Well one more Christmas under the belt. I am covered up with work
and I hope all are busy and feeling well after the 2 day break. I
for one am wondering what happened to the last 3 weeks? I can’t
remember much as it is all a blur. Never sized so many rings with
diamonds set in silver. My resolution is to try to read more posts
on Orchid and to hopefully get more replies and response from bench
jewelers on items that are about trade work. I am looking forward to
getting a Cad-Cam system and a laser.
Hey! This sounds like a great thread. Even if we only read it and
grumble, “I oughta do that too.”
Me: Sometime this year I want to get my silversmithing bench back
into running order. That means - better setup, better wiring in the
basement, find and de-rust all my 30-year-old tools, better chair,
and, oh yes - a functioning torch. Not to mention a new broom to keep
the spiderwebs at bay.
My resolution is to try to read more posts on Orchid and to
hopefully get more replies and response from bench jewelers on
items that are about trade work. I am looking forward to getting a
Cad-Cam system and a laser.
I feel your pain. I ran a trade shop for over 15 years, doing work
for 28 stores with a 24hr turn around on 95% of the jobs (other than
stone matching/replacement). My take on it is work smarter, not
harder. Efficiently finishing the jobs or delivering them to the
customer increases profits and cuts the stress of the season.
Anyone doing any kind of trade work including small mom & pop stores
with a shop in the back should look at a LASER. It will increase
productivity while reducing your risk to your customers stones. I
have set up numerous LASERS for shops and all have reported that
it’s one of the best investments they have ever made. They equate
it to putting on a new bench jeweler and spreading his salary over
the next 5 years.
Lets look at some figures. For instance:
Laser cost: $27,000.0020
Cost per/yr over 5 yrs: $5,400 estimated.
Cost per month: $500.00 estimated
Cost per week: $125.00 estimated
If it saves you a minimum of 1 hour per day at a shop rate of $50.00
per hour:
1hr per day X 5 days/week: $250.00 per/week
4 weeks per month: $1,000.00 per/month
12 months per year: $12,000.00 per/yr
over 5yrs $60K less $27k cost 3D net + $33,000.00
Now there are other things to consider also. What can you do with
that 5 hrs/per week or 20 hours per month? Can you put out more
jobs? Can you design one more ring? Sell one more diamond? Take on
one more new account (that pays on time) :} Maybe take the time to
learn CAD/CAM? Go home on time!!! Take a well deserved vacation! :]
Bottom line, you can produce more in less time, put out higher
quality work, and even do jobs that are literally impossible without
a laser. Welding next to stones which would otherwise have to be
removed. Retipping on platinum. Repair next to springs. Weld the
jump ring on a spring ring/chain without destroying the spring and
even reducing your cleanup on jobs all equate to time saving and
higher profits. A LASER puts you ahead of the competition.
My best advice is to buy a LASER sooner, not later. You will be
glad you did.
Respectfully,
Phillip Scott G.G.
Technical Support & Sales
Rio Grande
1-800-545-6566 ext 13752