The Woodworking Project I Can't Stop Selling (Unfortunately)

[@stephen1137]

Thanks, Hamilton! When I grow up, I'm likely going to get a CNC machine. I'm only sixty years old now, and I want to enjoy my childhood before I take on something serious like that. But in case I forget, I've subscribed.

[@bvictory5698]

Hahah. As a32 year old this had me cracking me up.

[@RSST662]

Same 28

[@VAisForGrowers]

Hahahaha

[@evphex]

This was gold sir.

[@nomad4611]

As a 29 year old, I hope I grow up to be like you some day.

[@Samcraftcom]

I don't think most people realize how DENSE this video is in ABSOLUTE GEMS of small business ideas, tips, and tricks of the trade! Way to go dude! This video truly deserves all the views it currently has and a few billion more!

[@HamiltonDilbeck]

Hey! Thanks so much Sam! Love your videos

[@Kanoee64]

If you want to voice your agreement with someone during a debate (especially if you’re a member of the UK Parliament), you will shout “hear, hear.” But as long as you’re shouting, no one will notice you’re wrong if you shout “here, here” because the words are pronounced the same. Here hear. Lol

[@alexeivaningen]

Couldn't agree more.. Not only is this a great CNC business idea video but also steeeeped chock full in simple economics!

[@squeebbb]

Yeah it feels like he's giving his secrets away. Bold move Cotton, let's see how it plays out.

[@BusinessWolf1]

I was thinking about that while watching. The dude just casually mentions the price range people are willing to impulse buy within. Learning that takes years of doing business.

[@edbrown4262]

I've not seen a maker's video like this before. Very transparent on the costs and processes. It's important to show the customer why things cost as much as they do, especially more expensive products. For example, in my experience, luxury packaging at £20k, on to the final price, including product reatails at over £120k. No-one could even guess that unless you list all the elements. Enjoyed the video dude. Wish you a lot of success.

[@rickwilliams967]

The pet rock of drinking.

[@HomeDistiller]

Mineral oil isn't what is used in smoke machines. That's a glycol. Mineral oil is just a light petroleum oil. But it's still most likely on par in the health risks anyway, the smoke itself from the wood is most likely the most health risky thing in the whole process 😅

[@NautilusGuitars]

Yeah, I came here to say the same thing lol. Imagine mineral oil being vaporized and pumped into a crowd of people. Yikes. Regardless, we're talking about combustion in these smokers, not vaporization. I think the mineral oil is fine to use though. Combustion doesn't seem to create any particularly nasty byproducts. He should probably be a little more cautious though, just for the fact that all it would take is one petty beauracrat to decide to be a hero for him to get mixed up in some litigious BS.

[@taylorandsons]

So's drinking not a health risk ?

[@keithnewton5508]

Maybe he means vegetable glycerin that is used in vapor machines and can be used on wood.

[@sovietdies]

@@taylorandsons mineral oil is given to babys sometimes as a laxative

[@alessiozamboni4694]

@@sovietdies meh... i don't think this is a safe practice...until not much ago, babies that cried too much got their pacifier poached in spirit... For the same reason that you don't BBQ over mineral oil, you shouldn't smoke whisky with wood finished with mineral oil. *Selling those smokers would be illegal in Italy, because of food safety regulations.*

[@ReadyUpGo]

I haven’t got past your intro and have to stop to applaud your opening of detailing cost and profit; something everyone would like to consider going into any project imo. BRAVO! YOU ROCK! Okay, now I’ll see what the h… a whiskey smoker is.

[@CycleverseGames]

The Maker community is amazing. Weather its CNC, wood working, 3D printing or mold making there are so many people sharing their knowledge and hard learned lessons with everyone. No big egos. Just a genuine desire to help others improve their skills.

[@tanmaykadlag5482]

makers love the joy of making and spreading to people still figuring it out. I love this and I'm here for it

[@BigpapamoneymanMVPtypebeat]

A yes , the maker community 🥴 similar to the machinist And engineering community

[@jrsforest187]

Yep

[@atlantic_love]

Oh there's lots of egos in the maker community, along with attention seekers and simps lol. Let's not get too emotional.

[@greggv8]

I've been doing silicone molds and urethane resin castings for almost 25 years. Over the years I've come up with techniques to greatly simplify and improve the quality of the mold making process. For anyone wanting to get into this, I'm happy to share information that will help them skip all the harder, more time consuming stuff. Take advantage of *my* problems and what I learned from them. But does anyone listen to the guy who has these years of experience and has made parts that have gone into vehicle restorations which have been on the Concours d'Elegance show tour? Noooo. They copy the old methods the manufacturers of the materials demonstrate and that KZbinrs have in their videos. Most recently I sent an email to a costume and props company in the UK, after seeing a video of how they do vacuum casting. I told them I'd be happy to give them some tips to save them hours of time and expense VS the way they made the mold and cast it in the video. No response. I guess they *love* wasting time, spending money on unnecessary materials, and on wasted resin. This is one of the biggest things to understand in anything you'll do. Know how to observe other people's screwups then don't do what they did wrong. Skip right to what they did when they finally got it right, especially when they're telling you all of that *for free*. But in this world where it's very easy to see the consequences of things like smoking, drugs, alcohol, using power tools unsafely, not looking into the LASER with remaining eye... people will still repeat the same mistakes before they learn for themselves. Makes me want to grab the human race by the ears and tell it "See what this idiot did and what happened? Do. Not. Do. That."

[@WohlfordWoodWorks]

Note for some looking to do this (commenting early I'm the video so idk if it's referenced) some woods are toxic when inhaled, ingested, or even from spenters. Most basic hardwoods are safe but be sure to check health recommendations on any wood in question. Purple heart is beautiful but is a prime example of a toxic wood I wouldn't recommend. Happy crafting!

[@gregbarber8659]

Okay stupid question. What the heck is a whiskey smoker?

[@TrueReal-de6ee]

One year later, and still, nobody knows.

[@YarJarRar]

It's a device used to apply smoke to whiskey, intended to impart a more smoky flavor. Smoke flavors are valued in whiskey, in part because of how new whiskey barrels are prepared. One example is Laphroaig. Well worth trying.

[@8bitpothead]

Used to smoke old fashioneds

[@extremenature9190]

Something that makes whiskey taste more like wood water

[@UnregisteredUsername]

come on man

[@hakujouryu]

Dude, your level of transparency in this video is exactly what all businesses should be doing. Thank you and stay awesome.

[@ohexnohex6165]

All businesses should tell everybody their secrets?

[@SimontheTinker]

I teach pre-engineering and inherited a CNC machine. I've been trying to figure out something to sell in my rural area that is easy and has a good profit margin. This is GREAT! Thanks for having this available.

[@zakstrickland8218]

I appreciate you doing what you do for the community man, people like you make the world go round!

[@zachpygall3063]

Helpful and honest video, thanks :) regards to the mineral oil though, it’s actually a petroleum product and none-drying so maybe not the best for something like this. I’d reccomend Pure Tung Oil instead which is totally natural, food safe and long lasting. The colour is usually nicer too. It does take a while to try but its always worth it :) but you do you 👍🏻

[@dankehrig3419]

Another great finish if you choose to go that route is lemon seed oil. It’s all natural and is used for cutting boards and hardwood furniture. It leaves little to no taste! Great video and idea, hope you make loads of cash!!!

[@STWSwisscow]

The world needs more people like you. Love your videos and your transparency!

[@chocoblocka]

So much respect for this, putting all the information out there for people who want to start doing these.

[@rickwilliams967]

Or warning people they spend waaay too much for a very small payoff. That's the true gift he's giving.

[@andrewells777]

I don’t have the ability to make this. I may never own a CNC machine. BUT for some reason, I watched the WHOLE video and LOVED it!!! I learned so much and love your perspective on sharing your craft and helping others turn a profit. I’m subscribing just because…. Great job!!!

[@kenleidolf9222]

Ditto

[@deeprespect665]

I found with mine, adding a small hole off to the edge to allow air to escape the glass made the smoke much more intense.

[@archjonathan]

Can’t stress enough how motivating it has been to watch your channel! Made these whiskey smokers as Christmas gifts for friends and family and it was a major success. Thanks again for what you do!

[@DeadKoby]

This sort of thing happened to me in a different capacity. One of my most basic products (to make) is the best seller........ and even though I've got many projects I think are cooler....... I just make the one that sells.... and the others can be ordered on demand.

[@backwooddesignco]

I’d use a beeswax blend to seal these. More natural than mineral oil. Great video, Hamilton! I love whiskey and this has me intrigued

[@geesabunny]

I have zero interest in any of this and yet that was a extremely interesting, engaging video and I learned stuff too! Thumbs up!

[@Popsculpture]

I love your attitude; I'm glad the algo picked you up.

[@ad89590]

Mineral oil is definitely not used in smoke machines. That is propylene glycol. They are completely different.

[@HappilyMundane]

You genuinely come across as such a nice person, I wish you every luck in what you do and make.

[@oljobo]

Congrats from Norway🇳🇴, the YT algorithm has picked up this video 🙏😊

[@MossCoveredBonez]

it might be a small detail but i absolutely love this use of the greenscreen in the shop

[@user-mz6sh4uo7u]

this is actually one of the smartest products ive ever seen, where u use a very nice wooden plate to heat up oak chunks into a drink, seeing the use and wear overtime on the wood plate like a patina, then eventually needing to buy another one when needing a new wood plate, what an awesome circle of life for both customer and manufacturer.

[@sitgesvillaapartmentneilsc7924]

You know what? This is a really good idea. I happened to live in wine and brandy country near Barcelona in Spain known as the penedes wine region and and his home to both Freixenet Cava and Torres wines and brandies amongst a few other major names as well, all the barrels are made around here from Oak and I can buy half a dozen staves from a new barrel for about €3 and I get the ones from the old barrels for free. All I need to do is put them through the jointer and have a few cut out on the CNC. It might take a bit longer than using a flat plant as you are but I will have years and years of brandy infused wood. I may well have a look at these great idea thank you.. How long it takes to prepare these videos is actually quite scary so thanks for the information I always like to see statistics..

[@fernandogalindo767]

Somehow stumbled on this channel. I like the whole idea of making things and selling them to others to sell. Also love how much you’re teaching everything. Don’t think I’ll ever do any of this stuff but interested to follow the channel and see how things go

[@Don_Dries]

I'm thinking about starting my business with something small and im so happy to see business is doing well for you! Suffering from success 💪

[@schlotdoglaser]

I don't have a CNC (want one), but I found your video helpful not just for CNC but for marketing and COGS. I have an ETSY page and I only sell electronic files for laser cutting and engraving and I have made over $7,000 in almost 2 years....won't retire with that money, but I do it for the creative outlet.

[@michaelcrump2608]

I have made a number of cocktail smokers over the years and have found that venting the smoker makes a huge diffrence. Running two groves on the coctail side from the center of your smoker to the outside edge air can escape while you are using the torch. You will find it takes much less of the torching to get your desired smoke result. Venting = Less torching, more smoke and less scortching of your cocktail smoker. Just thinking it would be an easy CNC process to improve your product.

[@HamiltonDilbeck]

🔥Your CNC Community: www.cncwithme.com/ 🔥FREE $10 Sticker Credit: www.stickermule.com/unlock?ref_id=8118012701&

[@gustavandersen7830]

Gah autocorrect :)! Would it be easy to make some on a regular router, tryvdo do a template first

[@cewaffles]

What Stainless Steel Mess are you using? How fine is it, and is it precut? Oh and I haven't even thought of these and didn't know they existed, but here I go down this rabbit hole. Cheers!

[@lcmmassa8571]

HD. Many thanks on a great tutorial.

[@ronwall4821]

Dear sir, thank you for existing, this video has made my life better. I just learned how to operate my 5x10 mill and your content will help me

[@internetoldie]

This is amazing and inpsiring, I have nothing at all to do with woodworking - but found every second of this informative. Wishing you every success in life brother.

[@ericsaltonstall8573]

This is the first video I have seen of this person sounds quite honest just not complete my reason for saying that is because there is a such thing as tax or some might say taxes there is no straight up simple profit you must also account for the cost of electricity to run the equipment and to be able to see indoors there is also the cost of Packaging and shipping but mostly back to mentioning the taxes no matter what you call a hustle or a side business or just plain business taxes and don't forget insurance the human factor is people do get hurt people do make mistakes machines do break I do like this video a lot and I like the honesty just thought it was incomplete

[@tonymorris3935]

I was 11 minutes into this video before I realized you were wearing a shirt under that hoodie. LOL

[@kvg4790]

I think you may be able to get the glass to fill with smoke without using the torch. Instead of using the shavings, use fine sawdust and light it with a normal lighter. I think you may have to pack the bowl a little bit and also the screen may need to be shaped so that the saw dust will have a slight underside cavity. If this does work the smoke should cascade down into the glass instead of being forced into it by the torch. It doesn’t take much smoke to make the flavor, so any smoke lost upwards won’t be a big deal. Maybe worth a try. Also, this will drastically reduce the flame damage to the board, so it will last much longer.

[@DanielJones-oj5ol]

As someone who has sold torches for similar uses, do not fill your torches UNTIL the customer buys it. Fill it in front of them and show them how to do it, it’s always a great customer service thing to do and then you’re also not opening packages until they’re purchased.

[@JuanSanchez-ik7wx]

cut a groove on the back side to slip on the custom whisky glass rim that you can sell also. Glass is an optional 19.99. The bottom inside of the glass will be laser etched with your company logo. Also...drilling a hole about the size of a pipe cleaner leading to the burn pit will also be useful.

[@uhlemaennchen]

okay first of all: really cool idea - i like them a lot. second - thanks for the open communication. i really really do appreciate the openness and cander :)

[@dskim5848]

Cool! Good for you! Reasonable..you are very honest! Ergonomic too! This maybe a major trend! Smoked whiskey ....yum! Strike while the iron is hot!

[@laughinginthe90s]

Thank you for being unabashed about actually making profit. Lots of people online believe that everything handmade should basically be at-cost or with 10% margin.

[@OGSpacely555]

Extremely educational and valuable information in this video for anyone who is looking to start their own business.

[@nerdslikeus6690]

Try using a 45 degree bit to engrave the text then use that same tool to chamfer the top edge, and leave the bottom edge as is. Don't use the tip of the 45 when machining the edge. Offset the bit so that the middle of the cutting edge is hitting the part. Lower the Z the same amount as the offset to hit the intended dimensions.

[@vanesny]

This makes my day. 1.1M views...Outstanding.

[@markcurry1168]

Not just a whiskey smoker. I have an incense burner that burns the cones, works the exact same way. So it really could be used for several things.

[@orientalwoodworks]

Holy…….just holy wow. Clear concise and well thought out. Great product and an excellent delivery. Keep it up 👍

[@rileyvanallen872]

I didn't think I could watch a 15min video on whiskey smokers, but I did! Great video and super informative!

[@arctichoundtv2823]

Hey man great video! I really like the transparency, Alot of people have a famine mindset and horde all there knowledge and try to minimize people trying to do something similar or getting into the same thing. I think it's great you're sharing all this and building people up instead of breaking people down thats the way it should be.

[@markpang8847]

Wow. I just left a comment of RESPECT to you. Then heard the final few minutes of the video. I subscribed.

[@TheSeanFannin]

Fun Fact: Fog Juice (fog machine fluid) is made of distilled water, vegetable glycerin, and propylene glycol. Some will also have fragrance.

[@dirkdalton8447]

Yes, NOT mineral oil.

[@phaZed9]

Ya, was gonna say the same... propylene glycol is the "mist" of the smoke machine. Mineral Oil... if you're getting that to smoke it's probably not a good thing. I wouldn't dip those.

[@seandevine3695]

Yup. Leave out the distilled water, and it’s vape juice base. Oil foggers haven’t been standard for decades.

[@woodworkingandepoxy643]

Man you're such a good marketer you're able to sell a tiny bag of basically saw dust for $5? That's an amazing upsell

[@aaronquayle137]

This is really cool and props on getting that back end out there so more people can expand their side of it. Worth your 13 hours dude 👌🏼

[@migmagingenieria]

I've never knew about the existence of these,.. so cool. Thanks for sharing man!!!! Cheers from Alberta- Canada!

[@Wikus711]

You could maybe make a whiskey smoker with a hole on each end so when the one eventually dies out you swap sides. Could make a fitted sleeve to hold the used whole and sell it for maybe 3x more?

[@MrMetalpunx]

I've heard of smoking trees, but this is taking it a step to far.

[@Starcraft2er]

What is a good, starter CNC machine? Not looking for mass quantity, but more individual projects that could one day grow. New subscriber! Great video!

[@teatowel11]

Thank you, what a great video. I am not a "maker" but the way you explained your trial and error to find product market fit was very insightful.

[@Tanktaco]

Stuff like this is why I wanna combine my amateur hobbies with a CnC.

[@KevinKarlStudio]

Very cool video. This is something I am not familiar with but my very first thought was to try this with a whiskey barrel stout. I can see why these would be popular. It's a pretty simple device, but has a primitive, hands-on, historical, food, fire, tactile nature about it I think humans are naturally attracted to.

[@jessi330]

CNC machines are so cool. Selling stuff is so dependent on psychology (pricing, torches). Note: I saw on the instruction card, 'emparts' - it should be 'imparts'.

[@Draminicus]

Going down a youtube rabbit hole, as we all do, and found this. I have to say, "Damn dude! You one hell of a sales man. I don't own a cnc machine, nor do I have the place to put one, but I for some reason want to buy these files."

[@jimjohnson5787]

I love the drying rack setup you've got! That's genius!

[@Nerdonis]

This could not possibly matter less, but in the last sentence of your directions, it should be "impart", not "empart". Love the video and it is super interesting how much of a market there is for such a niche item. Fascinating stuff!

[@maytons]

What often takes the most time is marketing/selling of an item. There may be additional costs there as well.

[@flashgorflash]

My first video from you. Man I like how you are open what everything costs and what kind of effort it takes to make such videos. Even though the content is only roughly 15min it takes so long to film and edit such short video. I might try to make my own (for personal use), because I think that our legislation is too strict to even think about such product to be comercially available. Smoke inhalation, fire hazards, lung cancer, etc. They make up all excuses here to prevent such products to reach markets :D

[@bestbladerevah]

I think something you may find is that if you're selling these like hot cakes and they aren't a 'consumable' then you're essentially saturating the market and if you are selling them in the same markets then those people who are coming to the same market over and over wont buy them again because they may already have one or know someone who has one. You're already kinda doing it but changing the design slightly so some of them are different will keep the customers on their toes so to speak

[@frogmanpipes9561]

You can get mini torches. Like a pencil torch for $5. And if we're being honest. Most gas station torch lighter works just fine.

[@LordWhirlin]

I don't have a CNC... I have no interest in Whiskey... but damn did this scratch the itch for accounting and oversight details about what it means to be a creator and doer.

[@Raytenecks]

I came for the info about making the smoker, but I found myself inspired by the greenscreen you used for your video during this. It works really well like that!

[@brianschoenrock601]

Love the details and transparency. A lot of people are afraid to put this information out there. Thank you.

[@HamiltonDilbeck]

Thanks! The way I see it is, if this video went crazy and had 1 million views- thats 0.0125% of the world population... There is plenty of information to go around.

[@michaelkolozsvari3575]

This was a really interesting breakdown of the process and costs! Thanks for making it and can't wait to keep watching what you put out!

[@cardflopper3307]

great how you're supporting yourself on your own terms with your own skillset - very inspiring!

[@crappymechanix51]

just fyi you want to light the wood shavings and let them create the smoke. holding the torch on it like that your just contaminating your smoke with butane. will taste much better if you just use matches.

[@CocoHarness4evr]

VERY informative, and bonus points for the House Stark sigil : )

[@flightofapaullo72]

Never heard of a whiskey smoker. Looks cool and I'll probably get one eventually cause I do like me some whiskey here and there. Anyhow, I've subbed cause you come across as a cool genuine guy and content is great! Cheers!

[@iancowan3527]

1/2in hole punch to put two holes in the bottom corners of plastic bags so they don't mold!

[@Metal_Vistas]

I'm very happy I 'discovered' your channel. This is exactly the kind of content I am always looking for, so I subscribed, gave it a thumbs up and I'm looking forward to seeing what else you've got in the archives! Just fyi - Uline also sells muslin bags. Might be a cheaper source for you in bulk.

[@Hmfirestormz]

Good idea would be to have a would burning stencil kit with you to burn initials on the spot and charge an extra 5 on top or even do it for free to incentivize a sale

[@LightBrightShining]

Never knew about your channel but the title made me laugh. Cool product, love the versatility. Thanks for sharing...again!

[@cheeserdane]

Thanks for the highly detailed analytical approach to this video, very appreciated.

[@BxBxProductions]

Thanks for the price breakdown and transparency! Rare these days!

[@isuckatguitar6252]

I'm just at the start so, sorry if he mentions this later, in regards to small business/artists pricing, people should also remember that the profit is not completely profit, your have workshop space overheads, wear & tear which devalues your tools/equipment & will eventually need replaced, insurance costs for everything, business registration, admin like website hosting costs & biz accounting costs, the list goes on & on.

[@jbwoodcrafts]

Thank you for being so generous with your information. I'll give these products a try.

[@c.dominickoser5738]

who needs a Whiskey smoker when you could buy scotch? 😜 but honestly, quite a cool idea 😊 and very cool of you making this video! awesome lad!

[@theleeonard]

Dont do woodworking or selling stuff but i enjoyed learning 😂

[@Rychlas]

... The mineral oil burns into CO and CO2. Any amount of CO is toxic. It definitely is NOT used for smoke machines. It is used to find EVAP leaks, but in very well ventilated workshops.

[@ranek.]

CN C yall later got me subbed and liking this video.

[@MiteshParmar]

First video I've yours I've seen, and really like the honesty. Subbed!

[@Cadence_MFG]

Heck yeah man! Can't wait for you to start the classes!!!

[@Carpetcleanerman]

You are awesome. Upfront and honest. Wow, that's rare and very endearing! Keep it up and good luck!!

[@annamason5495]

I just liked and subscribed because of your transparency. Thanks for sharing.

[@ellewisentinc]

Great looking product and video - Thanks!

[@dalesuggs3658]

AWESOME TUTORIAL 🎉🎉😊😊THANKS FOR SHARING

[@WillieStubbs]

Sounds like a good project for the Maslow CNC Machine! I just can't believe these whiskey smokers are a thing.

[@israelmarte6237]

Just found your channel. You seem like a genuine guy. Subscribed

[@supernat1978]

At 12:30, the guy's shop says "I sell handmade products that I have designed and made". I guess in this case, it's just the "made" part that's accurate if he's using your design. Really cool design by the way; I'm very much contemplating trying this out just for making a few extra bucks, but maybe trying an alternative version just for grins.

[@sheff66666]

I was thinking about making something like these. That's pretty cool but I don't want to copy anyone. It's so hard to find something that someone else isn't already doing.

[@MrStrizver]

Absolutely love your attitude! You brought a wide smile to my face. Thanks!