Don't Buy A CNC Before Watching This Video

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Are you ready to take your DIY projects or manufacturing ventures to the next level with a CNC machine? Before you dive into the exciting world of computer numerical control, or CNC, there are crucial aspects to consider. In this comprehensive YouTube video, we present you 5 business minded reasons to possibly postpone the purchase of your first CNC. If your response to all the points in the video is "I've got that covered" then go for it! We wish you the best of luck!

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About Cutting It Close:
Our goal is to help aspiring craftsmen do what they love for a living! We hope to share our knowledge in the woodworking field and CNC routering through training videos, CNC router techniques, unique projects, and practical applications.

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[skipmcgrath]

thanks nice ideas. I run a small custom cabinet shop for kitchens and built ins. I have debated the cnc purchase issue for years. The reality is I don't really need one for my clients. If I want 50 cnc routed mdf doors, I can just email a local shop that has 5 machines cutting doors all day. Their prices are so cheap there is no point cutting the doors myself. In terms of cutting rectangular cabinet box parts, I have really good table saw/ miter saw/ fork lift setup. A $100, 000 cnc might save me an hour to cut the parts on a custom kitchen, but not enough to justify the expense. Eventually I decided to by a small professional grade machine. I got an Axiom 2" x 4" with VCarve pro software. The full set up was $15, 000 Canadian (maybe $11, 000 US) I decided I didn't need a big one, but I wanted a professional quality small one. I didn't want to waste time rejigging a low cost machine. This was a good decision. We do use it to cut out detail parts like decorations on fancy fireplace mantels, but for the most part it is not really a big part of our production. There were two real reasons I got it. I thought it would be fun, which it definitely is. The second reason is that one of the biggest challenges in business these days is attracting young talent. I thought that having up to date technology would make my shop attractive to aspiring young woodworkers, which it has. So on the whole I think it was a good purchase, but as you point out, it is just one more tool the shop. It is not some kind of miracle technology for printing money.

[theom]

I’ve had a cnc for a year and a half. Everything you brought up is right on the mark! It took me around 4 months before I could actually make money with it. Now it runs 30 hours a week and it’s getting harder to have enough time in the day to cut everything I need to. Thanks for the great content.

[glenncallahan]

Hi Mark, Great video. I have been running CNC routers for more than 20 years. This is really good advice for anyone starting out.

[xxwalesxx]

If i weren't in a good job right now i would 110% start right up. Its true CNC's are no longer the new flashy tool on the road but its like you said, theres so many things that people dont take into account of the cost, maintenance or knowledge of running and using one effectively. If you already know these aspects then youre already ahead of many people in the CNC/woodworking game

[rickpouley]

Thank you! I have been telling some of the guys I know the same information that you are giving out.
They went out and purchased CnC machines without any plans, but they "needed" to have them into their shop.
Just like my wife needing the have a treadmill because her friend has one.
Used the treadmill twice, and now it is nothing but a glorified coat rack..

[ronporteous]

That's exactly what I needed to hear, a hot blast of reality. Thanks for laying it all out on the table. Great video.

[derekwolford]

Great job on this video. I really appreciate your channel for it's truthfulness and accuracy.

[edgar]

Great video. Since some time I think about building a CNC. Because I think it will be fun. But then, sometimes, I think about: What will I actually do with that thing.... Thanks for the reminder.

[SciCynicalInventing]

I know from experience you could probably code a script (maybe in python) to combine and edit two gcode files together or modify one gcode file from 3-axis to 6-axis and the like. I'm not aware of any commercial software that does this but gcode files are pretty easy to edit. So even if Vcarve supports only 3 axes, you could process that file further to force it to run on your bigger multi-axis machine. This is complicated to do, so I understand from a business perspective you might want a more turn-key solution. On top of that you wouldn't have advanced functionality like the commercial software has for generating multi-axis toolpaths BUT you could get away with doing simple things. For example, if you just wanted router head #2 to do the same job as router head #1 you more or less just need a script to copy and paste the current 3-axis toolpaths to new axis letters within the same file. Love your videos! Keep 'em coming!

[moterbikemike]

i got my cnc 2 years ago its a onefinity never used one before i had it up and running in just few hrs still haven't broke a bit to this day

[arthurtam]

I do like your business insight a lot! Keep up the good work!

[HasanUmutlu]

Love your videos and your insights you allow us to have in your Business. Especially your hints and tips are really helpful and are truly catching in the way that i want to start an own Business with my ideas and to have the courage to do so.

İ have one question tough. What would you suggest when it comes to CNC programming and learning it. Where should i start. İ have a printer and laser cutter and engraver so i am a little into CNC but ask myself if these bigger CNC machines are different to handle? Would be awesome to get a hint here, so i know where to start.

Continue the good work and i wish you all the best for your Business!

[garypickup]

Love the tip videos dude. I’m a newbie who loves cutting it close. It’s growing quick so your advice is priceless. Thanks man 🤙

[FrostedImages]

Which software are you running with the Onsurd? Interesting that the controller doesn't read post processor from Vectric.

[dannydaniel]

Hello my friend. I got 10k what cnc machine you recommended me to buy and start making and selling?

[perro]

I would add 1/learn CAD and 2/a closed loop system

[gustavorubiov]

I glad you pointed it out the software, a CNC with out a good software is pointless.

[franciscochapa]

What software did you have to purchase to run your big cnc?

[djdan]

Can you share the music name at the end of the video? Thanks!

[mattapple]

Good advice, a machine does not give you project ideas, either way, you got them before or you don´t : )