CNC Router

[Goody]

After 32 years of working in industry I have decided to start down a path to give it up. Companys use their employees up and when they slow down they throw them away. After a nasty knee accident and a total knee replacement, my other knee is killing me from becoming dependent on it, a torn rotator cuff in both shoulders, I am about to lose another job. I have lost part of the retirements that I was planning on as companies have sold out and closed. I can get what I put in my 401K but what was invested I have lost. Health Insurance benifits are being cut and approching what I have been qouted what I can get on my own.

So I have decided at the worn out age of 52, I am going to invest in myself. I teach robotic machine and motor control for the electric leauge of Maryland. I am not college trained and most companies want a degree now a days and they wont accept one from BKU(busted knuckle university). I have degreed engineers in my class that tell me they wish they had the real world experince that I have aquired over the years. Instead of punching a time card and working for companys that don't care about thier people, Anna and I are going to bite the bullet tighten the belt learn to live on less(Workers Comp has already seen to that) and sometime this year go into our folkart bussiness full time.

As most of you that follow this board know I built a roughout machine a few years back. Well I think alot when I am carving, and as I was getting thru the busy santa season I got to ponder a lot. The thoughts of a CNC Router started rolling around in there and I decided to build one. My design so far will route out 20" by an Infinite legnth by around 2.5" thick. In the begining I will probably rough out relief carvings and raised lettering. As time goes by and I get better at the programming end it should be able to do anything I can put on the computer screen as vector graphics.

So far I bought everything I need. I havent decided on a cutter head yet, but I have enough equipment to start the build. So far I have about $500 in the parts. I am currently drawing the plans in a cad program and am going to start fabrication sometime this month. I wil post the machines progress as I go.
Stay Tuned,
Goody

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I wish you the best Goody, and guess we know there is no such thing as security in a job anymore........

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

I think you've just discovered the true American Way. Self reliance and independence! Go gettum'! You're gonna be a success! We need more of you! In Texas we say Yee Haw! (don't ask me how to spell it, I'm illiterate).

[kb2rocket]

Im with you on this one
you know the comic Dilbert?
it is universaly funny because it is universaly true employees are tools to be used until they are broken then replaced with a new tool at a lower price and the cycle goes on
but the good thing about it is you punch out at the end of the shift and you dont have to worry about the business.
I once saw a chart that showed that the earlyer you retire the longer you live
LIFE is a real balancing act

[AlArchie]

Goody, here's a toast to new horizons! May yours always lead to success!


Al

[Just Carving]

Goody,

Congratulations to you and your wife on taking that first brave step! I am sure it was a trying and difficult one for you.

I am 47 years old and I have been thinking about what the future might hold for me. I am secure for now in doing CAD, but I have been doing drafting for over 25 years, and of that, CAD for at least 10--probably closer to 15 years. But like many others, I wonder if I want to continue doing this work, and if I can--hands and eyes do take a beating in the computer industry. I also am thinking if and what I could do that would be more interesting--like maybe carving or toolmaking, and profitable enough to provide a comforatble living, too.So for now, I am searching for my niche and then I will cross that bridge to what I hope will be a happy success.

I wish you much good fortune. I'll be rooting for you and watching for how the CNC router turns out.

[wade clark]

Bravo!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go for it, my friend!!!!!!!!!!!!You are right, the only chance for true success and freedom is to build your own business, you're own future! 401K's will fail you! Let your employers invest your dollars and some .................................off the soap box. I certainly wish you the very best in your new found freedom! Goody, You are such good Folks, and so generous to all of us ( my Santa figurine sits in front of me waiting, begging for more detail and finishing) , that if you'll let me know what you'd normally get for such a c o o l ROUGH-OUT and I'll send it, in honor of your independence and freedom!
I'm very proud of you. Your independence is why America is the best place in the world!
By the way, I auctioned off a CNC machine, cost new over $100,000 and sold for $15,000 to someone in Portugal...watch machine shop auctions and you'll find one for very cheap!
You are going to do great! And at what you love to do best!
Wade

[squbrigg]

My congratulations to you Goody, and best wishes for your success. Doing what you enjoy and have a passion for, will make you a much happier man.

You are exactly right about businesses using people, they don't care in the least, may God rot their socks and their stocks.

Bob

[JimmyB]

Go for it Gordy. Many times people get stuck in the 8-5 rush and never get to do the things in life that they really enjoy. Self employment is what you make of it. You will put in a lot more effort and receive much more in satisfaction working for yourself. It can be really tough in the beginning financially, but in the long run it brings into prospective what is a necessity and what is not. Been down that same road (sort of still in the slow lane) but still things are improving year after year. Wish you the best of luck. Looking forward to watching your progression.
Jimmy B.

[Bandaid]

All the best for the future Goody.

Reg