Taboo Question

[Clasic31]

Hi everyone. I have been fascinated by laser cutters/ engravers for some time now. *Looks like my refinery job will be going away within the next year and I would love to get a side business going that will help keep us afloat. The edge lit signs look great and I'm thinking about pet memorials using scraps from kitchen counter installers ( granite and corian ). *I would love to be able to land some type of volume work from local industrial parks, but not sure what type of needs they might have. The potentially taboo question I have is : What are your money making products that have primarily sustained your business and afforded the equipment? I would love to be able to have this as at least a sustainable side business. Thank you in advance to anyone willing to answer. Chris

[Clasic31]

If not willing to give up specific products, would anyone be willing to point me towards an industry that might out source work that can be done with a laser cutter?

Thanks again,
Chris

[Kosh_V]

Sign shops might be interested in laser cut letters/signs.

[bpoulin]

1st What kind of experience do you have with signs, graphic design, layout, or any kind of visual arts? The business end of most business based around laser engravers are sign businesses, plaques and trophies. All are visual design jobs.

2nd If you decide to continue, diversify, do things that other sign companies aren't doing in your area. Think CNC router, laser engraving and cutting, but don't dismiss the traditional vinyl cutter. Look around at your competition in the area. Find what others are doing, and try to find something they can't do, and offer to sell them your products.

3rd It's not that I don't want to tell you what we do to make money, because honestly you wouldn't be my competition anyway. You are in NJ and I'm in GA, but it all depends on your local market, your skills, and your contacts. I could tell you that rebel flags sell great, and you go buy a dozen flags and sit on them for 10 years. The market down here is different than up there.

[Rodney Gold]

Having a chisel doesn't make you a woodworker!! The laser is merely a tool.
The question you have to ask is "why would anyone use ME over and above the competition?" , if you answer - cos I'm cheaper - then you have it wrong.
To see what will sell , look at the market in your area , the competiton and any "gaps" you see .. If there are no laser engravers in your city , you have the market wide open.
The problem is that a laser alone is not a great tool , you really need other stuff besides it to make something or add value to raw materials. We have lasers , cnc routers , manual and computerised rotary engraving machines , an etching plant , a sandblasting setup , a digital print and cut machine and a doming line. This enables us to make a plethora of product , if I had to rely solely on my laser - I would be outa business.

[Clasic31]

Thanks for all your replys. They make a lot of sense. I have dabbled in vinyl cutting a while ago. Owned a pnc-950 and a studio 7 (or 8, it's been awhile :-). I was a photographer for most of my adult life and shared a business with my ex who was a graphic designer. I love designing and building things which is one of the reasons I would like to get the laser cutter. It just so happens that they are thinking about shutting down the refinery that I have been at for the last five years. So if I'm going to be able to invest in a laser, I need it to be working. I am hoping to find a niche making some sort of parts for local companies and not be dealing with the general public. The reason I was asking y'all was I'm looking to clear the moss from my brain and get the brainstorming started. Btw: I did build a cnc router awhile back and wouldn't mind getting or building a better one. Thanks again everyone for taking time out to help. Chris

[zax15uk]

Hey Chris,

While a laser is a good tool and you can certainly make money with it, a CNC router will usually result in a faster ROI, higher profit margin and more revenue opportunities.

If you already have a vinyl plotter you may also consider cutting mask material and etching signs from the materials you mentioned. A 'blast' cabinet, compressor and some good quality media will get you started.

Perhaps consider etching glass, either with a sand eraser or using chemical etching gels (shower enclosures, glasses for weddings etc). You could also cut 'etched glass' vinyl and offer that for in-home installations on doors, windows etc.

I hope my comments and suggestions help clear the moss

Best of luck, and feel free to PM me if you need advice or feedback.

Zax.

[Clasic31]

Thanks Zax. Didnt even think about sand blasting the signs. I was never in the sign business. I was only making signs for my own use in my old business. I'll probably take you up on that offer for advice. Thanks again. Chris

[bpoulin]

For delicate blasting you can get an air eraser too, it's like an airbrush sized sand blaster, good for doing wedding gifts, personalizing wine bottles & glasses, stuff that is too delicate for a full size blast cabinet.

[MonoNeuron]

It also depends on the power of your laser as well. If you have a fairly powerful one then you could always make gaskets for the industry and acrylic/plastic DANGER tags or warning signs.
The sky really is the limit of you imagination with these things but it all depends on your power and table size as to what you will be cutting or engraving.

[zax15uk]

MonoNeuron just reminded me of a job I did some time ago... using 2-ply laserable plastic I made 'lock out, tag out' tags for industrial use.

They are used when equipment needs to be serviced, it is disconnected from the power and a lock is placed over the plug or switch gear to prevent accidental re-connection while it is being worked on. The simple warning tags are serialized to a matching key tag.

The same material can be used for any markers or tags, very easy process and gives great looking results.

You can also buy pre-fabricated items like golf ball markers, pitch forks etc and engrave them for your local golf country club (with a big markup of course).

Zax.