Talkin Shop with ShopSabre

Ready to stop leaving your shop's success in someone else's hands? In Episode 245 of Talkin' Shop with ShopSabre, Brandon Bombardo and Nick Peters get straight to the heart of one of the biggest decisions every CNC owner and fabricator faces: are you truly manufacturing your products, or are you just distributing someone else's work?
Brandon unpacks exactly why owning the full process—from design and production all the way through support and continuous improvement—delivers tighter control over quality, faster resolutions, rock-solid accountability, and the kind of customer trust that keeps shops growing year after year. You'll hear real-talk insights on the hidden challenges distributors face and why that extra layer can quietly cost you time, consistency, and long-term relationships. Whether you're a one-person operation dreaming of scaling or already running a busy production floor, this conversation will make you rethink how you build, sell, and stand behind your work.
Along the way, they tackle your burning viewer questions: Is handcrafted really better than CNC? What's the smartest press brake choice for a small shop? And why do pros put that "tape" on high-power laser heads anyway? Expect plenty of shop banter, a laugh or two, and a motivational close that hits home when the going gets tough.
If you're serious about building a stronger, more profitable CNC business with better control and happier customers, this is the episode you've been waiting for.
[00:00] - Intro to Talkin' Shop with Brandon Bombardo & Nick Peters
[01:17] - Today's Topic: Manufacturing vs Distribution
[03:39] - Viewer Comment: Handcrafted Better Than CNC?
[07:13] - Q&A: Best CNC Press Brake for Small Shops (Titan 2050)
[08:07] - Q&A: Why Use Texture Tape on Laser Cutting Heads?
[11:29] - Core Differences: Manufacturer Control vs Distributor Challenges
[18:25] - Advantages of True Manufacturing – Ownership & Accountability
[23:20] - Distribution Roadblocks: Communication & Expectation Gaps
[31:58] - Why Bringing Production In-House Builds Long-Term Trust
[37:04] - Motivational Quote of the Week
[39:57] - Final Thoughts & Outro
Like this video if you're ready to take full ownership of your manufacturing process! Drop a comment below: Are you team manufacturer or team distributor? Subscribe and hit the bell so you never miss an episode packed with straight-talk CNC business strategy.
Check out all of our equipment at https://www.shopsabre.com/
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Twitter/X: https://x.com/ShopSabreCNC
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shopsabre
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shopsabre-cnc/
Like and Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more CNC router and CNC plasma cutting machine tutorials, DIY project builds, and more. We feature cutting in different materials such as wood, plastic, aluminum, and other various steels.
For over 20 years, ShopSabre CNC has provided businesses and hobbyists with the best CNC machines at the best value. By focusing on unbeatable customer service and high-quality products built in the USA, we've grown from a single machine built at home to one of the most trusted CNC machine manufacturers in the country.
Since building our first machine two decades ago, we now have over 10,000 CNC routers, plasma, and laser engraving machines in a wide variety of industries in over 40 countries. Our success is a result of our commitment to developing a better way to build CNC machines and support our customers.
ShopSabre CNC 
www.ShopSabre.com
21673 Cedar Ave, Lakeville, MN 55044
800-493-6021
#CNCManufacturing #ManufacturerVsDistributor #ShopSabre #CNCBusiness #DirectFromManufacturer #CNCShopOwner #Fabrication #MetalFabrication #CNCAutomation #MadeInUSA #CNCRouter #CNCLaser #BusinessGrowth #ShopTalk #ManufacturingTips

Challenges Don't Discriminate: Real Talk on Business Grit | Ep 244
What if the deck isn't stacked against you — it's just waiting for you to stack the right kind of effort?
In this no-fluff, straight-to-the-gut episode of Talkin' Shop, Brandon Bombardo and Nick Peters rip the lid off one of the most uncomfortable truths in business: challenges don't care who you are, where you started, or how "fair" you think life should be. They hit every shop owner the same way. But here's the part that's going to light a fire under you — the ones who win aren't the ones who get handed the easiest path. They're the ones who show up, lean in, and let consistent effort do the heavy lifting.
Get ready for raw, real-talk energy that blends shop-floor wisdom with hockey-rink lessons you'll actually use. You'll hear why some CNC businesses pull ahead while others stay stuck, how to stop comparing your starting line to everyone else's, and the exact mindset shift that turns pressure into your secret weapon. Brandon shares the unfiltered stories and hard-earned lessons that built ShopSabre into what it is today, while Nick keeps it real with listener questions that hit home for anyone running machines or running a business.
This isn't another "motivational" episode that fades by Monday. This is the one that rewires how you show up when things get tough — and gives you the grit to turn every obstacle into momentum.
If you're tired of feeling like the odds are against you and ready to build something unstoppable, hit play right now.
[00:00] - Welcome to Talkin' Shop with Brandon Bombardo & Nick Peters
[02:32] - Today's Topic: Not Everything in Life is Equal
[04:02] - CNC Listener Questions: Aluminum Mist Systems & More
[06:10] - Vacuum Pump Filters – What Really Works
[08:09] - Why ShopSabre Machines Get You Running Faster
[10:57] - Business Mindset: Stop Comparing, Start Owning Your Effort
[15:32] - How Challenges Expose Real Growth (Hockey & Shop Lessons)
[28:07] - Ownership Removes Excuses – Real Stories from the Bench
[37:51] - Takeaways: Life, Business & Sports Aren't Equal
[39:36] - Motivational Quote of the Week + Final Thoughts
Check out all of our equipment at https://www.shopsabre.com/
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shopsabre-cnc/
Like and Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more CNC router and CNC plasma cutting machine tutorials, DIY project builds, and more. We feature cutting in different materials such as wood, plastic, aluminum, and other various steels.
#CNCManufacturing #SmallBusinessGrowth #ShopOwnerMindset #CNCBusiness #EffortOverTime #TalkinShop #ShopSabre #ManufacturingMotivation #BusinessGrit #CNCtips #HustleAndGrow #MindsetMatters #ShopLife #CNCrouter #entrepreneurmindset 
For over 20 years, ShopSabre CNC has provided businesses and hobbyists with the best CNC machines at the best value. By focusing on unbeatable customer service and high-quality products built in the USA, we've grown from a single machine built at home to one of the most trusted CNC machine manufacturers in the country.
Since building our first machine two decades ago, we now have over 10,000 CNC routers, plasma, and laser engraving machines in a wide variety of industries in over 40 countries. Our success is a result of our commitment to developing a better way to build CNC machines and support our customers.
ShopSabre CNC 
www.ShopSabre.com
21673 Cedar Ave, Lakeville, MN 55044
800-493-6021

Welcome back to Talking Shop with ShopSabre! In Episode 243, hosts Brandon Bombardo and Nick Peters tackle one of the most universal challenges every CNC shop owner, fabricator, and business leader faces: pressure. What if the weight of deadlines, important decisions, and growing expectations isn't a burden — but actually a privilege that signals trust, capability, and real growth in your shop?
Brandon and Nick kick things off with laughs about Nick's beach vacation, saltwater disasters, and a hilarious callback to his old "Crabby Nick" grocery store mascot days. They then answer real viewer questions from the ShopSabre community: how to hide exposed screws on garage cabinetry, why square drive screws beat Phillips head, and why ShopSabre's vacuum table uses flat-bottom channels (plus smart advice on when gaskets from All Star Gasket actually make sense).
The core of the episode reframes pressure as the natural byproduct of progress. As your CNC business scales — bigger jobs, more employees, larger investments, and a growing reputation — the pressure naturally increases. Brandon shares stories from his son's AAA hockey goalie journey and his own race car side hustle to show how pressure builds better systems, sharper focus, and stronger leadership. They discuss why experienced operators feel it less, how to keep pressure from turning into anxiety, and practical ways to manage it: prioritize ruthlessly, build repeatable processes, trust your team, and stay grounded in facts instead of emotion.
If you run a CNC machine, own a manufacturing shop, or lead a growing team, this episode will completely shift how you view the "heavy" parts of the job. Pressure isn't random — it follows your growth. Embrace it, and it becomes the force that creates real success.
[00:00] - Welcome Back & Vacation Banter with Nick Peters
[02:09] - Today's Topic: Pressure as a Privilege in Business
[04:27] - Viewer Q1: Covering Exposed Screws on Wall Cabinets
[05:40] - Viewer Q2: Why Square Drive Screws Over Phillips?
[07:11] - Viewer Q3: ShopSabre Vacuum Table Design & Gaskets Explained
[11:07] - Pressure vs Responsibility – Why It Feels Heavy
[13:58] - Personal Story: Teaching Kids (and Yourself) About Pressure
[19:05] - How Pressure Signals Growth & Change
[23:54] - Manufacturing Realities: Timelines, Tolerances & Expectations
[28:20] - Practical Tips: Prioritize, Build Systems & Trust Your Team
[32:41] - The Direct Link Between Pressure and Opportunity
[38:35] - Final Takeaway: No Pressure, No Diamonds
[43:23] - Outro with Brandon Bombardo & Nick Peters
Like this video if you're ready to turn pressure into fuel for your CNC shop's success! Drop a comment below: What's one area where you're feeling pressure right now — and how are you using it to grow?
#CNCTips #CNCShop #ShopSabre #Manufacturing #SmallBusinessGrowth #CNCBusiness #LeadershipMindset #ShopLife #MakerCommunity #Woodworking #MetalFabrication #PressureIsPrivilege #BusinessGrowth #EntrepreneurMindset #NoPressureNoDiamonds
Check out all of our equipment at https://www.shopsabre.com/
Follow us for daily CNC content
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/shopsabre
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/shopsabre
Twitter/X: https://x.com/ShopSabreCNC
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shopsabre
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shopsabre-cnc/
Like and Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more CNC router and CNC plasma cutting machine tutorials, DIY project builds, and more. We feature cutting in different materials such as wood, plastic, aluminum, and other various steels.
For over 20 years, ShopSabre CNC has provided businesses and hobbyists with the best CNC machines at the best value. By focusing on unbeatable customer service and high-quality products built in the USA, we've grown from a single machine built at home to one of the most trusted CNC machine manufacturers in the country.
Since building our first machine two decades ago, we now have over 10,000 CNC routers, plasma, and laser engraving machines in a wide variety of industries in over 40 countries. Our success is a result of our commitment to developing a better way to build CNC machines and support our customers.
ShopSabre CNC 
www.ShopSabre.com
21673 Cedar Ave, Lakeville, MN 55044
800-493-6021

Welcome back to Talking Shop with ShopSabre! In Episode 242, host Brandon Bombardo and co-host Nicholas dive deep into one of the most important — yet often overlooked — drivers of every successful CNC shop and growing business: authentic leadership.
Instead of textbook theory, this episode explores real-world leadership lessons taught on the manufacturing floor every day. From earning respect (not demanding it) to leading from the front, resolving conflict productively, making calm decisions under pressure, and building a team culture where people actually want to show up and succeed — Brandon and Nick share practical insights you can apply immediately in your shop, your business, and even your personal life.
Whether you run a CNC router, plasma, or laser operation, manage a team, or simply want to become a better leader, this conversation delivers honest, no-fluff advice grounded in the realities of deadlines, machine breakdowns, customer demands, and daily shop-floor chaos.
What you'll learn in this episode:
Why true leadership is earned through participation, not titles
How to handle conflict without yelling or creating fear
The power of clear expectations and consistent support
Why hesitation costs more than imperfect decisions
How accountability paired with respect builds stronger teams
Leadership principles that translate from the shop floor to family and life
If you're a CNC machinist, shop owner, fabricator, or anyone in manufacturing looking to level up your leadership game, this episode is for you.
👍 Like if you believe great leaders work alongside their team
💬 Comment: What's the best leadership lesson the shop floor ever taught YOU?
🛠️ Subscribe and hit the bell — new episodes drop weekly!
Check out all of our equipment at https://www.shopsabre.com/
Timestamps
[00:00] - Welcome to Talking Shop with ShopSabre Ep 242
[00:22] - Introducing today's topic: Real Leadership in Manufacturing
[02:07] - What does leadership actually mean on the shop floor?
[05:14] - Why manufacturing teaches leadership better than any classroom
[13:13] - Leadership is earned, not assigned — respect vs title
[16:01] - Handling conflict productively (the 3-strikes approach)
[22:13] - Creating real motivation beyond posters and paychecks
[25:40] - Decision-making under pressure — why hesitation hurts
[30:10] - Accountability without blame: building psychological safety
[35:08] - Patience, consistency, and staying a student of the craft
[39:21] - Motivational quote of the week + final thoughts
[44:33] - Wrap-up and vacation banter
#CNCLife #CNCmachining #ShopSabre #ManufacturingLeadership #LeadershipLessons #CNCShop #MachineShop #SmallBusinessTips #ShopFloorWisdom #TradeSkills #CNCbusiness #LeadershipDevelopment #ManufacturingTips #MadeInUSA #WoodworkingCNC

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Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/shopsabre
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/shopsabre
Twitter/X: https://x.com/ShopSabreCNC
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shopsabre
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shopsabre-cnc/
Like and Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more CNC router and CNC plasma cutting machine tutorials, DIY project builds, and more. We feature cutting in different materials such as wood, plastic, aluminum, and other various steels.
For over 20 years, ShopSabre CNC has provided businesses and hobbyists with the best CNC machines at the best value. By focusing on unbeatable customer service and high-quality products built in the USA, we've grown from a single machine built at home to one of the most trusted CNC machine manufacturers in the country.
Since building our first machine two decades ago, we now have over 10,000 CNC routers, plasma, and laser engraving machines in a wide variety of industries in over 40 countries. Our success is a result of our commitment to developing a better way to build CNC machines and support our customers.
ShopSabre CNC 
www.ShopSabre.com
21673 Cedar Ave, Lakeville, MN 55044
800-493-6021

Are you a small CNC shop owner feeling like a tiny player in a massive manufacturing world? In Episode 241 of Talking Shop with ShopSabre, hosts Brandon Bombardo and "Vacation Nick" prove that small businesses aren't just surviving—they're the backbone driving real innovation, agility, and local economies. 
Kicking off with a hilarious (and snowy) morning mishap story, the guys dive straight into listener Q&A: best tools for scanning boat/truck templates (Proliner scanner recommendation), securing spoil boards on CNC routers (vacuum + resurfacing wins), and why torch collision sensors beat breakaway mounts for plasma safety and uptime. Real-world CNC advice you can apply today.
The heart of the episode explores the unique strengths of small manufacturers—leaner operations, faster pivots, closer customer relationships, and decision-making speed that big corporations can't match. Brandon and Nick discuss challenges like economic cycles, thoughtful scaling without losing culture, smart investing (CNC upgrades over toys), and the pride of family-run shops. They emphasize resilience, avoiding fads, staying curious about automation/tech, and believing in your ability to grow. If you've ever thought "we're not big enough," this episode flips that mindset—small shops create jobs, train talent, support communities, and often outmaneuver giants through dedication and craftsmanship.
Whether you're running a garage CNC setup, family cabinet shop, or growing fabrication business, you'll walk away motivated to invest wisely, adapt to changes, and keep building something lasting.
Timestamps:
[00:00] - Blizzard Chaos & Vacation Nick Banter
[03:30] - Small Businesses: The Real Backbone of Manufacturing
[07:00] - Listener Q&A: Template Scanning for Boats/Trucks
[11:50] - Best Ways to Secure Your CNC Spoil Board
[14:10] - Torch Collision Sensor vs Breakaway Mount Explained
[17:30] - Advantages of Being a Small Manufacturer
[23:20] - Scaling Without Losing Your Shop's Soul
[26:40] - Navigating Economic Shifts as a Small Shop
[30:30] - Smart Investments: CNC Upgrades Over Boats
[35:00] - Pride, Family Legacy & Long-Term Mindset
[40:00] - Staying Competitive with Tech & Customer Focus
[43:00] - Motivational Close: Believe in Yourself
Check out all of our equipment at https://www.shopsabre.com/
Follow us for daily CNC content
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/shopsabre
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/shopsabre
Twitter/X: https://x.com/ShopSabreCNC
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shopsabre
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shopsabre-cnc/
Like and Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more CNC router and CNC plasma cutting machine tutorials, DIY project builds, and more. We feature cutting in different materials such as wood, plastic, aluminum, and other various steels.
For over 20 years, ShopSabre CNC has provided businesses and hobbyists with the best CNC machines at the best value. By focusing on unbeatable customer service and high-quality products built in the USA, we've grown from a single machine built at home to one of the most trusted CNC machine manufacturers in the country.
Since building our first machine two decades ago, we now have over 10,000 CNC routers, plasma, and laser engraving machines in a wide variety of industries in over 40 countries. Our success is a result of our commitment to developing a better way to build CNC machines and support our customers.
ShopSabre CNC 
www.ShopSabre.com
21673 Cedar Ave, Lakeville, MN 55044
800-493-6021