Quote Originally Posted by erasma View Post
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
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.

Quote Originally Posted by erasma View Post
maybe i should look at some craft markets as a starting point with some products I can make
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.