How do you turn a profit on a 3D cutout?

[80grit]

I'm learning and making big strides in cutting out projects much faster each time I cut a project, but I don't really see how I can make money cutting 3D projects. I'm really referring to smaller display pieces.

I've even avoided telling people that those are even an option because I feel they may laugh at me when I have to charge 4 hours of labor for something they are probably expecting to be in the $50 range. Sure, they are more fun than cutting 2D letters, but time is money.

[Davo]

Which is exactly why I'm sticking with the boating industry down here on the coast or new home construction - but then again I know a guy laser engraving $4 12x12 granite for $100 and sells out but Houston has that economic oil industry to help people that want it buy it

Big boats blow $5000 on engraved glass, $20k on painting, $4000 on bottom jobs...

Easier to get their business

I go 100 miles east and I can't sell c r a p so I feel your pain

I haven't found a marine contractor (aka let me drill a simple hole in your boat) that isn't charging less than $85/hr

Most are $100

And they are booked for weeks

What's that saying about finding what sells in that market or something - I had to change my approach

Anyway that's just me and my area

I will let Gene and Brady and all the other guys give the good information - they have the knowledge and I will learn some more

I'm just starting to end my first year

[cowboy1296]

i am just working part time out of the corner of my garage and do mostly 3-d. i did a 2 year study before and after the shopbot. my electrical bill went up 36% and remember i am part time. That also includes the dust collector. Just something to think about.

[Davo]

I've been curious on the electrical usage of the Shopbot and extras

My electricity is free in the warehouse

[cowboy1296]

free electricity................that is not nearly enough incentive for me to move back to Houston. No way Jose.

[Davo]

Jose is working on my boat currently (Chavos Yacht Service)

I myself would love to run my machine with picture perfect mountains!

You basically have free air conditioning all year that's worth most of the electricity here

Instead we have a lovely horizon of some brownish- smog type - sunsets over a sometimes blue/brown water....

Oh... And the smell... Yea... Chemical plants produce a very lovely odor

I drive 45min to move 20 miles because of the awesome traffic....

How could you leave all this!

[cowboy1296]

AC whats that. I am at 8700 feet elevation and no one has ac here and hottest its ever been in my house is 77, but with low humidity. I live south of the Arkansas River which was the northern boundary for the Republic of Texas. I have my stake in the ground to reclaim it.http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=26480&stc=1

[joe]

I'm glad Andy posted on topic. He's correct about the difficulty to make full 3d a profitable venture. Most sign shops use this technique as calling card.

Even with free electricity and utilities the time and materials involved makes the profit margin so narrow few people make a living at it. Here at my shop we find it necessary to limit our customer base. I have previously posted on the advantages to Targeting. That process is to select the kind of businesses who will profit from this kind of work and seek them out. For example, Medical offices like Dentists, Orthopedic Clinics, Legal Offices, Horse Ranches and Farms, City Monuments for Parks, etc. These are a few customer types that expendable funds and need high quality, long lasting signage.

Thanks again for bringing up this topic.

Joe

[cowboy1296]

you must work close to sink-a-dena

[Davo]

Deleted the old photo


Was trying to post the bigger one

I'm off 610 not far from 225 at an engineering company - luckily one surviving this down turn

It's all the same really...

http://www.texasfreeway.com/houston/photos/225/images/225_deer_park_refinery_D_USE_24-dec-01_hres.jpg

[Davo]

The one plus about Houston

Sky's the limit on opportunity with a Shopbot - I've been bombarded with things left and right in all areas

I'm now turning it all down to focus on the marine industry

Repeat business that never ends is why and to boaters blowing money is a given

Doing a new home or restaurant is once and done for the most part

Even though homes here are popping up like crazy - usually $250k to get a shake-n-bake clone house

[cowboy1296]

like i said stink-a-dena

[cowboy1296]

oh houston is a great place to work but not to grow old in
. i can assure you that this little county that i live in does not have a hero ordinance. and how in the hell did this ordinance come up with the name of hero ordinance.

[Davo]

I use to work in the middle of Pasadena.... Never got robbed..

I really hate Houston when it comes to anything else

Which is why I stay in Kemah

http://www.visitbayareahouston.com/pageimages/Kemah%20Bridge,%20Overhead.jpg

I have not had a problem justifying me price here - it's limiting my options so I don't run myself thin

In fact me and a friend who owns a boat building biz have been meaning to get together so I can 3D design boat consoles then make him cookie cutter sheets on aluminum so he can weld it all together from the 2D parts

But I can't be a master of any of it if I dabble in too much

All ends up being junior level quality otherwise

[cowboy1296]

you played with the colors on that picture. I grew up in Hitchcock and the gulf aint never been that blue.

I have never cut aluminum. I want to. On the vectric website there are some pretty good Air Force aluminum inlays coated with expoxy.

[Davo]

That's a pic off their website

I just linked to it

At best the water as looked... Green/bluish

Between the Shopbot and laser I have blown a ton of cash on destroying material playing and practicing

So I'm A little scared to get into aluminum and screw it up cause that cost even more

[joe]

Woops, looks like we drifted a little off course.

I'm also concerned about making enough profit on small 3D signs like the one below. Gary Beckwith, seen with his panel carved at one of my workshops. He spent about three hours on this one. The thing about 3d work, once the carving is completed, the skilled painting starts. I'd be happy to show more of this kind of work but it does take to complete. The painting on this one has just begun.

2.5D is much faster and easier to paint.

Joehttp://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=26502&stc=1

[Davo]

I'm finding my 3D stuff is more popular than my 2D lately..... As long as they are willing to pay- people are just impressed more

And I charge by the hour regardless if its 2D or 3D - but lately I'm putting a minimum of 1 hour charge no matter what it is because I'm having to weed out the small jobs that are more trouble than they are worth

I'd like to find out where to get wood wholesale around here...

[joe]

Davo,

I'm not sure we are talking about the same thing. For example, 2.5D is difficult, if not impossible, to tell from full 3D machine carved signs. Machine 3D carving is more difficult and time consuming. Here are a couple of NON 3D signs. They were done by hand except for a little V carving and border outlining. Those techniques are fast.

Joehttp://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=26503&stc=1http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=26504&stc=1

[Davo]

Ok yea I'm completely on a different mind set when talking 2D based on those pics .... That is beautiful work!

That's something I will never probably get into and it's because my skill set on painting does not exist

[cowboy1296]

painting is not my expertise either. my stuff always comes out brown on brown. i cut this plaque but an artist painted it. i was impressed.http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=26505&stc=1