Parts Department cover art

Parts Department

Parts Department

By: Justin Brouillette & Jem Freeman
Listen for free

About this listen

 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.partsCopyright 2026 Justin Brouillette & Jem Freeman Economics Leadership Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • 174 - Spreadsheet Queens

    174 - Spreadsheet Queens
    Mar 17 2026
    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
    Show More Show Less
    53 mins
  • 173 - $65,000 and a brick

    173 - $65,000 and a brick
    Mar 10 2026

    Jem quoted big this week while glued to his desk, ditching ChatGPT for Claude and getting his staff into Cursor. His parkour bricked iPhone became surprisingly zen. Justin scored a Tormach autosaw from Seattle, and he's hiring a Shop Coordinator. Both are wrestling with Xero bookkeeping.

    Watch on Youtube

    DISCUSSED:

    ✍️ Comment or Suggest a Topic

    1. Soggy phone delights ꘎
    2. Dumping Chatty G
    3. New role at PDX CNC - Shop Coordinator
    4. Justin steals a bandsaw - Tormach AF50+
    5. Reconciling should be automatic by now surely!?
    6. Robots via Cursor?
    7. Getting staff into AI workflows - Jon into Cursor
    8. AirShop - Bulk imports, quote billing new

    ---

    Profit First Playlist

    Classic Episodes Playlist

    ---

    SUPPORT THE SHOW

    • Become a Patreon - Get the Secret Show
    • Review on Apple Podcast
    • Share with a Friend

    Discuss on Show Subreddit

    Show Info

    • Show Website
    • Contact Jem & Justin
    • Instagram | Tiktok | Facebook | Youtube

    Please note: Show notes contains affiliate links.


    HOSTS

    Jem Freeman

    Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia

    Like Butter | Instagram | More Links


    Justin Brouillette

    Portland, Oregon, USA

    PDX CNC | Instagram | More Links
    Show More Show Less
    44 mins
  • 172 - One-click kanban glory

    172 - One-click kanban glory
    Mar 3 2026
    Jem's rocking top-tier muffs that isolate a screaming spindle while the guys talk one-click Kanban card glory. They discuss the magic of good- documentation, fighting AI amnesia with markdown, and the logistics of shipping PS2 kits to the States. From bike-ride domain buys to handling trade apathy, it's a heavy look at refining the systems that keep a modern shop running.Watch on YoutubeDISCUSSED:✍️ Comment or Suggest a TopicCommunication in the trades, what the actual fuck? ꘎Are you driving Cursor remotely? ꘎Dylan got good muff recommendation ꘎Gemini Lead Interview Youtube @Justin Brouillette HA Dashboard for Bambuinput.buttonAirShop upatesNew Docs site 😍6 months 50% off currently!Kanban carding / printersQR Scanners are amazingPS2 Launch---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
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 1 min
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.