Machine Shop Resource

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How do you get business for a start up machine shop? I am wanting to start a small machine shop and was wondering if anyone had any valuable tips for getting new business for the machine shop and tips on how to run a small machine shop?

Hayseedless replied: "I'll assume you have experience from other shops so you can model daily goings on after them. I'll be brief...check these websites: Start with a business plan; also check these valuable websites...www.sba.gov and"

What is a good machine shop in Northwest Indiana to rebuild an engine? I have a 1974 Saab Sonett and am looking for a machine shop in Northwest Indiana or Chicago area to get new valves, valve seats and bronze guides put into the engine so it can run on unleaded fuel. I am looking for some place that is not too expensive and people have had good service with. Thanks!

Larry replied: "KAILY'S OR RIDGE, MAYBE EVEN ACTION MACHINE SHOP, SHAKER,TO NAME A FEW. HOPE THIS HELPS?"

How to find a customer for a CNC machine shop? I own a small, but advanced CNC machine shop. I am doing good, but I would like to expand. My ideal cutomer would be a small or medium sized aerospace or machinebuilding company. Do I call purchasing there and ask for an appointment? What is a proper way here?

Waleed M replied: "Try to find buyers at Wish you good luck :) Best regards Waleed Mohamed Professional Arabic Translation Services"

platinium replied: "Of course you call them. It is legal. Some gurus advice to call directly the management as they can make the 'yes' decision right away; some other advice to start from shop floor workers and to make your way up to management, but all means are good. There is no proper way of making an appointment. Just be sure that you are ready with your presentation - technology that you use, methods of work, successful projects, etc - and keep calling. Good Luck"

How to buy used CNC equipment for start up machine shop? Trying to start a machine shop looking for tips on buying equipment

jdkilp replied: "Try these sites ... "

How can I start my own machine shop? OK so if you don't know what a machinist is then please ask for clarfication before giving me an answer that will just be a waste of time. My objective is to start a small shop as quickly as possible for as little money as possible.

michael replied: "you may have to give a nice discount price at first... its better to be known for a while, then ppl give good referrals to their pals...get (or use your) good multipurpose, industrial quality machine or two and set up shop somewhere amongst auto businesses or quick lubes ... wheel shops, etc...are you looking auto only (or also gunsmithing, etc) ? Advertise locally, and in big city papers of surrounding area... none of this is really CHEAP... you could also try out of your home/garage if you want REAL chep... less business but less risk too"

NC replied: "Quickly and inexpensively are mutually exclusive conditions. If you want to open the shop quickly, the easiest way to do it is to buy one at a premium. Give the current owner enough money, and he'll walk away immediately. If you want to open the shop on the cheap, you need to stalk the target for a while. Find a shop that is losing money and start negotiating, but insist that you are in no hurry and you are considering other acquisitions, so if the seller wants to deal, the price has to be right..."

Before taking my BMW head to a machine shop do I remove the rocker arms & cam? I'm trying to find out the normal procedure of taking the head to a machine shop.

gailforce_wind replied: "It depends on the service you're requesting. If you are having the cam checked and its bearings replaced, no. If you are only machining the head you can remove the valvetrain. Assuming you are having a complete valve job done, have the machine shop verify the camshaft is still within tolerance. Plus they can do a bang up job of adjustment on the rockers/lifters, too."

Star replied: "You need special BMW tools. There's a tool called 'Camshaft Holding Tool/Fixture' it includes (2) blocks (1) swivel lock and (1) flywheel locking pin. You can get it off pelicanparts.com for unfortunately about $150. Not sure about the rocker arms."

DeSaxe replied: "Most machine shops that deal with BMW heads will do this for you. I would have everything done, tested, plained, new valve guides etc. It is not that much more, and if there is a problem with the head better to find out then than to put it all back together and then find the crack."

george.m replied: "Why you want to skim your head.Is it bent,or valves leaking etc. my best advise is,you get a 2nd hand complete head and fit it. If you cannot find,then keep your machining as last resort. you will find many teething problems after machining BMW head. take care."

Sang K replied: "Yes - if you know what you are doing. no otherwise. Some machine shops give you discount if you are willing to disassemble everything. I would do it for M30 and M20 engines. Most modern engines require a holding device. All valve springs must be compressed in the same time otherwise your camshaft would come out in pieces. So if you don't know what you are doing, leave it up to the machine shop."

I have a small block 406 I want to build and I need a good machine shop.? If you live in GA in the cities of Athens, Covington and Conyers or near them do you know any good machine shops that build and do good engine work, if so can you give me the shop names. I live in the city of Madison, Morgan county Georgia.

stush30@verizon.net replied: "Check with any auto/truck repair shop (new car dealers included) and ask who they use when they can't do their own machine repairs."

What is the best cnc machine shop work in portland? i have 2 years experience and am just tired of my shop. does any one know of some good shops to work for

pplsag replied: "Try Advanced Machinery Resources, Inc. Located in Vancouver, WA. Tel: 503-221-8741 Ask For Jerry Kohler. Web Site: Email: They use ATRUMP Machines, with Centroid CNC Controls. Very good machines and controllers."

kzajko replied: "I don't know any machine shops in Portland. But you can post your resume here: "

How to Orginize orders for a Machine shop on computer? My mother is about to buy a machine shop with her husband, hes a welder and knows every thing about all these tools. Well they want to me work in it, but I gues Im going to be the mechanic. What programd do I use, so when I take orders, on peopels stuff. How to put i there phone numbers, what they want, every ttime thev been there. Stuff like that? Anyone know? Will Microsoft word work? and save it under their phone numbers, and then search it?

batwanda replied: "There are a few ways, mine is not the best, but we keep every order in excel. We have an online shop. However you can get a contact software like ACT! it will keep track of the jobs, and the orders and who is who. It also will integrate with outlook. I would recommend first, decide what you want the software to do, and look for that. If you must do the accountintg also, quick books is good, but hard. good luck"

Nikos P replied: "It is true that ACT! is a very good piece of software. But it costs much. They can use microsoft Excel for basic stuff. Then for more advanced usage I recommend microsoft Access (if someone knows from databases). ms Outlook also will do the job as it has contacts calendar tasks. ms Word though is the worst thing they can do. Also they can use OpenOffice which is open source and free software. The openoffice calc for example is like excel. Or openoffice Base like Access. So without spending a fortune they can organize their business very good. Although if they can afford Act! they should buy it. It will be very helpful."

How much does it usually cost at the machine shop to rebuild an engine? What is the average price a rebuild for a chevy 350 would cost for machining?

explosiveone75 replied: "maching i paid 300 to have my 350 machined but to rebuild the whole motor around 1700 give or take depending on who rebuilds it and what parts u have installed on it..."