Getting machine shop started

[pants]

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.

[big_mak]

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.

[big_mak]

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.

[tikka308]

Whatever you do, I would stay away from MFG.com.

[Kool Parts]

Whatever you do, I would stay away from MFG.com.

I would second that for sure stay far, far away.

[mustng67]

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

[gizmo_454]

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

[slatern44]

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.

[gizmo_454]

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!!

[axis]

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.

[PinnacleMachine]

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

[big_mak]

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