Need advice on starting my own machine shop.

[Jonathan]

You've got to remember to pay yourself the minimum wage though.

Hmm, that rules me out then...I probably hardly ever get more than that for the things I make, but it's fun so meh.

Mmmm, how beefy is the bandsaw? Need one that cuts straight and if your on your own, unattended + suds pump. Can't beat a really big recipricating hacksaw with lub pump. Then just leave it to do what it does. I have a Sealy, saves me no end of time. Like this http://bandsaws.co.uk/Product/Power_...ealey_Hacksaws , second hand mine was free, broken gear, fixed = £12.
Tom

Putting 'bandsaw' and 'cuts straight' in the same sentence is very risky!
I have this one, and I think Jazz has it too. It now seems good and cuts pretty square:

http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster...aw-prod719253/
(The best thing is I won it, so it cost me nothing!)

There's a quite big reciprocating one at school... it takes longer than the bandsaw, but it cuts nicely and seems reliable.

[black5f]

Hmm, that rules me out then...I probably hardly ever get more than that for the things I make, but it's fun so meh.



Putting 'bandsaw' and 'cuts straight' in the same sentence is very risky!
I have this one, and I think Jazz has it too. It now seems good and cuts pretty square:

http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster...aw-prod719253/
(The best thing is I won it, so it cost me nothing!)

There's a quite big reciprocating one at school... it takes longer than the bandsaw, but it cuts nicely and seems reliable.

They are slow but I can just leave it and get on with fun stuff. We have a good band saw at work, god knows what it cost! The axminster one looks good, and free, even cheaper than mine!
Tom