# Lights Out at 20: Inside a One-Man, Multi-Axis Machine Shop with Michael King, Ep #33

- Show: [Lights Out](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out)
- Published: 2026-01-30
- Length: 52m
- Episode: 33
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-01-30-lights-out-at-20-inside-a-one-man-multi-axis-machine-shop-with-michael-king-ep-3
- Listen: https://8819970d-2c51-481c-b08a-4d2a806885b2.libsyn.com/lights-out-at-20-inside-a-one-man-multi-axis-machine-shop-with-michael-king-ep-33

## Summary

Michael King, founder of Munkworks, explains how he built a profitable, one-person multi-axis machine shop by prioritizing automation and time freedom over traditional apprenticeships or rapid hiring. He details his transition from 3D printing to machining, his decision to buy a Haas DM2 and a used Matsura without a pallet pool, and his strategy of using bar feeders and high-density workholding to run parts overnight. King shares practical advice for other shop owners on maximizing existing equipment, avoiding 'dinosaur vices,' and leveraging online resources like Titans of CNC to learn skills without formal training.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-01-30-lights-out-at-20-inside-a-one-man-multi-axis-machine-shop-with-michael-king-ep-3#t=0) Introduction and Michael King's Background
- [4:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-01-30-lights-out-at-20-inside-a-one-man-multi-axis-machine-shop-with-michael-king-ep-3#t=291) From RC Planes and 3D Printing to Machining
- [13:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-01-30-lights-out-at-20-inside-a-one-man-multi-axis-machine-shop-with-michael-king-ep-3#t=804) Starting Munkworks and the First Haas DM2
- [17:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-01-30-lights-out-at-20-inside-a-one-man-multi-axis-machine-shop-with-michael-king-ep-3#t=1028) Moving the Shop from Tennessee to Idaho
- [24:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-01-30-lights-out-at-20-inside-a-one-man-multi-axis-machine-shop-with-michael-king-ep-3#t=1443) Automation Strategy: Matsura and Lathe Bar Feeders
- [29:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-01-30-lights-out-at-20-inside-a-one-man-multi-axis-machine-shop-with-michael-king-ep-3#t=1776) First Lights-Out Wins and Family Priorities
- [34:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-01-30-lights-out-at-20-inside-a-one-man-multi-axis-machine-shop-with-michael-king-ep-3#t=2082) Scaling Goals and Advice for Other Shop Owners

## Topics

- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Munkworks (company)
- Haas DM2 (product)
- Matsura (product)
- Hoss SC 20 Y (product)
- Titans of CNC (other)
- SMW Autoblok (company)
- Factur (company)
- With Tolerance (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [462: I’M KING OF THE TURKEYS!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2024-11-15-462-im-king-of-the-turkeys) (Making It)
- [Episode 063: $2000 to start over](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2016-03-18-episode-063-2000-to-start-over) (Making It)
- [An Interview with John Saunders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-02-11-an-interview-with-john-saunders) (The Amp Hour)
- [226: Building a Community of Machine Shop Entrepreneurs Featuring Russell Winter, Founder of US MFG](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-03-04-226-building-a-community-of-machine-shop-entrepreneurs-featuring-russell-winter) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Episode 248: The old man and the leaky pipes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2020-02-14-episode-248-the-old-man-and-the-leaky-pipes) (Making It)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-01-30-lights-out-at-20-inside-a-one-man-multi-axis-machine-shop-with-michael-king-ep-3. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Lights Out.