Small CNC machine shop for replacement parts

Local factories, maintenance teams, farms, food and packaging plants, machinery repairers and other engineering firms.

You quote per part or per batch, based on machine time, material and setup. Repeat orders for the same part and ongoing maintenance work build steady income.

• Machining or CNC programming
• Reading engineering drawings
• Accurate measuring and quality checking
• Quoting and customer service

• Public liability and product liability insurance, as a faulty part could cause damage or injury
• Employer's liability insurance once you take on staff
• Machine safety and workplace health and safety duties, check the HSE guidance on machinery
• Unit lease terms, business rates and whether the unit's permitted use covers machining, check with the landlord and council
• Larger customers may ask for quality certification such as ISO 9001, which takes time and money
• Metal swarf and used coolant are waste that needs proper disposal

Startup costs are estimated at typically around £25,000 to £120,000, depending on the machines you buy, tooling, the unit you rent and your insurance. New or second-hand equipment is likely to make the biggest difference to the total.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around £4,000 to £20,000, depending on your customers, the mix of one-off and batch work, and how much machine time you can sell. The idea assumes at least about 30 hours a week.

Check public liability and product liability insurance, plus employer's liability once you hire. Look at HSE guidance on machinery and workplace safety, unit lease terms, business rates and permitted use. Larger customers may ask for ISO 9001, and swarf and used coolant need proper disposal.