Taking the leap to create your own business surrounding the profession and the art of machining is a serious, yet rewarding decision. This, of course, needs to be done with the necessary steps and precautions, ensuring all aspects are considered and safety measures are taken. The following blog will help you better understand if the machining world is right for you. We will guide you through the in’s and out’s of machining and what it takes to set up a shop of your own. Who knows, maybe you’ll find the career of a lifetime! There’s only one way to find out.

The Logistics

This is not necessarily everyone’s favorite part, but when it comes to opening a business, logistics should always be considered. These measurements and estimations can help predict the success of your business and whether or not you should take the leap to create your own machining shop. That question of, “Is it worth it?” is at the forefront of your mind. Today, we’d like to help you answer that question.

Let’s Get Started

As with any business, the first year is always the riskiest and laden with hoops that you need to jump through to create the machining shop of your dreams. Regardless of these things that some may view as burdens, they are merely aspects that will make you a stronger business once you attain them. With every certification that you receive and safety regulation that you maintain, you become that much stronger as a business. With all of these requirements met, you will become the most credible option for clients, prompting them to flock to you. When you find yourself close to giving up, remember that each additional step gets you that much closer to attaining your goals.

Plan for Success

Just as the design for every machine has a blueprint, your business too must have a blueprint. This will help you estimate and predict YOUR next step in your business. This plan will help guide you through the exhilarating chaos that is starting your own shop. Despite this being exciting and you wanting to jump right into the process, it is crucial that you take a step back and recalibrate your goals.

Take a Deep Breath…

Your plan can be the difference between a successful venture and a detour in your journey to success. Creating your blueprint consists of constructing a budget, creating a timeline for your business—both for short term and long term goals—and compiling a list of contacts in your network that can help get your machining shop off the ground and running.

As for the Machinery…

It is important to keep in mind that as a start-up you do not want to invest hefty amounts of funds without beginning to receive profits that can feed your business and allow it to grow without too much risk. Start off your business with small investments that will still bring in that profit but not cost you an arm and a leg. If you need to start off with a manual milling machine that allows you to complete a sufficient amount of work in order to pay your bills, that may just be your first move and first purchase.

What Machine is Right For Me

In order to pick the machine that will optimize your budget and machining business, you need to consider what consumer base you are catering to. This is especially critical for you since you are just starting up. For example, you should consider if you will be able to serve your target market by just using a manual milling machine. If that is the case, make sure that this is your first purchase! In case your target market needs high numbers of the same product created, it may be better to invest the extra cash in an automated machine. This will allow you to save the time and manpower that it takes to run the manual machine.

So You Have the Materials, Now What?

As with every business, clients will come to your machining shop assuming that you are an expert in…well…machining. Don’t let them be disappointed! Manual or automated machine, ensure that you and your staff, whether they are friends helping you get your business off the ground or individuals with some machining background, be sure that you are all familiar with the machine, its functions, and how to properly and safely work it. The last thing you want is an injury due to a lack of knowledge about a machine. Remember that you are the expert in machining in your shop. Be sure you have the knowledge necessary to own up to the title and the projects that are soon to follow after you open shop.

You’re One Step Closer…

Just by reading this blog you are more empowered to open your machining shop. Taking the time to research and look into potential issues means that you are on your toes and aware of what may happen. You might not even know it, but you are already brainstorming solutions for these problems if they arise.

So what’s next?

Want to learn more about machining and what it takes to be an expert? Give us a call at 888-202-9398.