u/Fantastic_Essay_5079

Hi there,

I've been a CNC Machinist (75% Milling - 25% Turning for oil&gas, aerospace, job shops) for the past 8 years and have always dreamed of opening my own shop.

Rather than directly competing with local shops from the start, I want to first build a financial cushion by buying a used CNC mill and machining simple work-holding kits (123 blocks, serrated clamps, step blocks, flange nuts, T-slot nuts etc...) and selling them under a brand name to fund more machines, and more advanced work-holding solutions (fixture plates, toe clamps, drop-in T-slot nuts, vise stops, soft jaws etc..). The idea is to start small, building a Canadian manufacturing brand that makes and sells commodity items every machine shop needs, then move towards premium work-holding products, and finally grow to the point where I have enough machines to run the work-holding business + bid and take on more specialized custom machining work (preferably aerospace)...

Assuming I already have my first machine, and the space + tools + power for it, my questions to you are:
- What do you think of this specific progressive business model idea ?
- What would be your advice for success for me?
- What do you foresee going right/wrong?
- Would you recommend a different starting point than commodity milling work-holding? - Can you think of any other high demand and simple to machine products to start with?
- How would you go about starting a CNC shop in 2026? - Alberta or Ontario for the best execution ?

PS: Not to be rude, but please refrain from commenting if you don't actually know what you're talking about. I'm looking for constructive input specifically on the business model from Veterans of the trade, with a good understanding of the Canadian Machining landscape as a whole.

Thanks ALL!!!

Hi there,

I've been a CNC Machinist (75% Milling - 25% Turning for oil&gas, aerospace, job shops) for the past 8 years and have always dreamed of opening my own shop.

Rather than directly competing with local shops from the start, I want to first build a financial cushion by buying a used CNC mill and machining simple work-holding kits (123 blocks, serrated clamps, step blocks, flange nuts, T-slot nuts etc...) and selling them under a brand name to fund more machines, and more advanced work-holding solutions (fixture plates, toe clamps, drop-in T-slot nuts, vise stops, soft jaws etc..). The idea is to start small, building a Canadian manufacturing brand that makes and sells commodity items every machine shop needs, then move towards premium work-holding products, and finally grow to the point where I have enough machines to run the work-holding business + bid and take on more specialized custom machining work (preferably aerospace)...

Assuming I already have my first machine, and the space + tools + power for it, my questions to you are:
- What do you think of this specific progressive business model idea ?
- What would be your advice for success for me?
- What do you foresee going right/wrong?
- Would you recommend a different starting point than commodity milling work-holding? - Can you think of any other high demand and simple to machine products to start with?
- How would you go about starting a CNC shop in 2026? - Alberta or Ontario for the best execution ?

PS: Not to be rude, but please refrain from commenting if you don't actually know what you're talking about. I'm looking for constructive input specifically on the business model from Veterans of the trade, with a good understanding of the Canadian Machining landscape as a whole.

Thanks ALL!!!

Hi there,

I've been a CNC Machinist (75% Milling - 25% Turning for oil&gas, aerospace, job shops) for the past 8 years and have always dreamed of opening my own shop.

Rather than directly competing with local shops from the start, I want to first build a financial cushion by buying a used CNC mill and machining simple work-holding kits (123 blocks, serrated clamps, step blocks, flange nuts, T-slot nuts etc...) and selling them under a brand name to fund more machines, and more advanced work-holding solutions (fixture plates, toe clamps, drop-in T-slot nuts, vise stops, soft jaws etc..). The idea is to start small, building a Canadian manufacturing brand that makes and sells commodity items every machine shop needs, then move towards premium work-holding products, and finally grow to the point where I have enough machines to run the work-holding business + bid and take on more specialized custom machining work (preferably aerospace)...

Assuming I already have my first machine, and the space + tools + power for it, my questions to you are:
- What do you think of this specific progressive business model idea ?
- What would be your advice for success for me?
- What do you foresee going right/wrong?
- Would you recommend a different starting point than commodity milling work-holding? - Can you think of any other high demand and simple to machine products to start with?
- How would you go about starting a CNC shop in 2026? - Alberta or Ontario for the best execution ?

PS: Not to be rude, but please refrain from commenting if you don't actually know what you're talking about. I'm looking for constructive input specifically on the business model from Veterans of the trade, with a good understanding of the Canadian Machining landscape as a whole.

Thanks ALL!!!

Hi there,

I've been a CNC Machinist (75% Milling - 25% Turning for oil&gas, aerospace, job shops) for the past 8 years and have always dreamed of opening my own shop.

Rather than directly competing with local shops from the start, I want to first build a financial cushion by buying a used CNC mill and machining simple work-holding kits (123 blocks, serrated clamps, step blocks, flange nuts, T-slot nuts etc...) and selling them under a brand name to fund more machines, and more advanced work-holding solutions (fixture plates, toe clamps, drop-in T-slot nuts, vise stops, soft jaws etc..). The idea is to start small, building a Canadian manufacturing brand that makes and sells commodity items every machine shop needs, then move towards premium work-holding products, and finally grow to the point where I have enough machines to run the work-holding business + bid and take on more specialized custom machining work (preferably aerospace)...

Assuming I already have my first machine, and the space + tools + power for it, my questions to you are:
- What do you think of this specific progressive business model idea ?
- What would be your advice for success for me?
- What do you foresee going right/wrong?
- Would you recommend a different starting point than commodity milling work-holding? - Can you think of any other high demand and simple to machine products to start with?
- How would you go about starting a CNC shop in 2026? - Alberta or Ontario for the best execution ?

PS: Not to be rude, but please refrain from commenting if you don't actually know what you're talking about. I'm looking for constructive input specifically on the business model from Veterans of the trade, with a good understanding of the Canadian Machining landscape as a whole.

Thanks ALL!!!