Good luck with your new business. I will touch on a few things since you did not mention them. You may have already done some of them. Get your tax ID from the IRS. Form an LLC and get it registered with the secretary of the state you live in. Check with your homeowners insurance. Your policy may or may not cover this type of home business. Get business cards and flyers made so you can get the word out on what you do. Do you want strangers coming to your house looking to have work done? Maybe put in a side door for them to enter? As you will discover tooling up a machine usually costs more that the purchase price of the machine. There is some decent import tooling out there, but there will be times when you should buy the good stuff and not cheap out. Nothing worse than having a bunch of time in a part and have some cheap import carbide ruin it.
@@hilltopmachineworks2131 thank you so much for adding this informative stuff. I didn’t think to talk about any of it but will in a future video. The shop has been around for the last 5 years. Many know of my name locally for really random on the spot fixes or stuff that happens at Road Atlanta since Im local to it. The business is still a hobby for me but I see where having insurance to cover the unknowns is always the best
Awesome advice from Tom, one thing I would add is don’t be scared to turn away work even when your just starting, high liability jobs like modifying towing components stuff like that or customers that want you to modify things in a unsafe manner are better passed on. Best of luck to you
@ you are absolutely rights. Take pride out of the equation and do what you know you can handle. Don’t over bite, especially with machine work. All great information. Thank you for highlighting some of his parts.
You’re right, never leave the key in the chuck. I only do so I don’t lose it but I have a habit of switching power and breaker off until I’m ready to work and then it comes off the chuck. Thank for the wishes.
@@MunkyFabrication Some of the modern lathe chuck keys are spring loaded so it will pop out of the chuck if the operator forgets to remove it. While this design prevents accidents, it can cause dings in the ways of the lathe. There are pros and cons to every approach to shop safety. Many of the safety devices force the operator to perform other unsafe practices to work around them to avoid making the machine tools unfit for purpose.
I’ve used the spring loaded keys before but it’s not something I want. I never leave the key in the chuck while working. It’s only there at the beginning of the day and at the end of the day after cleaning up.
@@MunkyFabrication I don't like the spring loaded chuck keys, either. I never used them when I earned my living as a machinist during the 80s and 90s and I'm way too old to adapt to using them now.
Can't believe the amazing deals you have found for all your tools. Nice to see someone starting in the trade. Leaving a key in the chuck is a great trigger to make us older guys crazy by the way. Good luck with your growing business.
@@johnlee8231 thank you very much. I got lucky. it took me 4 months of shopping around on marketplace to find these machines and I knew I would have to travel some distance for them but thankfully the lathe was the furthest at a six hour round trip.
Heck yeah brother! Keep doing your thing. I do work from home too. On the side though only. I wish I had the balls (and healthcare) to do it full time! Great job and even better job for taking the time to share it with us!
@@cipov3434 thanks a lot pal. I’ve been trying to do it on the side for a while but I figured this year was finally the year to start pushing it more to the public. Best of luck to you as well this year.
@@Standbackforscience thank a lot bud. I promise you that you can do it. Keep hunting for machines and if you are on funds; offer it anyways. Sometimes you’ll gets no, you’ll get let me think about it’s and then you’ll get the few that understand and they honest want the machine gone. That’s how I got my lathe. Was being upfront and they are the ones who decide so shoot every shot you got.
@@MunkyFabrication Thanks man - my big challenge is space, need to find a way to make money from my small setup so I can afford to rent a proper place. You're right about those who understand, already getting gifted useful old gear, but can't store. It'll come. Want to make and sell metal furniture and design pieces, currently doing simple stuff in other materials to build myself up. Always enjoy seeing people setting up a shop though, you keep me motivated!
@ thankfully I have some spare room in the back of my garage as you saw but the work envelope I work in is about the size of a small one car garage. Using plastics is a great cheap and safe way to get accustomed to the operation of your machine. I would say I work in a 10ft x 25 ft space. The mill takes up a majority especially with the CNC box and monitor. So I have the big compressor stored behind it. In the end you’ll become a Tetris master lol. And don’t think about you may look like it what you are doing is wrong. It’s crazy to others but you and few in the world alike you understand. Go kick 2025’s behind.
@@Standbackforscience @ thankfully I have some spare room in the back of my garage as you saw but the work envelope I work in is about the size of a small one car garage. Using plastics is a great cheap and safe way to get accustomed to the operation of your machine. I would say I work in a 10ft x 25 ft space. The mill takes up a majority especially with the CNC box and monitor. So I have the big compressor stored behind it. In the end you’ll become a Tetris master lol. And don’t think about you may look like it what you are doing is wrong. It’s crazy to others but you and few in the world alike you understand. Go kick 2025’s behind.
Any interest in spinning up a full circle crank for a race saw (chainsaw) I know a bunch of race guys that would love some work done too so it could bring you some more work. Idk but I’m trying to find a manual machinist small shop to build a relationship with. Thanks and sick shop man..
I am starting my own personal shop this year to make some extra money. I do have a few minor suggestions. You have your machines against the walls and that means you have to move the machines to access the electrical system. Home shops do not have to follow NEC code but you might want to consider cutting access panels through the wall to access your electrical should you need to. Other wise, you can skate the machine to access the panels. CNCs get really wonky when they get hot, invest in lots of cooling for that panel to reduce connectors and relays from overheating. Do not cheap out on tooling. You get what you pay for. I bought cheap crap from China and it failed shortly after I started pushing it. Do not be scared of used HSS endmills. You have a surface grinder, get an endmill sharpening fixture. Get maximum value from them. Other thing I can suggest is getting to know your local machine shops. Most of them have overflow work or jobs they don't want to do. You can get work that way. Good luck and I subscribed to follow your journey!
@@CrankyOldMachinist this is some very good information. Best of luck this year with your shop. The machines, especially the cnc mill is moveable to access the electrical panel. However the box never really need to be accessed. The switch is on the back of the box, the breakers also are all wired separately and are 125% of there demanding amperage. Each machine has its own dedicated 240v circuit which I actually just finished putting in a new 100amp sub panel that’s solely for all my machines in the shop. The SG is the only 110v unit.
So a couple things from a long time machinist shop owner. The title is a bit misleading. You actually have an automotive repair shop with some machine tools. Big difference from a “machine shop” It sounds like you have a background in machine work and a niche. The old school machine shop is 90% dead in the US for a variety of reasons from improved technology, foreign competition and really the big killer, just a fraction of the machinery to work on compared to 50, 100 or 150 years ago. Without a niche it is almost impossible to start a walk in job/repair shop. You need business experience, esp bidding jobs, that is where the money is made or lost. A person shouldn’t just because they can make a few hobby parts or can buy a lathe and watch youtube videos that is all they need to start and run a machine shop. From a strictly job shop stand point I would say your machines are way too small. Your work area isn’t big enough, no material storage, no forklift or access for one (or over head crane) Old CNC machines are usually junk, mainly for lack of parts and connectivity issues. Mine are 2000 and newer and those have been the biggest issues. Old machines in general are a waste of time if you actually want to make a living, machine work is hard enough without fighting worn out auction scrap. If it’s cheap, there is a reason. I don’t mean to come off as negative but those are very expansive life lessons I have learned the hard way. My advice. Work for somebody else, go home at 5:00 and enjoy machining as a hobby.
While I can agree with your opinion and mindset, I will disagree from my standpoint. Yes I am going from automotive to job shop however it does not and shouldn’t limit myself just to the “automotive” quick fix. You are looking at things as if I’m trying to tell everyone that it’s a breeze to do what machinist do and That’s false. Machine work the same way humans do. You make best with what you have. And I’ve come from having drill presses and a small 9x20 JET lathe. Everyone grows and evolves at different paces. But it doesn’t remove one from that industry just because they aren’t paying for the whole buildings rent. It’s why I decided to do things from home. I have an entire open garage bay for materials and supplies. There’s also an entire inside parts storage area so I politely disagree as everything isn’t in the cameras POV. I am in a niche industry, it being performance cars. I have plenty of odd jobs that walk through the door that keep the bills paid and lights on. The title is as it shows. A machine shop for under $5k. Now if you assumed there would be full CNC Automation then that’s a different mindset that has to be changed because cheap CNC is bad. But cheap manual machines with runout in the tens of thousands then I’m good with that. I’m not working for nasa. I’m working for myself.
Good luck with your new business. I will touch on a few things since you did not mention them. You may have already done some of them. Get your tax ID from the IRS. Form an LLC and get it registered with the secretary of the state you live in. Check with your homeowners insurance. Your policy may or may not cover this type of home business. Get business cards and flyers made so you can get the word out on what you do. Do you want strangers coming to your house looking to have work done? Maybe put in a side door for them to enter? As you will discover tooling up a machine usually costs more that the purchase price of the machine. There is some decent import tooling out there, but there will be times when you should buy the good stuff and not cheap out. Nothing worse than having a bunch of time in a part and have some cheap import carbide ruin it.
@@hilltopmachineworks2131 thank you so much for adding this informative stuff. I didn’t think to talk about any of it but will in a future video.
The shop has been around for the last 5 years. Many know of my name locally for really random on the spot fixes or stuff that happens at Road Atlanta since Im local to it.
The business is still a hobby for me but I see where having insurance to cover the unknowns is always the best
@@MunkyFabrication Your welcome. 👍
Awesome advice from Tom, one thing I would add is don’t be scared to turn away work even when your just starting, high liability jobs like modifying towing components stuff like that or customers that want you to modify things in a unsafe manner are better passed on. Best of luck to you
@ you are absolutely rights.
Take pride out of the equation and do what you know you can handle. Don’t over bite, especially with machine work. All great information. Thank you for highlighting some of his parts.
First rule I learned as an apprentice machinist is never ever leave your lathe chuck key in the chuck. Good luck with your startup!
People who don't pay attention to good advice learn this rule when the chuck key get embedded into their head.
You’re right, never leave the key in the chuck. I only do so I don’t lose it but I have a habit of switching power and breaker off until I’m ready to work and then it comes off the chuck. Thank for the wishes.
@@MunkyFabrication Some of the modern lathe chuck keys are spring loaded so it will pop out of the chuck if the operator forgets to remove it. While this design prevents accidents, it can cause dings in the ways of the lathe.
There are pros and cons to every approach to shop safety. Many of the safety devices force the operator to perform other unsafe practices to work around them to avoid making the machine tools unfit for purpose.
I’ve used the spring loaded keys before but it’s not something I want. I never leave the key in the chuck while working. It’s only there at the beginning of the day and at the end of the day after cleaning up.
@@MunkyFabrication I don't like the spring loaded chuck keys, either. I never used them when I earned my living as a machinist during the 80s and 90s and I'm way too old to adapt to using them now.
This is really interesting. Glad you are posting these plans on UA-cam.
Wishing you great fun and great ideas in 2025!
@@Dancing_Alone_wRentals thank a lot. Hope to have more to post and talk about soon.
Can't believe the amazing deals you have found for all your tools. Nice to see someone starting in the trade. Leaving a key in the chuck is a great trigger to make us older guys crazy by the way. Good luck with your growing business.
@@johnlee8231 thank you very much. I got lucky. it took me 4 months of shopping around on marketplace to find these machines and I knew I would have to travel some distance for them but thankfully the lathe was the furthest at a six hour round trip.
nice shop
Thank you.
Heck yeah brother! Keep doing your thing. I do work from home too. On the side though only. I wish I had the balls (and healthcare) to do it full time! Great job and even better job for taking the time to share it with us!
@@cipov3434 thanks a lot pal. I’ve been trying to do it on the side for a while but I figured this year was finally the year to start pushing it more to the public. Best of luck to you as well this year.
Good luck with your shop, slowly working on setting my own up.
@@Standbackforscience thank a lot bud. I promise you that you can do it. Keep hunting for machines and if you are on funds; offer it anyways. Sometimes you’ll gets no, you’ll get let me think about it’s and then you’ll get the few that understand and they honest want the machine gone. That’s how I got my lathe. Was being upfront and they are the ones who decide so shoot every shot you got.
@@MunkyFabrication Thanks man - my big challenge is space, need to find a way to make money from my small setup so I can afford to rent a proper place. You're right about those who understand, already getting gifted useful old gear, but can't store. It'll come. Want to make and sell metal furniture and design pieces, currently doing simple stuff in other materials to build myself up. Always enjoy seeing people setting up a shop though, you keep me motivated!
@ thankfully I have some spare room in the back of my garage as you saw but the work envelope I work in is about the size of a small one car garage.
Using plastics is a great cheap and safe way to get accustomed to the operation of your machine. I would say I work in a 10ft x 25 ft space.
The mill takes up a majority especially with the CNC box and monitor. So I have the big compressor stored behind it.
In the end you’ll become a Tetris master lol.
And don’t think about you may look like it what you are doing is wrong. It’s crazy to others but you and few in the world alike you understand. Go kick 2025’s behind.
@@Standbackforscience @ thankfully I have some spare room in the back of my garage as you saw but the work envelope I work in is about the size of a small one car garage.
Using plastics is a great cheap and safe way to get accustomed to the operation of your machine. I would say I work in a 10ft x 25 ft space.
The mill takes up a majority especially with the CNC box and monitor. So I have the big compressor stored behind it.
In the end you’ll become a Tetris master lol.
And don’t think about you may look like it what you are doing is wrong. It’s crazy to others but you and few in the world alike you understand. Go kick 2025’s behind.
For the algorithm mate👍👌🇦🇺
@@adhawk5632 You’re a Legend mate. ❤️
I'm with Adhawk......Happy New Year!
@ thanks bud. Hope you have a wonderful year.
Any interest in spinning up a full circle crank for a race saw (chainsaw) I know a bunch of race guys that would love some work done too so it could bring you some more work. Idk but I’m trying to find a manual machinist small shop to build a relationship with. Thanks and sick shop man..
I’ve actually worked on chainsaws and backpacks so I know a thing or two about them. How can I get in contact with you? I’m based out of GA btw
I am starting my own personal shop this year to make some extra money. I do have a few minor suggestions. You have your machines against the walls and that means you have to move the machines to access the electrical system. Home shops do not have to follow NEC code but you might want to consider cutting access panels through the wall to access your electrical should you need to. Other wise, you can skate the machine to access the panels. CNCs get really wonky when they get hot, invest in lots of cooling for that panel to reduce connectors and relays from overheating. Do not cheap out on tooling. You get what you pay for. I bought cheap crap from China and it failed shortly after I started pushing it. Do not be scared of used HSS endmills. You have a surface grinder, get an endmill sharpening fixture. Get maximum value from them. Other thing I can suggest is getting to know your local machine shops. Most of them have overflow work or jobs they don't want to do. You can get work that way. Good luck and I subscribed to follow your journey!
@@CrankyOldMachinist this is some very good information. Best of luck this year with your shop.
The machines, especially the cnc mill is moveable to access the electrical panel. However the box never really need to be accessed. The switch is on the back of the box, the breakers also are all wired separately and are 125% of there demanding amperage.
Each machine has its own dedicated 240v circuit which I actually just finished putting in a new 100amp sub panel that’s solely for all my machines in the shop. The SG is the only 110v unit.
don't leave the key in the chuck, just a matter of time till disaster
Thanks for the reminder. I’ll stop for my and everyone’s sake lol.
Subbed hopefully I’ll be doing the same some point this year
You’ve got this dude. Don’t give up even when it doesn’t seem like it’s working out. Can’t rush the process or the jobs.
So a couple things from a long time machinist shop owner.
The title is a bit misleading.
You actually have an automotive repair shop with some machine tools.
Big difference from a “machine shop”
It sounds like you have a background in machine work and a niche.
The old school machine shop is 90% dead in the US for a variety of reasons from improved technology, foreign competition and really the big killer, just a fraction of the machinery to work on compared to 50, 100 or 150 years ago.
Without a niche it is almost impossible to start a walk in job/repair shop. You need business experience, esp bidding jobs, that is where the money is made or lost.
A person shouldn’t just because they can make a few hobby parts or can buy a lathe and watch youtube videos that is all they need to start and run a machine shop.
From a strictly job shop stand point I would say your machines are way too small. Your work area isn’t big enough, no material storage, no forklift or access for one (or over head crane)
Old CNC machines are usually junk, mainly for lack of parts and connectivity issues. Mine are 2000 and newer and those have been the biggest issues.
Old machines in general are a waste of time if you actually want to make a living, machine work is hard enough without fighting worn out auction scrap.
If it’s cheap, there is a reason.
I don’t mean to come off as negative but those are very expansive life lessons I have learned the hard way.
My advice.
Work for somebody else, go home at 5:00 and enjoy machining as a hobby.
While I can agree with your opinion and mindset, I will disagree from my standpoint. Yes I am going from automotive to job shop however it does not and shouldn’t limit myself just to the “automotive” quick fix.
You are looking at things as if I’m trying to tell everyone that it’s a breeze to do what machinist do and That’s false. Machine work the same way humans do. You make best with what you have. And I’ve come from having drill presses and a small 9x20 JET lathe.
Everyone grows and evolves at different paces. But it doesn’t remove one from that industry just because they aren’t paying for the whole buildings rent.
It’s why I decided to do things from home. I have an entire open garage bay for materials and supplies. There’s also an entire inside parts storage area so I politely disagree as everything isn’t in the cameras POV.
I am in a niche industry, it being performance cars. I have plenty of odd jobs that walk through the door that keep the bills paid and lights on.
The title is as it shows. A machine shop for under $5k. Now if you assumed there would be full CNC Automation then that’s a different mindset that has to be changed because cheap CNC is bad. But cheap manual machines with runout in the tens of thousands then I’m good with that. I’m not working for nasa. I’m working for myself.
$5000
Heck around here to open a legit business you would spend $5000 on fees, license , insurance before you can hit the light switch
You can get away with manual machines if you are doing one off specialty work , but you will need a cnc for any profitable production
@@alanswanson5642 I agree but thankfully I fall into a world of one off specialty work a lot.