So I am just about ready to pull the trigger on a new laser. I am doing this as a "small part time business" but mainly as a hobby for something to do. I already have a full time job. Just curious how the pros calculate the costs of running the laser into the cost of the product or project?
Since I have no baseline to compare to I was just going to use 5K hours as a starting point. The 80w RECI tube says it has a life of 8k hours but I will just call it 5. My thoughts were to break it down by the minute such as:
Consumables (tube and lenses/mirrors) Replacement cost / 5000/60 = $ per min.
Machine Cost /5000/60 $ per Min
Electrical Costs $ per Min
I was just trying to be sure to incorporate some amount into each project I do. Mostly I will be cutting maybe some engraving. Perhaps it would be better to charge $ per inch cut?? Now that said I won't be doing much custom 1 off stuff, this will mostly be my own designs. With other woodworking projects I have done it is simple, Time+Material and occasionally a small charge for consumables. Mainly looking for the best way to capture the cost of the laser since my other tools really aren't in the same league with the cost of the laser.