Stephen's Blog

How Much to Charge for Laser Cutting Metal

2026-11-02 — A job shop pricing formula for laser cutting metal: per part vs per inch vs machine hour, material markup, minimum charges, and a full break-even worked example.

CNC Press Brake Guide: Hydraulic vs Servo Electric

2026-10-29 — Compare hydraulic and servo electric CNC press brakes on accuracy, tonnage, energy use, and cost of ownership. Data-driven buyer guide with a decision checklist.

Laser Engraving Powder Coated Tumblers: Settings and Steps

2026-08-21 — Dial in laser settings for powder coated, glitter, and bare steel tumblers on fiber, CO2, and diode machines, with a rotary setup walkthrough and fix-it FAQ.

Free Plasma Cutting Table Software: Top Downloads Compared

2026-08-03 — Free plasma cutting software compared: Inkscape, QCAD, Fusion 360, Deepnest, LinuxCNC QtPlasmaC. Honest limits, full workflow, and when paid seats earn it.

Insize vs Mitutoyo Calipers: Which Is Worth Your Money?

2026-07-28 — Insize vs Mitutoyo calipers compared: real prices, accuracy specs, forum verdicts, and how to spot fake Mitutoyos. Which caliper fits your shop and budget.

5-Axis CNC Machining: The Complete Buyer's Guide & Prices

2026-07-06 — Complete 5-axis CNC machining guide. How it works, configurations, simultaneous vs 3+2, prices from $5K to $2M+, and STYLECNC machine options for quote requests.

Reshoring Accelerates: 2100+ North American Facilities Expand

2026-06-22 — Over 2,100 facilities reshored or expanded in North America, cutting delivery times nine weeks on average. See the drivers, industries leading the shift, and the equipment opportunity.

CNC Programming Software for Beginners and Professionals

2026-06-08 — Looking for the best software for computer numerical control programming? Here is a list of popular free & paid CNC programming software for beginners and pros.

How to Start a Custom Trophy and Awards Business with CNC and Lasers

2026-05-30 — Launch a custom trophy and awards business with laser engravers and CNC machines. Covers product lines, B2B client channels, pricing tiers, and startup costs.

How to Price CNC Router Services | Rate Guide

2026-05-19 — Learn how to price CNC router services with hourly rate and per-project models. Compare pricing strategies, calculate costs, and set profitable rates for your shop.