PLAN THE JOB. COUNT THE COST.
Resources for a more practical small CNC workflow.
Start with a simple cost check, then work through the setup questions below. This page brings together the available worksheet and a practical checklist for evaluating a project.
Free CNC Profit Quick-Check
A printable one-page worksheet covering selling price, direct costs, machine allowance, hands-on labor, and the amount remaining after those allowances.
Before you cut
Machine: Confirm usable travel, spindle clearance, stock thickness, and workholding.
Tooling: Match the cutter to the material and smallest design details. Check toolpath clearance and maximum depth.
Setup: Confirm units, work zero, safe retract height, and controller compatibility. Use settings appropriate to your equipment and material.
Before you price
Costs: Count stock, waste, hardware, finish, packaging, shipping paid by you, and selling/payment fees.
Time: Include design changes, customer messages, setup, finishing, packing, and machine time.
Reality check: Compare a one-off custom order with a realistic batch. Record actual results and revise your estimate.
Start small. Keep records.
Test one design, one material, and one selling price before expanding. Keep a short job log with the stock used, cutter, settings, machining time, finishing time, and rejects. That record is more useful than an optimistic estimate.
Need an idea to evaluate? Explore the Projects page.
More resources as the lab grows
Project plans and a more detailed profitability workbook are planned. They will be linked here when they are ready.