Custom Spring-Making Workshop

Local manufacturers, machine shops, equipment repair businesses, agricultural and auto repairers, and product designers who need prototypes.

Price per batch or per spring, with higher margins on rush orders, prototypes and hard-to-find sizes. Repeat orders from a few regular customers keep the machine busy.

• Mechanical aptitude and machine setup
• Reading drawings and measuring accurately
• Quoting and customer service

• Commercial general liability and product liability insurance, since springs can be used in safety-critical equipment
• Municipal zoning and noise rules for running machinery, check with your municipality
• WCB or WSIB coverage once you hire, and machine guarding and safety rules in your province
• Customers may ask for material certificates or quality records, so check what they expect before you quote
• Wire prices and lead times can change, so keep a margin in your quotes

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $20,000 to $90,000, depending on the coiling machine, premises and tooling you choose. The estimates assume working at least about 30 hours a week once you are up and running.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on how many customers you win, the size of your runs and how you quote. These are revenue estimates, so allow for wire and running costs.

Check commercial general liability and product liability insurance, municipal zoning and noise rules for running machinery, and WCB or WSIB coverage once you hire. Also check machine guarding rules in your province and what material certificates customers expect.