Let's talk about starting a business and making a living in car audio.

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

So I'm shopping for a table saw and thought I struck gold at Sears when I found a 250 dollar craftsman contractor saw with a 24 inch left and right rip width. I didn't jump the gun and came home to do some research and now I'm a bit disappointed. I'm left feeling like I need a 1300 dollar cabinet saw to get quality cuts? Is it worth using a portable contractor saw for under 500 dollars or keep clamping straight edges and using my circular saw until I can get a full shop and cabinet saw?
http://m.craftsman.com/craftsman-10inch-table-saw-with-laser-trac-reg-21807/p-00921807000P

The issue is the way the rip fence is designed. I can probably get great cuts if I measure for parallel to the blade before every single cut. I guess these saws are more for jobs where speed is more important that accuracy.

You really need at the bare minimum, a proper saw if you plan to turn this into a business. Those mickey mouse saws are good for doing cedar shingles, exterior trim, and other rough projects where inconsistencies can be manged after the fact with caulking and paint. Not to say you can't make good boxes without, but the time savings with the right tools is going to be the difference between you not working for 4$ an hour.

 

[Savackz]

I know my buddy locally just works out of garage and does some quality work and he made his own table saw along with a router table and anything he needed for a fraction of the cost that a table saw usually needed. For the table, he just used a whole sheet of mdf wood so he can cut anything that he needs because it will always fit on the table. And the router is always adjustable and works great. Always an idea to save some money and customize it.

 

[ciaonzo 5,000+ posts]

My wife could work the front counter...

Pics of wife working the counter?
Kidding

 

[CSCStang]

So I'm shopping for a table saw and thought I struck gold at Sears when I found a 250 dollar craftsman contractor saw with a 24 inch left and right rip width. I didn't jump the gun and came home to do some research and now I'm a bit disappointed. I'm left feeling like I need a 1300 dollar cabinet saw to get quality cuts? Is it worth using a portable contractor saw for under 500 dollars or keep clamping straight edges and using my circular saw until I can get a full shop and cabinet saw?
http://m.craftsman.com/craftsman-10inch-table-saw-with-laser-trac-reg-21807/p-00921807000P

The issue is the way the rip fence is designed. I can probably get great cuts if I measure for parallel to the blade before every single cut. I guess these saws are more for jobs where speed is more important that accuracy.

I have the "1300.00" Craftsman table saw.....paid about 900.00 for it new........25 years ago. Don't know about newer tools from them as far as build quality, but yeah mine has more than paid for itself at least 10x over. Still going very strong and I still get very square cuts every time. I did have to replace the motor, after rebuilding it a few times, only once about a month ago.

 

[CSCStang]

Pics of wife working the counter?
Kidding

Lol //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[germanyt 10+ year member]

So this is about the most I'm willing to spend at the moment.

Can get it for 450 at Sears.

http://m.craftsman.com/details/guest/00921833000P?sid=IDxCMDFx20140801x001

Biggest issue is I don't have a shop. I work in a gravel driveway. And this thing weighs 300 lbs. I did play with it at the store and it's by far the best rip fence design I've seen at this price range.

 

[germanyt 10+ year member]

And I just bought this for 100 bucks.

http://m.sears.com/craftsman-12-amp-2-hp-fixed-plunge-base-router/p-00927683000P

 

[bamaman]

Spotted some of your competition down there a few weeks ago, and if you can find a sears technician we get 25% off tools.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

 

[adulbrich 5,000+ posts]

Looks sketchy //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/sneaky.gif.7189749b3a3f769e8815b47e8ae87f88.gif

 

[germanyt 10+ year member]

Spotted some of your competition down there a few weeks ago, and if you can find a sears technician we get 25% off tools.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

The fuq? Where is that? Das my area code.

 

[trust fund baby]

Every few months this topic comes up. 9 out of 10 of those people never follow through. Of those that do, 9 out of 10 of THOSE people fail with in the first year. Be prepared to get business licence's, city inspectors, insurance, etc. Know your tax code. Are you certified inanything automotive? Not even mecp.. I mean ANYTHING? Youve never built a wall? Have you ever installed a remote start? How about factory integration? Have you done it? Youre woefully unprepared. I wish you well, but this wont end well.

 

[SounDrive Pro Seller]

Spotted some of your competition down there a few weeks ago, and if you can find a sears technician we get 25% off tools.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

Cande Shop?

 

[germanyt 10+ year member]

Delete

 

[germanyt 10+ year member]

In other news I spent about a grand today. Bought the large Craftsman table saw. Got the router a couple days ago and ordered 16 bits today. Also bought new saw blades, sand paper, sqares, clamps, etc. And I have some terminal cups on the way. Saw arrives on the 29th so soon I should have the ability to do a box a week in my spare time. Should result in 500-800 a month in extra income if I can move the boxes fast enough. Gonna take a while to get templates made for various vehicles and nail down dimensions and techniques for the fastest builds. First box is gonna be a 2 cube @ low 30s in birch stained black for an RE SE12. There are 2 local shops that I'd like to steal business from. The first is a dumpy prefab and wiring harness garbage store. The other has been around longer and does more mobile electronics in general than just stereos. Well see as time goes on. I'm gonna put together some pics and videos of things as they happen. My video editing and overall production value needs work but I reckon that'll come in time.

 

[denim 5,000+ posts]

Since I was mentioned in the initial post.... I'll say that this is a tough subject, as the best advice is, do not go into this industry thinking you are going to make big money if you want to do it the ethical way. Few are able to make a great career out of it while still being honest and having great quality products. You have to REALLLLLLLLLY love audio to do it for a long period of time.