Safety Speed Cut Thermwood Corporation ECabinet Systems

Cabinetmaking

You are not logged in. [ Login ] Why log in
(NOTE: Login is not required to post)

Soliciting CNC Work from Other Shops

5/22/20       
Guinea Member

Recently we converted from manual to CNC production. Since then a steady stream of customers, vendors and others keeps telling us to develop a separate revenue stream by offering panel processing to local shops without CNC capabilities. Just curious how many here have tried it, and how it worked out for you. Also wondering about an appropriate/fair fee structure (hourly vs. X$ per sheet, etc.)?

Just looking for ways to keep the router busier, since it has to eat every month!

5/22/20       #2: Soliciting CNC Work from Other Shop ...
MarkB Member

Search the archives here. There are plenty of threads on the subject. Responses always vary from sheet pricing, sheet pricing depending on files provided, complexity, and so on.

In our experience it can be nice when you have time and a nuisance when you dont and a lot of it will depend on whether your customers will be handing you a hand or computer drafted sketch than you then have to generate code from or if they are supplying you with files you are confident to work from directly (never the case for us).

In my world I have two main shops that I cut for periodically but they only supply drawings. No CAD, no .dxf's. So the entire job has to be input and then output to the machine. That adds to the per-sheet cost. If we had someone that could ship us .dxf's that we could quickly and easily toolpath it would be a different story.

The variables will mainly be dependant on the what your customer ships you and how standard/non-standard are their typical jobs.

Then, at least for us, you will have to overcome the delusion many of them will have at the onset with regards to your per-sheet price and drawing price as many of them will insist they can process the panels just as fast or faster/cheaper themselves (when they see the total price for XX sheets) as they are not accounting for ordering/receiving material, multiple ops and setups, packing, clean up, and precision parts.

Many that have contacted us are firmly in the fuzzy math category with regards to all the processes and ops that factor in to non-cnc panel processing.

Just my $0.02 Search bar is in the upper right corner, its your friend.

5/22/20       #3: Soliciting CNC Work from Other Shop ...
Guinea Member

MarkB -- Thanks for the insight. I did search the archives -- most of what popped up was quite dated -- but thanks for taking the time to reply.

5/22/20       #4: Soliciting CNC Work from Other Shop ...
Jared E

Figure on redrawing everything they send you, whether in DXF form or scribbled on the back of a receipt. Customers' geometry is not to be trusted. As a starting point, for cabinet parts I charge $55 every time I need to push the start button on the CNC, whether it's one-sided or two-sided operations. That includes programming, and while it works for me and my overhead costs, yours will likely be different.

5/23/20       #5: Soliciting CNC Work from Other Shop ...
chris

I cut for about 8 shops. I required that they use Mozaik since it's innexpensive, they email me the files and withing a few minutes I'm cutting the parts. If they do not have it, I put a fee for laying it out from their numbers. If it is a shop that sends me a lot of work, I credit them back the $50 monthly Mozaik fee. I charge $30 a sheet to cut, 65 cents a foot to edgeband. I do not do by the hour since they can figure their costs easily with the sheet and foot calculations. Has worked well for me the past 4 years

5/23/20       #6: Soliciting CNC Work from Other Shop ...
Stephen Williams

Website: http://partscuttercnc.com

Chris

Do you have to set up their materials / schedules and parameters so it opens on your pc exactly as they send it?

I am thinking of doing the same thing with my customers. Good idea with the Mosaic fee credit.

Thanks

Steve

5/23/20       #7: Soliciting CNC Work from Other Shop ...
chris

I setup the material library on how they like it to be, save it as their company name. They set the parameters on their end in the design. All I do is import the file, apply the material library for the casework, drawers and hardware and go straight to cut. That way the liability is on their end when it comes to the design and parameters. I would say it takes me 5 minutes to import their file, apply material/hardware, print cut sheets and labels. They all have been happy with it. I have 1 customer who doesn't know what a computer is, so he brings me his drawings on a etch and sketch, or at least my version of it. I do charge him a small fee for laying it out and giving him renderings but that's only for jobs that are a go, not for estimates.

5/26/20       #8: Soliciting CNC Work from Other Shop ...
Stephen Williams  Member

Website: http://www.partscuttercnc.com

Thanks
When you "import" a file do all the parameters come with it or do you have to have their parameters already set on your end to match theirs?

5/26/20       #9: Soliciting CNC Work from Other Shop ...
Chris

They set the parameters on their end and when they export the job and email it to me after I import it the only thing I have to do is select the door style hardware and materials. The door style really does not matter unless they’re MDF doors. So I make sure on every job their materials but the majority of the shops I cut for all have a standard material they do unless there’s some cabinets that may have something different such as glass doors with cherry interior instead of prefinished maple for example. I’ll manually make those changes in the material template.


Post a Response
  • Notify me of responses to this thread
  • Subscribe to email updates on this Forum
  • To receive email notification of additions to this forum thread,
    enter your name and email address, and then click the
    "Keep Me Posted" button below.

    Please Note: If you have posted a message or response,
    do not submit this request ... you are already signed up
    to receive notification!

    Your Name:
    E-Mail Address:
    Enter the correct numbers into the field below:
     

    Date of your Birth:



    Return to top of page

    Buy & Sell Exchanges | Forums | Galleries | Site Map

    FORUM GUIDELINES: Please review the guidelines below before posting at WOODWEB's Interactive Message Boards (return to top)

  • WOODWEB is a professional industrial woodworking site. Hobbyist and homeowner woodworking questions are inappropriate.
  • Messages should be kept reasonably short and on topic, relating to the focus of the forum. Responses should relate to the original question.
  • A valid email return address must be included with each message.
  • Advertising is inappropriate. The only exceptions are the Classified Ads Exchange, Machinery Exchange, Lumber Exchange, and Job Opportunities and Services Exchange. When posting listings in these areas, review the posting instructions carefully.
  • Subject lines may be edited for length and clarity.
  • "Cross posting" is not permitted. Choose the best forum for your question, and post your question at one forum only.
  • Messages requesting private responses will be removed - Forums are designed to provide information and assistance for all of our visitors. Private response requests are appropriate at WOODWEB's Exchanges and Job Opportunities and Services.
  • Messages that accuse businesses or individuals of alleged negative actions or behavior are inappropriate since WOODWEB is unable to verify or substantiate the claims.
  • Posts with the intent of soliciting answers to surveys are not appropriate. Contact WOODWEB for more information on initiating a survey.
  • Excessive forum participation by an individual upsets the balance of a healthy forum atmosphere. Individuals who excessively post responses containing marginal content will be considered repeat forum abusers.
  • Responses that initiate or support inappropriate and off-topic discussion of general politics detract from the professional woodworking focus of WOODWEB, and will be removed.
  • Participants are encouraged to use their real name when posting. Intentionally using another persons name is prohibited, and posts of this nature will be removed at WOODWEB's discretion.
  • Comments, questions, or criticisms regarding Forum policies should be directed to WOODWEB's Systems Administrator
    (return to top).

    Carefully review your message before clicking on the "Send Message" button - you will not be able to revise the message once it has been sent.

    You will be notified of responses to the message(s) you posted via email. Be sure to enter your email address correctly.

    WOODWEB's forums are a highly regarded resource for professional woodworkers. Messages and responses that are crafted in a professional and civil manner strengthen this resource. Messages that do not reflect a professional tone reduce the value of our forums.

    Messages are inappropriate when their content: is deemed libelous in nature or is based on rumor, fails to meet basic standards of decorum, contains blatant advertising or inappropriate emphasis on self promotion (return to top).

    Libel:   Posts which defame an individual or organization, or employ a tone which can be viewed as malicious in nature. Words, pictures, or cartoons which expose a person or organization to public hatred, shame, disgrace, or ridicule, or induce an ill opinion of a person or organization, are libelous.

    Improper Decorum:   Posts which are profane, inciting, disrespectful or uncivil in tone, or maliciously worded. This also includes the venting of unsubstantiated opinions. Such messages do little to illuminate a given topic, and often have the opposite effect. Constructive criticism is acceptable (return to top).

    Advertising:   The purpose of WOODWEB Forums is to provide answers, not an advertising venue. Companies participating in a Forum discussion should provide specific answers to posted questions. WOODWEB suggests that businesses include an appropriately crafted signature in order to identify their company. A well meaning post that seems to be on-topic but contains a product reference may do your business more harm than good in the Forum environment. Forum users may perceive your references to specific products as unsolicited advertising (spam) and consciously avoid your web site or services. A well-crafted signature is an appropriate way to advertise your services that will not offend potential customers. Signatures should be limited to 4-6 lines, and may contain information that identifies the type of business you're in, your URL and email address (return to top).

    Repeated Forum Abuse: Forum participants who repeatedly fail to follow WOODWEB's Forum Guidelines may encounter difficulty when attempting to post messages.

    There are often situations when the original message asks for opinions: "What is the best widget for my type of shop?". To a certain extent, the person posting the message is responsible for including specific questions within the message. An open ended question (like the one above) invites responses that may read as sales pitches. WOODWEB suggests that companies responding to such a question provide detailed and substantive replies rather than responses that read as a one-sided product promotion. It has been WOODWEB's experience that substantive responses are held in higher regard by our readers (return to top).

    The staff of WOODWEB assume no responsibility for the accuracy, content, or outcome of any posting transmitted at WOODWEB's Message Boards. Participants should undertake the use of machinery, materials and methods discussed at WOODWEB's Message Boards after considerate evaluation, and at their own risk. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages it deems inappropriate. (return to top)


  • Forum Posting Help
    Your Name The name you enter in this field will be the name that appears with your post or response (return to form).
    Your Website Personal or business website links must point to the author's website. Inappropriate links will be removed without notice, and at WOODWEB's sole discretion. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages with links it deems inappropriate. (return to form)
    E-Mail Address Your e-mail address will not be publicly viewable. Forum participants will be able to contact you using a contact link (included with your post) that is substituted for your actual address. You must include a valid email address in this field. (return to form)
    Subject Subject may be edited for length and clarity. Subject lines should provide an indication of the content of your post. (return to form)
    Thread Related Link and Image Guidelines Thread Related Links posted at WOODWEB's Forums and Exchanges should point to locations that provide supporting information for the topic being discussed in the current message thread. The purpose of WOODWEB Forums is to provide answers, not to serve as an advertising venue. A Thread Related Link that directs visitors to an area with inappropriate content will be removed. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages with links or images it deems inappropriate. (return to form)
    Thread Related File Uploads Thread Related Files posted at WOODWEB's Forums and Exchanges should provide supporting information for the topic being discussed in the current message thread. Video Files: acceptable video formats are: .MOV .AVI .WMV .MPEG .MPG .MP4 (Image Upload Tips)   If you encounter any difficulty when uploading video files, E-mail WOODWEB for assistance. The purpose of WOODWEB Forums is to provide answers, not to serve as an advertising venue. A Thread Related File that contains inappropriate content will be removed, and uploaded files that are not directly related to the message thread will be removed. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages with links, files, or images it deems inappropriate. (return to form)
    Limtech Industries, Inc. Lamello
    Today's Sponsors
    • GreCon
      Spark Detection and Extinguishment Systems and Quality Assurance Measuring Equipment
    • Excel Dowel and Wood Products Inc.
      Plain and Pre-glued Dowel Pins, and Wood Parts - Servicing Small Hobby Shops to Large OEM's
    • CP Adhesives
      Supplying Quality Adhesives to the Woodworking Industry
    • Rose Machinery
      Horizontal Band Re-rips, Standard & Custom Designed Machinery
    • Cabinet Pro
      Design and Manufacturing Software for the Cabinet and Door Industries Since 1986
    • Cab Parts
      Pre-manufactured Components for Easy-to-Assemble Cabinet Boxes
    • Colonial Saw
      North American Supplier of Striebig Panel Saws, Lamello Specialty Tools and a Wide Range of Saw and Tool Grinding Machinery
    • Palmetto Cabinet Doors
      Supplier of Quality MDF Cabinet Doors
    • Cabinetshop Maestro
      Web-Based Project Management Software for Custom Cabinet Shops - Manage Jobs from Prospect to Punchlist Through Scheduling, Task Management, Time Tracking and Communication
    • Vacuum Pressing Systems, Inc.
      Vacuum Pressing Equipment - Including Bag and Frame Systems
    • Professional Machinery Group
      New and Used Machinery Serving the Needs of the Professional Woodworker
    • Felder USA
      High Quality Woodworking Machines and Tools
    • Anver Corporation
      Vacuum System Components - Suction Cups, Vacuum Pumps, Vacuum Lifters & Lifting Systems, and More

    Become a Sponsor today!