Dave Norris
02-24-2008, 10:37 PM
Hi to Everyone,
I'm not sure where to begin with this... I currently have a small woodshop with the usual machines (TS, jointer, planer,shaper, etc). I do mostly smaller projects for family and friends like a kitchen here, or a bathroom there. Only a couple a year right now, as I still work fulltime. I'm looking to retire from my "dayjob" in the next 5-10 years or so, preferably 5 years if I can ramp-up the woodworking to supplement a bit. Lately I've been doing my designs in "Sketchup", which allows me to get things designed better, and to show folks what I'm thinking they are asking for.
I find the idea of a Shopbot to be extremely cool, and based on the websites, I have yet to really find anyone who regrets getting one (I'm sure they're out there, I just haven't run across them). I don't have the cash for one now, but I think I'm going to start saving in that direction. Which brings me to my questions...
1. Realistically, to get a Shopbot that will allow me to work as a one man fairly custom shop (making cabinets, kitchens or other??), how much cash would I probably need to get started?
2. Given that I'm at least a year away from purchasing, what can I do now to start developing my skills further?
3. Is a Shopbot even the way to go with a cabinet type business?
4. I see lots of posts about using a 'bot to make signs. Are you folks making wooden signs as I see some of the pictures, or are these other types of signs?
I love the idea of a 'bot, but I really don't think my wife will... any tips there? She's a "save for retirement" kind of person,, where as I'm a "spend to earn in retirement" kind of guy. She's ok with a $2k saw, but I'm guessing the cost of this is going to earn me a resounding "are you out of your mind?"
Thanks for any help you could offer. I'm in Western PA if that helps.
Dave
I'm not sure where to begin with this... I currently have a small woodshop with the usual machines (TS, jointer, planer,shaper, etc). I do mostly smaller projects for family and friends like a kitchen here, or a bathroom there. Only a couple a year right now, as I still work fulltime. I'm looking to retire from my "dayjob" in the next 5-10 years or so, preferably 5 years if I can ramp-up the woodworking to supplement a bit. Lately I've been doing my designs in "Sketchup", which allows me to get things designed better, and to show folks what I'm thinking they are asking for.
I find the idea of a Shopbot to be extremely cool, and based on the websites, I have yet to really find anyone who regrets getting one (I'm sure they're out there, I just haven't run across them). I don't have the cash for one now, but I think I'm going to start saving in that direction. Which brings me to my questions...
1. Realistically, to get a Shopbot that will allow me to work as a one man fairly custom shop (making cabinets, kitchens or other??), how much cash would I probably need to get started?
2. Given that I'm at least a year away from purchasing, what can I do now to start developing my skills further?
3. Is a Shopbot even the way to go with a cabinet type business?
4. I see lots of posts about using a 'bot to make signs. Are you folks making wooden signs as I see some of the pictures, or are these other types of signs?
I love the idea of a 'bot, but I really don't think my wife will... any tips there? She's a "save for retirement" kind of person,, where as I'm a "spend to earn in retirement" kind of guy. She's ok with a $2k saw, but I'm guessing the cost of this is going to earn me a resounding "are you out of your mind?"
Thanks for any help you could offer. I'm in Western PA if that helps.
Dave