Laser Side Hustle Turned FULL TIME Really Quick

[@AreBaloni]

Thanks for watching! Check out the Xtool P2 here: www.xtool.com/products/xtool-p2-55w-co2-laser-cutter?ref=jdG2mna8AfX3Bm& And go here to check out my laser engraving templates: www.arebaloni.com/plans

[@GokouZWAR]

Busting the balls to make the money. That’s how it goes. Some people do it for someone else, others do it for themselves.

[@robintaylor-mockingeemill8223]

Love the get it done attitude .

[@AreBaloni]

Thank you, Sir! It really helped with such a clear deadline.

[@jameymikels1886]

When you started out saying 24 hours.... I freaked thinking you were using saws..... great idea on buying the boards!

[@AreBaloni]

Oh no, would not have done that with any kind of project. But it felt safe this time :) I think that's what makes the most sense. Would be too expensive for customers if I were to make the boards from scratch.

[@SteveBellCreates]

Great video Are I have a co2 laser and you’ve inspired me to think of ways to make so cash using it. and thanks for becoming a Patreon of the podcast cheers Man

[@AreBaloni]

Steve! Nice to «meet» you here on KZbin! I’ve been binge listening to your show lately, and it’s my honour to be a Patreon of yours. Hope you’re doing well, and let me know if there’s anything I can help you with regarding the laser. All the best

[@SteveBellCreates]

@@AreBaloniThanks so much glad your enjoying the podcast keep up the great work. Looking forward to your next video

[@felix120369]

Like your content, keep up the good work!

[@AreBaloni]

Thank you!

[@mariushegli]

I have nothing to say really, but I appreciate your content, and wish to help with the yt-algorithms.

[@MegaDunamis777]

Good for you!! Awesome

[@AreBaloni]

Thank you!

[@jerrystark6766]

Well done. Best of luck! 👍👍👍👍

[@AreBaloni]

Thanks, Jerry!

[@LonelyDev71]

You said you paid the entire laser cutter in 3 weeks then you said you are happy they sent you the laser cutter for free. :D

[@13hubi13]

I have my laser since 2 years and havent even made 1k 😅 i dont know where i can show my products or who would order that stuff.

[@JaapKreling]

Verey impressive Are, well done.

[@AreBaloni]

Thank you for watching, Jaap!

[@Andy-te6jj]

well done!

[@AreBaloni]

Thanks, Andy!

[@nalc2462]

I love this idea. wanting to start this kind of business. any idea which machine should i use for beginners? and software too? US based. thanks!

[@sapelesteve]

Suggestion: You should purchase a drum sander to run those board through and just leave the sides alone. Then when you put a finish on the boards you would be done. It would cut you time down by at least 3/4. That's what I would do. Good luck going forward Ari............. 👍👍

[@AreBaloni]

Yes, drum sander will definitely be one of my next investments. Would love to leave the sides alone, but unfortunately most of the boards were too rough on the edges, so I had to sand them. Would have saved me a lot of time though! Thank you, Steve!

[@awildschuetz1]

@@AreBaloni A profile sander would be a nice addition to take care of the edges, but the drum sander should definitely take priority. Also, if you didn't already do so, cutting a placement template to leave in the laser engraver is a must so you position your pieces in exactly the same place every time for large batches like that, as well as future remakes of previous creations. I number my digital file and engrave the number on the template to match so that I know which template to use when time is of the essence. Then, no need to use framing if you keep your zero point at the same location, and when batching, you can just click "process again" every time. Love this series, btw.

[@13hubi13]

From where to you get your orders?

[@iq0099]

I made 500+ plaques 140x140, milled, cut, engraved, stained and boxed..

[@AreBaloni]

Well done 👏🏼 Sounds like a lot work!

[@iq0099]

@@AreBaloni 22 days, 2 lasers, 4 people

[@hooked_fish]

Where you buy the blank cutting boards?

[@josey5267]

How’s the laser business been in the last month or two?

[@paulbuffington9709]

Now would be the time to invest in a drum sander.

[@AreBaloni]

Yes, it would!

[@newantiques5689]

My exact thought also. Laguna super max 16/32 is what I'm working towards 👍

[@ulaB]

The Osmo food safe finish is missing in the description. :) I am guessing Osmo TopOil High Solid?

[@AreBaloni]

Oops! Yes you’re right, it’s the Osmo top oil. Thanks for the heads up!

[@pavelpavlov4247]

I think you are good in another aspect of business making. That is the sourcing of clients. If there is no client there is no business no matter the tool, the idea, the dedication or even the quality. So if you dont mind, could you please share how did you start sourcing your clients? I am asking because I did try to do the same type of business but with a CNC Router and I failed because there were not enough clients. I kept trying to do more products with different prices and more ads for two years and it did not work.

[@AreBaloni]

I’m gonna make another video where I’ll go into details about exactly these things. Posting it next week. Thanks for watching!

[@TheGoodLifeExpert]

hey, I think the video is great. Where did you get the cutting boards from? I've been looking for similar cutting boards but can't find any that look as nice as yours. I would like to buy the same cutting boards. Can you post a link? Thanks! (Or you can make it an affiliate link, that would probably be very worthwhile for you and the manufacturer ;) )

[@AreBaloni]

I bought them from a local store here in Norway. Unfortunately they don't sell through their website, otherwise I would have posted a link :) They have similar cutting boards on Amazon though, search "cutting board blanks".

[@judithwebber2102]

I like those boards. Can u tell me where u bought them and how much did u pay for them. Very nice work. Thx.

[@AreBaloni]

Thanks, Judith! Bought them at a local store here in Norway for $10 each.

[@felix120369]

​@@AreBaloniHi, wich shop are selling these?

[@BK-fy2xi]

How long does the Xtool take to engrave? It looks like you had paragraphs on one board. Do the customers tell you what they want on the board or do you just make several different ones to sell?

[@AreBaloni]

I have some «fixed» designs that I promote. Those are the ones that I’m selling the most of. But I also do custom designs if people want that. This was a custom design, and I think this one took a little over 12 minutes to engrave. Thanks for watching!

[@igreshi]

Hey man! I live in norway too and i am really getting inspired by your videos, where in norway are you, what's the closest big city?

[@AreBaloni]

That’s cool! Closest big city is Kristiansand. How about you?

[@igreshi]

@@AreBaloni for me it's Bergen! Having a tough time sourcing hardwood for bigger projects lately. Would love to get some tips from you. I'm also mostly interested about old school hand tool woodworking so if you got a stash of unused hand tools then I'm definitely up for helping you rid of them:)

[@barryroberts6470]

Excellent and dedication to your work. I think you need some help, next time you have an order like this maybe a family member or your girlfriend could give you a hand, as looking at you when you mentioned two or three more i was saying to the screen 'go to bed you look shattered' Now unless i missed the reason why at the beginning, why did you do all of those 45 boards in 24 hours? i think if it was me i would have spread the time over five days with doing 10 boards in the mornings for four days until the final fifth day being the last five to do, that way you are only doing them in the mornings, leaving the afternoons free to do your own stuff, anyway well done on finishing the job. Take Care and Stay Safe, Barry (UK)

[@AreBaloni]

Thanks, Barry! Hah, yes I was pretty tired at that point! Didn’t really have a very good reason to do all of them in 24 hours, other than the fact that I have a lot of other ordets waiting, and I just wanted to see if I could do it. Personally, I’d rather just get it done instead of having the boards take up space in the shop for days. But that’s my opinion. Spreading it out would certainly be a lot less exhausting. Thanks for watching!

[@tonyshelton6164]

Hello I'm in the USA and I was wondering how you got Xtool P2 send you a free machine. I'm on disability and plan on making this my income since I can't hold down a job now I cant get exerted because of a heart condition. Ant info you can will be appreciated. Thanks, Tony Shelton U.S.A.