Well I'm still only working on low & medium end cues, and conversions mostly, but keep getting requests to start work on some higher ends from a few customers with the dough to spend. I try to shy away from them for many reasons, but they can be persistent, and the main reason I don't take them on alot of times is because they want custom designed inlays, and most of My hand made templates for My pantograph are pretty basic. I explain to them that I basically do the stuff by hand with no cnc, so If they wanted something out of My range of producing By hand, then they would have to cover the cost of me having a template machined, because I am limited in what templates I can make by hand. I'm sure you guys know that story. Well, That does the trick sometimes, and some people realize maybe that's not what they want due to cost, but I am starting to get some that are practicaly trying to shove money down My throat anyway. Usually they are some what impatient also which bring up another question but I'll take them one at a time here.
My machine is basically a 1 to 1 ratio.
Ok, first on the templates.
(1)Is there anyone here that can machine templates for me when I need them, or know of someone that does good work, atleast Until I get My CNC setup?
(2)Who is the best & lowest cost for this task?
(3) Could files from an autocad 2006 0r 2007 be enough for the average person to mill me some templates?
I know that prather has many stlyes to pick from, but I believe in their catalog that they say they are made from corian. Besides cost ($250 for one inlay design), I would rather Have mine milled in metal, and bottom line could deal with brass/bronze at a good price. from the looks of it, For the price of a group of inlay templates, I could setup a minmill to cut them Myself out of brass, and so have a delima. I have too many other things going on to just put another machine or tool on credit right now, and would rather It pay for it'self in advance if possible. I'm working on building one from scratch with a full lenth axis, but that's going to be a while before I have all the parts to get serious about it. I know I'm probably getting at some kind of turning point here, where I have to take It more serious, and should probably breakdown and buy something to get Me by, but the timing is not good for it.
I am hoping to hear from people that have been in My situation & moved past it, that can give me some advice or point me in the correct direction. It seems like everything I make on repair goes right back into materials & building stock for that up.
My other delima- well I've been kind of slack storing up on woods the last 5 years. I have stocked some, but not nearly enough. To make It worse, I live in a humid state, and prefer to turn things down very slowly. The few times I have turned down faster then i wanted have proved My position on that to Myself, even with well aged woods, and the slower I turn the better the outcome. I like to have seasoned woods in My shop for a year or 2 at a very minimum, and turning time is another issue as I mentioned, so anything green, and we're talking many years before I will use It.
The problem I have is the want it now generation, I have actually had a few people offer me double the price of My retail to build them a cue in three months or so time, before they even knew what My retail was
. tonight one even put me on the spot, and offered to pay up front to which I kindly declined, but brings up a few more questions-
Ethics- (1) Does someone willing to pay double the price upfront warrant putting them in front of the line? I'm not sure I would feel so good about that.
(2) Other then the gimmi's such as maples & shaft dowels, what would be the basic exotics to keep on hand & well seasoned at any given time, so that their ready to go? Not the one or 2 off type stuff, but the most requested.
Sorry for the long post Gentleman, but this stuff has been waying on My mind, and I would really like to simplify things some, so I can be more productive. What ever questions anyone has knowledge of would be very helpfull, but the autocad drawings, and if they can be used for making templates might take priority right now.
Thanks,
Greg C
My machine is basically a 1 to 1 ratio.
Ok, first on the templates.
(1)Is there anyone here that can machine templates for me when I need them, or know of someone that does good work, atleast Until I get My CNC setup?
(2)Who is the best & lowest cost for this task?
(3) Could files from an autocad 2006 0r 2007 be enough for the average person to mill me some templates?
I know that prather has many stlyes to pick from, but I believe in their catalog that they say they are made from corian. Besides cost ($250 for one inlay design), I would rather Have mine milled in metal, and bottom line could deal with brass/bronze at a good price. from the looks of it, For the price of a group of inlay templates, I could setup a minmill to cut them Myself out of brass, and so have a delima. I have too many other things going on to just put another machine or tool on credit right now, and would rather It pay for it'self in advance if possible. I'm working on building one from scratch with a full lenth axis, but that's going to be a while before I have all the parts to get serious about it. I know I'm probably getting at some kind of turning point here, where I have to take It more serious, and should probably breakdown and buy something to get Me by, but the timing is not good for it.
I am hoping to hear from people that have been in My situation & moved past it, that can give me some advice or point me in the correct direction. It seems like everything I make on repair goes right back into materials & building stock for that up.
My other delima- well I've been kind of slack storing up on woods the last 5 years. I have stocked some, but not nearly enough. To make It worse, I live in a humid state, and prefer to turn things down very slowly. The few times I have turned down faster then i wanted have proved My position on that to Myself, even with well aged woods, and the slower I turn the better the outcome. I like to have seasoned woods in My shop for a year or 2 at a very minimum, and turning time is another issue as I mentioned, so anything green, and we're talking many years before I will use It.
The problem I have is the want it now generation, I have actually had a few people offer me double the price of My retail to build them a cue in three months or so time, before they even knew what My retail was
. tonight one even put me on the spot, and offered to pay up front to which I kindly declined, but brings up a few more questions-Ethics- (1) Does someone willing to pay double the price upfront warrant putting them in front of the line? I'm not sure I would feel so good about that.
(2) Other then the gimmi's such as maples & shaft dowels, what would be the basic exotics to keep on hand & well seasoned at any given time, so that their ready to go? Not the one or 2 off type stuff, but the most requested.
Sorry for the long post Gentleman, but this stuff has been waying on My mind, and I would really like to simplify things some, so I can be more productive. What ever questions anyone has knowledge of would be very helpfull, but the autocad drawings, and if they can be used for making templates might take priority right now.
Thanks,
Greg C
, I'm lucky those gear racks are so tuff. Anyway I'm on My last one, and don't want to rob the one off My powerfeed, so will need a couple more soon, and wanted to talk with you about a few other things. I'll bring this one about the templates up with you and see what we can work out. I love the one you sent me, It worked very well with My setup, It makes some nice floaters. I made me a few stylus that even let me do thin borders with them. I want a few of the other traditional styles you have also. I have some I made that are simular to some designs, but the hand made ones for me just aren't the same, and are rarely are they perfect. They're made from wood also, and I need to transfer them to another material. I have a question on that, but will ask you when We talk. 