CNCKing.com: Now 100% digital!

For the past few years, I’ve been debating removing all the physical kit options on CNCKing.com (back then WoodMarvels.com).

When I first started this website, my focus was to get as many designs on it as possible… I saw it as a resource and volume business where the more designs I had, the more sales I’d generate for myself and other designers. To a general extent, this panned out – back then, I ONLY sold physical kits as I was scared of offering the digital files to be copied all over the internet. I’m both somebody who likes to design things and sell them. I made the shift a few years later to actually offering the digital files and since then, sales skyrocketed… not only that, but my technical support went to ZERO! I was no longer dealing as much with the general public trying to nickle and dime me for a wooden laser cut dinosaur but shop owners looking at making some extra projects on the side AND wanting to have a little fun with their CNC machine.

During this transition, I still kept the physical kits and actually had serious plans to offer them for CNC table routers and 3D printers as well… but as time flew by, I came to realize I really don’t want to go that avenue. It has taken me almost 5 years but I’ve decided to now go completely digital – you can no longer order physical kits natively from CNCKing.com – I rarely sell them anyhow and those that I do sell to the general public are usually just headaches. Statements like “I don’t want burned edges on my laser cut model” or “I wanted solid wood, not plywood” and the list goes on. Honestly, I don’t have time to deal with customers who have no understanding of CNC equipment and question why a wooden model sells for over a hundred dollars when they can head to the local retail store and get something larger for a fraction of the cost. There are more than enough videos showing me making these projects, learn, get a book (mine preferably) THEN order a physical kit – that’s I’m totally cool with.

So, I’ve wiped-out all physical kits from CNCKing.com. If you are still interested in getting them, that’s fine – send me an e-mail using the contact form. My focus is with people who have their OWN machines (laser, table router, 5-axis, 3d printer… ), have realistic expectations and understand this technology, not Joe Public ordering digital files and expecting a physical kit for 10$ including delivery – something that has happened to me repeatedly.

This might sound a little harsh, but that’s the point! I know what CNCKing.com represents and what it doesn’t – I know the market and demographic I’m after and I believe that this sole focus, like a few years back will lead to better sales and higher quality customers. I enjoy making videos showing people how to make stuff with their machines, I like publishing books sharing knowledge and I love how this site has evolved through the years… but I no longer see any advantage in muddying the waters.

I’ll be updating the design of the site to reflect this change and put more emphasis on the “we only deal with CNC owners” aspect of the site.