Sound in a shop is more important than you might think, as Andrew and Jay discuss in this episode. They swap stories about soundproofing strategies, and why one bad cut can be heard across the room. Along the way, they compare notes on how tools like Plaud, ChatGPT, and Zapier are actually being used in the shop—not just as shiny toys, but as part of daily workflows that save time and reduce mental clutter.

They also get into air system upgrades, why machine noise wears you down more than you think, and what it means when your team can stop a cycle just because “it doesn’t sound right.” Whether you’re chasing better processes or just trying to make your shop a little less chaotic, there’s something here for you.

Jay and Andrew dig into the evolving landscape of remote work—what’s working, what’s not, and how their companies have adapted with distributed teams. From time zone headaches and culture-building tactics to tool stacks like Trello, Asana, Signal, and Loom, they discuss the real-life challenges of managing modern manufacturing and design teams remotely.

The guys explore the balance between asynchronous freedom and real-time collaboration, debate Airbnb and tiny homes for remote worker lodging, and share their philosophies on deadlines, productivity, and internal documentation. You’ll also hear practical tips for automating daily updates, managing hybrid workflows, and creating a high-trust culture.

Today we talk practical applications of lean manufacturing, including smarter air management for CNC machines, efficient shipping workflows, and the role of AI in documenting standard operating procedures. Andrew shares the highs and lows of integrating his new Matsuura—complete with GoPro hacks, networking woes, and the importance of psychological design tweaks like turning keys into knobs.

Book Mentioned:

The Amateur’s Mind: Turning Chess Misconceptions Into Chess Mastery by Jeremy Silman

In today’s solo episode, Andrew goes deep on the new Matsuura MX installation at Henry Holsters. He answers key questions about why they chose the MX over the MAM series, the tooling strategies they’ve implemented, and how they’re deciding which parts transition from the Brother machines to the new five-axis setup.

He discusses the pros and cons of the MX’s pallet pool design, the transition to Rego-Fix PowerGrip tool holders, and how the investment in high-speed prototyping is paying off. Andrew also opens up about the long and sometimes stressful journey of navigating tax abatements, government paperwork, and the logistics of installing a machine of this scale. Plus, he shares lessons learned, hidden challenges of the installation process, and how they’re maximizing the Matsuura’s production capabilities going forward.

Jay and Andrew discuss the value of getting your hands dirty—and how doing so can give you fresh eyes on your business. Jay shares what it’s been like stepping back into a department he hasn’t worked in for years, spotting process drift, and rediscovering the satisfaction of lean improvements. Andrew relates his own experiences revisiting old stations and realizing just how much clarity comes from reengaging directly with the work. Along the way, they talk through the pitfalls of stale systems, how to balance small improvements with big strategic goals, and why owner involvement still matters. They also riff on the weird dreams machinists have, poke fun at boilerplate private equity emails, and discuss the tension between freedom and cash when it comes to selling a business. The conversation wraps with thoughts on the promise of AI tools like PLAUD and Fulcrum.

Andrew leads Jay through the surprisingly complicated world of modular pistols—and what it can teach us about running a lean, efficient shop. What starts as a chat about concealed carry and SIG’s infamous P365 series turns into a full-blown deep dive into systems thinking, SKU overload, and why bad product naming can crush your workflow.

Andrew unpacks how chaos in the holster industry mirrors challenges in manufacturing. He also shares how his team is using AI and smart documentation to streamline customer service and reduce confusion—something every shop owner can learn from.

Andrew and Jay get real about one of the biggest headaches in the shop: waiting on other people. Whether it’s parts, processes, or just plain slow responses, Other People’s Lead Times (OPLT) can absolutely wreck your schedule. They talk through the tension between outsourcing and staying lean vs. trying to control the whole process. Would Henry-Ford style vertical integration ever be worth it? Plus tariff talk, the dark side of lean, and so much more.

Andrew and Jay dive into lessons from an improv-based leadership workshop—like how body language and silence shape communication. They explore “last-letter listening,” a simple but powerful game to build better habits in conversations. Then the discussion shifts to process drift, shop floor improvements, and the ongoing battle between order and entropy. Along the way: clear bins, label makers, expanding facilities, Formula 1 fandom, and why every machinist should probably watch some racing.