Starting a small business with a milling machine and a MIG welder

Posted by SharonEvans on May 10th, 2013

 A small machine shop business can do general metal repair work or it can design prototype pieces for special orders. As the owner you decide what type of work you want to do and then figure out a way to get customers through your door. In order to build your clientele you need to do quality work; to do that, you need a good set of machine shop tools and equipment, like a MIG welder and a milling machine.

First of all you have to create a business plan in which you set clear goals and objectives for your machine shop. Detail your capital outlay for the building and the MIG welder, milling machine and all the other machine shop tools and equipment. Outline how you plan to finance the operation, as well as how you plan to repay any loans. You will have to project how much the initial startup costs are, but also how soon you may expect to see a return on your investment. A very good idea is to compare similar machine shops for sale and their annual sales to give you some figures on which to base your estimates.

You want to be sure you obtain a clean building for your machine shop; this will enable you to create a cleaner product and it is also a requirement for some metals, such as aluminum, that you might be working on. You will have to apply for a business name and for local building permits that you need to operate the shop.

The most important part is yet to come; you have to purchase your machine shop tools. Depending on the type of work you plan to do, you may get by with the basic large equipment, such as lathes, a milling machine and a MIG welder. You also need work tables, portable hand tools and equipment to lift and move heavy work. If you plan to do high-tech, you need to purchase a computer numerical control, or CNC, machine. To help keep an organized shop, include equipment and material storage lockers on your wish list! You can find an affordable milling machine or a MIG welder in any specialized online shop and, if you hurry, you will surely get some good promotions too.

Last but not least, you will have to advertise your new machine shop! Make use of print and broadcast media; they are the main tools to spread the news about the new business in town. You can also consult a web designer to create a website for your business! And don’t forget that existing friendships and business connections can be valuable assets. Whether having friends steer clients in your direction, enter into partnerships, or simply provide advice on business practices, relying on your current connections can give you a useful leg-up.

Don’t you think it’s about time to go after what you’ve always wanted? Purchasing a good milling machine and a powerful Mig welder can be your first step into starting your own small machine shop business.