CNC Side Hustle Stories: "Why Not Do Something I Love During Retirement?" (Interview)

[@mccoyscreations]

Thanks for posting, Andy. This is the same path I'm on right now. Trying to build the CNC side hustle with a full-time job and build into something that can provide additional income in retirement. Your videos have been inspirational for me. You're the reason I bought the Shapeoko 5 Pro 4x4.

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Thanks for sharing! You're doing it the right way. Build it before you get to retirement.

[@MSManuel-61]

Hey Andy thanks for giving me a platform to share my story. Hopefully others will find something useful in it that will help them in their own CNC journey.

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Thank you for being willing to share your experiences!

[@WaynesData]

I looked at your etsy store. The butter fly is very nice. I would select a dragon fly with less detail to allow more defined lines like the butter fly. Cutting it close posted in a video to hire photography students to get cheep high quality photos.

[@MSManuel-61]

@@WaynesData Thanks for the feedback. The dragonfly is pretty detailed and does take a fair amount of time to carve. I definitely do need to work on the quality of the photography.

[@antoniofloridia2353]

Hi Andy. It's incredible how the experience described by Mike almost perfectly reflects my experience from the pandemic period to today. I too am about to retire from a technological job and would like to continue creating with my self-built cnc. I too was reluctant to social media, but then I realized that to have a bit of visibility you necessarily have to sign up. Thanks

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Thanks for sharing!

[@kevinrich4637]

Great information. I am in the same boat as Mike. I turn 60 in a couple months. About really lower my head and build up a side hustle. I deleted my Facebook page in 2009. I did my first market this month and signed up for a bigger one next month. Mike and Andy thank you for this video a lot of good information.

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

That's great you're doing a market!

[@patcoulter3292]

Andy I so appreciate your videos and perspective in general... well done

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Glad you liked the video. Thanks for watching!

[@williamben9194]

Hi Andy I too am getting very close to retirement and I have a Onefinity CNC a TS20 Laser engraver, Creality 3D Printer and am having my 2nd craft fair in November in the hope I can get closer to realizing my dream to have my hobby provide me some additional income - it is not easy but it is a lot of fun! I enjoy your video's so please keep them coming. I use Carveco, Lightburn and being a design engineer I have Solidworks as my design platform, I have been around CNC's and machining for many years the hardest part for me is finding creativity for unique products.

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Keep trying to find that inspiration! I've found that my best ideas come when I'm actively making and trying new things.

[@lineman508]

Thanks Mike and Andy great video I'm exploring options on the same ideas

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

You're welcome! Hope it helps.

[@janicerhansenmx679]

I just got fired, and I'm 39 years old. Now that I have 425K saved for an early retirement at age 50, 10K in an HSA, and a property that could yield an extra 200K, what possibilities do I have for a steady stream of income?

[@JacklynHerrera-wj7zm]

It’s reasonable to consider getting a financial advisor now, but delaying retirement might be a wiser choice

[@janicerhansenmx679]

Is it time for a career shift or should I consolidate my investments into a single account? If I go for the latter, how do I do it right, and what could be the drawbacks? Plus, with a $200K property sale on the horizon, should I combine my investments or diversify them across different markets?

[@HelenChaseKiddyEnamaine]

These are crucial questions for a financial planner. I met mine at a NYSE summit, and with her help, my wife and I reallocated our $1.7M portfolio between a traditional IRA and a brokerage account. She’s been making investments with our approval and has helped us recover twice our losses. We’re holding steady and carefully navigating more markets

[@ms_christinejones]

That is really great, my portfolio is not doing well. Who is your professional?

[@HelenChaseKiddyEnamaine]

June Renae Matthysse. Look her up online, she is well known

[@KnotboredWoodworking]

Im a bit younger than Mike and I threw facebook in the trash in 2019. I also use my wife to help with our business fb page.

[@peeceejay]

So much awesome real world useful information - great interview! Thanks for sharing Mikes story!

[@Bernardgrubb]

Hello Andy and everyone. I've started on this journey as I purchased Vcarve Pro and am looking at the Shapeoko 5 pro. I'm concerned that many people are buying the Onefinity machines. Am I missing something? The Onefinity seems like they nickel and dime you to death where carbide 3D seems to be a complete cnc package. Are they equal in structure and rigidity? I'm retiring in December of this year and want to generate an additional income. I'm coming from a healthcare laboratory background and I think getting back into my roots of metal machining and woodworking in my younger years will be a wonderful journey to take. Please let me know what you or anyone reading this thinks of the Shapeoko or a possibly better alternative...

[@peeceejay]

I'm a OF owner, but for all intents and purposes, they're equivalent and equal. Especially for small business / hobbyist use. OF definitely has a more prominent social media presence, including many youtubers and influencers who are making content with theirs - but that doesn't take away from what Shapeoko can do for you.

[@Bernardgrubb]

Thanks, seeing the OF on so many KZbin channels was what concerned me. I very much like the all in one complete package Shapeoko offers and their customer support. Their 60 day on us policy is very attractive as well. I’m new to cnc but not to the technology that runs them. Thanks for the response as it’s very helpful. Keep making stuff…

[@peeceejay]

@@Bernardgrubb Frankly, you can't go wrong with either machine. OF are definitely more active on social media - but that doesn't take anything away from the Shapeoko. Enjoy your new machine!

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

You're on the right track. You're not missing anything. I have more Shapeoko content coming soon

[@wcmeyer6846]

good info.

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

Glad you found it helpful.

[@robrocco5420]

I dont know if its just me but your Maple Dragonfly will not switch to correct image... Just FYI

[@austinjt4264]

Is anyone doing online class to start CNC operation? I'm... At a point.... Where's I don't even know what CNC stands for 😢

[@AndyBirdBuilds]

thecncsidehustle.com/special/

[@blingbling7174]

If people have zero money than there is no way they can effort cnc which cost abot 1.5k+...Stop click bait.. If you consider yourdelf genuine try to be like one