So I have been kicking around the idea of starting to do some Contract Programming on the side to help build up money for starting my own Machine Shop. I was wondering if any one could give me any information on steps to take to get started.
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Check into self employment tax. save 20% of earnings to pat it. get a good accountant.
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if you are writing programs on a contract basis you will need at least a million dollars of liability insurance if the client’s machine crashes he will sue the snot out of you .
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Ok guys well if your needing any help let me know.
3D Modeling
Part Print
Programming
Post Processor Help
Fixturing Layout
Multiple Part Layout
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i about died laughing about the million dollar liability if the shop owners machine crashes.
if you’re confident in your ability go for it.
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I’m definitely confident in my abilities and I have wrote a few programs for some companies. Everything has been good and I learn more as it goes on. I make sure to give all details that I can to make it a smooth transition and that they are happy with the result.
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If you have a business and deal with customers, I do recommend strongly that you have at least a million dollar umbrella policy that covers liability, vehicles, etc. Unfortunately, we live in a time when suing someone is way too common.
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I agree with the policy and times have changed. Yet I make it known that I’m a single individual that is helping them. Yes I’m offering my services to help you out of a bind or to get you making money. Although I also give them detail instructions of the steps to take, and that you shouldn’t run any program without stepping through it in a dry run simulation 1st.
Which should be the practice anyways but not the case when I write the program at my normal job. I step in my first tool and keep an eye on it while writing more programs. I’m here to keep the spindle turning and earning. I just make it easy for anyone to understand and offer my expertise to help them through the process if needed. Plus on programs I do put a disclaimer clause in there explaining this and double covering my rear.
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Well a little update a guy I work with at my normal daily grind job haha. Has been talking to me and seen some of the Contract programming work I have been doing on the side. Randomly one day talking about a Haas HMC I found for a great price. Somehow got us to talking and we got over to CNC Plasma machines.
Now we are looking at CNC Plasma machines to start off a little business adventure as a test and Phase 1 as we are calling this. Going to have a Contract drawn up for this, but I have received a lot of feedback. Some have been one off custom parts, some prototyping, and 2 guys with some production runs. So, it has really drawn up more interest and getting more serious day by day.
So we will offer product with better precision from a stand point that both of us have been in the machining trade and have a better understanding of what needs to go into a part than just cut it, ship it. I have been in Machinist/Programmer working in job Shop for 10 years, and now moving into Tool & Die, and he has been a Quality Tech for 20 plus years.
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So my plasma cutter came in yesterday and the CNC table should be here today or tomorrow. Got to pick up all the wire, breakers, and plugs we are gonna have to run Friday. Then build the table and start on some test cuts Saturday to dial the machine in. Also, got a nice brand new Rigid Floor Drill Press for an amazing price, and it was still in the plastic never used. Today going to look at a Brake Press, and Hydraulic Press.
Still working on designs, Company name, logo, and that list grows and shrinks by the day lol.
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@MikeJones86, a cautionary note, even though you may have great communication with your customer about do’s and don’ts, where the umbrella liability comes into play is when your customer gets sued and they name or include you in the lawsuit.
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Liability Insurance is not that expensive and a great way to protect yourself and your assets.
1 typo… 1 slip up… unless you have Vericut and full G-code machine simulation and can be 100% confident you never know…