Can you make money with a CNC machine? I make signs!

Can you make money with a CNC machine?
Yes, I did go ahead and buy a Shapeoko CNC machine as a leap of faith…hoping and praying I would at least make enough money that my wife wouldn’t give me grief for the next six months. Should you buy a CNC Machine? Well…I did! In less than three months, I made well over $3,000 (at least that’s what I told her it would cost).
In my video, I show you, step by step, how to do it yourself. If you’ve recently, or not so recently, bought a CNC machine and want to make a little extra cash with it…this is the way. All you need is a CNC machine and be willing to follow instructions. I show you, step by step, how to make “One Way” signs for a local country club, that I can almost guarantee you can find in your own area. Take a drive and see which local communities. golf courses, business’s that use wooden signs and just look for ones that are looking rough…that’s your market.
If you are like me, when you got over the initial rush of actually getting the darn thing to work…you sat there and said what will I really use this for? Did I just do something stupid…again?
Stick with me and I’ll show you how to make some cash!
I am a one man, part time business that uses my CNC machine in many aspects of it.
If this video helped you, please consider subscribing to my channel. It will help me make more videos in the future. This is my first KZbin video!
Product links for things I used in the video. If you click one of these links, I’ll earn a very small commission for anything you buy…every little amount helps! Your price is the same whether you use this link or not, so please use it! Thanks!
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Router collet wrench amzn.to/3s3ogTU
Bosch Colt hand held router amzn.to/3rZbIwP
Bosch Palm Sander amzn.to/3qZVzFO
Amana 1/4 router bit amzn.to/3vzT1BU
Amana 1/8 router bit amzn.to/3lq8KPp
Rustoleum white gloss paint amzn.to/3s0Fotp
Rustoleum black gloss paint amzn.to/3vFhINe
Oramask blue masking amzn.to/3eZYf3Q
Whizz Painting rollers amzn.to/3eQoJ87
Dewalt Circular Saw amzn.to/2P7ZFyl
Wagner moisture meter amzn.to/3eYrqEN (newer version)
Parallels Desktop for Mac amzn.to/2OKPhgj
Woodpeckers 24 inch ruler amzn.to/3s0Holo
Helmsman Spar Urethane amzn.to/3cJFEGK
Bosch Dual Bevel Glide Miter saw amzn.to/3s32bVe
Vcarve Desktop software www.vectric.com/products/vcarve-desktop
Here’s a link for Myers hold down clamps: www.myerswoodshop.com/blog/clamps
My Shapeoko CNC from Carbide 3D: carbide3d.com/shapeoko/
Best VCarve Training: kzbin.info
My company website: www.bargerwoodworking.com/
00:00 Beginning
00:56 Where to get clients
02:22 Step by Step Vcarve Desktop Instructions
16:20 Buying the lumber and beginning to cut
17:27 Router Edges
17:47 Sanding
17:50 Initial painting
18:27 Oramask
19:00 Placement onto CNC machine
20:30 Screw Up with UpCut bit
21:10 Mask coming up as bit cuts
21:15 Bit covered with masking
21:28 Using razor to fix mistake
21:49 First coat of white paint
22:20 Second coat of paint
22:32 Painting backs
22:55 Removing Oramask
23:19 Touch up paint
23:36 Clear finish
23:49 All four done!

[@ajncvaj]

0:15 best of intro.... "You know that means NO!" Great video !

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Women…

[@trollgarten]

@@bargerwoodworking6703 best intro I have ever seen, very very well done, and it is so true......

[@cesara7478]

30 seconds into the video and I knew and I could enjoy the whole 25min. Thanks for sharing!

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

My pleasure Cesar! Hope it helps!

[@steveclark6013]

Sir thank you for taking the time to record this. I am a two year old liver transplant and i am disabled for the rest of my life. I just ordered my first cnc machine and looking to make a living doing and well making things. Steve

[@michaelsantini7396]

Sorry to read about u being disabled but keep your head up keep a positive attitude find your niche and u will do great god bless

[@macrumpton]

I had the same experience about hesitating about accumulating another expensive fleeting interest when I got my laser cutter, but in this case it was a brilliant purchase, and it has paid for itself several times as well as given me infinite creative inspiration over the 3 years since I got it.

[@jaytheist]

Thanks for the no-nonsense and straight-to-the-point video! I loathe when people spend 5 minutes to just even get on topic, and waste a lot of time on tangents and the minutiae of their lives. Great job. :-)

[@waynes517]

Nice to see someone of your age embracing this amazing technology and doing a damn good job with it. The signs look amazing. I'm building a hobby CNC and soaking up ideas. Was nice to see both sides of the actual cutting and your sincerity has earned you a rare sub from me :)

[@dealership_life]

Thank you for sharing sir👍🍺 And thank you to the Mrs. for her understanding😊

[@andrewdoherty8847]

It is nice to see a gent of my age having a go from scratch. One is never to old until it is too late! I am going to build one, with several uses in mind. I appreciate and endorse some of the comments, but stumbling in the dark is part of learning. To get a fine edge and surface, another person bulk cuts the material and finishes with a finer, slower pass with the same tool. He is not using pine though. To stop bleeding he also spray paints the cut area with clear coat to seal, and then applies the final paint. I subscribed.

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Retirement has been a blast!

[@Q5Grafx]

signs are an easy way to make funds. and there are so many possibilities out there. second time ive watched this . greatr vid thanks for your insight. it got me making signs for teachers and got me making a little pocket money.

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Makes me happy to hear this! Keep smiling!

[@cliffart7398]

my wife actually said no. I still did it. my shapeoko, my lathe, and now my 60 watt laser engraver. after I bought each tool she began putting in orders for what she wanted me to make.

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Her and her friends have put a ton of orders in…

[@Ed_Downunder]

Great geriatric pace and volume. That's my perfect speed now! I am Septuagenarian, moving forward with grace and confidence. Thank you.

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Hey…I resemble that remark…thanks for the comment!!

[@MulligansDen]

Me three … 😃

[@neonzjaydescastle4930]

i swear ths is THE BEST TUTORIAL so patient

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Thank you so much!

[@geraldwalker4035]

i have owned a Shapeoko for about 6 years and have made several address signs. Your video was a great help and has convinced me to get back into signs after a two-year hiatus. I had been using Inkscape but the Vetric software looks more direct from design to ready to carve. Thanks

[@aaronwhitley124]

I am only 41 seconds in to this and I can relate with the hobbies that sitting collecting dust. I am glad to se I am not the only one.

[@MarkHolmesJobuSportsReport]

I'm an old guy like you that's been married for a long time. I feel your pain. Great video. I'm looking at buying a CNC machine myself and have to run it by the wife as well.

[@craiger8484]

Nice work, I have been making a few things myself but haven't been able to sell anything. I guess I need to find the customer or market first.

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Check your local golf courses...just got another order today for a new bag drop sign.

[@AlexHolguin-p8m]

Very nice. Will continue to see your videos. San Antonio, Texas

[@artisallthat]

I work in a sign shop. $300 is closer to what the business charges for one. Bet they were super happy.

[@kadanumu]

Really enjoyed your video. I'm soon going to be purchasing a CNC to play around with and your video was very helpful. I have a tip for you if you care to consider it. I'm a painter by trade and this may save you some time and help with the life of your signs. The tip is to use a clear wood primer. This will have a couple different benefits for you. After you apply your masking to your sign and have finished cutting, brush in the clear primer. This will seal the edges of the masking preventing the finish colors from bleeding behind the masking. Once its dry you can now either brush on the finish or since the wood is now sealed with primer you can spray paint the finish and it will cover much better than it did without the primer. The signs will also last longer due to the primer. You can get a product like Killz Klear primer at Home Depot or Lowes. Hope this helps Thanks for the video, I'm subscribed and look forward to more.

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Thanks for the comment. Great idea on the primer! I’ll try that on the next one I do. I’m especially worried about how long these are going to last. I’m in the Smokey Mountains of North Carolina and we get snow and freezing in the winter. Will be a real pain if they all degrade quickly…I’ll have to replace all of them and that’s no fun…

[@heilwoodworkingandmore1892]

Great video and step by step explanation. I have been woodworking for many years and am considering a CNC as a way to expand my skills and keep me busy in retirement. Thanks for sharing your process.

[@roblehmann2378]

Great job they turned out looking nice. Thanks for sharing your work.

[@superdude4402]

Thanks for all the tips!

[@bobnicholas5994]

This was very good. I have watched other vids but they didn't explain things this well.

[@UrbanTreats]

The intro made me laugh so much, I can relate, I have a ton of hobbies that I cycle through and I have been looking at a CNC machine recently :(

[@TomasKotasek]

I saw my future right now :D With my acoustic guitar, 12 string acoustic guitar, ukulele, fly tying kit, few fly rods, small woodworking shop and yes.. I have no CNC router, only new small 3D printer. I'm still waiting for a good time to buy CNC router :) But my wife only say "if you want it, then buy it" on new equipment every time.

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

I might have been exaggerating about her comment, but she’s happy I bought it now. I’ve been paying for all my tools and “toys” with money I made on the CNC for over a year. I do like my hobbies!

[@joppepeelen]

By the way i like you style ! no music, calm and just video and some explanation !

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

I would have my guitar music, but it’s so bad no one would listen…thanks for the comment!

[@MulligansDen]

I saw those guitars as wall ornaments …. Exact same here 😃 … they sound better hanging around anyways!

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

One of these years…when I get older, maybe I’ll figure out that darn guitar

[@mohanprabhu8562]

Very well explained, loved it. I'm thinking about getting into this hobby & undecided on my first CNC machine. Thank you for your efforts in taking the time & walking thru.

[@731Woodworks]

Very well explained. Thank you.

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Really appreciate it! Love your videos…have watched several!

[@markavery2888]

Loved the wife comment... So True!

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Thanks Mark...I’ve learned how to comply

[@nickcummings81]

Great no nonsense video! I’m getting a cnc soon and I like that vectric software. You did a great job explaining it as well. Gained a subscriber!

[@ClintonCaraway-CNC]

I started in 2018 by buying a used stock Shapeoko. The primary things I made with it was a better Shapeoko 3. I upgraded it pretty much as far as possible without replacing the X and Y v-wheels with linear rails. I sold it two days after the Shapeoko Pro was announced. Purchased the Pro on October 15th 2020 and have been building a new shop to have it at my house instead of 15 miles away at my previous shop. I'm not planning on making a huge deal of money but I love the hobby and I have made a incredible amount of friends through the Shapeoko community. Great job on the signs for the county club. Keep up the good work and look into Carveco software before you dump another $350 just to be allowed to use your entire machine with Vetric.

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Thanks. Taking a look at Carveco now…

[@grantlesueur]

To reduce or reduce the effect of seepage under the oramask make you first coat of paint black the same as your base colour then apply the white letter paint. Your came out great.

[@Andrey-Alekseevich]

Thanks for your video from Russia:) Speach is calm. Annotation is clear. Subscribed! Good luck!

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Thank you!

[@chellegriggs]

This is a GREAT video. And you did good. Beautiful signs. I have the same habit, got lots of hobbies. My brother always told me, pick one and stick with...😂

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Thanks! I keep finding shiny new things to go towards…

[@TheProjectHelpDesk]

Clicked it for the CNC video. Sub'd for the married couple humor. :) Currently building a CNC machine from scratch myself. Nice to see some of the steps that are needed 'after' the build. Currently everything in our channel is Open Source based. So I may start off trying to do my 3D-Modeling in Blender and using LinuxCNC to drive my rig. But if I ever reach a point of trying to monetize the work I might have to spend the money for the Vectric software. Most everyone seems to agree on it being the best.

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Never regretted spending that money on Vcarve desktop. Best and easiest out there in my opinion!

[@dbonn3]

Way to go Marty, I didn't know I needed one of these until I watched this video. BTW, don't let that guitar gather too much dust, playing it more will make you a better woodworker.

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Thanks Dave! Still having trouble finding time to practice guitar. Someday...

[@theebalz]

Good tutorial for beginners on a lot of different topics. Thank you.

[@rirsz]

sign looks beautiful!

[@Barbaralee1205]

Nice clear explanation of the software settings!

[@DIYwithDennis]

Nice job! Just purchased a Shapeoko as well and this was very helpful!

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Thanks Dennis!

[@johnburke2285]

Marty - that is most impressive! Wow. Your wood working, your narration, your video production skills! Completely impressive and inspirational. Thank you! Now....my wife will be aghast if I tell her I may want a CNC machine.....jeez you make me think bad thoughts 🤣 👍👍

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Go John Go!

[@bradleyjohnson452]

Terrific video. Thanks for the step by step and suggested pricing. I just ordered my CNC so the waiting/studying begins

[@martybarger9900]

Thanks Bradley! Just got another order over $1,000 from the same country club. It definitely works!

[@ChadSmithakaCCG]

Great video! Thank you for taking the time to make it.

[@SkeeterPondRC]

I too have a collection of ‘dusty hobbies’. Very well done video!

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Someday I’ll get around to them…probably when I can’t sell them

[@danielastone7924]

This is awesome!!! I can see this with my husband in a near future 😍 ☺ 💕 😂 thank you

[@H20FRKS]

Nice detail and great content. Keep up the great wor!

[@treggliebler6237]

Beautiful signs. Just earned another sub!

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Thank you!

[@ZVvereVvolf]

Very nice signs!

[@ryanmacewen511]

Awesome video. I have a Shapeoko 2 (pre-X-Carve ) I need to put into service. Very cool you were able to find work for it so quickly. Thanks

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Thanks Ryan! Blow the dust off and get to it!

[@RoseKindred]

"You know that means no." I am not even married and I know that means no. Good video and nice warning about not dropping the bits. For something that works so hard, they can be quite brittle.

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Thanks!

[@SceneryFarm]

Thanks for the video. I was looking for software thoughts for sign making. If I could offer a small thought: After the CNC work is done, spray the freshly cut edges with a clear coat. The clear coat will seep under the edge. As it is invisible, (or use the same colour paint that is there, looks black to me) when you paint the white, the places where it will seep under will be sealed already. This means that when you peel back the masking, it will have less seepage. I hope that makes sense. Best J

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Great idea! I’ve only had a very few spots where the lettering paint seeped under the oramask, so I’ve just been doing a small touch up. I’ll try some clear finish next time and see how that works…thanks for the comment!

[@mostgrossdanger04]

I run that vectric software mate and it is fantastic... the learning curve is spot on ..very intuitive and they have heaps of video's to get you familiar with it...

[@DefGef772]

Excellent video sir, the software looks a little daunting but I am sure it is easy to pick up.

[@nathanjames7843]

Great video brother. Thanks for this 🤙🏾🍻

[@10ukcrim]

Absolutely love this a man that knows the underlying messages in the wifes comments i know this code also takes years to decipher lol

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Been married 46 years and am still trying to decipher. Thanks for the comment!

[@10ukcrim]

Its an ongoing struggle for me to lol

[@1955DocBrown]

Very nice. And you have a great way of showing the CAD/CAM. I learnt a lot more watching this than many other channels put together. It’s a like and subscribe from me 👍

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Thanks!

[@stan9345]

The comment "my other hobbies collecting dust" made me laugh. I have the same affliction.

[@fitybux4664]

"I'm not telling you no, but for every dollar that you don't pay back, you won't get getting any." 😆

[@PatriotWoodworx]

Awesome breakdown on the process from start to finish! One day i will add a CNC machine to my shop!

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Thanks! Get one…you won’t regret it!

[@kirstenkohl7665]

Great job, Marty!

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Thanksa Kirsten! Abe is next...

[@DiaryOfAStud]

This was a great tutorial. I was worried about learning to program one and you explained it well

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Thanks…Vcarve is pretty intuitive. Have fun!

[@BrianEhrler]

Great video ... Good on you to think of a business need and chase after it.

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Thanks!

[@47201jesse]

Awesome video. Keep them coming.

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Thanks Jesse! Having too much fun playing golf this season, but I’ve got a few in the works…

[@HR41Plan]

Thank you for share your experience, it is very usefull

[@markjervis8558]

Awesome. Made me go out and buy a CNC 👍👍👍👍

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

You go Mark! Enjoy the ride…follow instructions carefully, and when you don’t, it’s a learning experience

[@hoold01]

Great work, totally relatable. Liked and subbed.

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Thanks!

[@daviddavis6065]

nice signs i liked your video i have subscribed take care

[@wijayaratnelindara4413]

Good job well done 👍. I learned a lot from you. Thanks

[@artlifewithrebecca4051]

Great video! I just bought my CNC machine and trying to convince my husband that I can make the money back. ha ha

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Thanks…just take your time. Every mistake I’ve made, when I look back, I skipped a step somewhere, or I read it too quickly. Good luck!

[@jimboagustin4107]

Nice project

[@joppepeelen]

you can put the used roller into the fridge. for a few days. and they are ready to go after 15 minutes or so

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Never heard of that…I’ll have to try it. How do you explain it to your wife?

[@thomasswenddal772]

subscribed; solid presentation!

[@Helz777]

I needed this video so badly, thank you!!!

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Thanks! Glad you liked it!

[@garysgarage101]

Fantastic job.

[@sunseeker8457]

Love your opening. I'm in the same boat!

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Lots of people in that boat…thanks for the comment!

[@cesara7478]

Awesome work by the way. Learned many things!

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Glad to hear it! ThankS!

[@WarrenDrakeVRN]

Really enjoyed the video. Been debating getting a CNC.

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

It’s surprising how much I’m using it in my woodworking. This week I made a custom backgammon board in walnut with epoxy in the diamonds

[@justinmoore1194]

Beautiful job. Thank you

[@Silent-G]

Same story here! Haven't made a lot of money, but I love it!

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Thanks Mark! Keep at it!

[@gregwright9797]

Which Shapeoko CNC machine did you buy? Thanks for sharing. I'm 81 years old.

[@dadstablet6156]

Cool signs by the way.

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Thanks Dad!

[@scottiedog4236]

Wow ! Wonderful job sir .. I’d love to make bird 🦢 tables I’m learning here

[@xpoxydesignz5003]

That was a great video looking forward to more.

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Thank you!

[@rayjackson4547]

Very nice job, good explanation

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Thanks Ray!

[@JasonPeltier]

Excellent video! The step-by-step approach really works! I like how you offered how much you charged for them. How long did all 4 take you?

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Thanks! With all the screwing around trying to film it, I have no idea how long they took me.

[@swright1217]

Very nicely explained! Thank you!

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Thanks Shane!

[@rongarza9488]

The corners look really sharp. Is that right? What diameter mill are you using there? Great results!

[@TheFarCobra]

Those look great, good job.

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Thanks Chris!

[@nguyenphithoaihung]

Love this. You should totally do some light cnc on your guitar if its been collecting dusts

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

That's the plan! Unfortunately my fingers will not cooperate...

[@CS-sy3ms]

Wow This was great. Subscribed. Thank you. ✋🏻

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Thanks!

[@Kephers7]

You earned a sub my friend.

[@jeffberg2010]

Thanks, you did help me.

[@dougsullivan9022]

Great video. I'm just wondering if you might itemise your costs for us all. It strikes me that you may have under charged for these signs after all your costs.......paint (x3 colours + clear coats), oramask, paint rollers and brushes, timber, time spent purchasing items, working on V-Carve, time on the actual job etc. Also, which Oramask film did you use. I notice that there are several grades.

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

amzn.to/3irZoCE. Is the Oramask I ordered. Haven’t taken the time to calculate how much I really make after all the work…it would probably make me angry…anyway, I’m having fun, so it’s not critical

[@ericpuffer3359]

Love the yellow and magenta sign that’s my job now LOL

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

It somehow ended up in my possession after a night of heavy drinking in college

[@golden_boi7361]

Thank you. Great work.

[@billssimplepinedesign8878]

Great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Thank you!

[@jigsey.]

New subscriber here, thank you I have learned so much from your video

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Thanks so much!!

[@MulligansDen]

Great speeding up when necessary … no music! …. Yes, I subscribed!

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Thanks!

[@John_GGG]

Excellent job

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Thanks John!

[@BrianMaynardLetsDoThisThing]

Thanks for sharing.

[@SailingCartagena]

lovely job

[@bargerwoodworking6703]

Thanks so much!