Thanks Gshepherd, Jonathon and Loren. I knew I could count on my friends here to provide me some personal experience information. I prefer hearing from fellows like yourselves that have that first hand, or even second hand knowledge or experience to draw from. Otherwise I can read the specs online but it is good to read what others have to say about a particular machine / unit.
OK, so it likely would help our operation out, especially since we cut a ton of dados. In fact all of our cabinets are completely dado and all cabinet parts actually interlock together including the face frame. So we cut several dados.
Truth is, times for one reason or other has been tough on us since July. Jan to July was great but we slowed down beginning in July. I became buried in work so I worked very hard at catching up and meeting deadlines but neglected making any real contacts for future work. All of a sudden I found us low on work. Now I am doing all I can to keep us going. So selling a few things here and there has helped some, not much but some. I only paid 95.00 for this Panel Router and it is in amazingly great operational shape, minus the router of course. And so I listed it on CL to include my “like new condition” 3 1/2 hp Milwaukee for 1,200.00. We will just wait and see if it sells. I actually hate the idea of selling my Milwaukee because it is one of my favorites but it is also my most under utilized router in the shop.
I guess in the end, we are broke. Selling some things for profit is that one necessary evil that I must do. This said, I do enjoy buying and selling equipment so even during flush times I probably will still do a little buying and selling on the side.
Another disappointing fact. I have a customer I have been working with on the designing of an extensive custom cabinet job, not kitchen cabinets. A fair number of email exchanges, one face to face meeting, a few changes and finally a firm bid based on a solid design. The job would have been perfect and was sold at 12,000.00 and a planned 6,000.00 draw / deposit was to occur today. I was to meet with the customer after the auction when the customer called me and stated they have decided to wait just one more month. They indicated they would still do the project and were still very excited but wanted just one more month to build up a few more funds for the job. Very understandable, but it is still tough to swallow. I had only spent 130.00 at the auction and was very thankful that I did not spend any more then that after finding out my one good job fell through for another month.
I am not a very emotional person, but I wanted to just cry on my way home. It was very tough… I sort of hit a low spot today, I went straight to the shop where my wife and 4 year old daughter was at, I closed the shop down and took my family home.
On a positive note: My phone rings continually. I even got a phone call this afternoon requesting doors and drawer faces. Tomorrow I meet with a lady on bid for two large custom cabinet jobs. One of her jobs is for the entire home to include an outdoor kitchen. So really the phone ringing and providing bids is not the issue, obtaining a commitment is the problem. We did do a small one day job this week that paid good, I charged 1,500.00 for the job with about 150.00 in material and very minimal labor and we sold one of our 3 horses for 500.00 on Monday. So we are getting by.
I probably should not be opening up like this on a public format, who knows. I do find writing to be somewhat theraputic at times, even if it goes un read and without response.
Well to all a great night :)
-- Jerry Nettrour, San Antonio, www.topqualitycabinets.net
