Long time coming

[Craftee]

Hello to all,

I am so glad I found this community. A couple years ago my family decided to start a business making things. We drafted a business plan and tried to establish what approach we wanted to take. I am much more familiar with woodworking and had most tools for that already, but decided a metal CNC business was probably better. Well then COVID hit and turned everything upside down. We were never going to quit our day jobs and it has taken us a looong time to save up and get the minimum equipment to start. We had to get the table, plasma machine, computer, compressor, etc and install a sub panel with dedicated 220v in the garage separate from all the wood tools. We ended up with a Premier Plasma 4X8 with Hypertherm 45XP and Ingersoll Rand 60Gal. I have gotten questions answered on this site during research and initial setup just by reading. We just decided to create an account to possibly help others once we know what we are doing ourselves. We are only three days in to cutting and starting to figure out settings and what will work best. So far we’ve mostly had success, but some failures too. As long as I trend in the right direction I’ll be happy.

[adbuch]

Welcome aboard Craftee! It sounds like you are on the right track, and it's great to be "up and running", or should I say "up and cutting". You've got some nice equipment there, and I have the 45xp on one of my tables and it is a truly great cutter. We would love to see some of your work, so feel free to upload some photos of some of your projects.
David

[acourtjester]

Welcome aboard, getting thing ready can take time but you seem to be at the point of realizing the fruits of your labor. I'm sure you have seen the varied group here and that many different projects have been posted that may help with your start up. You did not state if you had a router CNC table as part of your woodworking tools. Do realize you can convert you CNC table to also do routing or engraving work to expand your product line. Myself and others here use our tables as dual purpose tables. You can do metal cut signs, wall hangers personalized plaques, but also in wood. Do a little poking around on YouTube and you will see the great projects to consider. Remember the more complex you produce the more you can charge. Don't forget the look over the pricing program posted here to help with that end too.
Have fun
Tom

[Craftee]

Thanks guys, and I will definitely post some photos when I have something more refined. As for routing, I haven’t pulled the trigger on that just yet but want to eventually. I think it was only a few hundred dollars more to get that addition, but I couldn’t swing that just yet. I need to find a sheet break first. I’ve looked on Craigslist and Offerup, but nothing. I’m contemplating the 24” Grizzly T28522. Any recommendations for under $500 would be helpful. I have access to an Epilog 50W to help with wood engraving and lite cutting for now. Your projects look awesome especially with the layered colors.
Tony

[adbuch]

Thanks guys, and I will definitely post some photos when I have something more refined. As for routing, I haven’t pulled the trigger on that just yet but want to eventually. I think it was only a few hundred dollars more to get that addition, but I couldn’t swing that just yet. I need to find a sheet break first. I’ve looked on Craigslist and Offerup, but nothing. I’m contemplating the 24” Grizzly T28522. Any recommendations for under $500 would be helpful. I have access to an Epilog 50W to help with wood engraving and lite cutting for now. Your projects look awesome especially with the layered colors.
Tony

That Grizzly is a nice looking brake. Keep in mind that it is rated for 20 ga. max thickness for bending steel. You could probably get away with 18 ga. on narrower pieces, or maybe 16 ga. if you cut slots on the bend lines to facilitate bending. I own many Grizzly tools and most of them are pretty nice.
David

[adbuch]

Welcome aboard, getting thing ready can take time but you seem to be at the point of realizing the fruits of your labor. I'm sure you have seen the varied group here and that many different projects have been posted that may help with your start up. You did not state if you had a router CNC table as part of your woodworking tools. Do realize you can convert you CNC table to also do routing or engraving work to expand your product line. Myself and others here use our tables as dual purpose tables. You can do metal cut signs, wall hangers personalized plaques, but also in wood. Do a little poking around on YouTube and you will see the great projects to consider. Remember the more complex you produce the more you can charge. Don't forget the look over the pricing program posted here to help with that end too.
Have fun
Tom
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Tom - those are most definitely some nice looking pieces. That layered piece is great, and I really like the cnc routed sign as well. Keep up the good work.
David

[acourtjester]

Yes sir keeps a smile on my face Thanks David