One-Off obsolete part maker from a garage workshop

Local farms, small factories, workshops, machinery repairers and hobby or vintage machinery owners.

You charge per job, based on your hourly rate, materials and any setup. Word of mouth from repairers and maintenance staff brings repeat work.

• Manual lathe and milling skills
• Measuring from worn samples or drawings
• Problem solving
• Reliable communication with customers

• Check your lease, mortgage terms and whether you need planning permission for machining at home, and think about noise for neighbours
• Check that your home insurance and any business insurance cover workshop machinery and customer work
• Public liability and product liability insurance, as a badly made part could cause damage or injury
• Be clear about which parts you will not make, such as safety-critical items, unless you can properly test them
• Machine guarding and safe working, check HSE guidance
• Heavy machines need a suitable floor and safe delivery

Startup costs are estimated at typically around £5,000 to £20,000, depending on the lathe and mill you buy, tooling, measuring kit, insurance and any floor or power work. Second-hand machines may keep costs towards the lower end.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around £500 to £2,500, depending on your customers, the parts you make and the hours you work. The idea assumes at least about 8 hours a week. Revenue is not the same as profit.

Check your lease, mortgage terms, planning permission and noise for neighbours. Check your insurance covers workshop machinery and customer work, including public liability and product liability. Decide which parts you won't make, such as safety-critical items, and check HSE guidance on machine guarding.