Looking to start a shop

[RMM]

I am looking to start a cutting shop. I am looking at a jaguar from parks and a water press system. I am looking to do custom cutting and masonry instalation. Anyone have any GOOD free advice?

[dustinbraudway]

My free advice. Do it if you have spare coin. Also join up and you can learn tons with hands on as well

[Curtis R. Marburger]

join the SFA and read everything on this fourm

who told you you need a water press system ?? and why would you buy one ?

[Dan R.]

The BEST advice i can offer: if you buy a Jaguar saw, I would suggest a a Water system from Alar. The Alar system is a wheel that will handle a larger vlolume of water with less maintenance than in press. the Jaguar saw has a larger blade than most (if not all) here use. Your comment on architectural work would mean a lot of limestone. With this combination of a big blade (lots f water) and the sludge from limestone an Alar system will serve you much better, IMO.

[RMM]

I'd eventually like to get a 2 axis wire saw as well and would like a system that would support that. There will deffinately be alot of limestone and sandstone. Is there a better, more affordable saw than the jag?

[Dan R.]

Not sure, I know that GMM and OMAG make bigger saws in that range.

[Nick]

Both of Dan's suggestions are excellent. The new OMAG Area saw in it's largest size would be ideal for that. If your Jaguar is north of $100K then it would be WELL worth looking into. They will literally build you a custom machine and their blade size capacity is awesome, their small saw swings a 900mm blade (36"). The software would be ridiculous for profiling and block, but your talking 5 axis CNC from a jaguar.......i am guessing any gmm offerings would also be cnc based as well. Affordable and best option rarely go together, you need the best value if you have the work and plan to grow. A saw like that places molding flexibility at a premium. The omag in those blade sizes will go 90* so you can make arch moldings, i don't know what you do, but I see making arches an important ability based on what you said. It would not be cool to have a 150k job on your desk with arches you cannot make....

You dont need a press either.

[jbergman]

Let me say from the start that I sell both GMM and Omag equipment as well as water systems. My guess is that Nick and Dan are correct, you probably do not need a recycling unit unless there are some unusual conditions. I will not say anything against Park, but for complex, multi interpolated axis work, GMM and Omag dominate the field. Both make rotary head machines and some with routing capabilities. You should be able to find used Park Jaguars, (they might be all you require), but not GMM or Omags. There you would have to go new. As for wire saws, by 2 axis do you mean just for positioning as in slabbing, or two interpolated axis for contouring? They are different machines.

There is a ton of help on this site. Give us a better idea of the type of work you have in mind, you may not need such sophisticated and pricey equipment. Feel free to give me a call. Believe it or not, I spent half of my time talking people out of spending money for things that they do not need.

John Bergman
Bergman-Blair Machine Corp
11895 North Lonely Trail
Prescott, AZ 86305
928-443-1100
516-381-6774 cell

[RMM]

I am looking to do pool copings, arches, custom fireplace surrounds, corbels, custom sills. My partner has bailed, so the budget has dropped considerably.

[Todd B]

I think you should forget stone and get some lights a warehouse and grow money. I hear in some states you can do it.

1st thing 1st.

Do you have a plan?
Do you know what its going to cost to produce xyz.?
Do you know what your waste factor is ?
Do you know how much bad debt is out there (I work on 1% which I'm told is very low)


Without know these and more questions which I'm sure others will chime in on. You can't just start a bis. Well you can if your a dumb ass Kiwi like me as that's what I did! But hell have I learnt!

Become a member. It's the best money I ever spent seriously!!!

[clhilde]

I think you should forget stone and get some lights a warehouse and grow money. I hear in some states you can do it.