I Built This At Age 24 | A Tour Of My Commercial Woodshop

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A tour of my woodshop I built when I was 24. This is an honest look inside a commercial woodshop and everything that goes on. We built this less than a year ago and we are going through a learning phase of wood manufacturing. Ryan goes over the Good, Bad and Ugly of his woodshop and things he would like to change.
About Cutting It Close:
Our goal is to help aspiring craftsmen do what they love for a living! Through training videos, CNC router techniques, unique projects, and practical applications, we hope to share our knowledge in the woodworking field and CNC routering.
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[@TheNyhm1]

Do you like clutter or not, I’m confused

[@hudsondurablegoods]

Congrats on the expansion, man! Scootin' through your shop seems like a great and really fun idea

[@clayponder4423]

I'm so happy that you have your scooter-able shop! I could tell that was a special thing for you. Makes me smile. Congrats!!

[@nb3975]

As someone that is trying to find my way with the CNC router world, I appreciate all your videos and what you have accomplished. I've learned a tremendous amount and your employees are lucky to have someone that is as passionate and mindful of their needs. It's a great quality in leadership.

[@caseynathanson7911]

If you’re looking for an amazing entry level CNC, the shapeoko 3 is amazing. I love mine and their support is unmatched.

[@ronalddean4834]

Great video and business, some friendly advice, when you build a shop we need to build two. One for the shop and one for storage. Storage is one of the biggest problems in any business. One more thing, where you have an abundance of cut offs put a pallet size crate so it can easily be moved to the storage area by forklift. You're doing great keep going. Thanks for sharing

[@austinsantos3109]

When you get this space all optimized I would love to see a breakdown of how you laid out your tools!

[@tiagocampos959]

Thanks for the video. I'm willing to start a CNC business and you videos are very informative. It would be a good topic if you show how you started, products made, problems and mistakes that happened and what you you would made different. It would help a lot, thanks anyway.

[@mattbowers5342]

Congrats on where you have come so far. It will be interesting to see the benefits that the lean/6S system bring to you

[@mauricepettiford1864]

Very motivating video. I can not wait to build my shop. Nice to see a young person doing such positive work.

[@davidndahura7437]

Woodworking is your hobby and you are focused at the tender age you know business it self have seen a video you did how to make money or why woodworkers never make money it gave me a position on your skills am not surprised you have this kind of investment you love your work and you are passionate about woodworking, good work. Thank you.

[@MrKtmstu]

Awesome rundown mate - very informative thank you!

[@benjaminquist2011]

Glad to see the progress you are making! Congrats on the new shop and machines. Have you guys branched out into milling your own trees yet, or is that coming in the future of your business?

[@John-hx2lw]

Amazing progress, very inspiring!

[@ClintonJohnson5162]

Thanks for sharing man!!

[@irekwyb1205]

well done pal. all the best for your future projects

[@sphlouge]

I’ve been a high end furniture maker for 56 years and counting. I can see you have a lot of $$$$$$ invested. Sander alone is 1/2 the price of a small house. Congratulations for doing this at your your young age.

[@stanwagner4788]

Great job. It's nice to see smart... young people reach for the stars. You're what America is all about. Good luck to you.

[@cutting-it-close]

Apologies for the late reply, but Yes I am trying to live the American dream

[@94hockeykid]

I happened across this video and played a fun guessing game of what products you made. I initially guessed chair parts, but it looks like some trays and such

[@anasalami9112]

congratulation to your workshop, i am really happy for you. what kind of products you started manufacturing using your small CNC ?

[@adamtalat2165]

I really don't know what to say about what you've done it's ammmmmazing This is what i already try to achieve it this is my dream

[@jonm189]

Congratulations on all that you have achieved, it's an inspiration. I'd love to hear how you built the business up and what kind of products you made along the way.

[@chuckyt9083]

me, too. wanna talkabout me, me’o my… show us the products & how you market them!!!

[@lizz9602]

Very encouraging, I hope i can come close to where you are. 👏

[@Palestinians]

Hey, I love your shop and all your videos! How did you market your products in the very beginning?

[@michaelgeorge2703]

A big well done 👍

[@mvpcabinets]

Congratulations on your achievements! It's looking great. That clutter thing, if you ever figure it out let me know. I have yet to get that one resolved! I am 34, I have a 100x100 shop focusing on high end custom cabinetry in Abilene, TX. We just celebrated our 10 year anniversary. Oddly enough I am brand new to CNC - I purchased an SCM Morbidelli 5x12 winter of 2020. Prior to that we cut everything on 3) 5hp cabinetry table saws. I do wish I had bought a small cnc to learn on prior to the big purchase. Learning basics on this monstrosity probably wasn't the best idea! I have already learned a ton of things from your videos. Thank you, and keep it up! -- Matt Vivion with MVP Cabinets

[@caseynathanson7911]

Hey if you need any help I’d be happy to assist. Ive had my CNC for about a year now and it is AMAZING.

[@gbalias]

Just stumbled on this video. Dont be afraid to push that SCM. The only thing holding you back is implementing your creativity. We've got 2 Weeke's and a Rover 5-axis in a 130,000sf shop and are always looking for ways to do things better. My favorite part is really experimenting with what the designers bring to the table and getting it made. Remember theres never one way to do something.

[@moh9545]

Hi I really like what you've done, have watched a number of your videos now. A lot of what you're doing is very applicable to the metal fabrication side of business too (what I do) . Well done 👏.

[@cutting-it-close]

Awesome, thank you!

[@boardroomcraftsman5251]

Nice!

[@jekin22]

Good Luck!!

[@TheTranq]

Cool! What kind of stuff do you make? You seem like a cool guy too I’d work for you if I was there!

[@Thuggernaut58]

I hope he's able to go over more of the business side of how he runs things. Where is he selling his stuff, how did he get customers, how did he find the right product, etc.

[@kookiedabear]

And how did he obtain the funds to build all of this at 24?

[@mjethier]

His mommy and daddy have money is the gist of it

[@johnbowden9578]

Great work building your business 👏 I see when you went for a bigger CNC machine you'd switched to the Shop Saber. What made you change from Laguna?

[@johnbowden9578]

@@cutting-it-close with those factors in mind is there a machine you would suggest over the Laguna IQ that is in the same class?

[@gilbertodanielvalles3113]

Great video man! How did you start getting sales to grow your revenue? Also, do you have a website of your furniture?

[@leapnlarry]

You must have been really worried you were going to get a lot of comments on clutter. I would have like to see what you do with each machine with an actual product. Larry

[@RotaryTurbo]

Have to look at both the positive and the negative to keep moving forward. I may have to get video of the Biesse 5x12 nesting cell router I use at work and send it to you. Learning CNC on it has been like learning to drive in a Lamborghini. More than you need to learn, but really cool. Lol.

[@RotaryTurbo]

The company got it new in 2012 for something like 200 grand, but there's a similar used one near me at a shop equipment reseller for about 80,000.

[@RotaryTurbo]

@@cutting-it-close yes, scissor lift loading pallet and roller belt unloading. Pulls the next sheet on and sweeps the machined parts off at the same time.

[@RotaryTurbo]

@@cutting-it-close we mostly cut to size, edge band and machine parts for furniture and cabinetry. I do some commercial cabinet making, but the company makes most of the profit from straight line cut to size on the CNC beam saws.

[@boerdcreations7477]

Man you have great videos. I am myself will be seeing getting into the CNC market here in South Mississippi. I’ve narrowed my machine choice down to the shop saber or Laguna. I’m looking to start with a 2 x 3 I’m doing 3-D carvings that will be inserts on hang in porch swings. What are your pros and cons between these two companies?

[@cutting-it-close]

Customer service, Shop Sabre is quicker to answer the call and explain things. I think the 2 machines are pretty comparable in performance. My IQ is 7 years old now and it is still doing great! So no complaints about Laguna, except trying to get someone on the phone.

[@fastshapes3dsigns290]

Great, but what exactly do you make? When will the content of seeing the actual machines running be posted?

[@LemonySnicket-EUC]

In the description he shares links that will give you that I formation.

[@hendrybudiyanto6063]

Congratz man

[@NWGR]

Is the bulk of your income from the items you sell on etsy and your website? If so, that's amazing. I was thinking more upscale, expensive items, but what you sell is very modestly priced and very unique in the craftspace! Well done dude. I'm 41 and finally getting my first CNC, and I can only hope to achieve even a fraction of your success. I'll get there. Hard work, determination and perseverance will get me there.

[@cutting-it-close]

Yes, most of what I do is from Etsy and Thank you so much for the compliments, lots of hard work, headaches and loneliness, but it comes with the territory.

[@ericmattinen4728]

Your going the right direction for sure. The trial by fire burns a little less if you have even a few people with industrial woodworking experience. All looks good on paper having such a young workforce, but in the end, there isn't a way around experience. Either you hire some experience, or you earn it by the seat of your pants. The earning it part come with a cost of injuries, damaged goods or machines. Invest in equipment to make the jobs less demanding, like pallet lifts for keeping the work surfaces at waist height. No one likes bending for hours a day, and in 20 years your back and your employees backs will thank you.

[@ingentingbra]

Nice shop! When are you doing a new tour with the additions?

[@cutting-it-close]

I will do one in a couple months, I have a dual head CNC coming in soon.

[@jeffery19677]

Its not "scrap". Its "Drop". I work as a steel fabricator and I fight with the boss over him throwing out steel that I will have to go to the dumpster to retrieve. He recently bought FIVE 20-foot STAINLESS STEEL sticks of 2x2x1/2 square tubing for a job. I used TWO! Because I had hidden (from him) a bunch of DROP. Its not appreciated and I will be "seeking employment where my talents are better appreciated" soon. LOL Also, you might want to consider color-coded pallets for drop. That way a small fork truck or forklift can maneuver them. Label the pallet with what is on them so the saw man can quickly tell if he can use them or needs to go get new lumber.

[@jjsuperalfadogg122]

As a critique to your business model please check out Paul Akers and the concept of 2 Second Lean. It will transform your business and your life. Much continued success!

[@cutting-it-close]

Yes, doing that slowly but surely, This shop will be impeccable sooner than later.

[@kmcclarney]

Great shop tour. May I ask are you running debt free or have debt? If you do have debt what ratio (debt/ gross income) would you recommend to me as a safe amount

[@kmcclarney]

@@cutting-it-close I absolutely appreciate your answer. Thank you

[@scottfoster2487]

Good looking shop You need anti fatigue floor for leg health.

[@lefapro8014]

👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@dylansirois8768]

do you have 3 phase feeding your shop or do you run converters?

[@cutting-it-close]

High voltage 3 phase right now

[@paragprajapati21]

Congratulations . Hard work pays off you are inspiration .

[@davidmarshall6188]

What do you make exactly

[@TheMoonlightCraftsman]

What products do you make?

[@gerardweber9218]

Yeah, we got the message, you don't like clutter

[@scottmitchell9856]

It's cute

[@alwi3455]

i am a metric fan ;-)

[@adamchesis7443]

I don't know what you do, but you don't have much in equipment how do you cut things? you can't gang rip everything

[@TeamProsperity]

I’m sure the price of that building let alone the cost of the massive amount of concrete would scare the SH** outta me ROI on that I’m sure will take like 30 years lol

[@cutting-it-close]

Yes the slab cost more than my house!

[@peternanden5776]

Congratulations. Very nice shop. You have way too few subscribers.

[@teaguewhite26]

I ended the video with the knowledge you have a lot of clutter spaces you don't like. It was an informative video, but more geared to pointing out what you don't like within the shop due to all the references to clutter in several areas. Hopefully your employees see this and take action soon. I'd much rather see project videos than the behind-the-scene ones. In my opinion, the shop tour kinda hit the topic for the video, but very distracting with all the clutter talk.

[@michael.a]

@@cutting-it-close i love the video and the clutter talk please. Be kind to share how you declutter and arrange the unused wood pieces. Love the info and keep it up.

[@timygonzalez8759]

Nice shop. The video would sound better if you just cut out all the I's and Me's. Too many of them.

[@cutting-it-close]

Looking back at the video, I couldn’t agree with you more.

[@sphlouge]

Clutter,clutter, clutter. Nice space

[@Dumontsk8te]

Feels good to have money

[@stacystarnes1449]

Trust baby?

[@TheGardenMasterShow]

Maybe tour a few successful shops instead of trying to reinvent the wheel. By your own admission you have a group of inefficient individuals. Look for an older or retired individual that is interested in working a few hours of week. That individual can share their experience to help teach your people. Your shop is still a hobby shop.

[@chrisgreene2070]

You should really write a script

[@floydieharris6236]

It’s a nice shop but this setup looks to me like most of your revenue goes to payments.

[@mjethier]

Takes money to make money. Or you fall into a pile of diamonds and have it flowing

[@andyennis1414]

Clutter= bad

[@MRNBricks]

Riding a scooter in an industrial workshop seems incredibly irresponsible.

[@cutting-it-close]

its awesome! if you own the shop lol

[@trevormiller6285]

4 seconds into this video I could see how badly you have stuff organized, you do not have machines organized well at all. Just poor use of the space really

[@adamjankowski4315]

Congratulations on going into major debt or having a rich daddy.

[@cutting-it-close]

Saving for since I was 15 years old every penny I made from projects and working as much as I possibly could. Then eventually I hired my parents to help them get on their feet.

[@adamjankowski4315]

@@cutting-it-close How much debt do you currently have?

[@cutting-it-close]

@@adamjankowski4315 Not going to disclose, but I will say I did not sign my life away, everything is calculated.

[@adamjankowski4315]

@@cutting-it-close If you know your payoff then good for you. Im guessing based on the pictures of your shop its in the 350-500k range. Lots of iffs but that means you own everything and lease nothing.

[@adamjankowski4315]

@@cutting-it-close My thing is I am dead honest with people about how hard it is to entrepreneur, especially in the wood working biz. My wife and I started 5 yrs ago building barn doors out of our garage. Today we dropped barn doors, purchased a composite and aluminum shutter manufacturing business, and have worked our tails off to get it this far. The first 2 years were basically net even minus the cash jobs we pocketed. I worked full time as an engineer, part time as a wood worker and she ran the business marketing and media. Since then we have grown from 35k a year with doors, bought a shutter business doing 200k and grew it to 450k a year gross. We have a 10 year 400k bank loan an nothing more. Our equipment is owned outright, jointly we take home about 75k a year currently and continue to work 60hrs a week. My thing is don't sugar coat it and be honest about where you are, what you go through, and your struggles of how you got there.

[@Touchit344]

How did you get away with no fire sprinkler system?

[@tysonkonken-jj3vd]

Your also a slave to that life now too. You obviously want that, but not all of us do. Good luck, slick.