Practical Machinist

When a broken back ended his pro motocross career, John Dillehay didn't put down his dreams—he machined new ones. Now he's turning digital concepts into mechanical masterpieces right from his garage in Texas.

In 'The CAM Files,' John isn't here to walk you through software menus or recite the basics. He's sharing the real stuff: attacking complex geometries, avoiding tool crashes, and all those hard-earned 'wish someone told me sooner' secrets from years at the controls.

🤔Remember the satisfaction of watching that perfect finish pass reveal exactly what you visualized in CAD?
That's the feeling driving each episode—where art meets algorithm, and programming transforms into performance.

❓What part have you been itching to machine but can't quite figure out the approach?
❓What toolpath challenges keep you second-guessing your approach?
❓Which complex features make you rethink your CAM strategy entirely?

⬇️ Drop your ideas below—because the best programming insights come from our collective shop floor wisdom.

Subscribe and check out 'THE CAM FILES' on our YouTube channel now for machining strategies you won't find in any manual!
📺 www.youtube.com/playlist?list...

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 12

Practical Machinist

👇🏻 SHARE WITH US!
Where do you listen to The Impractical Machinist podcast? 🎙️
We want to know where you're tuning in!

1 month ago | [YT] | 6

Practical Machinist

👇🏻 SHARE WITH US!
When do you usually hit play on YouTube? 📺

1 month ago | [YT] | 9

Practical Machinist

👇🏻 SHARE WITH US!
When's your go-to time for tuning into podcasts? 🎙️🎧

1 month ago | [YT] | 10

Practical Machinist

❓What defines success in the machining trade for you? ⚙️
In our latest podcast, Patrick asks, 'Do you consider yourself successful?' and dives into what success really means on the shop floor. They also cover deep hole drilling, unusual threads in aerospace, tool grinding, and even the challenges of keeping your lathe chuck greased.
Tune in to the podcast and let us know in the comments – what does success mean to you?
🎙️ https://youtu.be/5IXuIXf9qao

1 month ago | [YT] | 11

Practical Machinist

We Want Your Input! 🛠️

Hey, Practical Machinist community! 👋

What machining content or topics would you love to see more on our channel? Whether it’s shop tours, advanced techniques, tool reviews, CNC programming tips, or anything else, we want to hear from you!

💬 Drop your ideas in the comments below or vote in the poll!

3 months ago | [YT] | 19

Practical Machinist

🎙️ THREAD MILLING vs. TAPPING 💥

What’s your go-to method for threading holes in your shop? 🤔
💬 Cast your vote in the poll and tell us what works best for you! Then, tune in to the latest episode of the Impractical Machinists Podcast to hear why they choose one method over the other and the challenges that come with both: https://youtu.be/tNoXAnyVU1E

3 months ago | [YT] | 10

Practical Machinist

What’s the biggest challenge in your shop right now? 🤔
What’s your answer to the poll question?
We’ll touch on ALL these topics in our latest podcast episode - https://youtu.be/sjgJfzDJJLU 🎙️
Vote and let us know in the comments! 👇

4 months ago | [YT] | 8

Practical Machinist

💡 Did you know SPINNER CNC machines pack incredible machining power into a compact footprint?

We visited their factory in Germany to explore these innovative machines and see why they’re making waves in the industry. From multi-axis versatility to smart automation, SPINNER is redefining what small machines can do!

👉 See why these machines stand out!

Would you bring a SPINNER machine into your shop? Let’s hear your thoughts! 👇

5 months ago | [YT] | 7

Practical Machinist

What part of a yearly CNC maintenance routine interests you the most? (Watch the video to see how Shawn tackles each task: https://youtu.be/Ey8h7Xugbbg

5 months ago | [YT] | 14