Page 1 of 4 1234 LastLast
Results 1 to 12 of 43

Thread: Getting machine shop started

  1. #1
    Registered
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    canada
    Posts
    28
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Getting machine shop started

    Hi
    Just recently moved to Vancouver, Ive got a VF2 in my workshop with virtually every option available and want to start a machine shop.
    My question is whats the best way to go about finding work? Whats the best way to get your name out there?

    Ive been in the cnc game for 14yrs now. Experienced in cutting exotic materials, 3,4,5 milling, multi axis turning centres, mold die and general machining. Without blowing my own trumpet technically I have no problems.

    My short fall's are this is my first business and I have few contacts in this area of the world to get some work for my new machine.


  2. #2
    Registered
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    615
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    Pants,

    I've set up shop here, and it's MY TOWN!!!!!!!

    Really, if it's sitting at home in the shop, go out and get a job @ some of the shops in town, and see where the works coming from. Or simply make your own niche. Come up with a product that you can sell that people need!


    Only Advice I can really give you is Mind your Cash Flow!!!!!!!

    Other than that enjoy Vancouver!!!! Not exactly a manufacturing hot bed, but the works there if you really want it.
    "It's only funny until some one get's hurt, and then it's just hilarious!!" Mike Patton - Faith No More Ricochet


  3. #3
    Registered
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    615
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    OK well since you are new here, I would recommend becoming a member of your local chamber of commerce, and start to schooze your butt off. Mingle with other business owners, and find out who needs machined components.
    "It's only funny until some one get's hurt, and then it's just hilarious!!" Mike Patton - Faith No More Ricochet


  4. #4
    Registered
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    517
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    Whatever you do, I would stay away from MFG.com.
    Tormach PCNC 1100, SprutCAM, Alibre CAD


  • #5
    Registered Kool Parts's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    452
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    Whatever you do, I would stay away from MFG.com.
    I would second that for sure stay far, far away.


  • #6
    Registered
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    2
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Build A Website

    If you do not already have a website, most definitely make one or pay someone to make one. Once of the first places most people will go to learn about your services are the internet. I agree with the posts about staying away from MFG. For the price you pay to them, you could pay someone to have a nice website up for you with much more content.

    website...website...website...

    Travis

    P.S. if you need help with places to put ads send me a pm


  • #7
    Registered
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    318
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    To those who say "stay away from MFG.com", I ask why? If you get over the hump of the money it costs, are there any other reasons? I guess I am confused on that matter.

    4 years ago, we started our shop here in Michigan with the intent to get work locally. Boy was that a joke. We couldn't even talk to anyone with in 100 miles of here. Most places have a telephone in the lobby without names, departments, extensions, nothing and a door with an electronic keypad. How do you get in there? Plain and simple. You don't.

    MFG.com gave us that foot in the door. Yes, for a start up company, it costs a lot of money. And honestly, we don't use it that much anymore. But we do use it. And we do get work off of it. Not all of it is the best paying work, but it is work none the less. In fact, we have received enough work from that to not just keep our doors open in the poor Michigan economy, but expand too.

    It did take us about 4 months of quoting to get our first job. And then another 3 to 4 months before we started getting a little steadier. Now there are no real slow times.

    Basically, like any other business, it just has taken many long hard hours to get off the ground. We did it with MFG.com. That's not to say that it was the easiest way, or the best way. But we did it. I really have nothing bad to say about it other than it can be frustrating sometimes quoting 100 jobs to get 5 or 6.

    Good luck up there in Vancouver!!!

    Gizmo


  • #8
    Registered
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    105
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    MFG.com is a scam. Go to the PM forum and you can read on and on about the owner of that company and how bad it is.


  • #9
    Registered
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    318
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    MFG.com is not a scam. I personally don't seem to feel it is all that bad. Again, I am not saying that it is right for every company either. It worked for us and got our name out there. Which is what we were trying to do. Now they come to us and I really don't need to use it anymore, but we still do occasionally.

    Anyway, have fun pants!!


  • #10
    Registered
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    canada
    Posts
    125
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    here it is you will make more money working for someone else in van right now. the need for machinest is so high you dont need to take the risk in running your own shop and spending your own money. you get high dollar for just showing up. some of the time you dont need to have a ticket aslong as you can do it.(not a button pusher) and if you are in a big enuff shop you can take the jobs that they dont want cause its to small and build up your client base there. vancouver is a wierd market good luck.


  • #11
    Registered
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    66
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    I agree the Lower Mainland (Metro Vancouver sounds gay) is a weird market. I've been running my own shop for 8 years now and am still confused some times. Allot of production and tooling shops are dead slow at the moment. Where as myself I have more then enough until October/November. My advice is to try and go after the hard work - everyone is capable of doing the easy idiot parts.

    JP


  • #12
    Registered
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    615
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0
    To all,

    I must apologize since it seems I scared the "Pants" off of the original poster, as he seems to be AWOL.

    I've been running part time in the Greater Vancouver area for about a year and a half, and never really been out of work. Maybe a few days here and there(made up some Family time then).

    But it seems that the work is out there, you just have to go and get it.

    Like if you are out of employment. There are jobs always there for the ones willing to go and get it. Not every customer is looking to have 10,000 aluminum washers made at a price of $100 a piece.

    Some work is a struggle, but that's the work I find the most rewarding. If it's easy, it's ok to set up but once it's running, my attention starts to wander, and I lose interest.

    Maybe because I take the challenging stuff that's why I'm constantly busy!!!!

    It's been a fun read guys. Good to meet some left coasters in here to!!!!

    Cheers
    "It's only funny until some one get's hurt, and then it's just hilarious!!" Mike Patton - Faith No More Ricochet


  • Page 1 of 4 1234 LastLast

    Similar Threads

    1. Second Machine Started
      By Rodm1954 in forum CNC Wood Router Project Log
      Replies: 48
      Last Post: 07-13-2008, 05:35 PM
    2. Use Machine Shop vs. Buying Machine
      By imp22b in forum General Metalwork Discussion
      Replies: 15
      Last Post: 06-06-2007, 07:33 AM
    3. My machine started moving on its own!!
      By chipsahoy in forum Fadal
      Replies: 4
      Last Post: 02-04-2007, 09:34 PM
    4. First CNC machine started
      By vger in forum Mechanical Calculations/Engineering Design
      Replies: 1
      Last Post: 01-19-2007, 08:17 PM
    5. My First Machine Started...FINALLY
      By mb0978 in forum CNC Wood Router Project Log
      Replies: 26
      Last Post: 11-02-2006, 09:55 AM

    Posting Permissions


     


    About CNCzone.com

      We are the largest and most active discussion forum from DIY CNC Machines to the Cad/Cam software to run them. The site is 100% free to join and use, so join today!

    Follow us on

    Facebook Dribbble RSS Feed


    Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO ©2011, Crawlability, Inc.