Thanks, Hamilton! When I grow up, I'm likely going to get a CNC machine. I'm only sixty years old now, and I want to enjoy my childhood before I take on something serious like that. But in case I forget, I've subscribed.
I don't think most people realize how DENSE this video is in ABSOLUTE GEMS of small business ideas, tips, and tricks of the trade! Way to go dude! This video truly deserves all the views it currently has and a few billion more!
If you want to voice your agreement with someone during a debate (especially if you’re a member of the UK Parliament), you will shout “hear, hear.” But as long as you’re shouting, no one will notice you’re wrong if you shout “here, here” because the words are pronounced the same. Here hear. Lol
I was thinking about that while watching. The dude just casually mentions the price range people are willing to impulse buy within. Learning that takes years of doing business.
Breakdowns like this are what we should be teaching kids when we're teaching business and life skills. A detailed but not overly technical walkthrough of an entire process, the economics involved, and why certain decisions were made.
Agreed. My parents were very secretive about their money and bills and such. I try to include my children in as many talks about finances as they’ll listen to, and then some lol.
@AtlanticLove typing "I'm an asshole" makes it easier to identify the people we'll be ignoring. Do that next time so I won't have to bother to tell you to fuck your face.
I've not seen a maker's video like this before. Very transparent on the costs and processes. It's important to show the customer why things cost as much as they do, especially more expensive products. For example, in my experience, luxury packaging at £20k, on to the final price, including product reatails at over £120k. No-one could even guess that unless you list all the elements. Enjoyed the video dude. Wish you a lot of success.
You sir are an example for all of us. Greed is unnecessary. Knowledge should be shared. He lived he learned and he willingly lifted us up and now we can start with an informed mindset. Much love.
The largest question is "What is Greed?" Or rather, "What is the goal?" If the goal is to do something enjoyable, then money isn't the most important factor. However, even when money is the most important part, trying to have 90+% of a small pie means less money than having 20% or less of a much larger pie. Nothing wrong with wanting to make money, and the more people who do this the more money is made.
The Maker community is amazing. Weather its CNC, wood working, 3D printing or mold making there are so many people sharing their knowledge and hard learned lessons with everyone. No big egos. Just a genuine desire to help others improve their skills.
I've been doing silicone molds and urethane resin castings for almost 25 years. Over the years I've come up with techniques to greatly simplify and improve the quality of the mold making process. For anyone wanting to get into this, I'm happy to share information that will help them skip all the harder, more time consuming stuff. Take advantage of *my* problems and what I learned from them. But does anyone listen to the guy who has these years of experience and has made parts that have gone into vehicle restorations which have been on the Concours d'Elegance show tour? Noooo. They copy the old methods the manufacturers of the materials demonstrate and that RUclipsrs have in their videos. Most recently I sent an email to a costume and props company in the UK, after seeing a video of how they do vacuum casting. I told them I'd be happy to give them some tips to save them hours of time and expense VS the way they made the mold and cast it in the video. No response. I guess they *love* wasting time, spending money on unnecessary materials, and on wasted resin. This is one of the biggest things to understand in anything you'll do. Know how to observe other people's screwups then don't do what they did wrong. Skip right to what they did when they finally got it right, especially when they're telling you all of that *for free*. But in this world where it's very easy to see the consequences of things like smoking, drugs, alcohol, using power tools unsafely, not looking into the LASER with remaining eye... people will still repeat the same mistakes before they learn for themselves. Makes me want to grab the human race by the ears and tell it "See what this idiot did and what happened? Do. Not. Do. That."
I haven’t got past your intro and have to stop to applaud your opening of detailing cost and profit; something everyone would like to consider going into any project imo. BRAVO! YOU ROCK! Okay, now I’ll see what the h… a whiskey smoker is.
Note for some looking to do this (commenting early I'm the video so idk if it's referenced) some woods are toxic when inhaled, ingested, or even from spenters. Most basic hardwoods are safe but be sure to check health recommendations on any wood in question. Purple heart is beautiful but is a prime example of a toxic wood I wouldn't recommend. Happy crafting!
Very cool how you're not looking to scale up into the oblivion and have open sourced this project. It's extremely admirable, and not something done all that often even with simple projects like these. I'm sure the market will reward you for this strategy.
Mineral oil isn't what is used in smoke machines. That's a glycol. Mineral oil is just a light petroleum oil. But it's still most likely on par in the health risks anyway, the smoke itself from the wood is most likely the most health risky thing in the whole process 😅
Yeah, I came here to say the same thing lol. Imagine mineral oil being vaporized and pumped into a crowd of people. Yikes. Regardless, we're talking about combustion in these smokers, not vaporization. I think the mineral oil is fine to use though. Combustion doesn't seem to create any particularly nasty byproducts. He should probably be a little more cautious though, just for the fact that all it would take is one petty beauracrat to decide to be a hero for him to get mixed up in some litigious BS.
@@sovietdies meh... i don't think this is a safe practice...until not much ago, babies that cried too much got their pacifier poached in spirit... For the same reason that you don't BBQ over mineral oil, you shouldn't smoke whisky with wood finished with mineral oil. *Selling those smokers would be illegal in Italy, because of food safety regulations.*
Wow, this is crazy. You're pretty much telling people, step by step, how to start their own side hustle, for free, right here on YT. I understand you're trying to sell files and a class and whatnot, but that's damn cool. Definitely going to have to check out the rest of your channel.
@@hectorae86 You missed the point of my comment entirely if that is what you're focused on. That said, a machine capable of cutting these can be had for a couple hundred dollars.
I teach pre-engineering and inherited a CNC machine. I've been trying to figure out something to sell in my rural area that is easy and has a good profit margin. This is GREAT! Thanks for having this available.
this is actually one of the smartest products ive ever seen, where u use a very nice wooden plate to heat up oak chunks into a drink, seeing the use and wear overtime on the wood plate like a patina, then eventually needing to buy another one when needing a new wood plate, what an awesome circle of life for both customer and manufacturer.
Wow, dad taught me woodwork. He said it was tough to make money, but that novelty whisky smokers were the surefire way to make a profit. I called him a crazy, drunk old fool. Turns out he was right all along!
As always - love the transparency and clear breakdown. Your insight at @9:44 on how sometimes offering optional items (like a torch) along with your products can actually cause a negative effect. Your explanation makes sense and it's one of those things that can only be learned through experience.
Not only that but now your selling a torch for less than your product. This causes the person to think about spending more money for a (in the end) a piece of wood and less money for a mechanical device. Causes them to think too much and may devalue your handcrafted product.
Also, be extra suspicious of things that are not your 'core business'. They will bite you with hidden problems AND return a slimmer profit margin than the thing you do well. In this example, a cheap, pre-filled keyring torch might help you put together a premium offer (eg, bare smokers $25 each, or gift pack of 2 for $60 inc torch and chips), but ultimately selling tools is not the core business here.
I don’t have the ability to make this. I may never own a CNC machine. BUT for some reason, I watched the WHOLE video and LOVED it!!! I learned so much and love your perspective on sharing your craft and helping others turn a profit. I’m subscribing just because…. Great job!!!
You are amazing. What brought me to your channel was your very down to earth explanation of you starting out with a CNC. However, you are a wonderful communicator and excellent marketer. You are the best product that you have and this is one of my favorite channels. Your observations, advice and ideas are amazing. Keep up the good work and I’m so happy for you and your success.
Just a thought, you could probably do this with a router table, compound miter saw and drill press. Get a 4x4x8 and use the router to round the corners, compound miter to cut biscuits and a drill press to drill the hole straight through and a second with a depth stop for the chip chamber. Figure 2 in thick for the smoker add half an inch of loss to the compound miter saw and you get 38 smokers. Certainly more involved than a cnc but probably would work just as well
Thanks for sharing the cost breakdown! At work we've found that a ½" end mill on the CNC instead of a ¼" where possible saves money overall because you can run it at a significantly faster feed rate.
Just came across this video. Great product. No need to tell the public the money breakdown. Charge what you want. Even it it was triple, I would buy it!!! The more people pay, the better they feel about getting a unique awesome item!
I don't even know what a whisky smoker is and I am from the country which invented whisky. Not whiskey. This is a fantastic posting from a creative person who gets economics and e-commerce, and is good enough to pass that knowledge on. Thanks, citizen.
Can’t stress enough how motivating it has been to watch your channel! Made these whiskey smokers as Christmas gifts for friends and family and it was a major success. Thanks again for what you do!
You know what? This is a really good idea. I happened to live in wine and brandy country near Barcelona in Spain known as the penedes wine region and and his home to both Freixenet Cava and Torres wines and brandies amongst a few other major names as well, all the barrels are made around here from Oak and I can buy half a dozen staves from a new barrel for about €3 and I get the ones from the old barrels for free. All I need to do is put them through the jointer and have a few cut out on the CNC. It might take a bit longer than using a flat plant as you are but I will have years and years of brandy infused wood. I may well have a look at these great idea thank you.. How long it takes to prepare these videos is actually quite scary so thanks for the information I always like to see statistics..
I literally had no idea how I ended up here and did not know this was a thing, literally never seen someone put smoke in their drink, RUclips is dope, actually maybe I found this video since I'm an avid 3d printer, really insightful stuff though , been looking to get a cnc machine , not necessarily for whiskey smokers but just to add to my arsenal of creation machines , I love to see success processes like this , great work man
Helpful and honest video, thanks :) regards to the mineral oil though, it’s actually a petroleum product and none-drying so maybe not the best for something like this. I’d reccomend Pure Tung Oil instead which is totally natural, food safe and long lasting. The colour is usually nicer too. It does take a while to try but its always worth it :) but you do you 👍🏻
Another great finish if you choose to go that route is lemon seed oil. It’s all natural and is used for cutting boards and hardwood furniture. It leaves little to no taste! Great video and idea, hope you make loads of cash!!!
okay first of all: really cool idea - i like them a lot. second - thanks for the open communication. i really really do appreciate the openness and cander :)
thank you so much for the product and files. I just picked up a 20x24” cnc and plan to make some of these. The goal is to make enough to upgrade my equipment over the years. I use these items as gifts for my real estate clients as well as my friends and family!
It's a device used to apply smoke to whiskey, intended to impart a more smoky flavor. Smoke flavors are valued in whiskey, in part because of how new whiskey barrels are prepared. One example is Laphroaig. Well worth trying.
I have made a number of cocktail smokers over the years and have found that venting the smoker makes a huge diffrence. Running two groves on the coctail side from the center of your smoker to the outside edge air can escape while you are using the torch. You will find it takes much less of the torching to get your desired smoke result. Venting = Less torching, more smoke and less scortching of your cocktail smoker. Just thinking it would be an easy CNC process to improve your product.
Thank you for being unabashed about actually making profit. Lots of people online believe that everything handmade should basically be at-cost or with 10% margin.
This is the first video I have seen of this person sounds quite honest just not complete my reason for saying that is because there is a such thing as tax or some might say taxes there is no straight up simple profit you must also account for the cost of electricity to run the equipment and to be able to see indoors there is also the cost of Packaging and shipping but mostly back to mentioning the taxes no matter what you call a hustle or a side business or just plain business taxes and don't forget insurance the human factor is people do get hurt people do make mistakes machines do break I do like this video a lot and I like the honesty just thought it was incomplete
Dude. People put a flame to whatever. Cigarettes have a cancer warning, that doesnt stop people. You're amazingly honest and transparent with that price breakdown.
I don't know how I happened upon your channel but I did, and I'm glad I did. You always hear that sometimes it's not the product that you buy It's the person. That's why you got my subscription, you seem like a very honest open transparent dude and I dig that. So, you sir have a new subscriber. I'm looking forward to checking out your content and your future videos. Take care, ~Jonny5🥁
7:41 an extremely small note of something you might change, on the info card it states “empart additional smokey flavor” should be impart additional smokey flavor. Great video!
I love watching woodworking videos that take the time to explain the process. This going so far in depth to talk about production costs was so neat! And now I have a suggestion for my boss to buy these when gifting whiskey!
I don't have a CNC (want one), but I found your video helpful not just for CNC but for marketing and COGS. I have an ETSY page and I only sell electronic files for laser cutting and engraving and I have made over $7,000 in almost 2 years....won't retire with that money, but I do it for the creative outlet.
cut a groove on the back side to slip on the custom whisky glass rim that you can sell also. Glass is an optional 19.99. The bottom inside of the glass will be laser etched with your company logo. Also...drilling a hole about the size of a pipe cleaner leading to the burn pit will also be useful.
Wow this video is packed full of real world advice --offering a great “google like” road map for small business owners to avoid bottle necks and speed traps ! Great stuff !
You know your phone is listening to you when you casually mention that you love woodworking and wish you had a shop, then this video pops up into your feed randomly. LOL This is such a cool idea. I also would love to see your video on how you're doing on the channel because I'm starting mine too on another profile. Thanks for sharing!
Hey Hamilton! I just bought one of your whiskey smokers, but i'm not going to use it for whiskey! I have a small food business in KY and I'm going to try and combine your smoker with some of my foods! I can't go into details at the moment, but if it works, I'll definitely let you know and perhaps we can collaborate in the future! Excellent content - I love the open and honest approach to your channel. It's refreshing!
As someone who has sold torches for similar uses, do not fill your torches UNTIL the customer buys it. Fill it in front of them and show them how to do it, it’s always a great customer service thing to do and then you’re also not opening packages until they’re purchased.
Hey man great video! I really like the transparency, Alot of people have a famine mindset and horde all there knowledge and try to minimize people trying to do something similar or getting into the same thing. I think it's great you're sharing all this and building people up instead of breaking people down thats the way it should be.
Somehow stumbled on this channel. I like the whole idea of making things and selling them to others to sell. Also love how much you’re teaching everything. Don’t think I’ll ever do any of this stuff but interested to follow the channel and see how things go
This is amazing and inpsiring, I have nothing at all to do with woodworking - but found every second of this informative. Wishing you every success in life brother.
I'm newly returning to woodworking, and want to find some fun simple projects. I came in expecting a short explanation, but you went very in depth in the best practices. This was fantastic! The smokers look great, but your explanation of your process, and what you have changed over time, was super informative. Thank you! Edit: And then showing the breakdown of the video time! Great for people who are interested and didn't know. Even just that little bit of extra info. Def liked and subbed.
I don't drink but if I did and were to want a whisky smoker I would prefer the rounded-over version AND would have no problem paying the addition cost (whatever it was). Maybe you could take the same number of both the rounded-over and the square-edge versions so people could compare (and see how many you come home with unsold). That way you would know for a certainty what the buying public wanted. To me, I would think, whisky is more of a savoring experience so the nice rounded over edge just adds to the pleasure. Thanks for posting.
Try using a 45 degree bit to engrave the text then use that same tool to chamfer the top edge, and leave the bottom edge as is. Don't use the tip of the 45 when machining the edge. Offset the bit so that the middle of the cutting edge is hitting the part. Lower the Z the same amount as the offset to hit the intended dimensions.
I don't exactly know why RUclips coaxed me to this video, but you instantly caught my attention showing the hours of filming and editing at the end. Excited to see your end of year breakdown now -- you got a new subscriber! :)
Going down a youtube rabbit hole, as we all do, and found this. I have to say, "Damn dude! You one hell of a sales man. I don't own a cnc machine, nor do I have the place to put one, but I for some reason want to buy these files."
This sort of thing happened to me in a different capacity. One of my most basic products (to make) is the best seller........ and even though I've got many projects I think are cooler....... I just make the one that sells.... and the others can be ordered on demand.
I think you may be able to get the glass to fill with smoke without using the torch. Instead of using the shavings, use fine sawdust and light it with a normal lighter. I think you may have to pack the bowl a little bit and also the screen may need to be shaped so that the saw dust will have a slight underside cavity. If this does work the smoke should cascade down into the glass instead of being forced into it by the torch. It doesn’t take much smoke to make the flavor, so any smoke lost upwards won’t be a big deal. Maybe worth a try. Also, this will drastically reduce the flame damage to the board, so it will last much longer.
Very cool video. This is something I am not familiar with but my very first thought was to try this with a whiskey barrel stout. I can see why these would be popular. It's a pretty simple device, but has a primitive, hands-on, historical, food, fire, tactile nature about it I think humans are naturally attracted to.
You are so awesome! Thanks a million for so graciously sharing your ideas, tips, tricks and time!! You are definitely putting money in the “Bank of Life!”
Just found your channel yesterday. I’m hooked! Your videos are some of the best and easiest to watch! Just started my Etsy shop in December, now to save up for a CNC! Thanks for all you do!
Keep an eye out for used machines. I accidentally came across a used Shapeoko 3 for $125. Too good of a deal to pass up. Now, that machine is really small for batch work like this, but it's a starting point nonetheless and gives me something to grow from.
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Thanks, Hamilton! When I grow up, I'm likely going to get a CNC machine. I'm only sixty years old now, and I want to enjoy my childhood before I take on something serious like that. But in case I forget, I've subscribed.
Hahah. As a32 year old this had me cracking me up.
Same 28
Hahahaha
This was gold sir.
As a 29 year old, I hope I grow up to be like you some day.
I don't think most people realize how DENSE this video is in ABSOLUTE GEMS of small business ideas, tips, and tricks of the trade! Way to go dude! This video truly deserves all the views it currently has and a few billion more!
Hey! Thanks so much Sam! Love your videos
If you want to voice your agreement with someone during a debate (especially if you’re a member of the UK Parliament), you will shout “hear, hear.” But as long as you’re shouting, no one will notice you’re wrong if you shout “here, here” because the words are pronounced the same.
Here hear. Lol
Couldn't agree more.. Not only is this a great CNC business idea video but also steeeeped chock full in simple economics!
Yeah it feels like he's giving his secrets away. Bold move Cotton, let's see how it plays out.
I was thinking about that while watching. The dude just casually mentions the price range people are willing to impulse buy within. Learning that takes years of doing business.
Breakdowns like this are what we should be teaching kids when we're teaching business and life skills. A detailed but not overly technical walkthrough of an entire process, the economics involved, and why certain decisions were made.
Agreed. My parents were very secretive about their money and bills and such. I try to include my children in as many talks about finances as they’ll listen to, and then some lol.
Business? You mean like every fool with a mic on RUclips hoping to strike it rich with soy face thumbnails?
@AtlanticLove typing "I'm an asshole" makes it easier to identify the people we'll be ignoring. Do that next time so I won't have to bother to tell you to fuck your face.
@@rehamkcirtap Thanks 👍
I've never been taught any business skills to be honest. Now I just feel absolutely incapable of founding my own company, even though I want to.
I've not seen a maker's video like this before. Very transparent on the costs and processes. It's important to show the customer why things cost as much as they do, especially more expensive products. For example, in my experience, luxury packaging at £20k, on to the final price, including product reatails at over £120k. No-one could even guess that unless you list all the elements. Enjoyed the video dude. Wish you a lot of success.
The pet rock of drinking.
You sir are an example for all of us. Greed is unnecessary. Knowledge should be shared. He lived he learned and he willingly lifted us up and now we can start with an informed mindset. Much love.
The largest question is "What is Greed?" Or rather, "What is the goal?" If the goal is to do something enjoyable, then money isn't the most important factor. However, even when money is the most important part, trying to have 90+% of a small pie means less money than having 20% or less of a much larger pie.
Nothing wrong with wanting to make money, and the more people who do this the more money is made.
The Maker community is amazing. Weather its CNC, wood working, 3D printing or mold making there are so many people sharing their knowledge and hard learned lessons with everyone. No big egos. Just a genuine desire to help others improve their skills.
makers love the joy of making and spreading to people still figuring it out. I love this and I'm here for it
A yes , the maker community 🥴 similar to the machinist And engineering community
Yep
Oh there's lots of egos in the maker community, along with attention seekers and simps lol. Let's not get too emotional.
I've been doing silicone molds and urethane resin castings for almost 25 years. Over the years I've come up with techniques to greatly simplify and improve the quality of the mold making process. For anyone wanting to get into this, I'm happy to share information that will help them skip all the harder, more time consuming stuff. Take advantage of *my* problems and what I learned from them. But does anyone listen to the guy who has these years of experience and has made parts that have gone into vehicle restorations which have been on the Concours d'Elegance show tour? Noooo. They copy the old methods the manufacturers of the materials demonstrate and that RUclipsrs have in their videos. Most recently I sent an email to a costume and props company in the UK, after seeing a video of how they do vacuum casting. I told them I'd be happy to give them some tips to save them hours of time and expense VS the way they made the mold and cast it in the video. No response. I guess they *love* wasting time, spending money on unnecessary materials, and on wasted resin.
This is one of the biggest things to understand in anything you'll do. Know how to observe other people's screwups then don't do what they did wrong. Skip right to what they did when they finally got it right, especially when they're telling you all of that *for free*.
But in this world where it's very easy to see the consequences of things like smoking, drugs, alcohol, using power tools unsafely, not looking into the LASER with remaining eye... people will still repeat the same mistakes before they learn for themselves. Makes me want to grab the human race by the ears and tell it "See what this idiot did and what happened? Do. Not. Do. That."
I haven’t got past your intro and have to stop to applaud your opening of detailing cost and profit; something everyone would like to consider going into any project imo. BRAVO! YOU ROCK! Okay, now I’ll see what the h… a whiskey smoker is.
Dude, your level of transparency in this video is exactly what all businesses should be doing. Thank you and stay awesome.
All businesses should tell everybody their secrets?
Note for some looking to do this (commenting early I'm the video so idk if it's referenced) some woods are toxic when inhaled, ingested, or even from spenters. Most basic hardwoods are safe but be sure to check health recommendations on any wood in question. Purple heart is beautiful but is a prime example of a toxic wood I wouldn't recommend. Happy crafting!
Very cool how you're not looking to scale up into the oblivion and have open sourced this project. It's extremely admirable, and not something done all that often even with simple projects like these. I'm sure the market will reward you for this strategy.
Mineral oil isn't what is used in smoke machines. That's a glycol. Mineral oil is just a light petroleum oil. But it's still most likely on par in the health risks anyway, the smoke itself from the wood is most likely the most health risky thing in the whole process 😅
Yeah, I came here to say the same thing lol. Imagine mineral oil being vaporized and pumped into a crowd of people. Yikes. Regardless, we're talking about combustion in these smokers, not vaporization.
I think the mineral oil is fine to use though. Combustion doesn't seem to create any particularly nasty byproducts. He should probably be a little more cautious though, just for the fact that all it would take is one petty beauracrat to decide to be a hero for him to get mixed up in some litigious BS.
So's drinking not a health risk ?
Maybe he means vegetable glycerin that is used in vapor machines and can be used on wood.
@@taylorandsons mineral oil is given to babys sometimes as a laxative
@@sovietdies meh... i don't think this is a safe practice...until not much ago, babies that cried too much got their pacifier poached in spirit... For the same reason that you don't BBQ over mineral oil, you shouldn't smoke whisky with wood finished with mineral oil. *Selling those smokers would be illegal in Italy, because of food safety regulations.*
Wow, this is crazy. You're pretty much telling people, step by step, how to start their own side hustle, for free, right here on YT. I understand you're trying to sell files and a class and whatnot, but that's damn cool. Definitely going to have to check out the rest of your channel.
Second this!
Now only to score a free cnc machine
@@hectorae86 You missed the point of my comment entirely if that is what you're focused on. That said, a machine capable of cutting these can be had for a couple hundred dollars.
One of the most uplifting episodes I’ve ever seen in the Maker niche. So many levels of helpfulness and “nice”. 👍
You're the only one that just makes it simple and lots of the valuable info! Nobody better on RUclips than you!
I teach pre-engineering and inherited a CNC machine. I've been trying to figure out something to sell in my rural area that is easy and has a good profit margin. This is GREAT! Thanks for having this available.
this is actually one of the smartest products ive ever seen, where u use a very nice wooden plate to heat up oak chunks into a drink, seeing the use and wear overtime on the wood plate like a patina, then eventually needing to buy another one when needing a new wood plate, what an awesome circle of life for both customer and manufacturer.
Wow, dad taught me woodwork. He said it was tough to make money, but that novelty whisky smokers were the surefire way to make a profit. I called him a crazy, drunk old fool. Turns out he was right all along!
Congrats from Norway🇳🇴, the YT algorithm has picked up this video 🙏😊
As always - love the transparency and clear breakdown.
Your insight at @9:44 on how sometimes offering optional items (like a torch) along with your products can actually cause a negative effect. Your explanation makes sense and it's one of those things that can only be learned through experience.
Yeah, that is incredibly valuable insight. Especially as it's tempting to try and give more and more to set yourself apart.
Not only that but now your selling a torch for less than your product. This causes the person to think about spending more money for a (in the end) a piece of wood and less money for a mechanical device. Causes them to think too much and may devalue your handcrafted product.
Also, be extra suspicious of things that are not your 'core business'. They will bite you with hidden problems AND return a slimmer profit margin than the thing you do well. In this example, a cheap, pre-filled keyring torch might help you put together a premium offer (eg, bare smokers $25 each, or gift pack of 2 for $60 inc torch and chips), but ultimately selling tools is not the core business here.
The world needs more people like you. Love your videos and your transparency!
I appreciate you doing what you do for the community man, people like you make the world go round!
I don’t have the ability to make this. I may never own a CNC machine. BUT for some reason, I watched the WHOLE video and LOVED it!!! I learned so much and love your perspective on sharing your craft and helping others turn a profit. I’m subscribing just because…. Great job!!!
Ditto
You are amazing. What brought me to your channel was your very down to earth explanation of you starting out with a CNC. However, you are a wonderful communicator and excellent marketer. You are the best product that you have and this is one of my favorite channels. Your observations, advice and ideas are amazing. Keep up the good work and I’m so happy for you and your success.
Just a thought, you could probably do this with a router table, compound miter saw and drill press. Get a 4x4x8 and use the router to round the corners, compound miter to cut biscuits and a drill press to drill the hole straight through and a second with a depth stop for the chip chamber. Figure 2 in thick for the smoker add half an inch of loss to the compound miter saw and you get 38 smokers. Certainly more involved than a cnc but probably would work just as well
Thanks for sharing the cost breakdown! At work we've found that a ½" end mill on the CNC instead of a ¼" where possible saves money overall because you can run it at a significantly faster feed rate.
Just came across this video. Great product. No need to tell the public the money breakdown. Charge what you want. Even it it was triple, I would buy it!!! The more people pay, the better they feel about getting a unique awesome item!
I found with mine, adding a small hole off to the edge to allow air to escape the glass made the smoke much more intense.
I don't even know what a whisky smoker is and I am from the country which invented whisky. Not whiskey. This is a fantastic posting from a creative person who gets economics and e-commerce, and is good enough to pass that knowledge on. Thanks, citizen.
So much respect for this, putting all the information out there for people who want to start doing these.
Or warning people they spend waaay too much for a very small payoff. That's the true gift he's giving.
Why can’t all product demos be this straightforwards… Because people care more about money than actually making a great product.
Great work Hamilton!!
Can’t stress enough how motivating it has been to watch your channel! Made these whiskey smokers as Christmas gifts for friends and family and it was a major success. Thanks again for what you do!
You know what? This is a really good idea. I happened to live in wine and brandy country near Barcelona in Spain known as the penedes wine region and and his home to both Freixenet Cava and Torres wines and brandies amongst a few other major names as well, all the barrels are made around here from Oak and I can buy half a dozen staves from a new barrel for about €3 and I get the ones from the old barrels for free.
All I need to do is put them through the jointer and have a few cut out on the CNC. It might take a bit longer than using a flat plant as you are but I will have years and years of brandy infused wood.
I may well have a look at these great idea thank you..
How long it takes to prepare these videos is actually quite scary so thanks for the information I always like to see statistics..
I literally had no idea how I ended up here and did not know this was a thing, literally never seen someone put smoke in their drink, RUclips is dope, actually maybe I found this video since I'm an avid 3d printer, really insightful stuff though , been looking to get a cnc machine , not necessarily for whiskey smokers but just to add to my arsenal of creation machines , I love to see success processes like this , great work man
I love your attitude; I'm glad the algo picked you up.
Helpful and honest video, thanks :) regards to the mineral oil though, it’s actually a petroleum product and none-drying so maybe not the best for something like this. I’d reccomend Pure Tung Oil instead which is totally natural, food safe and long lasting. The colour is usually nicer too. It does take a while to try but its always worth it :) but you do you 👍🏻
Another great finish if you choose to go that route is lemon seed oil. It’s all natural and is used for cutting boards and hardwood furniture. It leaves little to no taste! Great video and idea, hope you make loads of cash!!!
okay first of all: really cool idea - i like them a lot. second - thanks for the open communication. i really really do appreciate the openness and cander :)
Dear sir, thank you for existing, this video has made my life better. I just learned how to operate my 5x10 mill and your content will help me
thank you so much for the product and files. I just picked up a 20x24” cnc and plan to make some of these. The goal is to make enough to upgrade my equipment over the years. I use these items as gifts for my real estate clients as well as my friends and family!
Okay stupid question. What the heck is a whiskey smoker?
One year later, and still, nobody knows.
It's a device used to apply smoke to whiskey, intended to impart a more smoky flavor.
Smoke flavors are valued in whiskey, in part because of how new whiskey barrels are prepared. One example is Laphroaig. Well worth trying.
Used to smoke old fashioneds
Something that makes whiskey taste more like wood water
come on man
I have made a number of cocktail smokers over the years and have found that venting the smoker makes a huge diffrence. Running two groves on the coctail side from the center of your smoker to the outside edge air can escape while you are using the torch. You will find it takes much less of the torching to get your desired smoke result. Venting = Less torching, more smoke and less scortching of your cocktail smoker. Just thinking it would be an easy CNC process to improve your product.
Thank you for being unabashed about actually making profit. Lots of people online believe that everything handmade should basically be at-cost or with 10% margin.
The reason you will be successful. You are sharing everything and even explain how to and sharing the CNC files
This is the first video I have seen of this person sounds quite honest just not complete my reason for saying that is because there is a such thing as tax or some might say taxes there is no straight up simple profit you must also account for the cost of electricity to run the equipment and to be able to see indoors there is also the cost of Packaging and shipping but mostly back to mentioning the taxes no matter what you call a hustle or a side business or just plain business taxes and don't forget insurance the human factor is people do get hurt people do make mistakes machines do break I do like this video a lot and I like the honesty just thought it was incomplete
you may just be the savior of crafting channels on youtube. Keep up the good work!
lol, thanks!
I have zero interest in any of this and yet that was a extremely interesting, engaging video and I learned stuff too! Thumbs up!
Dude. People put a flame to whatever.
Cigarettes have a cancer warning, that doesnt stop people. You're amazingly honest and transparent with that price breakdown.
I don't know how I happened upon your channel but I did, and I'm glad I did.
You always hear that sometimes it's not the product that you buy It's the person. That's why you got my subscription, you seem like a very honest open transparent dude and I dig that.
So, you sir have a new subscriber.
I'm looking forward to checking out your content and your future videos.
Take care,
~Jonny5🥁
If you soak them in mineral oil then wipe them using medium steel wool, you save a step of brushing them with the wire brush.
7:41 an extremely small note of something you might change, on the info card it states “empart additional smokey flavor” should be impart additional smokey flavor. Great video!
You genuinely come across as such a nice person, I wish you every luck in what you do and make.
Honesty is a rare trait. Nice to see it.
Extremely educational and valuable information in this video for anyone who is looking to start their own business.
I love watching woodworking videos that take the time to explain the process. This going so far in depth to talk about production costs was so neat!
And now I have a suggestion for my boss to buy these when gifting whiskey!
I'm thinking about starting my business with something small and im so happy to see business is doing well for you! Suffering from success 💪
This is truly a charitable man to share his work like this.
This is such a unique, straightforward and honest approach. Love what you are doing
I don't have a CNC (want one), but I found your video helpful not just for CNC but for marketing and COGS. I have an ETSY page and I only sell electronic files for laser cutting and engraving and I have made over $7,000 in almost 2 years....won't retire with that money, but I do it for the creative outlet.
Cool! Good for you! Reasonable..you are very honest! Ergonomic too! This maybe a major trend! Smoked whiskey ....yum! Strike while the iron is hot!
cut a groove on the back side to slip on the custom whisky glass rim that you can sell also. Glass is an optional 19.99. The bottom inside of the glass will be laser etched with your company logo. Also...drilling a hole about the size of a pipe cleaner leading to the burn pit will also be useful.
Wow this video is packed full of real world advice --offering a great “google like” road map for small business owners to avoid bottle necks and speed traps ! Great stuff !
Wow. I just left a comment of RESPECT to you. Then heard the final few minutes of the video. I subscribed.
a very kind share. you didn't need to give the benefit of your experience but you did and that's a cool thing.
Thanks
Thank YOU!
You know your phone is listening to you when you casually mention that you love woodworking and wish you had a shop, then this video pops up into your feed randomly. LOL This is such a cool idea. I also would love to see your video on how you're doing on the channel because I'm starting mine too on another profile. Thanks for sharing!
This makes my day. 1.1M views...Outstanding.
RESPECT!!! You’re an inspiration and so selfless. Cheers from Hawaii. Keep up your great work. Mahalo
Hey Hamilton! I just bought one of your whiskey smokers, but i'm not going to use it for whiskey! I have a small food business in KY and I'm going to try and combine your smoker with some of my foods! I can't go into details at the moment, but if it works, I'll definitely let you know and perhaps we can collaborate in the future! Excellent content - I love the open and honest approach to your channel. It's refreshing!
As someone who has sold torches for similar uses, do not fill your torches UNTIL the customer buys it. Fill it in front of them and show them how to do it, it’s always a great customer service thing to do and then you’re also not opening packages until they’re purchased.
I didn't think I could watch a 15min video on whiskey smokers, but I did! Great video and super informative!
Hey man great video! I really like the transparency, Alot of people have a famine mindset and horde all there knowledge and try to minimize people trying to do something similar or getting into the same thing. I think it's great you're sharing all this and building people up instead of breaking people down thats the way it should be.
Somehow stumbled on this channel. I like the whole idea of making things and selling them to others to sell. Also love how much you’re teaching everything. Don’t think I’ll ever do any of this stuff but interested to follow the channel and see how things go
This is amazing and inpsiring, I have nothing at all to do with woodworking - but found every second of this informative. Wishing you every success in life brother.
putting everything else aside - you did an excellent job describing the product, process, etc - I don't think you took a break to breathe
I'm newly returning to woodworking, and want to find some fun simple projects. I came in expecting a short explanation, but you went very in depth in the best practices. This was fantastic!
The smokers look great, but your explanation of your process, and what you have changed over time, was super informative.
Thank you!
Edit: And then showing the breakdown of the video time! Great for people who are interested and didn't know. Even just that little bit of extra info.
Def liked and subbed.
Holy…….just holy wow. Clear concise and well thought out. Great product and an excellent delivery. Keep it up 👍
I don't drink but if I did and were to want a whisky smoker I would prefer the rounded-over version AND would have no problem paying the addition cost (whatever it was). Maybe you could take the same number of both the rounded-over and the square-edge versions so people could compare (and see how many you come home with unsold). That way you would know for a certainty what the buying public wanted. To me, I would think, whisky is more of a savoring experience so the nice rounded over edge just adds to the pleasure. Thanks for posting.
The best of RUclips format! Wow such good info.
That was the most informative video on a product I have ever seen. The knowledge is priceless as well as your experience. Well done explanation !
Try using a 45 degree bit to engrave the text then use that same tool to chamfer the top edge, and leave the bottom edge as is. Don't use the tip of the 45 when machining the edge. Offset the bit so that the middle of the cutting edge is hitting the part. Lower the Z the same amount as the offset to hit the intended dimensions.
I've never knew about the existence of these,.. so cool. Thanks for sharing man!!!! Cheers from Alberta- Canada!
Not just a whiskey smoker. I have an incense burner that burns the cones, works the exact same way. So it really could be used for several things.
Thank you, what a great video.
I am not a "maker" but the way you explained your trial and error to find product market fit was very insightful.
You the dude! Love the humbleness and badassery. Keep it up!!
Very refreshing video with how you share with no worries. I appreciate you and hope I can soon be making money with a CNC in my fully packed woodshop.
I don't exactly know why RUclips coaxed me to this video, but you instantly caught my attention showing the hours of filming and editing at the end. Excited to see your end of year breakdown now -- you got a new subscriber! :)
I love the drying rack setup you've got! That's genius!
Going down a youtube rabbit hole, as we all do, and found this. I have to say, "Damn dude! You one hell of a sales man. I don't own a cnc machine, nor do I have the place to put one, but I for some reason want to buy these files."
This sort of thing happened to me in a different capacity. One of my most basic products (to make) is the best seller........ and even though I've got many projects I think are cooler....... I just make the one that sells.... and the others can be ordered on demand.
awesome ... you are helping people in a big way
Thanks for showing us how the sausage is made. My "high class" friends will love these.
I think you may be able to get the glass to fill with smoke without using the torch. Instead of using the shavings, use fine sawdust and light it with a normal lighter. I think you may have to pack the bowl a little bit and also the screen may need to be shaped so that the saw dust will have a slight underside cavity. If this does work the smoke should cascade down into the glass instead of being forced into it by the torch. It doesn’t take much smoke to make the flavor, so any smoke lost upwards won’t be a big deal. Maybe worth a try.
Also, this will drastically reduce the flame damage to the board, so it will last much longer.
Cool glad you popped up
Very cool video. This is something I am not familiar with but my very first thought was to try this with a whiskey barrel stout. I can see why these would be popular. It's a pretty simple device, but has a primitive, hands-on, historical, food, fire, tactile nature about it I think humans are naturally attracted to.
You are so awesome! Thanks a million for so graciously sharing your ideas, tips, tricks and time!! You are definitely putting money in the “Bank of Life!”
Great Video and editing!
I’d use a beeswax blend to seal these. More natural than mineral oil. Great video, Hamilton! I love whiskey and this has me intrigued
Thank you, I been sold out of these things from the first day I started making them!
Just found your channel yesterday. I’m hooked! Your videos are some of the best and easiest to watch! Just started my Etsy shop in December, now to save up for a CNC! Thanks for all you do!
Keep an eye out for used machines. I accidentally came across a used Shapeoko 3 for $125. Too good of a deal to pass up. Now, that machine is really small for batch work like this, but it's a starting point nonetheless and gives me something to grow from.
Just a FYI propylene glycol is what's use in a fog machine not mineral oil for future reference
That's for sure one method, thanks for taking the time to comment!