Hi Scott! long time since I tormented you folks! on the first meet, it was my first week @ Wally Werld,and I’m on the 3rd shift, and too exhausted to make the trip.All I need is the map- looks like I’ll need to bring a mop with for all my droolin’ which would ensue!most likely, I would need to depart @ 2030 for work arrival, as my wknds are mid week.
Let’s keep moving the meeting spots around so someday I won’t have to drive 70 miles each time:)
I’ll go wherever we meet.
I’ll bring the 5th Gen. Replicator. The new smart extruder has replaced the previous version. A whole design. Which reminds me. If you know anybody who is having problems with their 5th Gen’s. Have them connect with me. MakerBot, is putting in hard time to make right their blunder. Or if there’s questions regarding their 5th Gen, respond and I’ll help point you to the proper channels.
At some point I would like to hear whether people are actually making any money doing 3D printing as a service and if so what are some guiding principles or lessons learned on how to set up shop.
I don’t know about others here but I don’t have a 3D printer to make money, I have a 3D printer that sometimes allows me to make some money on the side. I’ve made a few bucks from printing parts for others but its not something that I could do for a living nor do I expect it will be in the future. I think 3D printers are great for internal uses but as a money making venture I don’t know that the numbers add up.
Webdivas, I think Scott is spot on. Sellers such as Redbrick and 3DPRINTINGMINNESOTA are in a market that is still in it’s infancy; it’s turbulent, unrefined and target markets are tweaked frequently. It’s fungible.
Thus far, I never recommend to any prospective customer that purchasing a machine for making money should be a serious consideration. Unless your at the Stratasys or 3D Systems level, you don’t buy a machine to “make money.”
Most of the companies (including independents like we here) offering custom, remote and design services have yet proven themselves as profitable. The question of folks making money using brokerages such as 3D Hubs is a phenomena early in the game and too soon to judge viability. No body here is making a living using brokering services. I highly doubt even My-Mini-Factory has turned a profit, even a small one. I’m signed up with other brokerages but any money I’ve made of custom printing wouldn’t reach a hundred bucks (but custom printing is not my focus anyway. That’s I hope to call you for, down the road).
If anyone’s making house payments off 3dprinting profits they are rare and usually are creating highly specialize products - maybe artists selling stuff through Shapeways - maybe. The concept is good and a business model commonly used out there in “the market.” I believe 3D HUBS will work - in time.
Following on your questions about setting up shop beware. There are some “how to make money from 3D printing” jazz from organizations and “professionals.” If you believe or think Real Estate investing infomercials are credible, you’ll fall into that trap as well. Go ahead and learn about them - maybe find a nugget or two of decent information - but the moment they ask for your money to “take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” run. Forget them.
Get a 3D printer for expanding or enabling or bringing your genius ideas to the world. Have fun. Hang around cool people like ourselves;)
Let people like myself and other seller’s take the risk of running negative cash-flow statements.
When services like this mature, your already in a good spot.
I’ve paid for my Makerbot 2X almost twice over already on 1.5 years of ownership. A bunch of the parts I make are for use at my workplace where I know of the demand before buying the machine. But for the most part is a hobby business. So far I’ve gotten excellent service from Makerbot with 3 items being shipped at no cost! Maybe it helps that I buy material from there rather than other places.
Sorry for the lack of updates, I’ve been a bit busy myself (the whole baby on the way thing ). I will try to have finalized details for everyone by the end of the week.
