rb07565
Aluminum
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2011
- Location
- Western Nebraska USA
Now you've peaked my curiosity!!!! I have to ask about the R&D that goes into freaky sex toys. Talk about a strange niche
Now you've peaked my curiosity!!!! I have to ask about the R&D that goes into freaky sex toys. Talk about a strange niche
I have to say I am in a similar boat. I'm a Mechanical engineering with a significant amount of experience in the aerospace and power gen markets. There is a ton of work out there, but you have to be willing to work crazy hours. I've started my own shop with a fadal Emc, which took a significant amount of work to get up to par, but now I'm making more on the side than I do as an engineer. Most valuable pieces of advice I can share; if you cant measure it, you cant make it. In addition to the machine, tool holders, cutting tools, you also need a surface plate, digi check, test and drop indicators, sine plate, joe blocks,mics,.......... it takes alot of work to make a reputation, it only takes one non compliant part to lose it. In any event it isn't cheap and takes a commitment to make it worth while.Hi all,
I'm looking to start my own business. As a current manufacturing engineer with a love of machining, I'd really like to run some sort of shop out of my garage with a CNC mill and/or lathe. I have some basic experience with both and some CAD/CAM experience as well, although I definitely need some more practice before going full professional with it.
Right now the idea I'm toying with is specializing in prototypes and one offs for other small businesses. Maybe some small scale production runs as well. Trouble is, I'm not sure how viable of a plan that is and how much work is out there for a shop like that. Does anyone have any input/suggestions? Thanks in advance!
Tool scope, CMM...In addition to the machine, tool holders, cutting tools, you also need a surface plate, digi check, test and drop indicators, sine plate, joe blocks,mics,..........
I don't want to be negative, but realistic. Unless you can find a niche, 95% of small shops will not be sustainable in the future. If I'm wrong, then that is good news.
Back thirty some years ago when I started my shop in North Seattle there were at least half a dozen and maybe more small store front machine shops with all manual machines within a 5 mile radius. They're all gone now. Rising property values were a factor in some closings. Retirements were a factor too. The throw away culture also, no money in fixing a broken lawn mower that the owner bought at Home Depot for a hundred bucks.I don't want to be negative, but realistic. Unless you can find a niche, 95% of small shops will not be sustainable in the future. If I'm wrong, then that is good news.