Getting Started in business

[johnnywoodworking15]

Hello,
I am a retiring engineering & technology teacher and I need advice on setting up my on woodworking cnc shop. I currently have an axiom pro 8 in my classroom and when I retire I would like the same setup and I need some advice on is this truly the best machine and selling my products online. Ideas any help will be appreciated on getting this process started.??

Thanks 

[eagle55]

Hi Johnny,

Welcome to the forum and to your upcoming retirement. I'm not the most experienced by far on the forum but I have a little insight that I will share as well as share my struggles. I have used a NextWave Automation Shark Hd for about 12 years when I quit using it. It had many design issues that the company not only refused to admit, but put many "patches" on but never really getting to the heart of the problem. Main one being rigidity of the gantry. The use of HDPE although seemingly clever became apparent to be an appalling design at some point. That criticism being aired, it was still a decent machine and once you discovered its short comings, you could find work-arounds and I feel like I was reasonably successful in using it during my 12 year tenure. I'm sure there are many endorsing other brands of machines fall into the same category in that you have spent your money, whether a good or bad decision and you have to live with it and make the best of it that you can. I would always be wary of the desktop mounted machines and the drives that they use. In defense of Nextwave, for me at that time I still think it was probably the best choice because of it's price-point. I couldn't do any more and it might have been the best at the time. (Note: Axiom came out with their first machine about a year after I bought mine and even then it looked much better but I couldn't afford to have stepped that high originally and sure couldn't once I bought the Nextwave) My next machine was the Axiom AR8 Pro V5. Shortly stated I was like a prisoner set free. All of the problem the Nextwave HD suffered, was solved with the Axiom. It could do better, faster easier.... everything that I was "running away from". It has it misc. problems as any machine will, occasional component failure (stepper motor driver failed early on and coolant pump tank leaking) both of which were addressed promptly by Axiom tech support and replacements sent out promptly. The Richauto controller was a bit of a step backwards compared to the Nextwave computer display and control program, but its workable and easy to get used to although not the best choice in my opinion, but doesn't stop it (or me) from getting projects done. Truly best??? I can't say, having my limited experience, but that being said I was guided away from several other machines that I was considering by people who had had bad experiences. So I think it is among the better choices that you could make. I know if you are not unlimited with funds, you might be thinking... oh I can make a bench to sit it on, and I have a tool box already.... but as penny pinching as I am, I splurge on the base and the "fit in the base" tool box. Both of which I hardily feel that I would have been foolish to think I could have come out as good or better on my own. If you are going to spend the money for the machine, get the base and tool box. You won't regret it, or at least I didn't. Now tool bits and stuff, I did have a good set, but made a custom tool bit rack that a fair amount of thought (and previous experience) went into, and fits in the top drawer (photo attached)  If anything would persuade me to change my mind on a better machine, it would probabably be a better controller for the same amount of money or slightly more, but again, I feel like I jumped as high as I could this time also so if it was much more I wouldn't have been able to afford it.  The biggest thing I think for you to consider is.... what do I want to do now..... and..... what would I might want to do in the future.  If this machine that you are now using fulfills that then I think if would be a good one to stick with since you already are using it, familiar with the software ect.   I'll be honest, I don't like the idea of trying to learn new design software or programs like g-sender and things like that. I am too busy trying to make things and build and income and not looking to spread my wings and learn new things just to be able to do the things I can already.  The only machine I can think of that I didn't look a lot at but think if was noteworthy is the Laguna lines.  I can't remember if there was a reason why I didn't consider it further or ruled it out other than maybe the price-point was above my ability.    Now selling your products is a whole other discussion.  I am working on going from hobby level custom stuff on the side to trying to make a living doing this.  Not sure I have that figured out yet but trying various things until I can find something that takes off or is successful.  You can follow some of what I am doing on facebook and instagram as Eaglecarver.  As they say, I am a work in progress in that area. Hopefully, others may respond regarding selling our wares and help us both.  Feel free to contact me anytime if you want to share or brainstorm ideas.

Roger

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[johnnywoodworking15]

Thank you for the insight!
I will be responding back with you!

[loren]

A couple thoughts:

- A pro 8 works fine for this. If I had the space and a separate shop, I'd have several.
- Think carefully about doing this if you have a basement shop. Hours of CNC music each day would make for a cranky family.
- It's expensive, but offloading fulfillment to a place like Amazon makes retirement life better. You can travel, work when you feel like it, send products off to a warehouse and forget the rest.