Parts Department

Hosted by Justin Brouillette & Jem Freeman

Business Entrepreneurship Leisure HobbiesInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

184

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

About the show

Justin Brouillette (Portland CNC) & Jem Freeman (Like Butter) discuss CNC machines, their product design and manufacturing businesses, and every kind of tool that they fancy. Show Website - https://dept.parts

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 16, 202646 min

183 - Hoarding unfinished projects

Justin makes himself a 5-axis trophy and a quick YouTube shop tour and tests his Gimbel CoolantClear. Jem survives a short production week down a person, rants about builder POs and spirals into late-night Rhino scripting with Cursor. Plus bot orders, prototype hoarding, and the emotional weight of unfinished projects. Also, sea shanties.Watch on YoutubeDISCUSSED:✍️ Comment or Suggest a TopicDispatch is a mess, need a LEAN makeover, how much do I own other people's jobs, fuck it I'll just do it myself, max capacity yet still no money left, brain overwhelm and other stories. ꘎Rhino script intervention needed... ꘎Fast Shop Tour - PDX CNCALL 5 AXIS videoFU: CAD models availableWe are not agreeing to your PO termsRoderick on the Line Ep 628 All hoarding is emotional... But the real weight on me is the hoarding of my own unfinished projects---Profit First PlaylistClassic Episodes Playlist---SUPPORT THE SHOWBecome a Patreon - Get the Secret ShowReview on Apple Podcast Share with a FriendDiscuss on Show SubredditShow InfoShow WebsiteContact Jem & JustinInstagram | Tiktok | Facebook | YoutubePlease note: Show notes contains affiliate links.HOSTSJem FreemanCastlemaine, Victoria, AustraliaLike Butter | Instagram | More LinksJustin BrouillettePortland, Oregon, USAPDX CNC | Instagram | More Links

June 9, 202648 min

182 - Droppin' drawers & doors

Justin migrates from Squarespace to Shopify (finally!), accidentally nukes his navigation menus with AI, and drops $1,200 on used Lista cabinets. Jem wraps up 10 months of robot programming, ships his first four-shelf new robot sanding programs.Watch on YoutubeDISCUSSED:✍️ Comment or Suggest a TopicMigrated the Blog!Lost my menusBig Ass CNCCROSkills skills skills ꘎CavemanAirShop UpdatesDoorBT40 Tool Tag TowerAutodesk visit - MCP---Profit First PlaylistClassic Episodes Playlist---SUPPORT THE SHOWBecome a Patreon - Get the Secret ShowReview on Apple Podcast Share with a FriendDiscuss on Show SubredditShow InfoShow WebsiteContact Jem & JustinInstagram | Tiktok | Facebook | YoutubePlease note: Show notes contains affiliate links.HOSTSJem FreemanCastlemaine, Victoria, AustraliaLike Butter | Instagram | More LinksJustin BrouillettePortland, Oregon, USAPDX CNC | Instagram | More Links

May 26, 20261 hr 10 min

181 - Please vibe responsibly ft. Justin Gray

Justin Gray joins Jem and Justin to talk vibe coding, from NASA open source to CNC tool library nightmares. They riff on AI security traps, why machinists need GitHub, and the chaos of managing 400 tool holders. Plus toddler nostril emergencies and why pie charts are almost never okay.Watch on YoutubeDISCUSSED:✍️ Comment or Suggest a TopicJustin Gray of Justin Gray Labs - formerly of ToolpathJustin's Vibe Kit - https://justingraylabs.com/store/vibe-coding/@JustinGrayLabsNASA project - OpenMDAO.orgTell us about your shop, machines, and plans?Tool librarieshttps://latenightcommits.comVibe codingVibe coding is the next abstraction (assembly to programming langauge now to AI coding)How do you feel about it? Does it have a bad taste?Supply chain attackLiberatedLet your Fusion posts - auto-update?---Profit First PlaylistClassic Episodes Playlist---SUPPORT THE SHOWBecome a Patreon - Get the Secret ShowReview on Apple Podcast Share with a FriendDiscuss on Show SubredditShow InfoShow WebsiteContact Jem & JustinInstagram | Tiktok | Facebook | YoutubePlease note: Show notes contains affiliate links.HOSTSJem FreemanCastlemaine, Victoria, AustraliaLike Butter | Instagram | More LinksJustin BrouillettePortland, Oregon, USAPDX CNC | Instagram | More Links

May 19, 20261 hr 3 min

180 - 50% up, scattered AF

Justin just crushed a record sale. Jem is actively avoiding his books. Together they navigate code benders, steel headaches, and the beautiful disaster of trying to keep a shop running.Watch on YoutubeDISCUSSED:✍️ Comment or Suggest a TopicAddicted to tokens, Jonny tooNever bookkeeping againClaude Code first impressionsBrain fog, how to leave breadcrumbsBig Ass Sale progress? No donkeys this year? Photo flat lay excellencePoka-yoke frustrationsDispatch is a hell hole - missed the showGoogle Home Mini - 3 more plzterminal.shop – https://www.terminal.shopJustin Gray - upcomingHow to make tabbed parts look good?---Profit First PlaylistClassic Episodes Playlist---SUPPORT THE SHOWBecome a Patreon - Get the Secret ShowReview on Apple Podcast Share with a FriendDiscuss on Show SubredditShow InfoShow WebsiteContact Jem & JustinInstagram | Tiktok | Facebook | YoutubePlease note: Show notes contains affiliate links.HOSTSJem FreemanCastlemaine, Victoria, AustraliaLike Butter | Instagram | More LinksJustin BrouillettePortland, Oregon, USAPDX CNC | Instagram | More Links

May 5, 202646 min

179 - Bill me later, daddy

Justin caught a facing issue on fresh UMC pallets before they could ruin parts, while his Shopboard reel blew up on Instagram. Jem survived a surprise WorkSafe inspection and a brutal $8k robot service bill. The guys talk selling out of ATC Pedestals, $5 McMaster parts versus Haas tax, custom ERP dashboards, and a new quest for decent video editing help. Home Assistant just works.Watch on YoutubeDISCUSSED:✍️ Comment or Suggest a TopicShopboard goes off, AirShop integrated$5 skimmer belts on McMaster from Langerman Machine #9452K451Dumb setup for dumb reasonWorkSafe visit (OSHA)Robot maintenance?Justin requests:Video Editing rec?Industrial Engineer rec? IANAE (like IANAL)Lutron Pico 🧑‍🍳💋Shelly 1PMDashboards---Profit First PlaylistClassic Episodes Playlist---SUPPORT THE SHOWBecome a Patreon - Get the Secret ShowReview on Apple Podcast Share with a FriendDiscuss on Show SubredditShow InfoShow WebsiteContact Jem & JustinInstagram | Tiktok | Facebook | YoutubePlease note: Show notes contains affiliate links.HOSTSJem FreemanCastlemaine, Victoria, AustraliaLike Butter | Instagram | More LinksJustin BrouillettePortland, Oregon, USAPDX CNC | Instagram | More Links

April 28, 202652 min

178 - A popup worth thousands

Jem powers through a sick week and sales slump while Justin accidentally nukes his revenue with a premature sale popup. They swap stories about migrating to Obsidian, testing Parakeet voice dictation, and rant about industrial e-commerce still living in 2005. Also: Allbirds going full GPU, Cursor buyout fears, and why keeping credit cards on scrap paper is a bad idea.Watch on YoutubeDISCUSSED:✍️ Comment or Suggest a TopicUMC shop organizationSick DaddyI killed our salesBuy now, think laterInternet debrisTypeWhisper free / MacWhisperObsidianBack to the Cloud 2.0AllBirds -> AICursor toLack of grip will do thatPumpkin PlanJustin's rant: State of Ecommerce in MFG industryApproved to order 🤦‍♂️Prices not public 🤦‍♂️Added addresses prior to approval🤦‍♂️"wait up to next hour till addresses live"No idea what shipping costs 🤦‍♂️I might as well send in a telegram for an order and wait a fortnight for a response---Profit First PlaylistClassic Episodes Playlist---SUPPORT THE SHOWBecome a Patreon - Get the Secret ShowReview on Apple Podcast Share with a FriendDiscuss on Show SubredditShow InfoShow WebsiteContact Jem & JustinInstagram | Tiktok | Facebook | YoutubePlease note: Show notes contains affiliate links.HOSTSJem FreemanCastlemaine, Victoria, AustraliaLike Butter | Instagram | More LinksJustin BrouillettePortland, Oregon, USAPDX CNC | Instagram | More Links

April 14, 20261 hr 8 min

177 - Chippy, don't do it

Justin wrestles with a backwards-wired Tormach AF50 saw and delegates tasks to his new hire. Jem rebuilds his job management system on a local server. They discuss 150% increase in aluminum, meeting fatigue, and their skepticism about SimTheory's Canva acquisition. Roomba learning to clean pegboard.Watch on YoutubeDISCUSSED:✍️ Comment or Suggest a TopicTormach AF50 Saw, no buenoLinux server?ShopboardTraction - Issues List150% increase cost AluminumSimtheory bought by Canva---Profit First PlaylistClassic Episodes Playlist---SUPPORT THE SHOWBecome a Patreon - Get the Secret ShowReview on Apple Podcast Share with a FriendDiscuss on Show SubredditShow InfoShow WebsiteContact Jem & JustinInstagram | Tiktok | Facebook | YoutubePlease note: Show notes contains affiliate links.HOSTSJem FreemanCastlemaine, Victoria, AustraliaLike Butter | Instagram | More LinksJustin BrouillettePortland, Oregon, USAPDX CNC | Instagram | More Links

March 31, 202649 min

176 - We don't sell to inch people

Justin hires his first office employee, Jem catches up on emails using Cursor, and both discuss the challenges of delegating tasks in their growing businesses of delegating tasks in their growing businesses. They cover AirShop new features and a big milestone, 3D printer mishaps, expensive robot maintenance, profit-first accounting discipline, and building new custom product configurators.Watch on YoutubeDISCUSSED:✍️ Comment or Suggest a Topic577 daysStrict 7-day flow working wellCursor inbox catchupDelegation (email?)The Shelves draftedJustin hiring?PS2 Boxed UpRobot service in progress, they old---Profit First PlaylistClassic Episodes Playlist---SUPPORT THE SHOWBecome a Patreon - Get the Secret ShowReview on Apple Podcast Share with a FriendDiscuss on Show SubredditShow InfoShow WebsiteContact Jem & JustinInstagram | Tiktok | Facebook | YoutubePlease note: Show notes contains affiliate links.HOSTSJem FreemanCastlemaine, Victoria, AustraliaLike Butter | Instagram | More LinksJustin BrouillettePortland, Oregon, USAPDX CNC | Instagram | More Links

March 24, 202657 min

175 - Trenchcoat tool tags

Justin and Jem weigh up if expensive trade shows are worth the $15k entry or if walking the floor with a "trench coat" of products is the smarter play. Between squashing bugs in the kitchen and mourning 62% price hikes on magnets, they tackle the absolute loop of shittness that is FedEx losing custom plywood shelves. Plus, Justin notices used Mac prices are on the rise and orders a cardboard shredder.Watch on YoutubeDISCUSSED:✍️ Comment or Suggest a TopicTool Show FUThick dentistBuy Kitta Parts in US [PLACEHOLDER]Buy Macs, like holding goldMatthew's Simple Wood Goods Edge SanderYoutube Playlist of our SongsBenn Jordan audio prompt injectionCardboard Expander---Profit First PlaylistClassic Episodes Playlist---SUPPORT THE SHOWBecome a Patreon - Get the Secret ShowReview on Apple Podcast Share with a FriendDiscuss on Show SubredditShow InfoShow WebsiteContact Jem & JustinInstagram | Tiktok | Facebook | YoutubePlease note: Show notes contains affiliate links.HOSTSJem FreemanCastlemaine, Victoria, AustraliaLike Butter | Instagram | More LinksJustin BrouillettePortland, Oregon, USAPDX CNC | Instagram | More Links

March 17, 202653 min

174 - Spreadsheet Queens

Jem and Justin chat about complicated speaker parts, CAM programming headaches, and why wood routing feels less reliable than metal work. They geek out over Joe Roggenbuck's knowledge-sharing channel, discuss Jem's new Profit First spreadsheet rebuild (RIP Laura), and explore hiring challenges for a growing team. Plus: trade shows, work stops, and late-night coding sessions as a form of meditation.Watch on YoutubeDISCUSSED:✍️ Comment or Suggest a TopicTwo Years of Profit FirstSpreadsheet rebuild, first AI redundancyCobra HQ Plus - good simple machine shop content from Joe Roggenbuck @cobraframebuildingKittaParts Builder v3 - test deployed hereTrying to consolidate or just making excuses?AirShop Start a Trial now availableAirShop to Fusion in 2-clicksGoing to tool shows?Mercury bank---Profit First PlaylistClassic Episodes Playlist---SUPPORT THE SHOWBecome a Patreon - Get the Secret ShowReview on Apple Podcast Share with a FriendDiscuss on Show SubredditShow InfoShow WebsiteContact Jem & JustinInstagram | Tiktok | Facebook | YoutubePlease note: Show notes contains affiliate links.HOSTSJem FreemanCastlemaine, Victoria, AustraliaLike Butter | Instagram | More LinksJustin BrouillettePortland, Oregon, USAPDX CNC | Instagram | More Links