Anybody else out there just super slow. I’m knocking on doors left and right not passing up any job. The work is just at a crawl here.
Hey Networking is key so check in if you want.
Middle Tennessee - Machine And Fab Shop
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Its been slow here for months. Do you still have your full job? Or have you gone out on your own?
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I still have my full time job and I’m pushing my cnc plasma business more too.
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Call me i have work
a plasma .062-.125 alum plate, laser etch,
cnc mill 3D
Full support cad/cnc
619-200-7203
So I’am looking for somebody near Pasadena CA. That is familiar with Fagor 8060 controller on a conventional mill to help me use the controller in conversation mode or help with Gcode I’am fairly new to cnc
Thanks
Bob 626-255-7648
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Well things just got really busy here thankfully. Has it picked up for you yet?
Nope its completely dead no work in sight.
fortunately both of our shops have plenty of work…scheduling jobs 3 to 4 weeks out; working 46-48 hour/weeks since January. Hired 2 more guys in March but all that did was bring in more work.
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@Tom-AMS
That’s great news wish we were like this.
So for the update my boss is quitting and the new Salesman/Manager coming in doesn’t want a Machine Shop. The work he will be going after will be for the other side of the business Fab and Electrical.
So I will be looking for a new job this couldn’t come at a worse time in my life, but hopefully something will come up.
Mike, sorry hear this new update.
In the past, I would have said this is a good time to start up your own shop (even if its in your backyard / garage). But with the incoming political crowd, I suspect it will become very “unfriendly” toward small start-ups and existing businesses. My best advise is to look outside the industry - even consider the fabrication side of things - I know from experience, a fab shop can benefit having a machinist on staff. I personally have 55 yrs as a machinist, but also still do a lot of welding & fabrication for companies that do dozer and backhoe work, and another that constructs metal buildings for leasing. Think way outside the box. A machinist friend of mine was laid off from Lockheed a couple yrs ago - he is good at talking with people, so he found a job making 100k yr & full benefits selling new Fords at a dealer in Dallas.
Wish you the absolute best in whatever direction you go…
Tom
@MikeJones86
Prayers for you and your family God will provide!
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I always had to hit the road with the tool box. There a are ALWAYS good jobs for a skilled machinist, Then as a programmer no toolbox, just get your warm body on cold seat get busy…,
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Been working in my home shop making odd little parts. But heard some good news about my current job but I’m still staying guarded. I have a few possibilities in front of me, and that’s all because the reputation I have kept over my career.
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Know what you are getting into… Maybe avoid any land mines. Small Business Statistics - October 2020 | 99firms
Machine Shop Growth and Income was much higher in the 2012-2016 than 2016-2020 according to Machine Shop Services in the US - Market Size | IBISWorld
Our Main Branch of this company in Ohio has been at 50-70 million growth in last 2 years. Im not worried about money. All the owner is asking is for us to cover the overhead for our location. We are doing pretty good far as I know. I’m not in those meetings and don’t get paid to either. I just know what I hear and what I have been told.
I’m going through a horrible divorce and now a single father of 3 boys. So I don’t need to be losing my job too.
Well update the CNC Machines VF2&4 and my lathe will be going up north. I will only be left with a Manual Mill and Lathe. I will only be making support parts for fab shop and be working in fab shop until I have parts to make.
At this point I have been told not to worry by a very reputable co-worker. Yet I know at my pay rate and only doing parts rarely. It won’t be long before I’m replaced by a young kid making half what I am an hour. Yea I can program everything in this shop even the Plasma and Water Jet on the Fab side. Plus I will run it 10 times faster than the kid they have, and be here everyday. So maybe that’s my spot, but I’m really going to miss making parts like I have for 11 years now.
I’m not sure what the future may hold but my boys are number 1 before my pride. Its in God’s hands. Maybe something happens and I can buy a small machine for my shop. never know
thanks for listening and responding to my rant.
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Well little update all cnc machining is gone. I’m down to a manual mill and lathe for the machining department. Yet I picked up the CNC Plasma, Waterjet, and new Accupress that I will be programming and running. The press is going to be a slight learning curve for sure. Of course the Supervisor’s son runs the Waterjet but has more Tig welding exp than me. But he won’t move his son, which won’t come in on days nothing is on the Waterjet to run.
But oh well I still get paid but this shop I think is on its last leg. Now what sucks is I’m a year into this company, and it feels like a waste. I have learned a few things, but I’m so tired of things ending like this. I’m trying to find somewhere I can put my time in and retire, or start my own shop which isn’t going to happen any time soon.
I hope 2021 brings the machining industry back up around here. Or its time to just ship since this place is going to Fab Shop now. Keep your heads up sorry for more rant but better to get off your chest.
Keep those spindle turning and making chips flying.
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@MikeJones86 hang in there your time will come. I have been battling a .670 -.674 X 1.26 deep hole for a few days one reamer cuts oversized and the other under so buying 2 more just for good measure. Tryed Boring it but inconsistent cant run fast enough or the mill starts shaking tool chips deflects just yucky lol.
In sure my trubbls may not help you. We are in this together.