What profitable CNC projects can my CNC machine make? This is probably the question that all the owners of any CNC machines frequently ask. Even in the context of a severe epidemic, using CNC machines to manufacture CNC projects still occupies a certain market share.
If you have or plan to buy a CNC machine and intend to make CNC projects that sell in 2022, please read this article. It lists 5 profitable CNC machine projects of wood, metal, acrylic, and stone materials. Pictures of the following CNC router projects are real feedback from our customers around the world. They choose our CNC router machines to develop different CNC projects that sell in their places. Additionally, I also recommend several CNC machines to help you with your CNC router projects.
CNC wood projects
CNC wood projects also refer to CNC router projects. Because they are realized mainly by the CNC router machines. Besides, the major material of such projects is various types of wood. For instance, softwood, hardwood, plywood, particle boards, density fiberboard, melamine boards, etc.
CNC router projects are used in a wide range of industries. In addition to industrial applications, we can see CNC router products everywhere in life. The main tasks of a CNC router include cutting out shapes, engraving surfaces, and carving designs. Furthermore, the use of CNC routers has changed the way that manual tools are used to process wood products. Its highly automated processing method improves processing efficiency, eliminates human error, and brings greater economic benefits.
What's more, various CNC router software, including CAD and CAM, makes the whole machining process more intelligent and simple. The CNC router software helps us with making drawings, calculating tool paths, and turning the raw material into finished products.
Epoxy tables
Epoxy tables made by a USA customer using ELE 1530 CNC wood router
Epoxy tables made by a USA customer using ELE 1530 CNC wood router
This is undoubtedly one of the beautiful and profitable CNC projects. It is so amazing combining the wood and epoxy materials. Epoxy tables are products that show personality and can decorate your house or shop. The dedicated epoxy materials can be perfectly combined with various types of wood, including some discarded scraps or timbers. After simple design and modeling, it can also get an eye-catching effect.
Therefore, the epoxy table CNC router projects are quite flexible because you can design the shapes and styles as you wish. Besides, you can also combine the wood and epoxy in any proportion.
What can the wood CNC router do for the epoxy table CNC projects?
The CNC wood router can mill the timer surface, or cut panels into any shape according to your designs. This will make preparation for the next step of combining the epoxy and adhesives. In addition, a CNC router machine can also flatten the table surface by milling after the epoxy solidified.
What wood CNC machine can be used to develop epoxy table CNC router projects?
All of our CNC routers for woodworking can handle the epoxy table CNC router projects for the preparation work. Different processes such as cutting, engraving, pocketing, and milling can be realized by selecting the appropriate CNC router bits. In addition, you can choose a CNC wood router with manual tool change or automatic tool change.
The manual tool changing wood CNC router needs to stop temporarily for tool change, which may take a while. However, the automatic tool changing CNC router for sale doesn't need to pause the machine. It changes CNC router bits automatically, which improves work efficiency, but accordingly with a higher price.
1530 3 Axis Wood CNC Router for Table CNC Projects
This is an entry-level 3 axis CNC wood cutting machine widely used in the woodworking industry. It can achieve all the basic functions, like cutting, engraving, pocketing, drilling, etc. So it is very cost-effective to conduct wood CNC projects with this.
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All of our CNC routers for woodworking can handle the epoxy table CNC router projects for the preparation work. Different processes such as cutting, engraving, pocketing, and milling can be realized by selecting the appropriate CNC router bits. In addition, you can choose a CNC wood router with manual tool change or automatic tool change.The manual tool changing wood CNC router needs to stop temporarily for tool change, which may take a while. However, the automatic tool changing CNC router for sale doesn't need to pause the machine. It changes CNC router bits automatically, which improves work efficiency, but accordingly with a higher price.
We have a client from the United States who is dedicated to making epoxy table CNC router projects. His products include tables, chairs, desktop decorations, and other epoxy-wood CNC projects. He chooses our ELE 1530 wood CNC machine to cut, mill, and flatten his artworks.
The following video shows an ELE 1325 CNC router machine milling a timber surface. It is from a UK client who uses our wood CNC machine to process various wood materials.
Panel furniture
Cabinets made by a client in St. Kitts using ELE 1637 ATC CNC router
Cabinets made by a client in St. Kitts using ELE 1637 ATC CNC router
Making various panel furniture is also one of the most profitable CNC projects. It is also one of the major purposes of our CNC routers for woodworking. You can always find a suitable wood CNC machine to manufacture any cabinets, cupboards, wardrobes, shelves, office furniture, etc.
With the improvement of people's aesthetic level, modern panel furniture shall be both practical and beautiful. The beauty of the cabinets is mostly embodied in the style of cabinet doors. Our wood CNC router can engrave various patterns on wooden panels based on your amazing designs. Furthermore, the shapes of shelves are more changeable and not limited to traditional shapes.
What can a CNC machine do for panel furniture CNC router projects?
Our CNC wood cutting machine can cut all kinds of wood boards in batches for various panel furniture. Using different CNC router bits, you can also engrave a variety of patterns on cabinet doors. Besides, our non-porous process nesting CNC router machine can make slots for invisible connectors. It uses a special saw blade to make grooves and slots at any angle on the wooden panels for installing the invisible parts. You will not see any screws on the appearance of finished cabinets.
What types of CNC machines can make panel furniture CNC projects?
Most of our CNC routers for woodworking are suitable for making panel furniture according to your designs. You can select different configurations based on your specific requirements. What's more, you can also choose automatic labeling platforms for your nesting CNC router. It can improve your labeling efficiency and reduce human labor significantly.
Besides, we also provide other production line machines for the panel furniture CNC wood projects. For instance, edge banding machines, side drilling machines, panel saws, sanding machines, etc. You can combine them into an automated production line to improve your work efficiency.
The most popular CNC router for making panel furniture is the one with automatic loading and unloading platforms.
Automatic Loading and Unloading ATC 4x8 CNC Router for Cabinet CNC Projects
This is one of the best CNC machines for carrying out panel furniture CNC projects by small and medium-sized manufacturers.
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Most of our CNC routers for woodworking are suitable for making panel furniture according to your designs. You can select different configurations based on your specific requirements. What's more, you can also choose automatic labeling platforms for your nesting CNC router. It can improve your labeling efficiency and reduce human labor significantly.Besides, we also provide other production line machines for the panel furniture CNC wood projects. For instance, edge banding machines, side drilling machines, panel saws, sanding machines, etc. You can combine them into an automated production line to improve your work efficiency.The most popular CNC router for making panel furniture is the one with automatic loading and unloading platforms.
It is equipped with a drilling head, an ATC spindle, a special saw blade, and auto labeling, loading, and unloading platforms. So this nesting CNC router machine can complete the labeling, loading, processing, and unloading automatically. Besides, it can also complete the work of drilling, cutting, slotting, and making invisible part slots quickly and precisely.
Although the previous investment is relatively high, the automatic nesting CNC router can improve efficiency and increase productivity significantly. So it will bring considerable benefits in the long run.
Let's watch the test video of automatic loading and unloading 1325 ATC CNC router from an Australian customer. Our client was quite satisfied with our wood CNC machine.
Acrylic CNC projects
Acrylic materials are beautiful, wear-resistant, corrosion-resistant, economical, endurable, and have many other characteristics. Therefore, acrylic CNC projects are also one of the most profitable CNC projects that sell on the market.
Acrylic CNC projects are widely used in various fields, such as advertising and handicraft industries. It has multiple multiple colors and can be cut, etched, and spliced into various acrylic products. For example, lenses, nails, safety barriers, medical equipment, screens, furniture, storage boxes, display stands, water tanks, protective covers, crafts, etc.
Acrylic signs
Acrylic products made by our Portuguese client using ELE2030 CNC router machine
Acrylic products made by our Portuguese client using ELE2030 CNC router machine
What can a CNC machine do for acrylic CNC projects?
A CNC machine can cut, etch, and engrave various acrylic materials. The common thickness of acrylic boards is about 3 to 20mm. Traditional cutting methods, like mold pressing or manual tools cutting, have a long production cycle, poor accuracy, and barely satisfied results. However, processing acrylic CNC projects with CNC machines solves all these problems. Due to the high-level of automation, CNC machines can process acrylic signs with fast speed and superior accuracy.
What CNC machines can be used to develop amazing CNC projects of arcylic signs?
Video: demonstration of cutting an acrylic board with an ELE2030 CNC wood router by a Portuguese client
Laser cut acrylic amazing CNC projects are quite common in daily life. The laser acrylic CNC projects are realized by acrylic laser cutters with the CO2 laser source. Laser cuts acrylic materials without physically contacting the material surface. So it won't cause damage or deformation to the acrylic. Besides, an acrylic laser cutter can also engrave or etch acrylic material to produce a frosting effect on the surface.
Laser cut acrylic board demonstration is on 0:15s to 0:56s. An acrylic laser cutter is indeed a good CNC machine to carry out acrylic CNC projects.
Stone CNC projects
There is a type of CNC machine that can be specially used to carry out stone CNC projects. For example quartz countertops, marble background walls, bathroom sinks, etc. These CNC machines include stone CNC routers and upgraded stone CNC machining centers.
Stone CNC router projects such as kitchen countertops or bathroom sinks require a certain degree of accuracy. Because the cut shape needs to match with the corresponding washbasins. In addition, customized countertop CNC projects need to perfectly fit the dimensions of the user's kitchen, bathroom, etc.
Quartz countertop CNC projects
Pictures of quartz countertop CNC router projects
Pictures of quartz countertop CNC router projects
Quartz countertop CNC projects have wide applications in households, restaurants, hotels, malls, and other public places. Customized countertops or basins are required on many occasions due to different designs.
The stone materials are usually very heavy and it generally takes much time and effort to process them manually. Besides, the processing efficiency is low and the cost is high. However, the emergence of stone CNC machines perfectly solves all the above concerns. In particular, the auto tool changing stone CNC router can realize highly automated processing in whole processes. For instance, hole cutting, milling, edging and polishing.
What can a stone CNC router do for the quartz CNC machine projects?
A stone CNC machining center is able to complete multiple stone machining processes with high accuracy and efficiency. For instance, cutting basin holes, processing water-retaining, milling edges, polishing, making drain slots, plane engraving, etc.
Stone CNC routers with different configurations can achieve distinctive amazing CNC projects of stone. For example, a 5-axis bridge saw cuts decorative stone materials, such as quartz, marble, slate, etc. through the saw blade. It has advanced functions, including arbitrary straight line cutting, chamfering, arc cutting, polygon and irregular shape cutting, milling, edging, and contouring.
Other stone CNC routers can also realize cutting, milling, carving, edging, and other processes needed in stone CNC projects.
What type of stone CNC router for sale can develop quartz countertop CNC projects?
We provide multiple models of stone CNC routers and machining centers. For instance, ATC CNC stone machining center, two-spindle machining center, 5 axis bridge saw, etc. In addition, 3 axis or 4 axis stone CNC routers are also available on our website for you to choose from.
It adopts a dedicated CNC router control system that integrates CAD, CAM, and CNC. The man-machine exchange is more friendly. So you can draw directly on the software with little CAD knowledge. Besides, you can start the edging, polishing, and other processes by just filling simple process parameters into the system. Even if you are not a professional programmer, you can hand this machine.
Metal CNC projects
Another common processing material for CNC machines is metal, including but not limited to steel, aluminum, copper, and their alloys. CNC routers use CNC tools to process materials, but they are not good at handling metals, especially hard metals. Therefore, we often use other CNC machines to cut metal materials. For example, fiber laser machines, plasma cutters, water-jet, or oxygen fuel cutting machines, etc.
There are many profitable metal CNC machine projects in our daily life and the metalworking industry. Making metal parts, producing vehicles, planes, and equipment, making windows, doors, and fences, all of these can be profitable CNC projects. Furthermore, choosing a suitable metal CNC machine can help you get twice the result with half the effort.
Metal doors and windows
Metal door CNC projects made by Moldova customer using 1325 CNC plasma cutter
Metal door CNC projects made by Moldova customer using 1325 CNC plasma cutter
Today, we are going to talk about the metal CNC projects of doors, windows, and fences, etc. Production of these products requires less precision and simpler procedures compared with that of precision parts, equipment, vehicles, or aircraft. So it's relatively easy for small metalworking factories to provide metal door and window CNC projects. Metal doors and windows have less deformation, good durability, and high thermal conductivity compared with wooden doors.
What can a metal CNC machine do for metal door CNC projects?
The metal CNC machine can cut, engrave, mark, weld, and clean various metal materials based on different machine models. For instance, steel, stainless steel, carbon steel, copper, aluminum, bronze, galvanized sheets, etc.
What metal CNC machine is used to make metal door CNC projects?
In terms of different processing methods, there are multiple types of metal CNC machines available for metal CNC projects. For example, metal cutting machines, metal marking machines, welding machines, cleaning machines, bending machines, etc.
Here we are gonna talk about the most basic metal cutting machines. Common CNC metal cutting machines include laser cutting machines, plasma cutting machines, water-jet cutting machines, oxygen cutting machines, etc. All these can help you make metal windows and doors.
Today I'll introduce to you a fiber laser cutting machine and a plasma cutting machine. They are the most popular metal cutting machines for our metalworking customers.
Metal Tube and Sheet Fiber Laser Metal Cutting Machine
This metal laser cutter combines metal laser cutting and tube laser cutting functions in one machine. It can cut various metal sheets and tubes into any shape with high efficiency and precision.
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In terms of different processing methods, there are multiple types of metal CNC machines available for metal CNC projects. For example, metal cutting machines, metal marking machines, welding machines, cleaning machines, bending machines, etc.Here we are gonna talk about the most basic metal cutting machines. Common CNC metal cutting machines include laser cutting machines, plasma cutting machines, water-jet cutting machines, oxygen cutting machines, etc. All these can help you make metal windows and doors.Today I'll introduce to you a fiber laser cutting machine and a plasma cutting machine. They are the most popular metal cutting machines for our metalworking customers.
Check the following video to see how our tube and sheet metal cutting machine works.
Compared with the laser cutting machine, the plasma cutting machine is less accurate. However, the plasma cutting machine can cut thicker plates than the laser machine. The plasma cutting machine uses high-temperature and fast-speed plasma arc to melt metal. At the same time, blow away the melted metal with high-speed airflow. It can cut stainless steel, carbon steel, alloy steel, nickel, titanium, aluminum, copper, etc. It is more cost-effective to conduct metal window CNC projects with a CNC plasma cutter.
Conclusion
This article only describes 5 CNC projects for beginners of wood, acrylic, stone, and metal materials. All these amazing CNC projects for beginners are very simple and easy to realize. Even if you don't know complex programming or CNC knowledge, it is easy to develop them with a suitable CNC machine.
There are many other CNC machine projects to earn money in life. Before starting a CNC project, you need to observe and think carefully, and conduct some research. If the results are feasible, you can start your work or look for a suitable CNC machine.
We offer many models of CNC machines with different functions. Besides, we can help you to realize many CNC projects. Furthermore, you can tell us about your CNC projects ideas even if you don't know what machine to choose. We have a professional sales team to recommend the machine for you.
It is equipped with a drilling head, an ATC spindle, a special saw blade, and auto labeling, loading, and unloading platforms. So this nesting CNC router machine can complete the labeling, loading, processing, and unloading automatically. Besides, it can also complete the work of drilling, cutting, slotting, and making invisible part slots quickly and precisely.Although the previous investment is relatively high, the automatic nesting CNC router can improve efficiency and increase productivity significantly. So it will bring considerable benefits in the long run.Let's watch the test video of automatic loading and unloading 1325 ATC CNC router from an Australian customer. Our client was quite satisfied with our wood CNC machine.Advertising signs and light boards are the most common acrylic CNC projects. With lights of various colors, acrylic signs are a bright decoration at night.Video: demonstration of cutting an acrylic board with an ELE2030 CNC wood router by a Portuguese clientLaser cut acrylic amazing CNC projects are quite common in daily life. The laser acrylic CNC projects are realized by acrylic laser cutters with the CO2 laser source. Laser cuts acrylic materials without physically contacting the material surface. So it won't cause damage or deformation to the acrylic. Besides, an acrylic laser cutter can also engrave or etch acrylic material to produce a frosting effect on the surface.Laser cut acrylic board demonstration is on 0:15s to 0:56s. An acrylic laser cutter is indeed a good CNC machine to carry out acrylic CNC projects.Check the following video to see how our tube and sheet metal cutting machine works.Compared with the laser cutting machine, the plasma cutting machine is less accurate. However, the plasma cutting machine can cut thicker plates than the laser machine. The plasma cutting machine uses high-temperature and fast-speed plasma arc to melt metal. At the same time, blow away the melted metal with high-speed airflow. It can cut stainless steel, carbon steel, alloy steel, nickel, titanium, aluminum, copper, etc. It is more cost-effective to conduct metal window CNC projects with a CNC plasma cutter.
Wondering if you can turn your hobby into a profitable business? Many people use their CNC routers to create decor, accent furniture, toys, or tools. Eventually, you may find that you want to take these DIY projects and sell them instead of giving them away to family and friends. If you already own a shop and want to expand your offerings, CNC routers can accelerate the time to bring new items to market.
Luckily, there are many different in-demand items that you can make on a CNC machine, from a simple cell phone stand to a complete chess set. Here, we’ll dive into the world of CNC projects and highlight some of the most profitable options.
Can CNC Machining Be a Profitable Business?
Turning your hobby into a business takes time and effort, but CNC machining can certainly be profitable. CNC routers and laser cutting machines use computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) software, which speeds up the design process, results in more precise outputs, and makes it easier to replicate original designs. Look for user-friendly software that has an intuitive interface, such as VCarve Pro, Aspire, Lightburn, and more.
CNC machines support profitability because they allow you to automate many time-consuming manual tasks in applications such as woodworking or metalworking. This allows you to increase your output without taking on additional labor costs. Plus, using CNC machining instead of hand tools reduces the amount of wasted material.
Ideas for CNC Router Projects
Once you’re comfortable using the CNC software that fits your needs, there’s no limit to what you can make. You can stick to one type of project, such as decorative signage, or branch out into different types of decor and functional pieces. Here are a few different categories of project ideas to get you started:
Products for the Home
Home decor items always make for popular CNC projects. Customers can give them as gifts or use them to spruce up their own homes. Here are a few different pieces you could create:
- Coasters: Sets of coasters are a great choice for CNC wood projects because they’re functional, affordable, and they make good gifts. You can also design metal or acrylic coasters.
- Clocks: A wall clock is useful in any room of the home. You can find CNC project files for a wide range of clock styles, from simple to intricate designs.
- Bookends: Sets of bookends are a good decor project for experienced hobbyists. They are relatively simple to design and replicate and you can finish them with different stain or paint options to match a customer’s color scheme.
- Wall art: Here’s where your creativity can shine. You could make abstract art, signs with inspirational quotes, or design made-to-order signs with the image or wording of a customer’s choice.
- Custom furniture: Want to offer customers unique furniture they can’t find anywhere else? Use CNC machining to create custom furniture, including coffee tables, dining tables, shelves, mirrors, bed frames, and similar pieces.
Kitchen Items
Want to appeal to foodies and home cooks? Try creating items such as:
- Cheese boards: A cutting board or cheese board is a popular gift for engagements and housewarmings. If you want to take on custom orders, you can personalize these boards with names, monograms, or significant dates.
- Knife holder: Knife blocks are an attractive way to safely store kitchen knives. You can offer these in different stains and finishes so customers can find one that matches their cabinets.
- Rolling pins: Another great option for food lovers, rolling pins can be engraved with a family name or a special label like “Baked with Love” or “Mom’s Kitchen.”
- Cabinets: Here’s a slightly more specialized route – custom cabinetry. CNC routers can produce custom-made cabinets, creating one-of-a-kind doors and drawer fronts with unique panels and stiles.
Storage Solutions
Home organizing is a big trend right now, and customers are looking for storage containers that are both functional and aesthetically appealing. Here are a few woodworking projects you can try:
- Desk organizers: So many people are working remotely these days, and they need easy ways to maintain an orderly home office. Desk organizers can be made from wood or acrylic and have divided compartments to store supplies like writing utensils, notepads, corral chargers, and cables.
- Jewelry boxes: A wooden jewelry box makes a great gift. Many have a removable tray with compartments to store earrings, rings, bracelets, and more. You can personalize the lid with the recipient’s name or with an engraved design.
- Pencil holders: Parents always need help keeping little ones organized. Simple holders for pencils, crayons, and markers keep art supplies in one place in a kid’s room or play area. These holders are an easy project, and they are great for classrooms and home offices, as well.
- Trays: Simple catch-all trays are perfect for corralling items like keys, loose change, and more. These can also be personalized, and you can cut them into interesting shapes like flowers or hexagons.
- French cleat walls: Many woodworkers utilize CNC machines to craft French cleat walls, an innovative and stylish solution to storage. This modular storage solution can be customized with different sizes and quantities of pieces to meet various needs.
Holiday Decorations
Capitalize on the gift-giving season with thoughtful, customizable holiday decor. Consider designing items like:
- Tree ornaments: Unique and personalized ornaments are always a popular gift around Christmas time. Check out
Etsy
for inspiration. Some woodworkers take orders for
custom holiday ornaments
that celebrate a milestone, such as a couple’s first Christmas in a new home or a new baby.
- Candy tray: Unique trays and bowls make trick-or-treating just as fun for the adults handing out the candy as it is for the kids. For example, you can use clip art to create a design for a candy tray in the shape of a
pumpkin
. Or, create a standard wooden bowl but add Halloween-themed engravings around the outside.
- Candle holders: Celebrate Hanukkah, Advent, or Kwanzaa with custom-made holders for taper candles.
- Place cards: Make everyone feel welcome around the Thanksgiving table – or at any holiday meal. Customizable place cards are small, easy to produce, and can be made with wood or acrylic.
Personalization projects: Make holiday gifts more special by requesting a custom-made item with personalized ornamentation specific to the recipient. This could include names or initials, dates, imagery, and more. Watch
Make holiday gifts more special by requesting a custom-made item with personalized ornamentation specific to the recipient. This could include names or initials, dates, imagery, and more. Watch this video to learn more about creating bespoke gifts with a CNC machine.
Note that holiday products are seasonal, so you’ll need to include other designs in your business plan if you want to sell year-round.
Tech Accessories
With the amount of time we all spend on our phones and other devices, you’re sure to find customers looking for handy accessories. You can make these from all kinds of wood:
- Phone or tablet stands: A stand that holds your phone or tablet in place is simple and convenient, allowing your customers to do hands-free video calls. These stands are also helpful in the kitchen when you’re using an online recipe.
- Passive amplifier: Also known as a mechanical
amplifier
, this is a useful item for people who like to listen to music on their phones. It consists of a wooden phone dock with a concave carving near the phone’s speaker. The shape of the carve-out increases the decibel level without an external power source and can improve sound quality, too.
Metalworking Ideas
While this guide is primarily focused on CNC projects made from cut wood, metalworkers also use CNC machines to produce finished products. Here are a few popular projects you can try with a CNC mill:
- Metal signs: You can help other small businesses promote themselves with metal signs featuring their name, logo, or other branding elements.
- Pet tags: Personalized tags for dogs and cats are ideal for pet lovers. Plus, they’re small, so they don’t require a lot of raw material.
- Backyard fire pit: Help your customers create memories around the campfire. You can find DXF files for laser or plasma CNC machines to create outdoor fire pits.
- Fabrication: Going a step further, you can use CNC machines to accomplish metal fabrication and create more complex designs.
Games
There’s no shortage of classic games you can design with a CNC machine and the right template. Fun for both kids and adults, game boards are a popular choice for many woodworkers and hobbyists. Try your hand at designing wooden games and toys, such as:
Tic tac toe
- Checkers or chess boards
- Cribbage
- Backgammon
Mancala
- Puzzles
- Brain teasers and mazes
Cornhole
These are just a few ideas to get you started. Once you’re comfortable operating your CNC machine, you can take on even more advanced projects.
How to Get Started with CNC Machining
If you’re a dedicated DIY hobbyist, scaling up your production can make woodworking into a lucrative business. Here’s how to get started with professional CNC machining for the first time:
Set Your Business Goals
Start by defining your objectives and formulating a business plan. Do you want to create CNC projects as a side hustle, or are you ready for this to be your full-time job? Do you have enough space to work out of your home, or will you eventually need an offsite workshop? Are you planning to sell your products at in-person events like craft fairs, online, or both?
An online store means that customers can buy from you at any time, but you will also need to set aside time for order fulfillment. Participating in in-person events as a vendor can take up your evenings and weekends, but you don’t have to worry about shipping the products that you sell. You’ll also need to decide how to price your products and how much turnaround time you’ll need for custom orders.
Choose Your CNC Machine
Once you have a business plan in place, you’ll need to determine what type of CNC machine best fits your needs. There are several factors to consider when purchasing CNC machinery, including:
- The type of projects you want to take on
- The square footage of your work area
- The type of CAD/CAM software you prefer to use
- How much do CNC machines cost and your budget
If you plan to work primarily with acrylic instead of wood, note that you should look for a tooling kit that includes specialized bits for cutting plastic. Bits designed to cut wood may create rough, uneven edges when used on acrylic.
Review Financing Options
Small CNC machines designed for hobbyists and 3D printers do not always have the capacity for commercial-level production. Thus, you’ll likely have to invest in upgraded CNC machinery if you want to begin selling your projects for a profit. Fortunately, many equipment dealers offer CNC financing so that new businesses can make monthly payments instead of purchasing machinery in full upfront.
Additionally, small and medium-sized businesses may be eligible for Section 179, an incentive created through the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015. Section 179 allows a business to deduct the full purchase price of qualifying equipment during the tax year in which it was purchased, instead of writing off the depreciation each year.
Find Project Templates
While you can make custom designs from scratch, sometimes it’s easier to follow or modify an existing project template. Laguna Tools is proud to offer a wide range of CNC resources, with instructions for projects including:
- Holiday decor
- Games and children’s toys
- Furniture and storage items
Or, check out sites like YouTube and Pinterest, where you can find plenty of tutorials and templates to use for your designs.
Build Up Your Customer Base
Once you’ve decided how you want to sell your products, set aside time to build up your marketing efforts. There are many ways for small businesses to promote their products online through Etsy and Facebook Marketplace. Eventually, you may even want to set up an Amazon storefront to reach more customers. Social media platforms can be an effective, low-cost way to get the word out. You’ll find that many small businesses use Instagram and Facebook accounts to showcase their products and cultivate a client base.
Choose Laguna Tools for CNC Machinery
Looking for new CNC machinery to take your business to the next level? Laguna Tools is an industry leader in woodworking and metalworking equipment and accessories. We’re on the cutting edge of CNC technology and provide advanced machine performance at all levels of production. From desktop CNC machines to multi-tool series options, Laguna Tools can help you find the solutions you need to execute CNC router projects and bring your visions to life. For more information, contact us today.