I did a few gold plated alternators for Mechman (high output alternator company) on their request. On my request, they also sent a piece of scrap that was also gold plated at the same time. It took like 20 tries to get the settings just right and I am so glad I had that test piece. Even on projects I have done before several times, I still use a test piece to verify everything is still good before I go into production mode.
1,000% correct. Anytime someone brings me a one off, I make sure they also give me something they don't care about in the same material. It takes a lot of time to get it just right before you go for it on the real piece.
Just did a job like this for the big orange box store and finished yesterday. Didn't fail, but made so many mistakes that the profit was very small after correcting errors. In the end, they got what they ordered and was happy with it, but the nightmare I experienced - I don't ever want to do again. Again, didn't fail, learned what not to do moving forward.
A good place is bulklaser.com Also check out perpetualsupplyco.com for other laser blanks. I have part ownership here, so if you see things you think we should stock, let me know!
I been scratching my head on a laser. I want to try to do acrylic for the acrylic edge lights. I've never done any engraving.. I'm just trying to get a hustle going.... I 1st considered pod and stickers... I have over 2k in a custom-built pc, and I really got to make something happen.
For clear acrylic you will want a co2 laser. I would recommend that you check out 1laser. Their x series is pretty impressive. 1laser.com/laserguys My team’s referral code is LASERGUYS if you make a purchase and want to support what we do.
I won't even take jobs where the customer provides the material unless I know I can get more myself or unless they provide 10% more product than they need. Doesn't matter if I know how to do it or not because mistakes happen regardless. Customers who provide their own material are usually a headache anyway.
I have a fair amount of customers that will bring their own stuff. Just like you I ask for extras and then set expectations. If they become a pain…. I just fire them as a customer.
@@BeardedBuildsCo I've had not just one, but SEVERAL customers who wanted me to do their specific cups (the same cups I either stock or could easily buy myself), then they send it in a box with no or minimal packing material and all the cups come dented and scratched. Then, instead of just giving up and using my cups, they insist on shipping even more (and I have to ship their damaged ones back). By the time they paid for multiple shippings and damaged cups, they could have just bought mine and saved $100s of dollars and weeks of time. It is almost exclusively bad experiences. And you can tell them to do a good job packing, but the person you are talking to is almost never the same person shipping the product. I've found that shipping departments hire some of the most unqualified or apathetic people out there.
@ yeah…. I’m not shipping customer product back and forth 😂 Mine are usually all local businesses bringing the exact cups they want. No shipping involved.
Devils advocate...if a customer calls you and brings a one off item and its not a volume production, do you accept it? I'm not at the point I can turn away work or have other volume work instead. Have to build the base profile in the market to get the larger orders I guess. Still, your words ring true.
@@BeardedBuildsCo There are many industrial processes that are engaged in within manufacturing facilities that involve high grade PPE, air extraction, filtration and more. Just because they DO use a laser on the material doesn't mean that you should do so in your own workshop. I just don't want you to wind up deathly ill from engraving. Have you watched the movie Dark Waters?
I did a few gold plated alternators for Mechman (high output alternator company) on their request. On my request, they also sent a piece of scrap that was also gold plated at the same time. It took like 20 tries to get the settings just right and I am so glad I had that test piece. Even on projects I have done before several times, I still use a test piece to verify everything is still good before I go into production mode.
I always use a tester or buy extra in all my projects laser - Screen Print - Embroidery, etc
Amen! Even on jobs I’ve done 1 million times I’ll still pull out an old cup and run it just to make sure that my setting still look good.
@BeardedBuildsCo yes we have a 27 gallon tote to grab from of wallets tumblers mugs pens etc i save & use until its just metal lol
1,000% correct. Anytime someone brings me a one off, I make sure they also give me something they don't care about in the same material. It takes a lot of time to get it just right before you go for it on the real piece.
Yep! It’s not a magic press of the button. Lots of time messing stuff up to know what to do next time.
Very informative video and food for thought for the newbies like myself. Keep up the great work
I literally just saw a post in one of the facebook groups asking for settings on the same buckle a few mins before watching this video
😂😂😂
Just did a job like this for the big orange box store and finished yesterday. Didn't fail, but made so many mistakes that the profit was very small after correcting errors. In the end, they got what they ordered and was happy with it, but the nightmare I experienced - I don't ever want to do again. Again, didn't fail, learned what not to do moving forward.
Sometimes you have to pay for the educational experience. Learn from it and be ready to crush the next gig!
Where do you buy the wallets from?
A good place is bulklaser.com
Also check out perpetualsupplyco.com for other laser blanks. I have part ownership here, so if you see things you think we should stock, let me know!
I been scratching my head on a laser. I want to try to do acrylic for the acrylic edge lights. I've never done any engraving.. I'm just trying to get a hustle going.... I 1st considered pod and stickers... I have over 2k in a custom-built pc, and I really got to make something happen.
For clear acrylic you will want a co2 laser. I would recommend that you check out 1laser. Their x series is pretty impressive.
1laser.com/laserguys
My team’s referral code is LASERGUYS if you make a purchase and want to support what we do.
I won't even take jobs where the customer provides the material unless I know I can get more myself or unless they provide 10% more product than they need. Doesn't matter if I know how to do it or not because mistakes happen regardless. Customers who provide their own material are usually a headache anyway.
I have a fair amount of customers that will bring their own stuff. Just like you I ask for extras and then set expectations. If they become a pain…. I just fire them as a customer.
@@BeardedBuildsCo I've had not just one, but SEVERAL customers who wanted me to do their specific cups (the same cups I either stock or could easily buy myself), then they send it in a box with no or minimal packing material and all the cups come dented and scratched. Then, instead of just giving up and using my cups, they insist on shipping even more (and I have to ship their damaged ones back). By the time they paid for multiple shippings and damaged cups, they could have just bought mine and saved $100s of dollars and weeks of time. It is almost exclusively bad experiences. And you can tell them to do a good job packing, but the person you are talking to is almost never the same person shipping the product. I've found that shipping departments hire some of the most unqualified or apathetic people out there.
@ yeah…. I’m not shipping customer product back and forth 😂
Mine are usually all local businesses bringing the exact cups they want. No shipping involved.
What laser are you using?
This is my 100w fiber
👋🏿
I immediately assumed the mistake was not wearing proper eye protection.
Hahaha looking back at my thumbnail I can totally see that now!
Devils advocate...if a customer calls you and brings a one off item and its not a volume production, do you accept it? I'm not at the point I can turn away work or have other volume work instead. Have to build the base profile in the market to get the larger orders I guess. Still, your words ring true.
Take it! But be prepared to pay to play if you don’t have things to test on first.
🔥 TO LEARN
Wait.. A TEFLON coating? Polytetrafluoroethylene? I would have to do a ton of research before agreeing to vaporize that material with a laser.
For me the easy answer was the fact that the company that makes them already does the same thing to personalize them.
@@BeardedBuildsCo There are many industrial processes that are engaged in within manufacturing facilities that involve high grade PPE, air extraction, filtration and more. Just because they DO use a laser on the material doesn't mean that you should do so in your own workshop. I just don't want you to wind up deathly ill from engraving.
Have you watched the movie Dark Waters?