Keeping TRAK Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/keeping-trak What is Keeping TRAK? A podcast for people who sell and support TRAK and ProtoTRAK products. Interviews, sales tips and product information.” 2024 TRAK Machine Tools 46c00787-bb0e-57bb-9e22-a4664a7e62ed yes en Tue, 24 Feb 2026 10:48:21 -0800 Tue, 24 Feb 2026 10:49:14 -0800 https://img.transistorcdn.com/MFy0mVMFB87BpKQiDJKfCEUvC2fAeWOBXAt0vQqYNBk/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8zNGI3/MzNmMjk5YTBjOTkx/NjMzNDdmOWU4MGNl/Njc0OC5qcGc.jpg Keeping TRAK episodic TRAK Machine Tools What is Keeping TRAK? A podcast for people who sell and support TRAK and ProtoTRAK products. Interviews, sales tips and product information.” What is Keeping TRAK. Steve Pinto No No Ep. 18-The control that shaped the future of CNC 18 18 Ep. 18-The control that shaped the future of CNC full c2e9f109-8a5c-4a5f-9ac5-d432ea3d3f19 https://share.transistor.fm/s/4d2188e9 What started as a simple project to get an article published in Modern Machine Shop turned into a “best case scenario” when talented editor Brent Donaldson found the true story of how the ProtoTRAK came to be. In this podcast Alyssa reads the feature article that appeared in the July 2025 issue of Modern Machine Shop that stars the ProtoTRAK as none other than “the control that shaped the future of CNC.” Yeah, baby! 

]]> What started as a simple project to get an article published in Modern Machine Shop turned into a “best case scenario” when talented editor Brent Donaldson found the true story of how the ProtoTRAK came to be. In this podcast Alyssa reads the feature article that appeared in the July 2025 issue of Modern Machine Shop that stars the ProtoTRAK as none other than “the control that shaped the future of CNC.” Yeah, baby! 

]]> Tue, 24 Feb 2026 10:48:18 -0800 TRAK Machine Tools TRAK Machine Tools 896 What started as a simple project to get an article published in Modern Machine Shop turned into a “best case scenario” when talented editor Brent Donaldson found the true story of how the ProtoTRAK came to be. In this podcast Alyssa reads the feature article that appeared in the July 2025 issue of Modern Machine Shop that stars the ProtoTRAK as none other than “the control that shaped the future of CNC.” Yeah, baby! 

]]> No Ep. 15 -TMC Selling Messages NEW 15 15 Ep. 15 -TMC Selling Messages NEW full bb4a8955-8315-4e4d-9e87-472cb6aea065 https://share.transistor.fm/s/91683c7c This newly-recorded selling messages podcast includes new details on the machine as well as an interview with two of TRAK’s ace Sales Reps - Brian Napolitano (Massachusetts) and Wayne Shoaf (Michigan). The TRAK TMC is a big opportunity for our customers to get to the next level of productivity and for us to sell a lot of machines to help them do just that. With all those ProtoTRAK Knee Mills and Bed Mills you should be delivering these messages a lot. 

]]> This newly-recorded selling messages podcast includes new details on the machine as well as an interview with two of TRAK’s ace Sales Reps - Brian Napolitano (Massachusetts) and Wayne Shoaf (Michigan). The TRAK TMC is a big opportunity for our customers to get to the next level of productivity and for us to sell a lot of machines to help them do just that. With all those ProtoTRAK Knee Mills and Bed Mills you should be delivering these messages a lot. 

]]> Mon, 24 Nov 2025 08:52:58 -0800 TRAK Machine Tools TRAK Machine Tools 2270 This newly-recorded selling messages podcast includes new details on the machine as well as an interview with two of TRAK’s ace Sales Reps - Brian Napolitano (Massachusetts) and Wayne Shoaf (Michigan). The TRAK TMC is a big opportunity for our customers to get to the next level of productivity and for us to sell a lot of machines to help them do just that. With all those ProtoTRAK Knee Mills and Bed Mills you should be delivering these messages a lot. 

]]> No Ep. 14-The Challenges of Creating Sophisticated Software part 2 - Interview with John Ballent 17 17 Ep. 14-The Challenges of Creating Sophisticated Software part 2 - Interview with John Ballent full c300460b-7c4a-4a70-acac-a75396308e4f https://share.transistor.fm/s/d8df9d10 In this episode, Alyssa interviews John Ballent to continue our exploration of the process of making software. John takes us behind the scenes for a fascinating inside look into the world of professional software development. This podcast includes explanations for the origin and resolution of the recent “Blue Screen” problem as well as an explanation for how (and why) Engineering creates and distributes different software versions. 

]]> In this episode, Alyssa interviews John Ballent to continue our exploration of the process of making software. John takes us behind the scenes for a fascinating inside look into the world of professional software development. This podcast includes explanations for the origin and resolution of the recent “Blue Screen” problem as well as an explanation for how (and why) Engineering creates and distributes different software versions. 

]]> Tue, 20 May 2025 12:06:18 -0700 TRAK Machine Tools TRAK Machine Tools 1353 In this episode, Alyssa interviews John Ballent to continue our exploration of the process of making software. John takes us behind the scenes for a fascinating inside look into the world of professional software development. This podcast includes explanations for the origin and resolution of the recent “Blue Screen” problem as well as an explanation for how (and why) Engineering creates and distributes different software versions. 

]]> No Ep. 13- The Challenges of Creating Sophisticated Software. Part 1 16 16 Ep. 13- The Challenges of Creating Sophisticated Software. Part 1 full a2a81a6d-b316-4494-b59b-da208dcb774c https://share.transistor.fm/s/f9766bc2 The Challenges of Creating Sophisticated Software. Part 1 

The ProtoTRAK works so well that we take it for granted. But making great CNC software is  difficult and complicated. In this episode, Alyssa reads an essay that was written with the help of software - Chat GPT to be exact - and carefully edited by Steve Pinto and John Ballent, our Senior Software Engineer. In it, we describe the realities of creating and maintaining complex software. 

]]> The Challenges of Creating Sophisticated Software. Part 1 

The ProtoTRAK works so well that we take it for granted. But making great CNC software is  difficult and complicated. In this episode, Alyssa reads an essay that was written with the help of software - Chat GPT to be exact - and carefully edited by Steve Pinto and John Ballent, our Senior Software Engineer. In it, we describe the realities of creating and maintaining complex software. 

]]> Tue, 13 May 2025 07:28:48 -0700 TRAK Machine Tools TRAK Machine Tools 750 The Challenges of Creating Sophisticated Software. Part 1 

The ProtoTRAK works so well that we take it for granted. But making great CNC software is  difficult and complicated. In this episode, Alyssa reads an essay that was written with the help of software - Chat GPT to be exact - and carefully edited by Steve Pinto and John Ballent, our Senior Software Engineer. In it, we describe the realities of creating and maintaining complex software. 

]]> No Ep. 12-Top One Machinery 15 15 Ep. 12-Top One Machinery full ee47c2ce-98be-49c1-b941-4fc1f6661b8d https://share.transistor.fm/s/1e808840 In this episode Alyssa breaks down the details that explain why TRAK has become the knee mill of choice in thousands of companies and schools. You’ll also get a personal glimpse behind the relationship between Top One and TRAK as she interviews Rita Fong, a member of the family that owns and runs Top One. 

]]> In this episode Alyssa breaks down the details that explain why TRAK has become the knee mill of choice in thousands of companies and schools. You’ll also get a personal glimpse behind the relationship between Top One and TRAK as she interviews Rita Fong, a member of the family that owns and runs Top One. 

]]> Wed, 05 Feb 2025 07:12:59 -0800 TRAK Machine Tools TRAK Machine Tools 782 In this episode Alyssa breaks down the details that explain why TRAK has become the knee mill of choice in thousands of companies and schools. You’ll also get a personal glimpse behind the relationship between Top One and TRAK as she interviews Rita Fong, a member of the family that owns and runs Top One. 

]]> No Ep.11- The Hard Work of Making the ProtoTRAK Easy 14 14 Ep.11- The Hard Work of Making the ProtoTRAK Easy full b2394102-4791-4111-a6af-eae92b7479df https://share.transistor.fm/s/4798a29a If you’re like most people who have been around the ProtoTRAK for a while, you probably take its ease of use for granted.  This episode will focus on the disciplined process of keeping the ProtoTRAK easy to use that has enabled it to compete and win in the world of giants like Haas, Fanuc and Mitsubishi. 

]]> If you’re like most people who have been around the ProtoTRAK for a while, you probably take its ease of use for granted.  This episode will focus on the disciplined process of keeping the ProtoTRAK easy to use that has enabled it to compete and win in the world of giants like Haas, Fanuc and Mitsubishi. 

]]> Mon, 09 Dec 2024 09:01:13 -0800 TRAK Machine Tools TRAK Machine Tools 552 If you’re like most people who have been around the ProtoTRAK for a while, you probably take its ease of use for granted.  This episode will focus on the disciplined process of keeping the ProtoTRAK easy to use that has enabled it to compete and win in the world of giants like Haas, Fanuc and Mitsubishi. 

]]> No Ep.10- Service Parts Cost 13 13 Ep.10- Service Parts Cost full a5db5a04-5b95-4805-a602-77e822d1dadd https://share.transistor.fm/s/a537e20e TRAK’s Service Parts performance through the decades is unmatched. This Podcast lifts the veil on the economics of being in the Service Parts business, including an explanation of why everyone else is so bad at it. 

]]> TRAK’s Service Parts performance through the decades is unmatched. This Podcast lifts the veil on the economics of being in the Service Parts business, including an explanation of why everyone else is so bad at it. 

]]> Tue, 03 Dec 2024 09:36:44 -0800 TRAK Machine Tools TRAK Machine Tools 325 TRAK’s Service Parts performance through the decades is unmatched. This Podcast lifts the veil on the economics of being in the Service Parts business, including an explanation of why everyone else is so bad at it. 

]]> No Ep. 9- Financing – An Insider’s Perspective 12 12 Ep. 9- Financing – An Insider’s Perspective full 7942945a-e24f-4eb8-b06f-e138a5d035c6 https://share.transistor.fm/s/b938fbd3 When you are familiar with the principles of financing, you can help your customers on another level. Chuck Farmer has done more ProtoTRAK financing than any other inhabitant of the planet. He is also an accomplished professional in the field and a really great guy. In this episode, Alyssa interviews Chuck.  You’ll learn valuable information about financing that you can put to use today!

Connect with Chuck below

https://www.intechfunding.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-farmer-14298612/

]]> When you are familiar with the principles of financing, you can help your customers on another level. Chuck Farmer has done more ProtoTRAK financing than any other inhabitant of the planet. He is also an accomplished professional in the field and a really great guy. In this episode, Alyssa interviews Chuck.  You’ll learn valuable information about financing that you can put to use today!

Connect with Chuck below

https://www.intechfunding.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-farmer-14298612/

]]> Mon, 25 Nov 2024 10:26:56 -0800 TRAK Machine Tools TRAK Machine Tools 1230 When you are familiar with the principles of financing, you can help your customers on another level. Chuck Farmer has done more ProtoTRAK financing than any other inhabitant of the planet. He is also an accomplished professional in the field and a really great guy. In this episode, Alyssa interviews Chuck.  You’ll learn valuable information about financing that you can put to use today!

Connect with Chuck below

https://www.intechfunding.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-farmer-14298612/

]]> No Ep. 8-TRAK Knee Mills Selling Messages 11 11 Ep. 8-TRAK Knee Mills Selling Messages full 75d0606f-d67f-46ad-8b9b-6563c7949cc9 https://share.transistor.fm/s/c3ce9d62 In this episode Alyssa reads an essay that outlines key selling messages for TRAK Knee Mills. This product line remains popular with schools and many tool rooms. Knee mills may have become a commodity, but when you know what makes ours the best, you have a great chance of winning sales away from our less enlightened competitors. 

]]> In this episode Alyssa reads an essay that outlines key selling messages for TRAK Knee Mills. This product line remains popular with schools and many tool rooms. Knee mills may have become a commodity, but when you know what makes ours the best, you have a great chance of winning sales away from our less enlightened competitors. 

]]> Tue, 12 Nov 2024 14:59:26 -0800 TRAK Machine Tools TRAK Machine Tools 574 In this episode Alyssa reads an essay that outlines key selling messages for TRAK Knee Mills. This product line remains popular with schools and many tool rooms. Knee mills may have become a commodity, but when you know what makes ours the best, you have a great chance of winning sales away from our less enlightened competitors. 

]]> No Ep. 7- TRAK TMC Selling Messages 10 10 Ep. 7- TRAK TMC Selling Messages full 3c2cdaf9-45e4-4790-b224-4948afcee227 https://share.transistor.fm/s/25ecee7e The TRAK TMC is big opportunity for our customers to get to the next level of productivity and for us to sell a lot of machines to help them do just that. Alyssa reads an essay that will supercharge your command of the TRAK TMC selling messages. With all those ProtoTRAK Knee Mills and Bed Mills you should be delivering these messages a lot. 

]]> The TRAK TMC is big opportunity for our customers to get to the next level of productivity and for us to sell a lot of machines to help them do just that. Alyssa reads an essay that will supercharge your command of the TRAK TMC selling messages. With all those ProtoTRAK Knee Mills and Bed Mills you should be delivering these messages a lot. 

]]> Tue, 12 Nov 2024 14:48:22 -0800 TRAK Machine Tools TRAK Machine Tools 707 The TRAK TMC is big opportunity for our customers to get to the next level of productivity and for us to sell a lot of machines to help them do just that. Alyssa reads an essay that will supercharge your command of the TRAK TMC selling messages. With all those ProtoTRAK Knee Mills and Bed Mills you should be delivering these messages a lot. 

]]> No Ep. 6- TRAK DPM Specs Drill 9 9 Ep. 6- TRAK DPM Specs Drill full 1ebb0d24-648e-4b4c-bf76-3246cd5cdb6c https://share.transistor.fm/s/4b809c76 This episode is a drill of the key specs of the TRAK DPM family of Bed Mills. It is patterned after language drills. Alyssa will read the specification type, pause for you to answer, and then give you the number. It is a great way to help memorize key specifications so that they come easily during conversations with customers.

]]> This episode is a drill of the key specs of the TRAK DPM family of Bed Mills. It is patterned after language drills. Alyssa will read the specification type, pause for you to answer, and then give you the number. It is a great way to help memorize key specifications so that they come easily during conversations with customers.

]]> Mon, 11 Nov 2024 10:12:56 -0800 TRAK Machine Tools TRAK Machine Tools 941 This episode is a drill of the key specs of the TRAK DPM family of Bed Mills. It is patterned after language drills. Alyssa will read the specification type, pause for you to answer, and then give you the number. It is a great way to help memorize key specifications so that they come easily during conversations with customers.

]]> No Ep. 5- Interview with the GOAT 8 8 Ep. 5- Interview with the GOAT full cbf6ec08-4de8-487f-a8f8-ec6c8199a6a3 https://share.transistor.fm/s/86fa9c60 Want to know Rich Kunze’s secret? You can bet that a lot of people would like to know what has driven Rich to be Sales Rep of the Year 29 times over his career. In this episode, Alyssa interviews Rich on his brilliant career, looking back and also ahead to what is next for him. What secrets will Rich reveal? You’ll have to listen to find out.
Connect with Rich on LinkedIn here
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-kunze-405370175/

]]> Want to know Rich Kunze’s secret? You can bet that a lot of people would like to know what has driven Rich to be Sales Rep of the Year 29 times over his career. In this episode, Alyssa interviews Rich on his brilliant career, looking back and also ahead to what is next for him. What secrets will Rich reveal? You’ll have to listen to find out.
Connect with Rich on LinkedIn here
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-kunze-405370175/

]]> Mon, 11 Nov 2024 10:09:12 -0800 TRAK Machine Tools TRAK Machine Tools 1219 Want to know Rich Kunze’s secret? You can bet that a lot of people would like to know what has driven Rich to be Sales Rep of the Year 29 times over his career. In this episode, Alyssa interviews Rich on his brilliant career, looking back and also ahead to what is next for him. What secrets will Rich reveal? You’ll have to listen to find out.
Connect with Rich on LinkedIn here
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-kunze-405370175/

]]> No Ep. 4-VMCsi sell sheets 4 4 Ep. 4-VMCsi sell sheets full 92fb8f65-71d8-43c3-9231-ac3ec273123b https://share.transistor.fm/s/ce281822 In this episode, Alyssa reads Sell Sheets that deal with the main selling points of the TRAK VMCsi. The Sheets were submitted by Wayne Shoaf, Senior Sales Rep in Detroit and Kurt Hufnagel, Applications Rep in Connecticut. The Sell Sheets by these skilled professionals will help you to refresh the main selling points for TRAK VMCsi products. 

]]> In this episode, Alyssa reads Sell Sheets that deal with the main selling points of the TRAK VMCsi. The Sheets were submitted by Wayne Shoaf, Senior Sales Rep in Detroit and Kurt Hufnagel, Applications Rep in Connecticut. The Sell Sheets by these skilled professionals will help you to refresh the main selling points for TRAK VMCsi products. 

]]> Fri, 08 Nov 2024 14:59:48 -0800 TRAK Machine Tools TRAK Machine Tools 682 In this episode, Alyssa reads Sell Sheets that deal with the main selling points of the TRAK VMCsi. The Sheets were submitted by Wayne Shoaf, Senior Sales Rep in Detroit and Kurt Hufnagel, Applications Rep in Connecticut. The Sell Sheets by these skilled professionals will help you to refresh the main selling points for TRAK VMCsi products. 

]]> No Ep. 3- VMC2 and XYZ 2op Selling Messages 7 7 Ep. 3- VMC2 and XYZ 2op Selling Messages full 8e4c5872-7518-4a1e-b80a-7346afbb4756 https://share.transistor.fm/s/c7916baf In the first part of this 2-part episode, Alyssa reads an essay outlining the selling proposition for the VMC2 / XYZ 2op. Following that, Alyssa interviews Mark Takahashi, the Plant Manager for TRAK Machine Tools in Rancho Dominguez. Mark describes how we use the TRAK VMC2 in our own production. 

]]> In the first part of this 2-part episode, Alyssa reads an essay outlining the selling proposition for the VMC2 / XYZ 2op. Following that, Alyssa interviews Mark Takahashi, the Plant Manager for TRAK Machine Tools in Rancho Dominguez. Mark describes how we use the TRAK VMC2 in our own production. 

]]> Fri, 08 Nov 2024 14:51:38 -0800 TRAK Machine Tools TRAK Machine Tools 712 In the first part of this 2-part episode, Alyssa reads an essay outlining the selling proposition for the VMC2 / XYZ 2op. Following that, Alyssa interviews Mark Takahashi, the Plant Manager for TRAK Machine Tools in Rancho Dominguez. Mark describes how we use the TRAK VMC2 in our own production. 

]]> No Ep. 2-TRAK TRL Specs Drill 6 6 Ep. 2-TRAK TRL Specs Drill full 8e43d339-e1c2-461d-9bc2-f6242eb7195a https://share.transistor.fm/s/d8543363 This episode is a drill of the key specs of the TRAK TRL family of lathes. It is patterned after language drills. Alyssa will read the specification type, pause for you to answer, and then give you the number. It is a great way to help memorize key specifications so that they come easily during conversations with customers.

]]> This episode is a drill of the key specs of the TRAK TRL family of lathes. It is patterned after language drills. Alyssa will read the specification type, pause for you to answer, and then give you the number. It is a great way to help memorize key specifications so that they come easily during conversations with customers.

]]> Fri, 08 Nov 2024 14:48:57 -0800 TRAK Machine Tools TRAK Machine Tools 828 This episode is a drill of the key specs of the TRAK TRL family of lathes. It is patterned after language drills. Alyssa will read the specification type, pause for you to answer, and then give you the number. It is a great way to help memorize key specifications so that they come easily during conversations with customers.

]]> No Ep. 1 -Sales Skills: Cold Calls 1 1 Ep. 1 -Sales Skills: Cold Calls full 9535b173-4c4b-4a43-8a4e-c32523bd9dab https://share.transistor.fm/s/df1d6f48 Love making cold calls? You should! This episode features an interview with Mike McGarry, TRAK’s National Sales Manager and passionate Sales Guru. It also features short testimonials from successful TRAK Sales Reps that reveal the magical effect that cold calls will have on your success.
 
Connect with Mike on LinkedIn here
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-mcgarry-66a9611a/

]]> Love making cold calls? You should! This episode features an interview with Mike McGarry, TRAK’s National Sales Manager and passionate Sales Guru. It also features short testimonials from successful TRAK Sales Reps that reveal the magical effect that cold calls will have on your success.
 
Connect with Mike on LinkedIn here
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-mcgarry-66a9611a/

]]> Fri, 08 Nov 2024 06:29:18 -0800 TRAK Machine Tools TRAK Machine Tools 813 Love making cold calls? You should! This episode features an interview with Mike McGarry, TRAK’s National Sales Manager and passionate Sales Guru. It also features short testimonials from successful TRAK Sales Reps that reveal the magical effect that cold calls will have on your success.
 
Connect with Mike on LinkedIn here
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-mcgarry-66a9611a/

]]> No