Starting A Machine Shop In 2025: High Level CNC Programmer Guide

[@makealready]

I’ve been watching every video of yours. You’re the reason i filed my LLC the other day and signed up for xometry… Waiting on stock to come in for the test part at the moment. Thanks for inspiring

[@AscendedTechnologies]

Thanks for the support! Good luck with growing your shop! What kinds of machines do you have?

[@Phiz787]

Wish I had you and your advice back in 2020. Would have saved me a lot of headaches!

[@fab_tastic7130]

If you’re starting out, it’s hard to beat haas financing, can be as low as 0 percent most of the time with a good down payment for the unit, by the time you factor in the 25 ish percent you’ll get charged in financing a syil plus the end buy out it ends up being a wash or cheaper for a haas similar sized. Syil is a great unit and I almost did that route myself! But lots of options out there to think about!

[@Kunkex]

Really nice video! Good luck with your company in 2025🙂

[@mpower1956]

Thanks, keep up the good work!

[@AscendedTechnologies]

Thanks, will do!

[@PavelPeikov]

Great Video! I was wondering if there are any good business models that start with much less expensive equipment that can help lead up to buying a professional machine?

[@shaunybonny688]

Beware of some sellers on bidspotter. Had one that would only allow one specific rigger to go into their facility. And guess what, that rigger wanted something crazy like $1500 to load a small old jig boring machine onto a trailer outside. 🤷‍♂️.

[@JATINKABURE]

What is the machine hour rate in your country

[@zacharyhunter6263]

I Like the video keep it up

[@qdp03]

Do you use your 4th axis rotary much?

[@AscendedTechnologies]

I'd love to, but I lack the proper workholding currently. I'm looking at getting a Zeropoint system in the next month or two. Then I'll be using it all the time!

[@adhawk5632]

Gotteswinter just did a vid on the Lang zero point system, and he uses the aeroa? System too, both look good👍👌🇦🇺

[@masonkubecka9163]

If you don’t mind me asking. Did you quit your day job yet? If so how long before you did?

[@AscendedTechnologies]

I quit my job Mid March 2024, Purchased my mill in Early April 2024. Then did 86k In sales the following 8 Months through Xometry. My past experiences made it super easy to pass the beginner part, Develop a QMS, and start producing. I did all this with $8,000 in my bank account.

[@Frankpeterson5467]

@@AscendedTechnologies Im a machinist/programmer at an aerospace company now. I want to do something on the side but don’t want to quit my job. I go back and forth everyday on if I should wait for my house to be paid for or just jump in now. But it would definitely have to start off on the side for me. And I’m not sure how the company I work for would like/allow that. The fact that you just up and quit is very admirable but I’m not that strong lol.

[@AscendedTechnologies]

@@Frankpeterson5467 The harsh reality is one oversight could mean losing your home with no backup income. I would recommend staying as the programmer and going in gradually. Define some smaller machines you like, find some on auction closeish to you, win a bid, get it home and set it up, Tinker and ramp up. I would recommend against starting with a $1,750 / month machine like I did. There are tons of good pieces on the market used that will do just fine at 1/5 - 1/10th the price. I niched out for a competitive edge. I do milling, heat treatment, and hard milling in the garage. (I love all machines tho!) This keeps me competitive because I can do rush lead times with heat treatment, Beating all other guys by 1-2 weeks. Good luck!

[@rogerfuentes7090]

Did u lease it or buy it

[@AscendedTechnologies]

I leased mine with a baloon buyout of 10%. The total payments are $67,636 for a $52,000 machine. ($1,726 / Month)