He Thought the Job Lead Was Spam Then a purchasing person from a company in Kansas reached out, asked him to sign an NDA, and he thought it had to be spam. It wasn’t. Sometimes the next real machining job starts with one simple post. #Machining #Manufacturing

He didn’t want to learn CNC. Programming felt intimidating, unfamiliar, and easier to avoid. But once he and his dad started learning on their first CNC mill, everything changed. Now? He calls CNC “the greatest thing ever.” #CNC #Manufacturing In the full episode, we dive into: • How Leighton went from running a tiny Craftsman lathe as a kid to starting Hillco • Why his first CNC mill changed the way he thought about machining • How Facebook groups, word of mouth, and local relationships helped him land real work • The realities of building a shop while still working a full-time job • How he thinks about quoting, pricing, and learning CAM • Why repair work, walk-ins, and oddball jobs can become major opportunities • His vision for growing into CNC lathe work, aerospace, AS9100, and eventually hiring young talent Watch or listen to the full episode here: makingchips.com/show/making-… #Machining #CNC #Manufacturing #MachineShop #SkilledTrades #CNCMachining #ManufacturingCareers

The Free “School” That Got Him Into Manufacturing For the next generation, discovering manufacturing often starts with watching incredible CNC cuts, complex parts, and creators who make the trade feel exciting and accessible. In this clip, Leighton Hill shares how channels like Titans of CNC, Edge Precision, and Abom79 helped spark his interest in machining, turning YouTube videos into inspiration, education, and even family night with his dad. In the full episode, we dive into: • How Leighton went from running a tiny Craftsman lathe as a kid to starting Hillco • Why his first CNC mill changed the way he thought about machining • How Facebook groups, word of mouth, and local relationships helped him land real work • The realities of building a shop while still working a full-time job • How he thinks about quoting, pricing, and learning CAM • Why repair work, walk-ins, and oddball jobs can become major opportunities • His vision for growing into CNC lathe work, aerospace, AS9100, and eventually hiring young talent This is a great look at how the next generation is finding its way into manufacturing: through curiosity, family support, online learning, and a willingness to say yes to the work in front of them. #CNC #Manufacturing #MakingChips

One of the smartest workforce development ideas we've heard: Bring school counselors into the machine shop. Let them hit the green button. Let them make a part. Let them see manufacturing firsthand. Then they become your biggest advocates. makingchips.com/from-classro…

SendCutSend Cut Their Ad Spend from $170K to $4K...and it WORKED: youtu.be/Nro2HTBU2t4

Melissa Ramos remembers crashing machines, crying in the shop bathroom, and having nightmares about destroying her dad’s investment. At one point, she truly believed she’d never figure machining out. Now? She runs M95 Machining, creates manufacturing content seen across the industry, and inspires the next generation of machinists every day. This clip is a raw reminder that nobody starts as an expert. Behind every successful machinist is usually a pile of broken tools, hard lessons, and people who refused to give up on them. Full episode on MakingChips. youtu.be/E7uF_TJBUTQ #CNC #Machining #Manufacturing #MakingChips #MachineShop #WomenInManufacturing

We posted this clip on YouTube and got some INTENSE reactions, so need to ask here...What do y'all think about this take? US #manufacturing isn't "coming back." According to Mark Christopher… it’s BACK. This is what what he’s seeing across the industry: 🔥 Aerospace demand is surging 🔧 Defense work is booming ⛽ Energy markets are staying strong The takeaway? This isn’t a future trend—it’s happening right now. If you’re in manufacturing, the opportunity is already on your doorstep. #Manufacturing #Aerospace #Defense #MadeInUSA #CNC

3D printing might be the spark the manufacturing industry has been missing... When students can design something in CAD and hold it in their hands minutes later, everything changes. That instant feedback turns curiosity into excitement—and excitement into a pathway into machining, engineering, and making. Is this how we bring the next generation into manufacturing? Let us know what you think and check out the latest episode of MakingChips! makingchips.com/building-the…

Do shop owners have to step away from the machines to grow their business? In this clip, Paul challenges a common assumption. If machining is what you love most, you don’t have to give it up. As the owner, you can hire for the roles you don’t enjoy and focus on where you bring the most value. Growth doesn’t have to mean leaving the shop floor. It means designing the business around your strengths. From the MakingChips Generation CNC episode with young shop founder Chris Huffman. Check it out: 📷 makingchips.com/from-model-t… 📷 youtube.com/watch?v=Gvr9J_ym… #MakingChips #metalworking #Manufacturing #Leadership #ShopOwner #CNCMachining

Your machine should never be waiting on you. If the spindle stops… you’re already behind. The best shops stay ahead: • Prep the next jobs • Stage tooling • Set up before the run ends That’s how lights-out actually starts. Not with robots. With discipline. 🎧 Full episode: youtu.be/ej4wqd8ZpzY #CNC #Manufacturing #MachineShop #Automation

Young #machineshop owners: technology is oxygen. Michael King runs 3 CNC machines by himself at The Monk Works — and he refuses to use paper job travelers. Why? Digital workflows are faster, repeatable, and eliminate friction. 🎧 Full MakingChips Generation CNC episode: youtu.be/P_IdSAQqrOI #CNCmachining #Manufacturing #MachineShop #GenerationCNC

Most people see a job. Walter Peters sees an education. In this clip, Walter explains why he still works at a high-mix shop while building his own machine business. Different materials. Different strategies. Different challenges every day. “It’s like going to school.” In a local, tight-knit industry where reputation matters, he’s focused on becoming known as the guy who can get it done — while learning as much as possible along the way. Yes, he works all the time. But he believes now is the time to do it. 🎧 Listen or watch the full episode of MakingChips to hear how he’s building his business intentionally. youtu.be/DaYbK6TT3F4 #Manufacturing #metalworking #Entrepreneurship #MakingChip

Lost our connection with @zanehengsperger on X but still live on LinkedIn 👇 linkedin.com/posts/welcome-t…

Going live on X tomorrow at 1 PM CST (2/9). We’re sitting down with @zanehengsperger from NOX Metals to talk shop—what’s working, what’s not, and where manufacturing is headed next. No slides. No fluff. Just a live conversation. Join us 👉 @Making_Chips

Starting a business without a plan isn’t bold — it’s a gamble. Larry Robbins doesn’t sugarcoat it: no plan means you’re taking the biggest crapshoot of your life. If you want to waste money, he jokes, you might as well just send it to him. He also reflects on Die With Zero and the balance between being smart with money and actually living your life. Blunt advice on ownership, risk, and intentional decisions. youtu.be/UGzC7QM9ogs #Manufacturing #EntrepreneurAdvice #GenerationCNC

They said starting a #machineshop with $10K wasn’t possible. “You need $120K just to begin.” Caleb knew the advice was probably right — it just didn’t match his reality. So he started anyway. Watch Episode 505 of MakingChips. youtu.be/dcWu1s8bXwc #GenerationCNC #CNC #Startup #makingchips

Can being a great #machinist WRECK your business? Hear the full conversation in episode 501 of #MakingChips: youtu.be/s2kXENOtk6Q #BusinessOwner #entrepreneur #Metalworking

New Year, New Goals! 🎯 In the latest MakingChips, we explore actionable KPIs, gratitude journaling, leading with intention in 2025, and big news from Paul. Start 2025 inspired and ready to make chips! 🎧 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas… #Leadership #Manufacturing #MakingChips

🔥 New MakingChips episode is LIVE — and Larry Robbins brings absolute chaos (in the best way). 46 years of wild stories, truth bombs, workholding wisdom, and zero filter. 😂 Buckle up. makingchips.com/chaos-curios… #MakingChips