I've been in the CNC game for about 15 years now professionaly. You nailed it honestly! Every beginner should take serious note and follow these steps. It will work!
Then they should get an internship under a legit CNC shop. Bypass the playtime molding nonsense and seek a real direction. Show me one single 3D printed part on any YT #D video. All I see is toy guns and wanabee tourbillons.
I've got a brand which I am out sourcing for CNC made things. Aluminium 7075-t6. Would love to machine it myself but ide need all sorts I feel and can't really start and scale from a bedroom/home office when you have the actual machinery. I'de need the machine to shape the product, laser to print the logo and something for the anodizing process. Sounds extremely expensive for my level currently :/
Used to build custom kitchen cabinets. Found out we could limit to two woods. What we learned was most people didn't really care and those who did would already know what they wanted and insist and we would charge extra.
I did something similar to how you screw into the waste board. However I used the same Size stock for a production run and secured in the same spot. I put two threaded inserts into the waste board where I needed to attach and used the same bolts each time. Saved on screws and didn’t wear out my waste board.
0:18 - 1. Invest money into things that make you money 1:00 - 2. Designs that can be easily replicated 1:47 - 3. Stock material layout 2:12 - 4. Preparing stock materials ahead of time 3:03 - 5. Dialing in feeds and speeds 3:47 - 6. Duct collection 4:11 - 7. Having spare parts 4:38 - 8. Design intent 5:09 - 9. Limit wood choices 6:14 - 10. Clamping techniques 7:33 - ending
An old timer once asked me if I knew how to make a small fortune in gold mining. I answered no, hoping for a timely tidbit of wisdom from the old timer. He said. "Start with a LARGE fortune."
I typically only screw my work piece down as well. Glad to see I am not the only one that prefers it. Knowing you have all the fancy clamp systems and still just screw it down makes me not feel like I am missing out anymore.
Makes me very happy to see your waste board with all of the through cut markings. I've seen some of these channels with pristine waste boards and I wonder if I'm doing something wrong.
Hi Andy, I've never even seen one of these in use, but enjoyed your video. In my woodworking business I have a lot of focus on scrap, junk, and waste material. My two best sellers are pens and cutting boards. It looks to me like each of your pre-production panels have leftover strips that could easily become end grain cutting boards. You could just glue up those leftovers at the end of the day in no time. I usually just round mine over on the router table, but with that machine of yours I'm sure a juice groove or finger slot would be easy to program to make them even more custom for your customers. Mine are $50 and my subscribers are very happy with them.
Good vid Andy, one more way to be more efficient is to use swap plates. You mount your material off-bed to a dedicated plate/fixture while the other is running. Then when one is complete, you swap the plates and hit start. While the CNC is running, you pull your parts and setup the next batch. You'll see the production % increase.
@@cheridaily1804 You have a dedicated pin fixture base that would mount to the machine table. This would be clamped, zeroed, and never move. Next, you create a couple swap plates that you would clamp the raw material to. These swap plates would be pin located to the base plate and there would be quick clamps from DESTACO, these would hold the swap plate on the base plate. Push start on CNC to make parts. While that swap plate is running, set up the next plate with raw material. As soon as the first swap plate is done, un-clamp, pull from the base, set aside, then take the second swap plate, clamp to base, and start CNC. Now the machine is running while you're unclamping the finished parts from swap plate no.1 and reset with raw material. Repeat over and over without ever changing the CNC program or zero point.
Thank you! I am just researching getting my first CNC. I LOVE the advice on just offering two wood types. Something I learned recently...the hard way. Also, your comment on custom orders is SO dead on. I have committed to working to create a certain amount of quality items to sell and not doing many custom orders. I have no idea what size, or price point, I want for my first CNC. I make trays, noodle boards/stove covers, tub trays, wood signs in basic rectangle and square shapes. I will be getting into bigger items soon. Thank you so much for great information!
This is great! Just found your channel after searching for Shapeoko videos. I've got my Shapeoko on order and can't wait to get it going. Thanks for all the great tips! Subscribed!
Great advice have learned a lot of these same things, I screw down to waste board as well. Was full custom and now moving over to full design and sell the work on the back end with custom was over whelming dealing with people!! Now its here's what i got take it or leave it. I always have a few spare parts like brushes for the router, limit switches, and bits. Great video!
That first thing you said, is the "Rich dad" mentality. It's something that has adjusted my mentality to frivolous purchases. Owning assets that can create you a return is important not only for businesses but also for individuals.
I'm so glad to have this video before I start CNC into my shop. Although I still waiting for CNC but now I feel a little bit ease. Thanks a million. All the best
Those are some really awesome tips. We paid our Shapeoko off our credit card after having it for a month and a half. It can be a game changer for money that’s for sure.
This is great. I think I already knew everything Andy said, but it took me my own 10 years to learn. I use an air-nailer to hold down boards to a fixed MDF spoilboard. Its far, far quicker than any other hold-down. The very skinny brad nails give the necessary lateral resistance to cutting forces, but the waste of the boards levers up easily when the work is done. The tools dont hit the nails becuase I have my layouts dialled in, and if they did my carbide tools will go through them without damage.
Great tips! I think one thing that you do but didn't mention explicitly is to always be building something. The more time you spend running your machine, the better you get to know your machine and what you can do with it. I took a long break from CNCing and it took me a while to remember how to do things and to get back into it!
I have been making custom plaques and signs for about 10 years now, and after trying a variety of methods, have settled on this process. Run it on the cnc, then sanding, then stain the sign, then clear coat it with lacquer to seal the wood, then using acrylic paint, fill in the v carvings, such as text or symbols, wash with damp towels to remove excess, let it all dry, then finish sanding, then another coat or two of clear lacquer. I use exterior grade spray cans. I am going to stop making custom jobs, as you mentioned, not much of a money maker. I tend to use standard sizes of lumber, some I mill from rough lumber, but as you mentioned, getting at least S3 is better spent time wise. I stopped using the masking films as the clean up is time consuming and it really does not make clean painting of the text. You inspire me to look for some things that I could batch produce and sell. Better spent time and way better profit. Thank you for your video and sharing your experiences.
I roll with 2 battery drills just for my CNC. Drill and screw the screws flush. 1 - Phillips head bit 2 - Pilot drill with chamfer (used for decking with decking) That way no need to swap bits out and loose the bits.
I have to correct you on everything making money. Maybe a part of what makes you money but sometimes it doesn't. But very good point. "Invest in things that make you money." That's what everyone should be thinking.
Wow Just wow ... been looking to invest in a CNC for nearly a year now, and you hit the nail on the head. this video alone has saved me months of research... Now I know what my possible hurdles are...Thanks
What your talking about of screwing the work piece directly down to your work table is Ideal for working with metal. Granted its more involved with a separate operation to make the holes in the work piece. But if you have enough of the same design or even a big valuable one off making a custom fixture plate is worth it. Toe clamps agents the X Y stops for the first op. Make the holes perhaps face the top of the material. Flip it over screw it down through your new holes and use a window frame as your doing hear to mill out the part. If your lucky enough to have holes through the part you can bolt through them as you mill through your tool tab's for a completed part (custom washers if needed). Without removing it. :-)
I have the exact same machine. Used it less than 10 hours and last time discovered it was losing orientation on the z-axis. Appreciate learning there’s an upgrade available as this seems to be a known issue from what I’ve read. Sucks that it already requires an upgrade to address this.
I like to use a pin nailer with 23 gauge pins to hold down my projects. Hasn't failed me yet and doesn't leave huge holes in my waste board. I also use a spackle knife to remove projects after carving.
I might start doing this! I've been using blue tape, super glue and activator along with some simple screws which works pretty great but does take 3-6 minutes to set up altogether (very small router with 1/8in endmills). Nails would definitely be quicker getting set in place.
I use similar limits (left bottom corner) but put there screws, which stick out (3-4 mm) their sharp side into material. Left side block has immovable screws so I just punch material there. Then I turn screws from bottom so they go into material my 2-4mm. On the other sides I use clamps of steel that stick into a holes that I pre-drill. Holes are 5mm above table and they are in places where bit will never go. That makes super-tight positioning of stock.
No 6 is so important. Recutting chips blunts cutter very quickly. You could also look at a strong air supply blowing around the cutter. They are in the big machines like the Felder Format4 I run. Good advice vid
I just recently bought my Shapeoko Pro XXL, and am upgrading from a 3018 Pro (big upgrade, look up a 3018 pro for some comparisons). Even coming from that machine to this I can agree on pretty much everything you've said. I've wanted a Shapeoko even before I got my 3018 Pro, but it was a hell of a lot cheaper (10% of the price of a shapeoko), and at least let me get my foot in the door of making my own items for the last 2 years. I was making things on an industrial CNC at a shop I use to work at (how I got introduced cncs (was hired as a cnc programmer with zero experience in cncs)), but once they moved me to the office an hour away, I needed my own machine for home. I'm hoping to stream line the process of making my rolling trays with the new machine. the old machine takes like 12 hours to make a rolling tray. I did some rough estimation that gave etas of around 1-2 hours (didn't but actual parameters in the program just rough estimate with some basic math off the top of my head). I posted a pic to a shapeoko group at I even had multiple people say "yeah that's a give or take 30-60 min project". So yeah super excited to see what this really does for my production.
one thing i can attest to about making custom orders, it truly is a pain. i build steel squat racks for people and when i did custom builds, there was always more pressure and stress in fulfilling that order. i found, as you did, its easier to make it (and actually enjoy doing it) and it is easier to find a buyer that way.
You are just like me, thank you very much for sharing your video. I got ideas along the machine you use. Your video was very encouraging. It's got to be super interesting the calculations of your time, material and machinery with the prices of what you sell. As someone who does not know anything about CNC machines your video is just fantastic.
Less material left for finish may improve your finish even more. Ive never worked with wood but with metal it makes a big difference. Maybe try .03 for finish instead of .0625. Hope this helps, great video!
Very nice video. I don't think that I would add any suggestions except many people I have worked with recommend brass screws for screwing to the sacrifice board. This will not damage the bit as much if there is a collision.
Excellent Video! 👍👍👍 I fully agree. I also screw down my stock for „mass production“ - the waste board survives this for 9-12 months, then I replace it.
I agree! So many fall into the trap of "I need that before I can do anything" Sometimes true, but making it work with what you have is the way to go. Especially when you're starting out
Man. This is a well done and very informative video. I plan on starting my own small home business and will be purchasing a Shapeoko CNC machine soon. I've done quite a bit of research and know that I want this machine. You have answered all my questions , plus more! Thanks for taking the time to help others starting out... Well done!
If we end up getting a second stimulus check, I’m probably going to pull the trigger on one. I just bought a 3d printer in the last few months and have only just dipped my feet into that. But I definitely enjoy working with wood more than printing things out of plastic. I would definitely like to start making more money to help my family. Especially in these times of uncertainty. I appreciate your information. I’ll just add that maybe you could explain how you found your customers and how you market your items. Is it all word of mouth or a more online or a mixture of both?
Great video I have a suggestion you will become more productive the less you rely on the cnc. For instance use the cnc to create jigs for your processes then use power tools etc. My table saw is better at sawing than a cnc. The router with collets or template followers are faster because you can feel the work thru your hands and adjust accordingly on the fly. In the last 40 plus years I found myself using less and less power tools and using hand tools. Use the tools to their greatest advantage a cnc is best at creating jigs and it will last longer.
I agree to an extent. I think you're missing one huge advantage with a cnc. When a cnc is working, I'm off doing something else. Meaning I can sand or finish while the cnc is cutting more.
on larger pieces it is a must to have a vac table to insure precisely carving after planing it can become distorted looking when zeroing at the top also no wasting time screwing anything zero and go!
You might as well add a T-track on the x-axis as well so you can have a clamp on the X-axis and Y-Axis. Might make your Waste board last longer since you won't have to screw into it all the time. Lat thing you want to happen is you accidentally leave a burr from a previous screw and it lifts a section of the board. Next thing you know, you are milling on a slope. Do you deck all sides of your wood?
If you live in the right areas and have the right connections , yes you can make ok money, if you live where I live, and trust me I have a huge shop full of the nicest equipment one can imagine having, I have walk in cliental that wants a $2000 worth of materials and work for $3.00 and they want to make payments on the $3.00, but they have plenty of money for dope and beer and cigarettes. All my work goes out of the area or I just do my own projects for what I want. I also knew that going in. Another job paid for everything.
Great video man. Good tip on the clamping setup. Glad you showed yourself pulling on the pieces after you put the two screws in. I thought one would come loose, but seems tight and efficient. Gotta try it. Thank you.
Great videos! Your “accident” episode introduced me to your channel. I hope you’re doing well. This particular video is excellent...great straight forward tips.
Congratulations! thanks for sharing your experience... I think your first point is huge... so many people spend spend spend when they are just starting out a new business... The truth is the way to maximize your profits is to control your spending. Don't be afraid to start small and see what works...
Great advice. I've got a DIY 1250x1k router sitting here that works amazingly well, which I've used maybe ten times in the past two years. (I was more interested in the design and build process.) You're making me feel lazy. Guess I could start, like, you know, MAKING things. :)
your simple way about going at things is going to motivate me to get my xcarve going again. bought it three years ago, made 1k and stopped using it all together. loved every tip in this video
Great vid. Try to simplify designs, i dont mill but i do draw and i find myself making fancy corners on things that doesent matter for functionality , nor will it matter after instalment as often it is hidden parts. One should always strive to do good things but every time you need a smooth corner, ask yourself wether it is needed. Visual apperence may be the thing and then kt is justified but often it is not.
Very insightful, thanks for sharing! Especially custom one-offs vs repeatable designs. One way around custom that I've included into my services is still do custom pieces but agree to be able to replicate it. A client bringing you an idea or design has value, so I produce it for them for cheaper in agreeance to be able to replicate it or sell plans of it.
I know it, but hearing it from someone is priceless. I have a workshop with machines for 5 people but I work alone. I like collecting tools. of course they are used for work and help. I've found that specializing in one field is very beneficial. Unfortunately, it's hard for me to do this. I weld everything that people bring to me. Mainly aluminum tubes for air conditioning from cars. Once I made a CNC attachment for a lathe and milling machine for repetitive jobs. Thank you very much for this movie. If you have time, you can visit my channel. It's in Polish, but many movies have subtitles.
I really liked this video. Very good points and ways to think about the entire business through what you have experienced. Thank you for posting this. 👍🏾
Very clever and obviously a lot of thought gone into it. I suppose you do other work using different wood when required by the customer? I enjoyed watching your video.
I've been in the CNC game for about
15 years now professionaly. You nailed it honestly! Every beginner should take serious note and follow these steps. It will work!
@Jester Cool step one: cut a hole in a box
Then they should get an internship under a legit CNC shop. Bypass the playtime molding nonsense and seek a real direction. Show me one single 3D printed part on any YT #D video. All I see is toy guns and wanabee tourbillons.
@@JS-rp7qb 😂😂😂 That's Gold Gerry!!!
I've got a brand which I am out sourcing for CNC made things. Aluminium 7075-t6. Would love to machine it myself but ide need all sorts I feel and can't really start and scale from a bedroom/home office when you have the actual machinery. I'de need the machine to shape the product, laser to print the logo and something for the anodizing process. Sounds extremely expensive for my level currently :/
J
The fact that you’re so openly sharing this information speaks on your heart. Thank you so much
Thank you that means a lot. I hope you found the information helpful
And this is exactly why I subscribed to his channel, that is for sharing!
Used to build custom kitchen cabinets. Found out we could limit to two woods. What we learned was most people didn't really care and those who did would already know what they wanted and insist and we would charge extra.
Why used? Thought kitchen cabinets are on the rise.
I did something similar to how you screw into the waste board. However I used the same
Size stock for a production run and secured in the same spot. I put two threaded inserts into the waste board where I needed to attach and used the same bolts each time. Saved on screws and didn’t wear out my waste board.
0:18 - 1. Invest money into things that make you money
1:00 - 2. Designs that can be easily replicated
1:47 - 3. Stock material layout
2:12 - 4. Preparing stock materials ahead of time
3:03 - 5. Dialing in feeds and speeds
3:47 - 6. Duct collection
4:11 - 7. Having spare parts
4:38 - 8. Design intent
5:09 - 9. Limit wood choices
6:14 - 10. Clamping techniques
7:33 - ending
An old timer once asked me if I knew how to make a small fortune in gold mining. I answered no, hoping for a timely tidbit of wisdom from the old timer.
He said. "Start with a LARGE fortune."
Same with motor-racing.
The way you make a fortune Gold Mining is sell the "spades" ;-)
When I started the venture that made me rich, all I had was a dream... and six million dollars.
This is basically my process. I had a massive uptick in Etsy orders this week which equated to about 4k...having these processes were crucial.
Thats fantastic!!
Hey Matt, Whats your store called. I'm in Australia FYI.
@@vicconstruction9126 MKRBuilds on etsy. I sell super simple D&D related signs made of pine 1x6 so margins are good.
@@Cybnew What is D&D related signs! I don't understand your abbreviations!
Thanks
Dungeons and Dragons
Dude I just started and I totally agree. Spoil boards are cheap. We just have to understand that they replaceable
I typically only screw my work piece down as well. Glad to see I am not the only one that prefers it. Knowing you have all the fancy clamp systems and still just screw it down makes me not feel like I am missing out anymore.
I have shaved a few screws down - someone suggested using brass screws would be softer if accidentally hit with endmill...
@@benwalters3825 Someone showed us plastic/composite nails...how freaking cool is that. It takes a special nail gun though. Those sound ideal!
Makes me very happy to see your waste board with all of the through cut markings. I've seen some of these channels with pristine waste boards and I wonder if I'm doing something wrong.
I agree!!
Me too
its because they have an extra layer on top and remove it for pretty videos....
Thank you very much. I just bought a CNC for 5k. You gave me a piece of mind.
Right on!
Hi Andy, I've never even seen one of these in use, but enjoyed your video. In my woodworking business I have a lot of focus on scrap, junk, and waste material. My two best sellers are pens and cutting boards. It looks to me like each of your pre-production panels have leftover strips that could easily become end grain cutting boards. You could just glue up those leftovers at the end of the day in no time. I usually just round mine over on the router table, but with that machine of yours I'm sure a juice groove or finger slot would be easy to program to make them even more custom for your customers. Mine are $50 and my subscribers are very happy with them.
Thank you for the positive input!👍
Good vid Andy, one more way to be more efficient is to use swap plates. You mount your material off-bed to a dedicated plate/fixture while the other is running. Then when one is complete, you swap the plates and hit start. While the CNC is running, you pull your parts and setup the next batch. You'll see the production % increase.
This is really interesting. Thank you for sharing!
What is a swap plate?
@@cheridaily1804 You have a dedicated pin fixture base that would mount to the machine table. This would be clamped, zeroed, and never move. Next, you create a couple swap plates that you would clamp the raw material to. These swap plates would be pin located to the base plate and there would be quick clamps from DESTACO, these would hold the swap plate on the base plate. Push start on CNC to make parts. While that swap plate is running, set up the next plate with raw material. As soon as the first swap plate is done, un-clamp, pull from the base, set aside, then take the second swap plate, clamp to base, and start CNC. Now the machine is running while you're unclamping the finished parts from swap plate no.1 and reset with raw material. Repeat over and over without ever changing the CNC program or zero point.
Nice machined. I wish I had the room for something like that. The possibilities are endless! Congrats on seeing some return!
Thank you! I am just researching getting my first CNC. I LOVE the advice on just offering two wood types. Something I learned recently...the hard way. Also, your comment on custom orders is SO dead on. I have committed to working to create a certain amount of quality items to sell and not doing many custom orders.
I have no idea what size, or price point, I want for my first CNC. I make trays, noodle boards/stove covers, tub trays, wood signs in basic rectangle and square shapes. I will be getting into bigger items soon.
Thank you so much for great information!
This is great! Just found your channel after searching for Shapeoko videos. I've got my Shapeoko on order and can't wait to get it going. Thanks for all the great tips! Subscribed!
Great!!
What is important is your continuous effort, enthusiasm and positive attitude all the time...
Last one, Totally! I've seen so many fancy clamps. It's just so much easier to buzz in a couple of screws. It's called a spoil board for a reason :)
Just purchased a 6040cnc to start a small business and a laser. Good luck with your projects
Great advice have learned a lot of these same things, I screw down to waste board as well. Was full custom and now moving over to full design and sell the work on the back end with custom was over whelming dealing with people!! Now its here's what i got take it or leave it. I always have a few spare parts like brushes for the router, limit switches, and bits. Great video!
Thanks for watching!
That first thing you said, is the "Rich dad" mentality. It's something that has adjusted my mentality to frivolous purchases. Owning assets that can create you a return is important not only for businesses but also for individuals.
I couldn't agree more👍
Rich dad poor dad is hands down the best book ever haha
I'm so glad to have this video before I start CNC into my shop. Although I still waiting for CNC but now I feel a little bit ease. Thanks a million. All the best
Glad I could help!
Those are some really awesome tips. We paid our Shapeoko off our credit card after having it for a month and a half. It can be a game changer for money that’s for sure.
Yeah man same here!
This is great. I think I already knew everything Andy said, but it took me my own 10 years to learn. I use an air-nailer to hold down boards to a fixed MDF spoilboard. Its far, far quicker than any other hold-down. The very skinny brad nails give the necessary lateral resistance to cutting forces, but the waste of the boards levers up easily when the work is done. The tools dont hit the nails becuase I have my layouts dialled in, and if they did my carbide tools will go through them without damage.
I'm going to look into this clamping technique!
same, but with plastic composite nails. tap the edge with a mallet and they shear off
@@JW-hh4qg I've never herd of such nails! Can you link me, JW?
You are one smart craftsman, very nice of you to share all of this great information. You, my friend are one of a kind👍.
You should try using a composite fastener (aka plastic nails) in lieu of screws. If you hit one it doesn’t damage your bits and it’s faster.
I just order the xxl this morning. I am excited. Will be checking other videos. Thx
Congrats! Thats exciting!
Great tips! I think one thing that you do but didn't mention explicitly is to always be building something. The more time you spend running your machine, the better you get to know your machine and what you can do with it. I took a long break from CNCing and it took me a while to remember how to do things and to get back into it!
Just watched you for the first time
You are the Man for sharing!!
I have been making custom plaques and signs for about 10 years now, and after trying a variety of methods, have settled on this process. Run it on the cnc, then sanding, then stain the sign, then clear coat it with lacquer to seal the wood, then using acrylic paint, fill in the v carvings, such as text or symbols, wash with damp towels to remove excess, let it all dry, then finish sanding, then another coat or two of clear lacquer. I use exterior grade spray cans. I am going to stop making custom jobs, as you mentioned, not much of a money maker. I tend to use standard sizes of lumber, some I mill from rough lumber, but as you mentioned, getting at least S3 is better spent time wise.
I stopped using the masking films as the clean up is time consuming and it really does not make clean painting of the text.
You inspire me to look for some things that I could batch produce and sell. Better spent time and way better profit.
Thank you for your video and sharing your experiences.
Thank you for the detailed response!
I roll with 2 battery drills just for my CNC. Drill and screw the screws flush.
1 - Phillips head bit
2 - Pilot drill with chamfer (used for decking with decking)
That way no need to swap bits out and loose the bits.
Thats a good tip!
I have to correct you on everything making money. Maybe a part of what makes you money but sometimes it doesn't. But very good point. "Invest in things that make you money." That's what everyone should be thinking.
Wow Just wow ... been looking to invest in a CNC for nearly a year now, and you hit the nail on the head. this video alone has saved me months of research...
Now I know what my possible hurdles are...Thanks
Great to hear!
What your talking about of screwing the work piece directly down to your work table is Ideal for working with metal. Granted its more involved with a separate operation to make the holes in the work piece. But if you have enough of the same design or even a big valuable one off making a custom fixture plate is worth it.
Toe clamps agents the X Y stops for the first op. Make the holes perhaps face the top of the material. Flip it over screw it down through your new holes and use a window frame as your doing hear to mill out the part. If your lucky enough to have holes through the part you can bolt through them as you mill through your tool tab's for a completed part (custom washers if needed). Without removing it. :-)
I have the exact same machine. Used it less than 10 hours and last time discovered it was losing orientation on the z-axis. Appreciate learning there’s an upgrade available as this seems to be a known issue from what I’ve read. Sucks that it already requires an upgrade to address this.
Man that stinks, I ran the stock z-axis for about a year before I switched. I see that they don't sell the belt driven z model anymore
I like to use a pin nailer with 23 gauge pins to hold down my projects. Hasn't failed me yet and doesn't leave huge holes in my waste board. I also use a spackle knife to remove projects after carving.
I might start doing this! I've been using blue tape, super glue and activator along with some simple screws which works pretty great but does take 3-6 minutes to set up altogether (very small router with 1/8in endmills). Nails would definitely be quicker getting set in place.
You speak a lot of sense. Kudos.
I use similar limits (left bottom corner) but put there screws, which stick out (3-4 mm) their sharp side into material. Left side block has immovable screws so I just punch material there. Then I turn screws from bottom so they go into material my 2-4mm. On the other sides I use clamps of steel that stick into a holes that I pre-drill. Holes are 5mm above table and they are in places where bit will never go. That makes super-tight positioning of stock.
Well done Brother... I really appreciate the insight and words.. thank you
Great! Glad you enjoyed
The design part is so important! The more complejs the item is the more important it gets.
Great vid! TY!
No 6 is so important. Recutting chips blunts cutter very quickly. You could also look at a strong air supply blowing around the cutter. They are in the big machines like the Felder Format4 I run. Good advice vid
Thanks for sharing
I am so glad I found this channel.... your advice is a life saver.....
Welcome! Glad to help!
Congrats on you success, hard work and interest in what your doing, will always bring the dollars.
That are some great tips for starting your own business with a CNC machine!! I hope you are gonna make a lot more with it!!
That's the plan!
I just recently bought my Shapeoko Pro XXL, and am upgrading from a 3018 Pro (big upgrade, look up a 3018 pro for some comparisons). Even coming from that machine to this I can agree on pretty much everything you've said. I've wanted a Shapeoko even before I got my 3018 Pro, but it was a hell of a lot cheaper (10% of the price of a shapeoko), and at least let me get my foot in the door of making my own items for the last 2 years. I was making things on an industrial CNC at a shop I use to work at (how I got introduced cncs (was hired as a cnc programmer with zero experience in cncs)), but once they moved me to the office an hour away, I needed my own machine for home. I'm hoping to stream line the process of making my rolling trays with the new machine. the old machine takes like 12 hours to make a rolling tray. I did some rough estimation that gave etas of around 1-2 hours (didn't but actual parameters in the program just rough estimate with some basic math off the top of my head). I posted a pic to a shapeoko group at I even had multiple people say "yeah that's a give or take 30-60 min project". So yeah super excited to see what this really does for my production.
Awesome! You'll see a massive improvement.
May I ask what your CNC purchase cost?
one thing i can attest to about making custom orders, it truly is a pain. i build steel squat racks for people and when i did custom builds, there was always more pressure and stress in fulfilling that order. i found, as you did, its easier to make it (and actually enjoy doing it) and it is easier to find a buyer that way.
Right on
you are awesome bud, your passion and sincerity shines through!
I appreciate that!
You are just like me, thank you very much for sharing your video. I got ideas along the machine you use. Your video was very encouraging. It's got to be super interesting the calculations of your time, material and machinery with the prices of what you sell. As someone who does not know anything about CNC machines your video is just fantastic.
I'm glad you found it helpful!
Thnx :) I looking at getting a cnc router for my business and these where good things to ceep in mind :) Keep up the good work :)
First time on this channel. I like it! Good production advise
Welcome aboard!
Less material left for finish may improve your finish even more. Ive never worked with wood but with metal it makes a big difference. Maybe try .03 for finish instead of .0625. Hope this helps, great video!
Thanks for the tips!
@@AndyBirdBuilds your welcome!
Very nice video. I don't think that I would add any suggestions except many people I have worked with recommend brass screws for screwing to the sacrifice board. This will not damage the bit as much if there is a collision.
Good tip!
Great video. Spoken as a solid business owner
Great video! Cheers mate for all the hints. Will watch it again and again.
Glad you enjoyed it, I'm making another video like this one right now! Should be out this Friday
Yeay good advice im still wanting my own cnc
Glad to help!
I found these tips applicable to leather work too. Good video.
Great to hear!
Excellent Video! 👍👍👍 I fully agree. I also screw down my stock for „mass production“ - the waste board survives this for 9-12 months, then I replace it.
Awesome, thanks for posting. You've helped me to keep my cnc stress levels a lot lower!
I reckon our RUclips feeds are pretty similar Benny 👀
Thank you for posting your video! It's amazing what can come from simplification. Even with an etch-a-sketch set up these rules should work.
I agree! So many fall into the trap of "I need that before I can do anything" Sometimes true, but making it work with what you have is the way to go. Especially when you're starting out
Man. This is a well done and very informative video. I plan on starting my own small home business and will be purchasing a Shapeoko CNC machine soon. I've done quite a bit of research and know that I want this machine.
You have answered all my questions , plus more! Thanks for taking the time to help others starting out... Well done!
Glad it was helpful! Best of luck!
If we end up getting a second stimulus check, I’m probably going to pull the trigger on one. I just bought a 3d printer in the last few months and have only just dipped my feet into that. But I definitely enjoy working with wood more than printing things out of plastic. I would definitely like to start making more money to help my family. Especially in these times of uncertainty. I appreciate your information. I’ll just add that maybe you could explain how you found your customers and how you market your items. Is it all word of mouth or a more online or a mixture of both?
Great video I have a suggestion you will become more productive the less you rely on the cnc. For instance use the cnc to create jigs for your processes then use power tools etc. My table saw is better at sawing than a cnc. The router with collets or template followers are faster because you can feel the work thru your hands and adjust accordingly on the fly. In the last 40 plus years I found myself using less and less power tools and using hand tools. Use the tools to their greatest advantage a cnc is best at creating jigs and it will last longer.
I agree to an extent. I think you're missing one huge advantage with a cnc. When a cnc is working, I'm off doing something else. Meaning I can sand or finish while the cnc is cutting more.
That would be awsome if you do a self teaching cnc series or a course on how you went learning and teaching yourself cnc machine.
Its in the works!
@@AndyBirdBuilds Awesome!
Hey Andy, nice informative video. just found your channel and look forward to viewing more of your work.
Thank you! I have more coming soon!
Thanks! Your sharing is much, very much, appreciated.
Glad to👍
Thank you for sharing your experiences.
My pleasure!
on larger pieces it is a must to have a vac table to insure precisely carving after planing it can become distorted looking when zeroing at the top also no wasting time screwing anything zero and go!
I agree. Maybe one day
Great video. My brother was doing custom CNC jewelry, and I think he was running into a lot of the problems you've described.
Thanks for watching!
Great advice, thanks. You've packed in a lot of learning.
Glad it was helpful!
You might as well add a T-track on the x-axis as well so you can have a clamp on the X-axis and Y-Axis. Might make your Waste board last longer since you won't have to screw into it all the time. Lat thing you want to happen is you accidentally leave a burr from a previous screw and it lifts a section of the board. Next thing you know, you are milling on a slope. Do you deck all sides of your wood?
All such great suggestions. Thanks for sharing your hard earned lessons
If you live in the right areas and have the right connections , yes you can make ok money, if you live where I live, and trust me I have a huge shop full of the nicest equipment one can imagine having, I have walk in cliental that wants a $2000 worth of materials and work for $3.00 and they want to make payments on the $3.00, but they have plenty of money for dope and beer and cigarettes. All my work goes out of the area or I just do my own projects for what I want. I also knew that going in. Another job paid for everything.
Great video man. Good tip on the clamping setup. Glad you showed yourself pulling on the pieces after you put the two screws in. I thought one would come loose, but seems tight and efficient. Gotta try it. Thank you.
Excellent advice. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
Got my Shapeoko XXL 2 years ago, got my $ back in 2 months :). Its really a moneymaker. I have some videos on my channel
Thanks Andy, I appreciate you doing this.
Nice man! Congrats! Thanks for the video. Subscribed and liked 👍
This is helpful. Thanks!
Glad you found it helpful!
Very clear and well said, thank you!
Absolutely!
I really want to put my xcarve to use and make money with it. I just need to step up my game I guess. Thanks for sharing this. Helpful tips.
You can do it!
but alas you can't step-up 3d printing. It is an embarrassing hobby. Give it up and consider a part-time job at Walgreens?
@@itsruf1 what are you talking about ?
@@itsruf1 Walgreens?, everyone knows McDonald the place to be! Ask Jay Leno!
@@itsruf1 3d printing an embarrassing hobby? It's called prototyping and it's a pretty essential part of engineering..
Fucking wish I had one!
u make it sound so easy ... i live in romania and i haven't made that much total in my whole life
I'll add, make sure your machine isn't prone to random stops from EMI. I just finished building my own design, and I hadn't considered it at all.
Would be interesting to see your stock prep process and how you set up your CAD to be optimal.
Great videos! Your “accident” episode introduced me to your channel. I hope you’re doing well.
This particular video is excellent...great straight forward tips.
Try a brad nailer instead of a screw. Takes up less space and will destroy your spoilboard much slower. No need to do pilot holes either.
You have great info. Keep it coming!
Thanks, will do!
Congratulations! thanks for sharing your experience... I think your first point is huge... so many people spend spend spend when they are just starting out a new business... The truth is the way to maximize your profits is to control your spending. Don't be afraid to start small and see what works...
Thank you! I couldn't agree more
Good info! Keep the videos coming
Great advice. I've got a DIY 1250x1k router sitting here that works amazingly well, which I've used maybe ten times in the past two years. (I was more interested in the design and build process.) You're making me feel lazy. Guess I could start, like, you know, MAKING things. :)
Ha! It does help to make things😀
your simple way about going at things is going to motivate me to get my xcarve going again. bought it three years ago, made 1k and stopped using it all together. loved every tip in this video
You totally should do it!
Great vid. Try to simplify designs, i dont mill but i do draw and i find myself making fancy corners on things that doesent matter for functionality , nor will it matter after instalment as often it is hidden parts. One should always strive to do good things but every time you need a smooth corner, ask yourself wether it is needed. Visual apperence may be the thing and then kt is justified but often it is not.
Very insightful, thanks for sharing! Especially custom one-offs vs repeatable designs. One way around custom that I've included into my services is still do custom pieces but agree to be able to replicate it. A client bringing you an idea or design has value, so I produce it for them for cheaper in agreeance to be able to replicate it or sell plans of it.
This is a great video I've ever seen. Thank you! I hope you can make another one for post-processing such as sanding, coloring, finishing, etc.
Great! I've made a video similar to this. Check out How to make 100+ Bar Signs
I know it, but hearing it from someone is priceless. I have a workshop with machines for 5 people but I work alone. I like collecting tools. of course they are used for work and help. I've found that specializing in one field is very beneficial. Unfortunately, it's hard for me to do this. I weld everything that people bring to me. Mainly aluminum tubes for air conditioning from cars. Once I made a CNC attachment for a lathe and milling machine for repetitive jobs. Thank you very much for this movie. If you have time, you can visit my channel. It's in Polish, but many movies have subtitles.
Thanks for watching!
what a great video in 8min! I like the first tip :)
Glad you found it helpful!
Brilliant, well done.
I really liked this video. Very good points and ways to think about the entire business through what you have experienced. Thank you for posting this. 👍🏾
Glad it was helpful!
Very clever and obviously a lot of thought gone into it. I suppose you do other work using different wood when required by the customer? I enjoyed watching your video.
Thank you so much!
Good tips man. Thanks.
You bet
If you made a vacuum table you could rip stock closer to finished size and save a ton of waste. If you need designs let me know