Started my shop with $20K and now I have 15 CNC Machines

We built our own CNC Machine Shop and named it Loper Machine. Alex Loper and his wife Courtney Loper reveal the journey to opening their own CNC Machine shop.
www.lopermachine.com/
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#Machining #Machinist #Engineering

[@Tbyt2020]

Titan, you changed the game. Hearing this guy saying he messages you asking about speeds and feeds and you’re helping him out. There aren’t many people like you in the world. Keep it up

[@TITANSofCNC]

Thanks Brother… I love it. I know and work with machinists all over the world. So Cool.

[@JohnnyAFG81]

Taking the plunge into CNC shop ownership is scary, I hope he has tremendous success!

[@alexloper3084]

Thank you so much! I hope the same for you 💯🚀

[@meatwad253]

@@alexloper3084 You got this.

[@SamCyanide]

As a machine shop owner, I'm not really interested in the production contracts. I like to help with prototyping. Sure maybe it pays less, but it's a hell of a lot more interesting than making 2,000 brackets with two holes drilled in them

[@MR-backup]

This comment .

[@cgpmachining]

Yeah, I started out making plastic injection molds and jigs and fixtures for production, all on manual machines. While this is definitely my first love the older I get the more I just like to make money, and doing production is by far the easiest way to do it in machining. I am also a big believer in making your own parts vs contract machining.

[@SamCyanide]

@@cgpmachining yep. My shops primary purpose is for my own inventions, so I have a lot of capabilities that some other shops might not, in terms of the breadth of my machines. I have everything from lasers and plasma cutters to the big mill, surface grinding equipment, lathe, and a lot of small random stuff. It's all about being able to do as much stuff as possible in house so I can work very rapidly in small quantities, and then if they work out I can refine it and send it out for production. Most of the time when I'm doing client work it's just for the sake of helping someone out because I will do a small job for a reasonable price because all the other shops in my area don't like the small jobs so they charge way too much for them or say they won't do it at all. It definitely helps with building connections. I'm in a good position though where I have several sources of income so I don't need to charge a ton for the guy who just needs a bracket made up quick

[@BowhunterMinnesota]

As a product developer we appreciate you! FEW are willing to devote resources to prototyping. Especially with injection molding.

[@CPTFiXtion]

I feel exactly the same way as he did. I'm hoping to start my own small shop soon. 10 years as a professional machinist, I think it's time to take it in my own

[@jimingole1774]

I love hearing the stories of Hard work .

[@seancollins9745]

I got 4, 1 online, 1 coming online and 2 being rebuilt. Day 1 full time, no machine payments

[@stefanodeberardinis]

nice story, but I would have liked a more in-depth video that talked about how to set up a business, talking step by step about what it takes to manage a business plan. Surely every country has its own rules and bureaucracies but in general you know what the steps are to carry out an activity. There are many people who would like to embark on this path but don't know where to start.

[@alexloper3084]

Hey @stefanodeberardinis, I understand. The full podcast we talk more in-depth It wasn’t something we had any idea about either. Our business plan was very simple. Find a used machine we could purchase with the money we had. Find a location to put the machine. Get setup with Xometry and grind hard while we do our best to establish ourselves with other customers. We started with a google search. “How to start a business in Maryland” Registered the business/set up as an LLC, obtained our EIN (tax identification number), and got insurance.

[@jimster1111]

agreed. i thought this video was going to be on specifics on how they actually got a machine for 20,000$ or less. found contracts as a small up and coming shop etc. didnt really see anything of substance here.

[@shonuff4951]

​@@jimster1111 If you're looking for a "get rich quick" channel, you're obviously looking in the wrong place. Just the fact that you would suggest that is laughable, and shows you have absolutely no clue on how the industry operates...

[@markdavis304]

Another great podcast. Love hearing the success stories of people starting from nothing👏

[@mattcaesar5781]

First 5-8 years youll work harder then you ever will when you start a shop. Finding good customers, employees, and equipment without blowing your budget out of the water. Learn how to work on your equipment it will save you $$$$ in the long run and dont be afraid to tell a customer no. I use to get bullied to take jobs at a loss on some jobs from one of my better customers at the time. Dropped him as soon as I could.

[@graycenmashburn3]

I needed to hear this today. Thanks guys.

[@ninjaabcde]

The biggest thing stopping me from doing this in canada is the inability to get land to do this stuff on. We cant even do in our homes cause almost no one owns their house entirely here.

[@shonuff4951]

Almost like there was a reason for 1776, eh?

[@ninjaabcde]

@@shonuff4951 I'm not sure what you mean

[@SneakyKittyGameDev]

@@shonuff4951 Gettin close to round 2

[@danprado3020]

I love this !

[@MotorJC]

Another great American innovation success story

[@widowermgtow5777]

Starting with 2 Shapeoko 5 Pro 2x4. Simple kitchen items, signs, and wall art. Would like to make around 40 an hour per machine. Any advice welcome.

[@andyvan5692]

good job man, that's the way, if the boss doesn't care, DON'T care about him!!, it will just lead to disappointment and burnout, for nothing, you HAVE to be yourself, and if thats what you need to do to show the world your 'voice' then GOOD ON YOU.

[@diomedenihorimbere2002]

very nice

[@graysenfox3600]

How did you crack the code with getting big production contracts?

[@alexloper3084]

We are very fortunate that a larger shop took us under their wings and keeps us busy with production work. We established that relationship by our supervisor at a previous shop leaving that shop and going to the shop that gives work. Having that work and figuring out how to run it efficiently allowed us to build out a bigger customer base. Most of our customers found us by having longevity in the business. By solving their problems consistently/effectively keeps us as their top suppliers.

[@MR-backup]

@@alexloper3084 The Man in the flesh ;)

[@alexloper3084]

@@MR-backup I appreciate you brotha! 👊

[@helicopterdriver]

Outbid everybody else and still make money.

[@nickwilcox3648]

My dream is to do exactly this

[@hurkybrother1856]

Lols. start a shop with a bun in the oven… I did…

[@rodan2852]

I could fill up a catalog with product ideas.

[@norbertlovas1949]

i love the story. but i should never open a shop. i don't want to get that pressure what an owner got.. i just want to go work, work how they want me to work, get a good pay and just go home when time come. i allways looking for that kind of job. so when you finished a day of work you can just stop thinking about the company, what you have to do etc... just a releive every time when you leave as a worker, but as an owner you have to handle all the pressure, and think allways forward, cause you are responsible not just only you, but your employees too!. It a no for me, but have luck and best for your company!

[@chrisludston1455]

I understand how you feel. I do emergency calls,, maintenance, for small businesses, gas stations, landlords, etc. I'm at the point where I have to either incorporate, hire more help, or scale down. I have the customers, and it's going 3 fold, fast.. but... taking the responsibility for other workers n families, is a scary thing. The one thing I always hear from successful people, is you have 2 choices.... Work for someone, be happy where your at. Never knowing if you'll be laid off.. (which is ok, if that's all you want out of life) Or, Take the risk, pay your dues, and build something of you own. Get it to the point where you yourself can take a step back and enjoy life. Knowing that your income will always be there. There is nonright answer. . Everyone has thier own idea of happiness. Just NEVER give up. Give 110%, 200%, Intel you get what you want. There will always be ups n downs. Keep pushing, til u make it yours. This story gives me hope. I only wish I knew what I wanted when I was younger. I never cared. Always made decent money, never planned for the future. I lived a day a time. At 52, I try to teach the younger generations the mistakes I made. Funny thing.. one song always comes to mind... Momma Told Me Not to Come.!!! Many elders did try to tell me. I wouldn't listen. Now, all I can do, is give it my best, never give up, and learn to be happy how I am right now, in this moment. Yet, never stop trying to make things better.

[@miketanner1920]

Assume story Stand together or fall alone God bless Just saying 😁👍🏻😁👍🏻😁🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@alexloper3084]

I appreciate you Mike, Thanks for the love and wish you the best 💯🚀

[@user-kx6cj1jf6h]

I'm Indian ❤❤

[@fabiangonzalez1391]

Me too

[@pvtimberfaller]

Our shop bled us white and than tanked.

[@heliserrato9579]

This man worked his butt off, blood sweat, and tears. Some Jerk: "God did it." Like, wtf dude.

[@shonuff4951]

Sounds like Obama.. "You didn't build that" "We built that"

[@HITTAGAME]

Everything comes down to diligence are you a lackey in the shop Or are you the ambitious next up and comer I see guys at my shop who haven't got a promotion in years and then guys in shorter time come in and get that higher wage

[@TheStrouthMeister]

Must be nice just to pop out 20k

[@empireages241]

10K from him, 10k from it's partner, heard it in the podcast

[@TheStrouthMeister]

@@empireages241 must be nice to just flop out 10k and someone else give u 10k.

[@Lucidbkeo]

​@@TheStrouthMeister could always pull a personal loan

[@TheStrouthMeister]

@@Lucidbkeo nope, won't be approved w/all the current debt plus can't afford another pymt anyway. That's why I said must be nice.

[@linmal2242]

Forget the 'God ' nonsense; the effort was obviously yours and fortune favours the brave and prepared. Which you obviously were !

[@russelltate3703]

It's his life and his story. Let him tell it!

[@TITANSofCNC]

Exactly

[@DGH12]

Well when you believe in God , you do not leave him out of anything . HE IS THE ONLY REASON WHY

[@matthewbarry376]

​@@TITANSofCNCLots of people have all their ducks in a row and are putting in effort in all the right places and don't succeed. Gotta have the Big Man onside.

[@johnsutton9939]

And who blessed him with those gifts?

[@justinmeyerr]

lol on "gods path" it has nothing to do with god. everyone gets through adversity.

[@alexloper3084]

If you would have asked me growing up if I believe in God I would have told you yes. But it wasn't until my first son was born in 2016 that I started walking the right path/living like it. I remember looking as him while he was in the hospital and thinking to myself. There is nothing he could do that I wouldn't forgive. A different love than I had ever experienced. I think that's the kind of love God has for us. So I agree with you we all get through adversity because he makes it possible. When I started walking the right path doors opened, like minded people entered, the shop was born (2017), and I have been given an amazing opportunity to help lift others. I love this trade and everyone in it. I wish you the absolute best brotha 🚀💯

[@justinmeyerr]

@@alexloper3084 hey if you believe it, it's true. Glad you have peace and purpose.