You mention diversifying. 8 years ago I started a cutting board business. I was a custom woodworker and cabinet maker. I love to cook and needed a cutting board and my wife said "You have a shop full of wood sooo...." I went out and made a cutting board out of my scrap wood, then I made another, then a dozen, then I was into a new business. At the time no one in my area was making wooden cutting boards and it took quite a while to educate people that hardwood was the best material for a cutting board. After a few years it seemed like everyone was making cutting boards (flat grained) so I tried my hand at end grain boards. It took 3 hours to sand them flat, so I invested in a used thickness sander and sanding time dropped to 15 minutes a board. I paid the machine off in 3 weeks. A few years later everyone was making end grain boards so I needed to up my game and after lots of research I bought my CNC machine and I did custom inlays in my boards, nobody does it here! While I generally only make cutting boards, some of my wood doesn't work well in cutting boards so now I am experimenting with epoxy. Another side business that has been profitable is making custom burial urns that are inlaid. As a business owner you have to be a step ahead of the competition because anyone can do what you do. Good Luck!

@AndyBirdBuilds

3 жыл бұрын

I love this! Thanks for sharing

@stephenjames820

3 жыл бұрын

@@AndyBirdBuilds Oh and subscribed and I hit the bell notification!

@ReeseCustoms

2 жыл бұрын

Awesome story man, that's encouraging!

@stephenjames820

2 жыл бұрын

@@ReeseCustoms Hope it helps someone! Thanks!

I can't tell you how much I appreciated your comments. I want to get a CNC but, I don't know computers that well that is what is stopping me. But I will continue to watch your videos..Take care, watch your six.

Keep up the great content Andy! Love seeing not only your personal growth, but your business growth as well!

@AndyBirdBuilds

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for your encouragement!

Way to funnel down a broad subject matter into a consumable grasp of awareness. Not many have that talent of translation but you've certainly done it here in a completely comprehensive but compact nugget of truth. Thank you.

You are an honest person and your words are very valuable .....

Thank you for your honesty. I’ve watched about 10 of your videos in the last few days and have come to enjoy your candidness and advice. I hope to be investing in a CNC in the next year or two.

@AndyBirdBuilds

3 ай бұрын

Thank you so much!

Failure is a learning curve - don't quit! Push through!!

another great video! I just realized that I watched other first video earlier thinking it was this one lol. but hey I love these videos since I'm trying to start making some money on the side via woodworking/ cnc stuff!

@AndyBirdBuilds

3 жыл бұрын

Glad you find them useful!

I started making youtube videos recently with the very idea of failing. I figure I will make a bunch of crap at first, but this is what I need to do to get better, so best to start right away.

The road to success is paved with the stones of failure. Don’t know who said that, but I’ve heard it all my life.

@AndyBirdBuilds

Жыл бұрын

I love this. Thanks for sharing

Andy, Congratulations with the Family addition and the business.

@AndyBirdBuilds

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Good stuff. I have an xCarve. There are so many things I know I “could” do with it. I need to be more intentional. This is motivating.

Great honest video Andy.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge !

@AndyBirdBuilds

3 жыл бұрын

No problem, I hope you found it helpful

You helped me get started! Thanks! Great video…

@AndyBirdBuilds

3 жыл бұрын

Great to hear!

Great video thanks!

Andy this is brilliant.

@AndyBirdBuilds

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much!

Love that backdrop. Looks like something I might try to do in my new garage! :-)

@AndyBirdBuilds

2 жыл бұрын

Cool!

Thanks, Andy. What you have learned from experience is a huge help.

@AndyBirdBuilds

3 жыл бұрын

You bet, Glad to help!

Where do you find your customers that allow you to do prototype work for them? Great video Andy!

Congratulations 🎉

@AndyBirdBuilds

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much!

Great video brother.

@AndyBirdBuilds

3 жыл бұрын

Hope you enjoyed

really well said mate

@AndyBirdBuilds

3 жыл бұрын

I appreciate it!

Great mindset.

@AndyBirdBuilds

3 жыл бұрын

I hope it helps

My man is a Kiyosaki fan! Blatantly stealing your scrap wood wall idea also :D

@AndyBirdBuilds

3 жыл бұрын

Yes! Rich dad, poor dad is great

Full time cnc is my goal!

@AndyBirdBuilds

3 жыл бұрын

Thats awesome!

I'm in the early stages of looking into a CNC part time business. I'm in the UK and finding it really hard to find the desktop type machines that you use. I found some Shapeokos but they don't come with a carbide router, they add a different brand to it so not sure if this is something I should buy or not? Loving your videos on the early stages and I'm learning a lot. Thanks 🙂

Listen to this if you are planning to start a business, and there is a chance for you to succeed. In my country, it is sait that only one of ten entrepreneurs succeed. So listen to Andy, and you might succeed!

@AndyBirdBuilds

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much!

Thanks for the videos, Andy, I am looking to build a cabinet for my CNC. I like yours and was thinking of doing something similar, but my top and lower shelves would be for storage and the middle shelf would house my CNC. I want to wire it up where I flip one switch and it turns on the dust collection, working light, and CNC. But maybe not a good idea? Do you have a video on your cabinet and the pros and cons to this setup? I am wondering if with this method, do you have access issues to screw down your material, does the enclosure reduce the noise?

@AndyBirdBuilds

2 жыл бұрын

Just seeing this. I don't have a video showing the pros and cons but thats a good idea

Great video Andy! Who did you buy your Shapeoko CNC Router from? Evidentially they have given you good service and that is who I like to do business with! Thank you and God Bless.

@AndyBirdBuilds

2 жыл бұрын

I bought it from the manufacturer www.carbide3d.com

@44mod

2 жыл бұрын

@@AndyBirdBuilds Thank you!

Good stuff Andy. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. And I do have a question: at 5:45 mark on the video, you mention the fail "layered plywood" material. Could you please expand on that, meaning what did go wrong there? There's tons of "recycled skateboards" projects documented here on KZread but not much on CNC cutting that material. I am interested in getting my first Shapeoko Pro CNC and work with laminated dyed layered plywood. Your take on this would be kindly appreciated. Thank you!

@AndyBirdBuilds

3 жыл бұрын

Check this out. kzread.info/dash/bejne/iIGDj7qxmdLVf5M.html

@AndyBirdBuilds

3 жыл бұрын

Check this out. kzread.info/dash/bejne/iIGDj7qxmdLVf5M.html

@AndyBirdBuilds

3 жыл бұрын

Check this out. kzread.info/dash/bejne/iIGDj7qxmdLVf5M.html

Add a JTech Laser to your CNC's. People love laser personalizatiton.

WD-40 and Chanel No. 5, each named for the number of attempts it took for success.

@AndyBirdBuilds

2 жыл бұрын

Woah! Is this true?

Can those machines cut fiberglass composites?

I have zero experience with a machine like this and woodworking, but I want a xxl pro. I'm considering making a few different items like clocks, cutting boards and some signs. Besides the machine, what other hardware and software do I need? I have plenty of room in my basement, so space isn't an issue.

@AndyBirdBuilds

2 жыл бұрын

Go for it! Check out my free guide. It will answer some of your questions www.andybirdbuilds.com/freeguide/getting-started-with-cnc-10-common-questions

Great advice Andy, how’s your hand?

@AndyBirdBuilds

3 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it. I hope you found it insightful. The hand is healing very well.

What were the main reasons you bought a shapeoko machine over another brand like the xcarve or the onefinity?

@AndyBirdBuilds

3 жыл бұрын

I think this is a great topic for a video!

I see that you use a stand made from wood. Have you ever checked the accuracy of the product with a mic in comparison to your design or know anyone who has? Never used one before. Just curious. Thanks

Andy, the link to your guide didn’t work for me. Can you point me to it? Thanks!

Do you offer a class on how to find/work with retailers you can wholesale to?

@AndyBirdBuilds

3 жыл бұрын

Not right now, but I've given it some thought. Sign up for my newsletter at andybirdbuilds.com for updates

@davidalan6701

3 жыл бұрын

@@AndyBirdBuilds will do.

What did you do to find the whole salers in your area?

@AndyBirdBuilds

3 жыл бұрын

I did a lot of research on the internet to find retailers that I thought would be interested and asked them.

At the end of part 5 you mentioned a link for a tried and true process. I can't find it.

@ducksfan3525

3 жыл бұрын

I’m looking for the same thing

@AndyBirdBuilds

3 жыл бұрын

www.andybirdbuilds.com/store/guide

This is very interesting. I never thought of the Shepeoko as a production device. How many hours a week do you typically run one unit?

@AndyBirdBuilds

3 жыл бұрын

Hey Chip, you'll never see a Shapeoko in a "CNC production shop". Its not an industrial machine but that doesn't mean it can't produce a lot of something. It obviously has its limitations, but in the right situation, its a fantastic option. I've made $25,000 off a $2,500 dollar machine so far on the side. So no one can say it doesn't work. It really depends what your goals are.

how were you able to find the work.

@AndyBirdBuilds

2 жыл бұрын

I have a lot of videos about this on my channel

What software do you use? I was told I probably will want to ditch Carbide software?

@AndyBirdBuilds

2 жыл бұрын

I use Carbide Create for basic projects and Fusion 360 for more advanced projects

In terms of "Diversity" as you say. The rule of thumb is. No more than 20% of your revenue should come from one customer.

@AndyBirdBuilds

3 жыл бұрын

Thats a good rule of thumb.

we all fail. I recently purchased a 3d printer I make stuff for friends and family I eventually want to get to prototypes for companies.

@AndyBirdBuilds

2 жыл бұрын

Thats cool!

How do you find customers?

@AndyBirdBuilds

2 жыл бұрын

Check out this playlist kzread.info/head/PLp-J1-xoURvXhh1b9GeDB5pqBeKV-BXHO

I need job

Never used a CNC router, that is.