So how many of you guys are doing composite fab as a full time/part time job? With all the amazing talent I am wondering whether I am lacking in skills?
Gaining the skills needed to make parts good enough to sell, is not something thats going to happen overnight, but if you keep at it, and dont try to run a marathon before you can walk, there is no reason why you shouldnt end up with the experience needed to make parts good enough to sell.
hobby, i work in R&D chemistry by day.
I was doing composite technician work in my last job, now my new job seems to be transformed into research of materials, more than actual composites.
Hobby, but I haven’t graduated to exotic fibers yet. Leading up to (I hope) sills enough to infuse the entire hull of a 30’ trawler.
Was a hobby. Turned it into a job for 14 months. Put my 2 weeks in today. And will be a hobby again…only with a hell of a lot more understanding.
Part time work. Mostly just learning and experimenting for now. I’m a machinist by day.
Study the market. Look for uncovered markets. Or, if you have a skill that can set you apart from others it helps. Pick your niche. Obviously there is a lot of competition in the sport bike arena.
Ive narrowed down two markets for myself that are rarely covered. Although I will still do them as a hobby. One is a skill set, the other is an actual indusrty.
Classicbike is a prime example of covering a market that is rare, as the parts he deals with are rare to begin with. And as he’s stated several times. Not much else is needed other than your old school materials.
Hobby, but always looking to make an extra buck!
My hobbies turn into business avenues for my business…
If you are looking to make money from your hobby, then as JRL says look towards a small niche market, where there is demand, and your prices can be relatively high.
Personally I would think very carefully before getting involved in areas which are already pretty well covered, with reasonble quility products at very competitive prices.