Talkin Shop with ShopSabre

ShopSabre

The official Talkin Shop with ShopSabre podcast hosted by Brandon Bombardo from ShopSabre covers all things CNC. Covered will be a variety of CNC topics, discussions, tips, tricks, humor, and collaborations with other industry professionals. If you have an interest in CNC Routers or CNC Plasma machines, this is a podcast for you! We are excited to help you learn more about CNC Machines and what American Made Technology is all about. Tune in weekly for new episodes and joint he adventure. Learn More and Follow Us: https://www.instagram.com/shopsabre/ https://www.facebook.com/Shopsabre www.youtube.com/shopsabre www.shopsabre.com

  1. 4 hr ago

    AI Won't Fix Your Shop (Here's What Will) | Ep 263

    AI can write your emails. It can't cut your parts. If AI is speeding up your quoting while your shop floor falls further behind, this episode is for you. In Episode 263 of Talkin' Shop with ShopSabre, Brandon Bombardo and Nick Peters get past the cartoons, fake posts, and auto-written emails and talk about where AI actually earns its keep in a manufacturing business. Think quotes, customer inquiries, production schedules, inventory, training docs, and all the behind-the-scenes work that keeps your shop moving and never gets the credit. They also get real about what AI can't do. It won't fix a messy process. It won't turn a bad job into a profitable one. And if you hand it the keys without checking its work, you'll find out the hard way. Where is AI actually helping your shop right now, and where is it falling flat? Tell us in the comments. Hit like if this one made you rethink your workflow, and subscribe so you never miss an episode of Talkin' Shop. Get a Quote Today: https://www.shopsabre.com/get-a-quote/ Explore ShopSabre Equipment: https://www.shopsabre.com/ Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@shopsabre Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopsabre/ Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Shopsabre

  2. 14 Oct

    The 3-Month Mistake Costing CNC Shops Money | Ep 262

    Stop waiting until January to upgrade your CNC shop, or you will hand your competitors a massive three-month head start. Most shop owners get to October and write off the rest of the year. They tell themselves they will figure out new equipment, shop layouts, and hiring after January 1st. When you wait until January to start researching a new CNC router, plasma table, or fiber laser, you get stuck in longer lead times and vendor price increases. By the time your machine is delivered, installed, and your crew is trained, you have burned half the year just trying to catch up. In Episode 262 of Talkin' Shop, Brandon Bombardo and Nick Peters break down how to use the final months of the year to fix your cost structure, bring outsourced work like cabinet cutting in-house, and hit Q1 at full production speed. Plus, the guys answer listener questions on Republic vs. F-4 vacuum pumps, mounting MDF spoilboards without screws or glue, and when to step up from a 2kW to a 6kW fiber laser. What did you plan at the end of last year that created real growth in your shop this year? Drop your wins in the comments below, hit that like button, and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Get a Quote Today: https://www.shopsabre.com/get-a-quote/ Explore ShopSabre Equipment: https://www.shopsabre.com/ Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@shopsabre Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopsabre/ Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Shopsabre

  3. 30 Sept

    There Is No One-Size-Fits-All CNC | Ep 261

    Is there really a "best" CNC configuration? In this episode of Talkin' Shop with ShopSabre, Brandon Bombardo and Nick Peters tackle one of the biggest misconceptions when buying a CNC machine: that there is one configuration that works for every shop. They break down why the right CNC should be built around your specific materials, workflow, production volume, labor needs, floor space, budget, and long-term goals. They also discuss how options like automatic tool changers, vacuum systems, tooling capacity, drill heads, and other automation should solve real production problems rather than simply add features to a machine. If you are buying your first CNC, upgrading your current equipment, or trying to decide which options are actually worth the investment, this episode will help you think about CNC configuration from a business and production standpoint instead of simply copying what another shop is using. Plus, Brandon and Nick answer customer questions about ShopSabre's SabreMan files, why USA-built CNC frames matter, and how to choose between different vacuum pump options. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Get a Quote Today: https://www.shopsabre.com/get-a-quote/ Explore ShopSabre CNC Routers: https://www.shopsabre.com/all-cnc-routers/ Follow us for daily CNC content Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shopsabre Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopsabre X/Twitter: https://x.com/ShopSabreCNC TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shopsabre LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shopsabre-cnc/

  4. 16 Sept

    How Much Working Area Do You Really Need? | Ep 260

    What size CNC machine does your shop really need? In this episode of Talkin' Shop with ShopSabre, Brandon Bombardo and Nick Peters take on a question that sounds simple, but can have a major impact on your shop: how much working area do you actually need? They dig into the factors that often get overlooked when choosing a CNC, including machine footprint, material sizes, workflow, production demands, and where your business could be headed in the next few years. They also explore why choosing the right size involves much more than simply looking at the parts you are cutting today. If you are buying your first CNC, considering an upgrade, or trying to decide between machine sizes, this episode will give you plenty to think about before making that investment. Plus, Brandon and Nick answer customer questions about single-phase power, CNC plasma water-table maintenance, and ball screws versus rack-and-pinion systems. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Get a Quote Today: https://www.shopsabre.com/get-a-quote/ Explore ShopSabre CNC Routers: https://www.shopsabre.com/all-cnc-routers/ Follow us for daily CNC content Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shopsabre Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopsabre X/Twitter: https://x.com/ShopSabreCNC TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shopsabre LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shopsabre-cnc/

  5. 2 Sept

    Your CNC Machine Is an Employee: Why Quality Equipment Is an Extension of Your Team | Ep 259

    What if your CNC machine was not just a piece of equipment—but another employee on your team? In this episode of Talkin' Shop with ShopSabre, Brandon Bombardo and Nick Peters challenge the way businesses think about CNC equipment and explain why the lowest purchase price does not always mean the lowest long-term cost. Brandon breaks down how a CNC machine adds production capacity, consistency, accuracy, speed, and reliability to a business. Just like hiring an experienced employee, investing in higher-quality equipment can give your team more capability while reducing downtime, improving productivity, and creating room for future growth. The guys also look at the real difference between saving a few thousand dollars upfront and spreading that difference across years of production. When reliability, support, training, parts availability, and useful life are considered, the cheaper machine may not always be the less expensive decision. They also discuss why automation should not simply be viewed as replacing employees. The right equipment can make skilled employees more productive, allow them to focus on higher-value work, and give a business the capacity to take on more opportunities without immediately adding more labor. The takeaway: do not evaluate a CNC machine only by the number on the quote. Look at the productivity, reliability, support, downtime, future capacity, and value that machine can deliver over thousands of hours of ownership. Better tools make good employees more capable. Better support reduces risk. And the right CNC machine can become one of the most productive members of your team. Plus, Brandon and Nick answer customer questions about the future of CNC plasma and fiber laser technology, ShopSabre quality and customer support, and how one customer reduced a six-week production cycle to just 12 days after adding CNC automation. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Get a Quote Today: https://www.shopsabre.com/get-a-quote/ Explore ShopSabre CNC Routers: https://www.shopsabre.com/all-cnc-routers/ Follow us for daily CNC content Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shopsabre Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopsabre X/Twitter: https://x.com/ShopSabreCNC TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shopsabre LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shopsabre-cnc/

  6. 19 Aug

    The New Salesman: How Influencers Changed Marketing—and Why Trust Still Wins | Ep 258

    Should you trust the influencer—or the experience behind the message? In this episode of Talkin' Shop with ShopSabre, Brandon Bombardo and Nick Peters break down how influencers have changed modern marketing and why visibility does not always equal expertise. Customers now research products through YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, podcasts, and online communities before ever speaking with a salesperson. That can be powerful—but it also makes it harder to separate genuine experience from paid promotion. Brandon explains why the best influencers bring more than followers. They understand the industry, have real-world experience, communicate honestly, and have earned the trust of their audience. The guys also discuss the "quiet experts" who may not have huge social followings but have decades of knowledge and results behind them. The takeaway: marketing can start the conversation, but reputation, experience, and customer service determine what happens next. Experience matters. Integrity matters. Results matter. And trust still has to be earned. Plus, Brandon and Nick answer customer questions about buying new vs. used CNC equipment, helical vs. straight rack and pinion, and Mozaik vs. KCD software. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Get a Quote Today: https://www.shopsabre.com/get-a-quote/ Explore ShopSabre CNC Routers: https://www.shopsabre.com/all-cnc-routers/ Follow us for daily CNC content Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shopsabre Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopsabre X/Twitter: https://x.com/ShopSabreCNC TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shopsabre LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shopsabre-cnc/

  7. 22 Jul

    New vs. Used: Understanding Where the Real Value Is | Ep 257

    Should you buy a used CNC machine or buy new? The price tag says one thing. The next five years of ownership say something completely different. In Episode 257 of Talkin' Shop with ShopSabre, Brandon Bombardo and Nick Peters take on the question every shop owner eventually has to answer. Not just about CNC machines either. Your next truck, your next piece of equipment, your next major investment. Same trap, every time. Here is the part nobody tells you. Price is what you pay today. Value is what you actually receive over the life of what you own. Those are two completely different conversations, and confusing them is the most expensive mistake in your shop. Brandon lays out exactly what you are buying when you buy new, and it is a much longer list than steel and motors. He also gets into what you are quietly signing up for when you buy used, including the costs that do not show up until ownership starts. The guys get into the stuff that actually bites: air supply damage you cannot see, grease history you will never know, control systems that cannot connect to anything, parts that stopped being made, and the phone call you make when your machine is down and nobody has any obligation to pick up. This is not an anti-used-equipment episode. Brandon is clear that used gear has helped countless shops get started and it deserves credit for that. It is an episode about walking in with the right expectations instead of the wrong ones. Plus three customer questions, including the one Brandon takes personally. If you have ever told yourself you are not shopping on price, this one is going to sting a little. Hit like if it did. Drop a comment and tell us the last thing you bought cheap and regretted, and subscribe so you catch next week's episode. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Get a Quote Today: https://www.shopsabre.com/get-a-quote/ Explore ShopSabre CNC Routers: https://www.shopsabre.com/all-cnc-routers/ Follow us for daily CNC content Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shopsabre Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopsabre X/Twitter: https://x.com/ShopSabreCNC TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shopsabre LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shopsabre-cnc/

  8. 15 Jul

    Is Avoiding Risk Hurting Your CNC Shop? | Ep 256

    Think playing it safe protects your CNC shop? It might be the most expensive decision you never made. In this episode of Talkin' Shop, Brandon Bombardo and Nick Peters break down how real business owners weigh risk against reward, and why the shops that grow are the ones willing to move before every question has an answer.   You will hear the questions every owner wrestles with. Should you finance or pay cash for that next machine? How do you know when it is time to add a second CNC? Is the "safe" choice to wait actually leaving work and profit on the table? Brandon and Nick answer real listener questions, then get into the part nobody talks about: the true cost of a decision goes way past the dollar amount on the invoice.   They break down the cost of time, the cost of lost opportunity, and the cost of the stress you pile on your team when you refuse to invest. They explain why the cheapest option is almost never the lowest cost option, and why standing still while your competitor automates is the biggest gamble of all.   If you own a shop, run a crew, or keep putting off a big decision, this one is for you. 00:00 - Why Every Business Decision Is Really a Risk Decision 04:33 - Finance vs. Cash for CNC Equipment: Why Financing Keeps Your Cash Working 07:17 - How to Know When It's Time to Add a Second CNC Machine 11:00 - Why Zero Risk Doesn't Exist: The Real Question Is Which Risk You Accept 13:47 - The Hidden Risk of Doing Nothing: Why Standing Still Costs More Than Investing 19:27 - The True Cost Beyond the Dollar: Time, Opportunity, Operational, and Emotional Cost 22:28 - Why ShopSabre Builds In-House Instead of Importing Frames From Overseas 35:43 - The Risk-to-Reward Formula: Weighing the Realistic Worst Case Against the Upside #CNC #ShopSabre #CNCBusiness #TalkinShop #CNCMachine #CNCRouter #PlasmaTable #FiberLaser #Manufacturing #SmallBusinessTips #BusinessRisk #MadeInUSA #CNCShop #Entrepreneurship   Hit like if this hit home, drop your biggest business-risk question in the comments, and subscribe so you never miss an episode of Talkin' Shop. Discover all our CNC machines and accessories: https://www.shopsabre.com/  Follow ShopSabre for daily updates, tutorials, and expert tips:  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/  Since 2000, ShopSabre CNC has delivered high-quality CNC routers, plasma cutters, and laser engraving machines built in the USA to businesses and hobbyists worldwide. Subscribe for more insights on CNC technology, project builds, and industry-leading machine performance.

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The official Talkin Shop with ShopSabre podcast hosted by Brandon Bombardo from ShopSabre covers all things CNC. Covered will be a variety of CNC topics, discussions, tips, tricks, humor, and collaborations with other industry professionals. If you have an interest in CNC Routers or CNC Plasma machines, this is a podcast for you! We are excited to help you learn more about CNC Machines and what American Made Technology is all about. Tune in weekly for new episodes and joint he adventure. Learn More and Follow Us: https://www.instagram.com/shopsabre/ https://www.facebook.com/Shopsabre www.youtube.com/shopsabre www.shopsabre.com

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