How I Got To Where I Am | My Laser Business Journey

Over the last few months, I have received a lot of questions about how I got started with laser machining and my entire journey. I decided to make a video going over my whole journey to this point. I hope that you find it helpful!
● BILL'S LINKS
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/ thegildedline
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[@MakerExperiment]

I love talking about lasers. If you have any questions, let me know!

[@todddoan7654]

Hello I have been watching your videos because I am looking to purchase one. My question is I have found a used M2 75 watt w/32x20 bed. Or would a new user benefit by getting a new fusion edge 24x24 60 watt because of the cameras. The used one would be around 2k cheaper. I would like to get you feed back because you have both. This would be my first laser. Thanks

[@MakerExperiment]

todd doan it kind of depends on what you want to make. The 32x20 is a bit bigger bed for what that’s worth. I do like a lot of the new fusion edge features that to me would make me lean that way but it depends on the size you want. Feel free to email if you have more questions.

[@ghhehxusjsush]

Epilogue getting ordered this week. Solid year of research, a lot of it on your channel so thank you for your help in making the decision on a Fusion Edge! I'm sure I'll have questions in future so made sure to subscribe!

[@MakerExperiment]

ghhehxusjsush congratulations! What’s your name? I’d like to let them know.

[@ghhehxusjsush]

@@MakerExperiment [e-mail] I'll have a new KZbin account soon that matches one thing at a time lol.

[@GregsGarage]

Great bootstrapping success story. You are right... It takes a considerable amount of time, patience and a lot of late nights to create something that lives and breathes on its own. It usually involves a slow start but it grows exponentially once it gets off the ground. Thanks for sharing your story.

[@MakerExperiment]

Thanks for watching!

[@testingperson8413]

That shows me that this can be done by others who are starting out. Thank you.

[@MakerExperiment]

You’re welcome

[@MamaDoeDawn]

I was SO excited to find your channel! I'm a fellow small business owner and creator. This was really interesting to watch, although I have no experience with laser-craft (is that an appropriate word to use here? haha). Thank you so much for taking the time to share your journey. I'm excited to dive deeper into your channel.

[@MakerExperiment]

Mama Doe Dawn thank you for watching. I always like to connect with fellow small business owners. Feel free to let me know if you have questions.

[@gerardbduff]

Great story, thanks for sharing your journey. As someone who is thinking of getting into this area I found it really useful.

[@MakerExperiment]

I’m glad I could help.

[@rdavis0521]

Thank you for sharing your story. I found your channel recently, and have enjoyed all of your videos that I have had the chance to view. Keep up the excellent work!

[@MakerExperiment]

Thanks for watching Ray!

[@ClintonCaraway-CNC]

I really enjoy and learned a lot from this video. I recently purchased a Thunder Laser. I am a cnc router enthusiast and added the laser to hopefully expand my business. Hopefully I can eventually upgrade like you have. I have a open opportunity to produce some of the pieces of the cnc accessories I use. I am looking forward to all the materials and products it can cut and engrave. Thank you for all of your videos. I'm already learning a lot.

[@MakerExperiment]

Congrats! That’s awesome to have both.

[@HueyF]

Thanks for the background video Trevor. I actually got interested in lasers a couple of years ago while listening to you in a podcast talking about them...I think it was MVP-013. That piqued my interest and started learning about them.

[@MakerExperiment]

I’m glad that you’re finding it helpful.

[@JoannePieceMaker]

Really enjoyed hearing about your journey!

[@MakerExperiment]

Thank you!

[@richardstokes7508]

Excellent! great video as always. Great story, it gives me hope. I can purchase one soon.

[@MakerExperiment]

Richard Stokes keep at it and you’ll be able to.

[@LoveColorado]

Thank you for all the great information; I'm looking forward to learning additional words of wisdom as you share with all of us.

[@MakerExperiment]

Thanks for following along!

[@mattferg84]

Great video thanks for the information, another video that I’d be really interested in that I don’t see in your backlog is how to get your first 15-20 customers.

[@MakerExperiment]

I’ll have to figure out how to approach that video but it is a good idea.

[@erickevinz7369]

Thanks for sharing your journey, I stumbled across your channel while looking into lasers. I'll check out more of your videos to learn more. Very interested in an Epilog.

[@MakerExperiment]

Eric Kevin Z thanks for watching.

[@thehamlinwoodshop]

Great video. Thanks for sharing your story. Love my mini 18!

[@MakerExperiment]

Thank you!

[@peggiecarsonn9102]

Bill. I am very much interested in how you go about lasering paper cuts...cardstock, cardboard, and 1/4" substances. I do much frame and framed art. thoughts??

[@MakerExperiment]

Hi Peggie. My name isn’t Bill, it’s Trevor just for clarification unless you meant to reply to someone’s comment. As far as those items, I have videos addressing some of these including the cardstock. Take a look around the videos on my channel and I think that will help you.

[@peggiecarsonn9102]

@@MakerExperiment ty very much Trevor. will do

[@46B3x2you]

Do you have a recommendation for a beginner Laser Etcher/Cutter for Acrylic. I have to start somewhere and I would think....Start small with good Software.

[@MakerExperiment]

What’s your budget?

[@_riddlemethis_5583]

Thank you for all the good info! I just found your channel so apologies if you've covered this already. If you had to buy your next laser now, what would you get?

[@MakerExperiment]

I’m actually hoping to upgrade to the Epilog Fusion Pro 48.

[@tracyrutherford6089]

thanks for sharing your story. I have embroidery business and purchase a universal laser machine more than a year ago but haven't really make any money yet. I'll spend time out learn more (will watch your videos) and make the machine worth. Can I ask any questions when I need help even I don't have epilogue?

[@MakerExperiment]

Tracy Rutherford you can always ask questions. I don’t always see them all on KZbin but you can email or contact me on Instagram.

[@3flgator]

Thanks for sharing those 7 years. Puts things into perspective. My question is, if I asked you to make a list of 5 or 10 things you would do right now if you were starting what would they be? Get a mentor, learn a specific course, focus on some specific task etc etc. Looking forward to your feedback. Well worth the 34 minutes. Thank you.

[@MakerExperiment]

I’ll try to make a video on that to cover it.

[@alpell2547]

Enjoyed your story! Have you engraved or laser cut a gun receiver or slide? I'd like to do this type of work and leather goods. My wife Wants to do mugs and other stuff.

[@MakerExperiment]

Al Pell I have not. You won’t be able to cut metal on CO2 lasers in the vast majority of cases. You could be able to engrave them though.

[@kwangweiong6135]

Hi Trevor, I enjoy your videos a lot. Big Thank You for being so inspiring. I bought myself a made in Singapore laser and have been using it for over a year now. I can sense you trust your life with an Epilog. I would like to know what you like about your Epilog machines and what are things you wish Epilog machines can do better. Would answering my question be a good idea for your next video? Best Wishes. Wei Singapore

[@MakerExperiment]

Kwang Wei Ong I can probably make a video on that. Mostly it’s the reliability. They are consistently good and minimal maintenance needed. They are well built. Some things could be thought out better but I think ever product has somewhere that could be improved.

[@3flgator]

I'm in Miami, FL. I don't know if geography has an advantage in this business but if it does, I'd love to here about it. Is that why you moved to Nevada? Be great to know. Thanks.

[@MakerExperiment]

The move was for family reasons and didn’t have anything to do with business but geography can play into it.

[@TheSgDProduction]

Great video!

[@MakerExperiment]

Thank you!

[@PretePrints]

Hi, I am looking to purchase an epilog helix and run out of my home. Do you have any suggestions on an exhaust filter? do you use one?

[@MakerExperiment]

Alyson Prete you won’t be able to get the Helix anymore. You’ll have to look at the Fusion Edge 24”x24”. I have an exhaust fan on one machine and. BOFA on the other. The cheapest way is to go with the exhaust fan and duct it outside. If you want a filter, I’d suggest BOFA. Definitely call them to get a recommendation based on your CFM requirements. What made you choose Epilog?

[@PretePrints]

@@MakerExperiment wow, yeah I see they don't have the Helix on their site anymore, when did that happen? I was just looking at them like last month :/ I used to work at a sign company that had an Epilog, so I am familiar with using them. I've never set one up, just operated it. Also, everyone I speak to says that an epilog is the way to go. I will ask about a BOFA, Thanks! Do you operate your machine from your home? I am wondering about the smell from the exhaust.

[@MakerExperiment]

Alyson Prete I operate my machine from home. It can have smells that are bad depending on what you’re machining. As far as the Helix, they ran out and have replaced it with the new Fusion Edge. It has quite a few upgrades over the Helix.

[@farhanimourad2218]

thank's is for you

[@calic6170]

Hey, im thinking of buyung an epilogue helix 2nd hand. Where would the serial number be

[@MakerExperiment]

It’s usually on a tag on the back of the machine.

[@calic6170]

@@MakerExperiment do you have any recommendations for a machine that could cut steal or metal, that i can fit in an office ?

[@MakerExperiment]

@@calic6170 depends how big your office is and how dirty it can get. Your option that’s cheap will be a plasma table but it can get super dirty. A more high end version is a high wattage fiber laser.

[@gtg-inspections]

Are your cad videos still available?

[@MakerExperiment]

They are through Solid Professor. They were for Catia V5.

[@killerjms21]

can you say how much your payments are and how much to buy it at the end?

[@MakerExperiment]

Michael Rios I’d have to go back and research it. I know it isn’t fantastic for the interest rate. I put about $5k down and my payments are about $650 a month for 4 years but that includes the insurance, property taxes, and the payment itself. Once I pay it all off I can give that breakdown. I’ve overpaid some months so some of it hasn’t caught up in their system yet. I will say that I don’t like the lender’s website because you have to request a payoff to see how much you still owe.

[@MrDirkles]

in 2021 is it possible to make a profit using one of these epilog machines if you don't have an established business?

[@MakerExperiment]

It’s definitely possible. It’s finding your niche in the market.

[@MrDirkles]

@@MakerExperimentlol yeh that's the problem. I been selling custom stuff on eBay and the like for a few years but it seems to take around 3 months or less for someone to copy your design and undercut you. Perhaps i need to do less online selling? Thanks for doing all of your videos. I've found them really interesting and I've watched a lot of them over the last few weeks:)

[@MakerExperiment]

@@MrDirkles no matter what you do, someone will copy it. I have a lot of people that think it’s better to take other people’s work than to design their own stuff.

[@MrDirkles]

i don't agree with it morally but i can totally see why from a business stand point.

[@MakerExperiment]

@@MrDirkles yeah, I don’t agree with it either. A lot of people try to find the easy way out.

[@chadtyus9082]

I found you today I am enjoying your videos, I am trying to decide wether to buy a cnc router or a laser. these videos are very helpful thank you.

[@MakerExperiment]

Chad Tyus honestly, both are great. CNC machines are cheaper for more machine. It all depends on the projects you want to do

[@MRJSWORKSHOP]

Enjoy the video ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@MakerExperiment]

Mr J thank you.

[@yehudahweisz]

Sent you DM on FB

[@mailtojarriya]

Thanks for sharing

[@MakerExperiment]

Pravit Jarriya you’re welcome.

[@narimabelludo8094]

2:32 I like that😍💋 💝💖❤️

[@m.mendez9211]

Nice story Trevor you are a true warrior congrats and keep recording your videos.

[@MakerExperiment]

M. Mendez thank you. I appreciate it!

[@daytrace4635]

as someone starting out and getting slightly more orders now, do not buy used, I made the mistake of getting a omtech 100w for 2500 that was barely used. Well it was stored in a cold basement and hadnt got flushed out, after about a week of getting the mold out, aligning it, and little projects, maybe 2hrs total time of laser, the tube had died, another 2-3 weeks to get a new tube and laser is so misaligned that I bought a reverse alignment tool which took another week, it helped but wasnt exact. My alignment isnt exactly perfect but its the best I can do bc my x and Y gantry are not level, remember that "stored in the basement", well that meant no heat or very little which in turn constantly warped the machine bc it wasnt getting used. So in the end, I spent the price of a new machine to get it working without the efficiency of a new one. Dont be like me, buy new, youll thank yourself later.

[@MakerExperiment]

With glass tube lasers that is definitely more of a concern. When buying used, you also need to know the machinery inside and out, what can go wrong, and what to look for. If you don’t know what to look for, I don’t recommend buying used. If you’re buying any glass tube laser, I’d almost never recommend buying used. RF tube lasers are less risky.

[@ChristiMilligan]

What a great journey! Thanks for sharing your story! You’ve put in a lot of hard work and I’m glad you have been recognized for that!

[@MakerExperiment]

I appreciate it! It’s been a fun and interesting road.

[@benjohnson2711]

Great 'insider' vid to selling with a laser engraver. Great ideas. Just got a Boss laser and well on my way to making serious money...

[@MakerExperiment]

Congratulations!

[@ahmedas1991]

Thanks so much for sharing!! Watched it all and its so motivating!! I have a long way to go

[@MakerExperiment]

Thank you for watching!

[@barbaramoore3777]

It would have been nice to SEE the machine and how you operate !!!!!

[@MakerExperiment]

I have the machine in a lot of other videos on my channel with making projects and operating it.

[@RickPMandel]

So Very cool, thanks for this! Are you still in the Greenville area?

[@MakerExperiment]

I’m not. I actually moved to Las Vegas.

[@mcamille8420]

Hey Trevor, congratulations on your success with Epilog! great advice I enjoy your educational journey videos on how you first got started recognizing your passion. I to agree with you on making your dream a realty by first putting in the work even if it takes that additional 40+ hours, you have shared great knowledge with us all thank you for taking that time to do so. Also, do know you’re doing an awesome thing edifying others, many people “negative individuals” won’t understand your passion to helping others but at the end of the day all that matters “are you fulfilling your purpose/dream/passion. Thank you again for sharing. 😊

[@MakerExperiment]

I’m glad I could help!

[@davegerrard6857]

Hi Trevor. I recently purchased an Epilog laser. Id love to have a conversation with you about lasers if you're willing? Thanks Dave

[@MakerExperiment]

Dave Gerrard sure. Feel free to email me [e-mail]

[@valdrumgole2585]

Thank you!!! I love all of your videos. I appreciate you talking about your journey. I really need to hear this. I wanted to purchase an Epliog last year but couldn't afford it at the time. Starting with a Glowforge right now. Elipog WILL BE my next laser. Thank you again and great video!!!

[@MakerExperiment]

Val Drumgole thank you for watching. I’m glad it was helpful.

[@stevena.watkins3033]

I appreciate the long form video. Stories like this inspire people to follow their ambitions. Thank you.

[@MakerExperiment]

Thanks for watching!

[@tonychiang6973]

fume extractor. which is affordable way to have a fume extractor.

[@MakerExperiment]

tony chiang the most affordable way is to use an exhaust fan out to the environment.

[@DirkDooms]

Thank you for sharing! Much appreciated. Lots of respect for you.

[@MakerExperiment]

Thank you for watching.

[@shadowliving6858]

Great back story.

[@MakerExperiment]

Thank you!

[@davegerrard6857]

Great Job on this video! Nice Work!

[@MakerExperiment]

Dave Gerrard thank you!

[@BenjaminLotter]

Great story and thanks for sharing.

[@MakerExperiment]

Benjamin Lotter thanks for watching!

[@0Turbox]

Do you need a certification to run such a laser in the states?

[@MakerExperiment]

No, you don’t.

[@0Turbox]

@@MakerExperiment Lucky you. Here in Germany, you need a one day training with a certificate at the end, but you can only do it, when you worked at least 2 years in a mechanical job before.

[@MakerExperiment]

@@0Turbox thankfully, we don’t have to do that. Granted, there are sometimes that I think we should have to qualify because I see a lot of misuse.