# An Interview with John Saunders

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2018-02-11
- Length: 1h 24m
- Episode: 379
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-02-11-an-interview-with-john-saunders
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/379-an-interview-with-john-saunders/

## Summary

John Saunders, founder of Saunders Machine Works and host of the NYC CNC YouTube channel, discusses the transition from hobbyist machining to running a manufacturing business and training company. He advocates for Fusion 360 as the optimal parametric CAD tool for hardware entrepreneurs, contrasting it with SolidWorks and Rhino, and explains how to design for manufacturability using services like Xometry and ProtoLabs. Saunders details the practical aspects of CNC machining, including workholding, speeds and feeds, and material selection, while sharing insights on building a brand through educational content and on-site training.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-02-11-an-interview-with-john-saunders#t=0) Introduction: John Saunders and Parametric CAD
- [3:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-02-11-an-interview-with-john-saunders#t=229) NYC CNC YouTube Channel and Makerspace History
- [7:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-02-11-an-interview-with-john-saunders#t=473) Saunders Machine Works and On-Site Training Business
- [13:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-02-11-an-interview-with-john-saunders#t=785) Machining Basics: 2.5 Axis, Workholding, and Materials
- [28:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-02-11-an-interview-with-john-saunders#t=1707) CAD Software Comparison: Fusion 360 vs. SolidWorks and Rhino
- [36:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-02-11-an-interview-with-john-saunders#t=2188) Manufacturing Processes: Injection Molding and Low-Volume Production
- [43:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-02-11-an-interview-with-john-saunders#t=2635) Cloud CAD: Fusion 360 vs. Onshape and Offline Workflows
- [51:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-02-11-an-interview-with-john-saunders#t=3088) Design for Manufacturing: Xometry, ProtoLabs, and Feedback Loops
- [1:04:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-02-11-an-interview-with-john-saunders#t=3872) Open Source CAD and Electronics Integration with Arduino
- [1:14:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-02-11-an-interview-with-john-saunders#t=4457) Business of Machining Podcast and Community Resources

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Saunders Machine Works (company)
- NYC CNC (other)
- Fusion 360 (tool)
- SolidWorks (tool)
- Onshape (tool)
- Rhino (tool)
- Xometry (company)
- ProtoLabs (company)
- eMachineShop (company)
- Tormach (product)
- Arduino (chip)
- Pocket NC (product)
- Dream Catcher (tool)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Episode 261: Our Favorite Tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2020-05-15-episode-261-our-favorite-tools) (Making It)
- [325: Hasn't Been R2D2'd](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-03-26-325-hasnt-been-r2d2d) (Embedded.fm)
- [461: Check Out My Immune System!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2024-11-08-461-check-out-my-immune-system) (Making It)
- [454: Getting Dressed With A Door Open](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2024-09-13-454-getting-dressed-with-a-door-open) (Making It)
- [471: One Zombie Hand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2025-02-14-471-one-zombie-hand) (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/the-amp-hour/2018-02-11-an-interview-with-john-saunders. 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 The Amp Hour.