Need a CNC mill and lathe

What do I think? Welcome to the real world of the self employed. That's what I think.

You will find that there will be many, many decisions you are going to have to make if you are looking at this as a "business". And nobody is goiing to decide for you. All you can do is make a decision based on the information you have to hand at the time.

I would be having someone else make them if you are looking at the quantities you are talking about. Sure, there are some successful one man bands with a CNC machine in his back garden shed making a good living. But it didn't happen overnight. Where the home machinist comes into his own is the one off specialist part. He can produce it (usually) cheaper than any full blown factory. I myself limit my "production runs" to ten. If I need more than ten I farm it out.

graham.

That one is over priced when you compare it to this one **LINK** or this **LINK**

Dean, I have sent you a message. You need to log in to see it - top right flashy thing.

Dean i have tried to explain this to you

a CNC shop with a 100k machine sat there needs to make a return, its simple buisness im sure you understand a shop that can make 3000 widget for a quid a piece will not be interested in making 50 parts at 25 quid ,we have been down this road we bought our own equipment even when i worked in industry it was high value one offs or thousands at repetitive rates very rarely in between unless it was a favour for one of the gaffers mates

however as someone who has a commercial buisness machining parts i could buy one of yours copy it and be making them an hour later for half the price you can ,it happens i have seen this working both in taiwan and britain and if you think a customer will go "you ripped such and such off" i can tell you when you offer them the same part for less money they wont, this is becoming all too commonplace now where the money talks

you need to find a working relationship with someone outhere that can make it for the right price and qty to win all round

another thing that senior 200 cnc lathe on ebay ...its 2.5k well worth every penny for a hobby guy making a few bits in a garage

Edited By mike mcdermid on 04/07/2014 10:26:43

I have been watching this thread with interest, and am suddenly reminded of the John Harvey-Jones 'TroubleShooter' series on TV.

I fondly remember the episode where he tried to persuade Peter Morgan to set-up a Ford style production line. ... Two men with diametrically opposed "values".

MichaelG.