I’ve had a cnc for a year and a half. Everything you brought up is right on the mark! It took me around 4 months before I could actually make money with it. Now it runs 30 hours a week and it’s getting harder to have enough time in the day to cut everything I need to. Thanks for the great content.
Well I want one for hobbies not for making money. And what I want is something that could do 85-100 cm wide parts. Doesn’t need to be able to make long parts as long as one can feed through and do it in multiple runs it could really be a short distance. But I also want it to be capable of at least softer metals like aluminum and copper. What should I do, build my own?
thanks nice ideas. I run a small custom cabinet shop for kitchens and built ins. I have debated the cnc purchase issue for years. The reality is I don't really need one for my clients. If I want 50 cnc routed mdf doors, I can just email a local shop that has 5 machines cutting doors all day. Their prices are so cheap there is no point cutting the doors myself. In terms of cutting rectangular cabinet box parts, I have really good table saw/ miter saw/ fork lift setup. A $100,000 cnc might save me an hour to cut the parts on a custom kitchen, but not enough to justify the expense. Eventually I decided to by a small professional grade machine. I got an Axiom 2" x 4" with VCarve pro software. The full set up was $15,000 Canadian (maybe $11,000 US) I decided I didn't need a big one, but I wanted a professional quality small one. I didn't want to waste time rejigging a low cost machine. This was a good decision. We do use it to cut out detail parts like decorations on fancy fireplace mantels, but for the most part it is not really a big part of our production. There were two real reasons I got it. I thought it would be fun, which it definitely is. The second reason is that one of the biggest challenges in business these days is attracting young talent. I thought that having up to date technology would make my shop attractive to aspiring young woodworkers, which it has. So on the whole I think it was a good purchase, but as you point out, it is just one more tool the shop. It is not some kind of miracle technology for printing money.
Thank you! I have been telling some of the guys I know the same information that you are giving out. They went out and purchased CnC machines without any plans, but they "needed" to have them into their shop. Just like my wife needing the have a treadmill because her friend has one. Used the treadmill twice, and now it is nothing but a glorified coat rack..
If i weren't in a good job right now i would 110% start right up. Its true CNC's are no longer the new flashy tool on the road but its like you said, theres so many things that people dont take into account of the cost, maintenance or knowledge of running and using one effectively. If you already know these aspects then youre already ahead of many people in the CNC/woodworking game
Great video. Since some time I think about building a CNC. Because I think it will be fun. But then, sometimes, I think about: What will I actually do with that thing.... Thanks for the reminder.
I know from experience you could probably code a script (maybe in python) to combine and edit two gcode files together or modify one gcode file from 3-axis to 6-axis and the like. I'm not aware of any commercial software that does this but gcode files are pretty easy to edit. So even if Vcarve supports only 3 axes, you could process that file further to force it to run on your bigger multi-axis machine. This is complicated to do, so I understand from a business perspective you might want a more turn-key solution. On top of that you wouldn't have advanced functionality like the commercial software has for generating multi-axis toolpaths BUT you could get away with doing simple things. For example, if you just wanted router head #2 to do the same job as router head #1 you more or less just need a script to copy and paste the current 3-axis toolpaths to new axis letters within the same file. Love your videos! Keep 'em coming!
Love your videos and your insights you allow us to have in your Business. Especially your hints and tips are really helpful and are truly catching in the way that i want to start an own Business with my ideas and to have the courage to do so. İ have one question tough. What would you suggest when it comes to CNC programming and learning it. Where should i start. İ have a printer and laser cutter and engraver so i am a little into CNC but ask myself if these bigger CNC machines are different to handle? Would be awesome to get a hint here, so i know where to start. Continue the good work and i wish you all the best for your Business!
@@JimsRobot Hi. The servo motors will have a built in encoder. Cheap CNC machines do not. The encoder will make them accurate to 0.02mm, but in reality not quite. A stone kitchen counter top to sit the whole machine on would definitely help, but working with wood rarely such accuracy is needed. I'm making ski cores with mine, so i like to have it 😀😀
I’ve had a cnc for a year and a half. Everything you brought up is right on the mark! It took me around 4 months before I could actually make money with it. Now it runs 30 hours a week and it’s getting harder to have enough time in the day to cut everything I need to. Thanks for the great content.
Very good information!!!! Made my decision to out source for now
Well I want one for hobbies not for making money. And what I want is something that could do 85-100 cm wide parts. Doesn’t need to be able to make long parts as long as one can feed through and do it in multiple runs it could really be a short distance. But I also want it to be capable of at least softer metals like aluminum and copper.
What should I do, build my own?
thanks nice ideas. I run a small custom cabinet shop for kitchens and built ins. I have debated the cnc purchase issue for years. The reality is I don't really need one for my clients. If I want 50 cnc routed mdf doors, I can just email a local shop that has 5 machines cutting doors all day. Their prices are so cheap there is no point cutting the doors myself. In terms of cutting rectangular cabinet box parts, I have really good table saw/ miter saw/ fork lift setup. A $100,000 cnc might save me an hour to cut the parts on a custom kitchen, but not enough to justify the expense. Eventually I decided to by a small professional grade machine. I got an Axiom 2" x 4" with VCarve pro software. The full set up was $15,000 Canadian (maybe $11,000 US) I decided I didn't need a big one, but I wanted a professional quality small one. I didn't want to waste time rejigging a low cost machine. This was a good decision. We do use it to cut out detail parts like decorations on fancy fireplace mantels, but for the most part it is not really a big part of our production. There were two real reasons I got it. I thought it would be fun, which it definitely is. The second reason is that one of the biggest challenges in business these days is attracting young talent. I thought that having up to date technology would make my shop attractive to aspiring young woodworkers, which it has. So on the whole I think it was a good purchase, but as you point out, it is just one more tool the shop. It is not some kind of miracle technology for printing money.
Thank you! I have been telling some of the guys I know the same information that you are giving out.
They went out and purchased CnC machines without any plans, but they "needed" to have them into their shop.
Just like my wife needing the have a treadmill because her friend has one.
Used the treadmill twice, and now it is nothing but a glorified coat rack..
yeh wives are awesome aye lol
He-he. If i don't make the effort my Tacx smart trainer and push bike are a super expensive clothes drier too!!! 🤣🤣
If i weren't in a good job right now i would 110% start right up. Its true CNC's are no longer the new flashy tool on the road but its like you said, theres so many things that people dont take into account of the cost, maintenance or knowledge of running and using one effectively. If you already know these aspects then youre already ahead of many people in the CNC/woodworking game
Hi Mark, Great video. I have been running CNC routers for more than 20 years. This is really good advice for anyone starting out.
Great video. Since some time I think about building a CNC. Because I think it will be fun. But then, sometimes, I think about: What will I actually do with that thing.... Thanks for the reminder.
i got my cnc 2 years ago its a onefinity never used one before i had it up and running in just few hrs still haven't broke a bit to this day
I know from experience you could probably code a script (maybe in python) to combine and edit two gcode files together or modify one gcode file from 3-axis to 6-axis and the like. I'm not aware of any commercial software that does this but gcode files are pretty easy to edit. So even if Vcarve supports only 3 axes, you could process that file further to force it to run on your bigger multi-axis machine. This is complicated to do, so I understand from a business perspective you might want a more turn-key solution. On top of that you wouldn't have advanced functionality like the commercial software has for generating multi-axis toolpaths BUT you could get away with doing simple things. For example, if you just wanted router head #2 to do the same job as router head #1 you more or less just need a script to copy and paste the current 3-axis toolpaths to new axis letters within the same file. Love your videos! Keep 'em coming!
Great job on this video. I really appreciate your channel for it's truthfulness and accuracy.
That's exactly what I needed to hear, a hot blast of reality. Thanks for laying it all out on the table. Great video.
Love your videos and your insights you allow us to have in your Business. Especially your hints and tips are really helpful and are truly catching in the way that i want to start an own Business with my ideas and to have the courage to do so.
İ have one question tough. What would you suggest when it comes to CNC programming and learning it. Where should i start. İ have a printer and laser cutter and engraver so i am a little into CNC but ask myself if these bigger CNC machines are different to handle? Would be awesome to get a hint here, so i know where to start.
Continue the good work and i wish you all the best for your Business!
I do like your business insight a lot! Keep up the good work!
Thank you for your advice and wisdom!
Which software are you running with the Onsurd? Interesting that the controller doesn't read post processor from Vectric.
Love the tip videos dude. I’m a newbie who loves cutting it close. It’s growing quick so your advice is priceless. Thanks man 🤙
Glad to help
What software did you have to purchase to run your big cnc?
AlphaCam is what I had to purchase along with a post processor
I would add 1/learn CAD and 2/a closed loop system
What's a closed loop system?
@@JimsRobot Hi. The servo motors will have a built in encoder. Cheap CNC machines do not. The encoder will make them accurate to 0.02mm, but in reality not quite. A stone kitchen counter top to sit the whole machine on would definitely help, but working with wood rarely such accuracy is needed. I'm making ski cores with mine, so i like to have it 😀😀
Hello my friend. I got 10k what cnc machine you recommended me to buy and start making and selling?
Can you share the music name at the end of the video? Thanks!
Rex Banner - Voltage
I glad you pointed it out the software, a CNC with out a good software is pointless.
Good advice, a machine does not give you project ideas, either way, you got them before or you don´t : )
3d printer. Click go. Yeah right sure.
You mean I’m not special?! 😂
🤣
You're not that smart??? BRO...come on!!!
As a long time CNC owner, I don't think your hint over software was accurate 😇🫡