Replies

1. 
   craigmoe | Mar 25, 2004 08:45am | #1

   I don't know what you are planning to have built, but it sounds like it might be a product line that would require cutting / making multiple similar items (i.e. "manufacture").  If you don't find anyone here, you might want to also check the ShopBot forum, because there are numerous owners of these CNC routers that might be capable of helping you.  Since the ShopBot headquarters is in NC, there are probably plenty owners in your area.  Depending on the product design and quantity, other CNC shops might be a fit, but a ShopBot would probably be good at least for prototyping.

   The following link is the ShopBot site, which should give you an understanding of the capabilities of ShopBots (or CNC machines in general).  Click on the "Let's Talk ShopBot" link on this page to reach their forum.  If your product requires more hand / custom work, hopefully you will find help via this site.

   http://www.shopbottools.com

   Good Luck,

   Craig

2. 
   jackplane | Mar 25, 2004 04:56pm | #2

   What do you want manufactured?

3. 
   PlaneWood | Mar 25, 2004 05:03pm | #3

   You sound like one of those late night TV commercials.

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)
   PlaneWood

1. 
   jackplane | Mar 25, 2004 07:07pm | #4

   Yeah, sounds a little shady to me.

4. 
   Miami | Mar 26, 2004 05:37pm | #5

   Phil,

   You can certainly find such an outfit in Atlanta - should easily be able to find several to bid on the job in such a big city.

   Folks can be a lot more helpful in steering you where to look, though, if you can give us some idea what is required for construction.  CNC is ideal for some things, but useless (or at least vast overkill) for others, and even if you know this is a CNC-manufacturing-appropriate item, I don't know if I would start by going through a specific manufacturer - there appear to be enough good brands of CNC machines (and good operators) that I wouldn't limit it to any one at the outset.

   So, if you're concerned about keeping your idea a secret, you can still give us a notion of what will be necessary to manufacture it -

   Do you need to build and work the kinks out of prototypes with the manufacturer, or are you set in that regard?  If there is some flexibility, in how the woodworker accomplishes a broad design/goal you want, he may be able to suggest a small change in the item's design which could achieve for you a BIG savings in the cost of manufacture.  So, if you are flexible and/or have not worked through the prototypes yet, it'd be good to find someone who will think creatively with you in deciding how best to efficiently make the items, and what design may help accomplish that goal.

   Could you say roughly how many you expect to make in the first order? 

   And, as far as you can tell, manufacturing this item will be similar to

   1) building a wooden chair and/or table? 

   2) building a large entertainment center/armoire/'box'-type piece? 

   3) carving a name or image into surface(s) of a piece of wood, like a sign? 

   4)  making jewelry boxes with lots of little drawers and compartments?

   4) making complex shapes repeatedly - either a) smallish (say, from chess pieces/puzzles on up to 18" in longest dimension) or b) largish (say, from 18" up)

   5) something unlike any of these in construction, or some better analogy?

   Clay