Gray, and I trade wins, war stories, and hard lessons. Justin breaks down Toolpath’s CAM automation progress—constraints, search space control, and getting from “seven ops” to the three you actually want—plus new work on undercuts and 3+2. Zap brings DMG mill‑turn tales, a 1.5× tool life bump, and the hidden cost of tool library drift. I talk CMM headaches and adding a newer manual machine. Then rapid‑fire Q&A: VF‑2 vs. higher‑end 30×16 choices, our aluminum rougher, Blum Z‑nano supremacy, zero-point with no probe, wear comp best practices, zero‑point/G10 for legacy setups, and real ways to recruit students (FIRST and desktop CNC done right). Stick around for a Mastercam RAM allocation fix, a Fusion post warning, Freddy bee‑duty, and why one‑piece flow still wins.

Check out Justin’s IG @justinsgray and Toolpath Labs @toolpathlabs or https://www.toolpath.com/

Check out Zap’s IG @zap.consulting

-----------------------------------------Help support the podcast www.patreon.com/withintolerancepodcast

Within Tolerance Episode 263 - The Coolest Safeties Around with Zap Aug 10, 2025

Show notes

From the coolest $10 aviator safeties to a future “van-cast,” Dylan and Zap catch up on shop projects and a mountain of listener Q&A. Dylan shares a smart coolant-dosing build, a bio-renewing parts washer win, PH Horn saw success, and ballbar/linear guide fixes that tightened up the Speedios. Zap details big wins on a project, Mastercam Mill-Turn on a Nakamura, and rolling out prepaid-hours plus Asana API automation. We dig into roughing tool holders (powRgrip, hydraulic, shrink), mist collectors, workholding vs toolholding, and more!

Check out Zap's IG @zap.consulting

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Help support the podcast www.patreon.com/withintolerancepodcast

Within Tolerance Episode 262 - Patrick McClintock Jul 18, 2025

Show notes

Patrick McClintock (@job_shopper_tn) joins me this week to discuss his unique journey from tech school to becoming a skilled machinist and programmer. We explore his decade at Galyon Manufacturing, his transition to RbSA Industrial working on tube bending tooling, and the challenges of changing jobs after building deep connections. Patrick shares the story behind growing his Instagram, the creation of the Impractical Machinists podcast, and gives us his best Yayhoo impression. We also talk about his experiences with probing in Fusion, finding the right balance between caring about your work and your well-being, and the value of quality workholding solutions.

Check out Patrick's IG @job_shopper_tn

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Help support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/Withintolerancepodcast

Within Tolerance Episode 261 - In-Person and On Video with Zap Jul 07, 2025

Show notes

Zap joins me in the studio for our first-ever video recording! We share updates from both our shops, with Zap detailing his extensive travels and successful business model revamp. I discuss recent shop improvements, material supplier frustrations, and a surprising visit from wastewater management. We answer listener questions about optimal shop layouts, machine installation planning, and whether premium machines are worth the investment.

Check out Zap's IG @zap.consulting

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Help support the podcast www.patreon.com/withintolerancepodcast

Within Tolerance Episode 260 - Denis Basaric of KafaTek Jun 30, 2025

Show notes

Denis Basaric of KafaTek shares his fascinating transition from software engineer to manufacturer of premium espresso grinders. We discuss his pursuit of perfection - from designing coffee burrs with 5-micron adjustability to implementing robotic automation and sophisticated QC processes. Denis also explains the technical differences between burr designs, his philosophy of building products meant to last generations, and the challenges of maintaining aerospace-level precision in a small shop environment.

Check out Denis's IG @kafatek

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Help support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/Withintolerancepodcast

#instamachinist #withintolerancepodcast #kafatek

Within Tolerance Episode 259 - John Saunders of NYC CNC and Saunders Machine Works Jun 22, 2025

Show notes

From Finance to Fixture plates - John Saunders reveals the winding path that led to creating NYC CNC and Saunders Machine Works. We discuss his transition from investment banking to manufacturing, building an audience through YouTube, and the hard-won lessons of business partnerships. John shares candid perspectives on his major equipment investments, product development strategy, and why focusing on fewer things done well transformed his business. Plus, hear his thoughts on automation, the challenges of balancing passion with profitability, and maintaining work-life balance as an entrepreneur.

Check out SMW's IG @saundersmachineworks

Machine Loan Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHdDt7VLhjM

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Help support the podcast ⁠⁠www.patreon.com/withintolerancepodcast⁠

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