-
12-05-2019 #1
Hi,
I wanted ask what is the best way to start a small hobby cnc shop? I am based in the UK & I am not trying to start a manufacturing business just find away to put my equipment to work to pay for some more equipment and tools. I want to make one off parts or small runs for people to help pay for my machining hobby. what is the best way going about this?
Equipment I have CNC Plasma Cutter & Haas VMC
Please delete if I am breaking any forum rules
thanks
Mark
-
12-05-2019 #2
There is no easy way in and it's a difficult learning curve, you need to sign up for everything with a machining RFQ section and start quoting for jobs, you'll get it wrong several times and you will take a bath on the occasional job.
The best way to make money is to make things you can sell, the choice is yours whether you make things already being made and make them better/sell them cheaper or innovate and find niche markets which no commercial business can afford to exploit.
I began as a hobby machinist with a full time, well paid profession but I now design and manufacture my own products.You think that's too expensive? You're not a Model Engineer are you? :D
-
13-05-2019 #3
You so right & that is my fear taking on any project I can't deliver. maybe i should look at some craft markets as a starting point with some products I can make. another idea I had was speaking to some machine shops near me an see if there was some work I can assist them with - preparing stock so they don't need to waste time and rather run parts
-
14-05-2019 #4
Machine shops buy stock in at the right size for the job and either cut to length or have their supplier cut to length, I just bought 5m of 2" x 2" Aluminium for a part I've designed and prototyped, my material supplier has an NC band saw, if I want they can cut it square and to length at any size I specify, but this is both for a specific part and for developing others so I didn't order it as a stack of 100mm lengths.
A good idea if you innovate, if you go down the "Monkey See, Monkey Make" route you will generally be participating in a race to the bottom on price and quality with the next 5 guys with the same idea.
There is always a market for a nicely designed and made bottle opener that's a little different.You think that's too expensive? You're not a Model Engineer are you? :D
-
18-05-2019 #5
99% is about being a good salesman. Finding customers, and getting them to hire you to do their work.
Gerry
______________________________________________
UCCNC 2022 Screenset
Mach3 2010 Screenset
JointCAM - CAM for Woodworking Joints
-
The Following User Says Thank You to Ger21 For This Useful Post:
-
18-05-2019 #6
Thread Information
Users Browsing this Thread
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Similar Threads
-
Looking for a business partner to start up a machine shop in the South East
By JaviPK7 in forum General DiscussionReplies: 6Last Post: 11-05-2023, 06:21 PM -
How I almost set fire to my garage...
By cncJim in forum General DiscussionReplies: 26Last Post: 07-02-2014, 11:51 AM -
shed/garage electronics,
By jcb121 in forum General ElectronicsReplies: 12Last Post: 29-07-2013, 10:52 AM -
My garage
By wilfy in forum Workshop & EquipmentReplies: 55Last Post: 18-02-2013, 06:40 PM -
RFQ: Parts for my hobby from your hobby
By Phobia1 in forum Projects, Jobs & RequestsReplies: 1Last Post: 18-01-2011, 02:57 PM
Bookmarks