First, Thank you so much for reaching out. We really do want to try and help. The short answers to the most common questions are:

  • We will take a quick look at most requests. If it's not a good fit no harm in asking.
  • Minimum job size is only $100.
  • CNC Milling time is $100 per hour. One simple sheet of plywood usually equals an hour, more complicated one take take two.
  • Email drawings or requests, can't hear the phone running machines. Not going to shut them all down to return a call.
Lead time for one-off tiny projects or machine runs is usually two to three days. Up tp two weeks for super large projects. We are working though the pandemic and are practicing professional distancing so in person meetings discouraged. If you don't want to put in any time needed to get things in order to get a free quote, or have a larger product that requires my I will gladly take care of this but may need to bill for the time. Contact Brian Williford with the concept or task request and I will give you a price for planning the project.

Since we are often very busy running equipment it is helpful to have some info ready when making a costing estimate request for a speedy response. Please be kind enough to provide the info below that might pertain to your project when emailing us. Typically respond more quickly when I the basic info provided. Review and supply what you can of the particulars below. The more info I have the closer to fixed bid I can provide.
Contact: Brian Williford: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Why does this page exists? Please understand we can not spend $300 worth of time estimating a $100 project. Yes This happens a couple of times a day. Not because people are disorganized but rather little info what is involved. It takes time to load your CAD file to calculate machine milling time. It takes time to walk you though specifics on materials and options. It takes time figuring out how much the product will weigh, how long it may take to package it or build a crate. It takes time to find out where the products is going, how far that is from me and what the shipping costs for that may be for that zone. Our goal here is to guide you through getting your ducks in a row so you can get a free quick quote on your potential project.

Basic Safety Guidelines:

  • We don't allow walk-ins. Customer intellectual property is often visible in the shop and needs be protected as we provide prototyping services.
  • Our fingers may be near a moving machine part(s). Getting distracted or startled can cause personal injury.
  • UPDATE - Given the Coronavirus pandemic severity we practice professional social distancing. Nobody comes into the shop but Brian so no in person consultations currently. You can still to drop off material on our loading dock for new projects.
  • Personal protection equipment encouraged. Learn more about our contactless material and product transfer here.

Basic Labor Rates Guides:

  • CNC Milling - Average $125 per sheet of 0.75" inch or greater stock (Lesser charge for higher volumes).
  • CNC Milling - Average $100 per sheet of 0.50" inch or less stock (Lesser charge for higher volumes).
  • $75 a Person Hour for traditional craftsman services.
  • Most our work is a fixed bid. Hourly rates are to show how we calculate theses costs.

Project File Guideline Pecking Order - Just do the best you can on this: File preparation info here

  • 3D Solid Model Files preferred: Autodesk Fusion 360, AutoCad or SolidWorks project files.
  • 3D Solid Model STEP files if you want to not share project files or have other 3D CAD software.
  • If No 3D than: DWG > DXF > SVG > or Adobe Illustrator files.
  • If we must go raster or no encapsulated measurement data then PDF > Image > or hand drawing to get the ball rolling.
  • If possible lay out your parts over the stock with a 1" space from edges and between parts. Need to clamp down the stock and material for the cutters. Example

Material Guides:

  • We don't pay warehouse space to store every kind of material imaginable. Sometimes we have scraps on had for MDF and plywood for smaller projects.
  • Suppliers blow so you can inquire about pricing, shipping to our shop and fleet services if needed. For simple projects use links to do rough material costing.
  • Be specific with material requests. Vagueness like "milled in plywood" is difficult as there is a hundred plus choices. Review our plywood basics page here for help.
  • MDF is fairly straight forward. Review our sheet stock basics page here. Standard MDF Lowes and Home Depot. ColorCore MDF try Interlam.
  • Plastic - Hundreds of choices but easy to figure out. Review our sheet stock basics page here or Acme Plastics.
  • Hardwood? Dozens of choices here. Review our hardwood basics page here for help.
  • Non-ferrous Metal BMG Metals or Online Metals for help.

Various Other Particulars:

  • We respect the well being of all and support social and professional distancing. If you have to do a hand off we wear a mask and ask you do the same. Super thanks.
  • CNC - $100 minimum to load a CAD file, create tool paths, clamp down stock, then mill. If you are using part of a sheet you can often fill up the sheet at same cost.
  • Is your project local to me and no shipping required? If not what is the destination shipping zip code?
  • When shipping material or dropping off we can provide instructions to our loading dock. Want us to create a BOM (Bill of Materials), we may need to charge for this.
  • The ability to keep our machines humming requires us to be in the shop. We rarely take field work. Occasionally we will do an install for a large shop based project.
  • Our shop is in Waynesboro Virginia but we live in Charlottesville VA. We can meet people in cVille to Staunton or along they way to grab material or drop off product.