Can You Build a SUCCESSFUL Business with a Single Tool?

28 Replies to “Can You Build a SUCCESSFUL Business with a Single Tool?”

1. all you cut was wood as if you weren't able to cut any other thing… shitty ad really

2. I added one of the K40 iterations to my holster / sheath shop. I was hesistant and bought it for the wrong reasons – but it turned out to be a great addition.

   I use it for jigs and to cut leather pieces for "standardized" items.

3. To get started learning this stuff, you can also use a regular printer. It's an extremely precise machine, just with a limitation on the material.

   You can then glue or tape the piece of paper to cardboard and cut out pieces with a utility/hobby/carpet knife, and see it you made something that works. If you use cardboard, you can also incorporate folding into the design. You can also use MDF or plywood and cut pieces out with hand or power tools. Try making fun shapes, boxes, things to fill a gap, spacers, prototypes. Make cardboard pieces to check if your ideas fit your projects before using up your actual materials.

   A drill bit holder is a a relatively simple project idea. Draw circles matching the sizes of drill bits you have, and include a mark in the center for drilling. Then space those out in a way that you think might make sense. You can then use the drill bit larger than the one you want to place in the hole, to drill it. Repeat for all holes. You will notice that the holes ended up either too close or too far apart, so you can now refine your project. Add more things to insert and measure their placement in the real world, then transfer them to the digital design. Use a piece of scrap wood, and flip it over when you mess up.

   You can also make templates or drill guides using a regular printer. Print out markings on a grid with the correct spacing. I made an 8×8 millimetre grid for myself. Glue/tape the grid to a piece of MDF or plywood, mark the holes and drill through with a small drill bit. You can now use this template to mark holes with 8 mm, 16 mm, 24 mm, 32 mm, etc spacing for any project you are doing, including dowels for furniture.

4. can it handle metal?

5. And people complain about the Festool Domino being expensive….????
   Sure, these machines are awesome, but most of us haven't got 13.000 dollars to spare to spend on a laser machine, even if it pays for itself if you are a clever entrepeneur.
   Maybe it's me, but this video seems a bit out of touch with the regular audience here on ILTMS…????

6. I definitely bought my $7000 laser before I had the bulk of my designs ready. Now I think we have the designs ready and we are ready to get the shop started

7. I currently have a 5W laser engraver and I have a 20W laser engraver/cutter on order. I'm looking forward to finally being able to cut thicker material!

8. I have glowforge and then upgraded to Mira. It's not easy to sell anything these day. Paying off will be a few year for me.

9. What do you suggest as a small home business, since I don't have a shop but I would like to start a business using a laser cutting machine? Also what's the noise level for these kind of machines

10. It's also good to assess the needs of your projects. I bought a SculpFun 10 Watt laser. It can do the things I need, but it's super slow. I also think a cnc would have been better for the projects I had in mind.

11. This is an unusually biased video from ILTMS, which is a bit disappointing. I have a laser in my shop, so am firmly in the laser camp, but your example of a MDF book nook could easily be produced on a significantly cheaper diode laser, yes it will be slower to cut, but it won't cost anywhere near $13k. I also see the massive number of comments from noob laser users who cannot get their heads around Lightburn or the proprietary software that comes with their laser, so yes if you are fluent in cad software then lightburn is simple to use, if not then you have a steep learning curve, in fact the learning curve of the laser and software is nothing like any other tool you will have in your shop, can it work, yup, can it pay for itself, yup mine did in 3 months, but I didn't spend $13k to get of the ground,

12. loved the Parks and Rec reference

13. This is interesting.

14. My guy. Your next task is to build a laser cutter. Look into further fabrication.

15. I normally like your content but this felt like a hard sales pitch for a $13,000 giant laser cube. It was a 14+ minute advertisement. Thumbs down.

16. Avoid the Glowforge imo. I bought one and ultimately sent it back for a partial refund. For what you pay for the machine, you could get a far more capable machine from, for example, Full Spectrum Laser, maybe for relatively little more money. The software you're locked into on the Glowforge is very basic, and the build of the machine is not rigid at all so if it's not on a perfectly level surface, you will very frequently find that material doesn't get cut all the way through. The Glowforge is an underpowered, overpriced machine with a highly effective marketing campaign.

    In the meantime, I haven't got a laser yet but ended up going for a CNC instead. I built a PrintNC for ~$2,000 and a lot of work and learning, which can cut a bit over half a sheet of plywood at a time and can easily cut aluminum at a good speed. I will eventually get a laser, but for me a CNC was the right choice for the kinds of things I want to do.

17. I wouldn't say that everyone would have the same result in terms of profit. If you're an uncreative person who just piggybacks on the current trend you would need to reduce pricing to move product. That could still make you money but you would make more with an unconventional idea for a time before the previous uncreative guy hops on board and undercuts your pricing. It's really still a crap shoot if you're going to make the cost back on an investment like this.

18. even if you dont use it to specifically make something it can be used to make templates for normal woodworking

19. There's a whole other aspect that you didn't mention. For normal woodworking, you can make templates and router jigs way quicker and more accurately with a laser, then bring them into the woodshop with your more traditional tools and do alot more. It doesn't have to just replace your traditional woodworking, which I think is what turns alot of people off from considering a laser. I've even used it just for layout. Engrave all the lines you want to cut on a piece, especially when it's too thick for the laser to cut, and then cut it with a saw or other tools. This can also be really good for teaching people woodworking as they have nice straight lines to cut to and spots to drill with minimal effort on your part and less risk of mistakes in layout on their part

20. I bought my Glowforge after seeing bobs and Adam savage’s review videos, got bobs referral code to shimmy him some money overand I haven’t looked back , lasers are great , just learn how to use them and they’ll work just fine

21. I am a man of many words when it comes to commenting. I will just say…fascinating. (sorry for the Star Trek reference)

22. Must be nice to receive free stuff

23. I’ve worked on those laser…. Be very CAREFUL the beam is not FORGIVING to humans. Also the lens get clouded by the vaporized material.

24. Customation! ???? Love it ILTMS team!!

25. One major aspect you kind of skipped over…size of the machine. No chance I could fit any of the machines you showed in my shop.

26. I have an inexpensive 40w laser. It’s nice to have. I’d love to invest in a big one someday

27. A lot of areas have maker spaces. Go to one. Ask them to show you the laser. You have a place to prototype and get training and advice before you make the investment

28. Good video. Great information. I have a 20watt laser and also use Light Burn. I have been really impressed with what you can do.

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