Why I do it
Why do you do what you do? A much harder question to answer than it appears.
What motivates a person to stick with a small business for thirty-plus years. The gut-wrenching downturns in the economy. The lack of a steady paycheck. The frustrations of meeting or exceeding customer expectations only to have the customer disappear. The seeming lack of understanding in today's world that some things are done for the love of doing and less for monetary gain.
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My Answers in no particular order
•I challenge myself every day to do every job better than the last.
•My satisfaction in being able to count on one hand the number of customers in thirty-plus years who were not initially satisfied.
•Zero customers who were not satisfied in the past ten to fifteen years.
•I love the process from start to finish of making products. •Having an understanding of all aspects of a business.
•I love to learn new things.
•I love to learn from people who have visited our shop.
•The satisfaction in knowing I have met or exceeded customer expectations.
•Getting to see and learn and do things that most workers never get to.
And finally the loving every minute of the following
CNC Machining
Purchasing decision-maker on cnc equipment
Programing 2D and 3D cnc toolpaths using Vectric VCarve Pro and Mecsoft Visual Mill software
Operating ShopBot PR4896 cnc router, ShopBot Buddy 2432 cnc router
Operating Multicam 3000 series 3 axis router with tool changer
Materials machined - plastics, wood, plywood, high-density foam
3D Printing
Purchasing decision-maker,on 3D printer
Programming 3D printing processes using Simplify 3D
Operating MakerGear M2 fused filament deposition 3D printer
Laser Cutting and Marking
Purchasing decision-maker on laser engraver
Operating Epilog Mini 18 CO2 laser 12"x18" laser
Laser marking of coated metals, plastic, wood
Laser cutting of plastic, rubber, wood, paper, fabric
Computer
Purchasing decision-maker on computer software
2D drafting with DesignCad software
3D modeling with assemblies using Solid Edge, Alibre, Geomagic Design software
Literature design with Corel Draw, Photo Shop
Web design using Yahoo Sitebuilder, Wix online website builder
Basic computer networking and other computer problem troubleshooting
Vacuum Form Plastics
Purchasing decision-maker on vacuum forming machine
CNC design and mold making
Vacuum forming of small parts
Final trimming of parts manually and by cnc
Office Furnishings
Machining and assembly of hardwood and veneered furniture
Sanding, staining and topcoat finishing
Composite Aircraft Cabinetry
Machining of composites.
Edge potting of composites.
Use of epoxy adhesives.
Use of panel pins in construction.
Use of structural inserts in construction.
Laminating and veneering of cabinetry.
High gloss top coating of cabinetry including spraying and polishing.
Use of catalyzed topcoats.
