CUSTOMER SPOTLIGHT: Eric at Pedersen Makes
At MillRight CNC, we’re proud to spotlight the entrepreneurs who turn their dreams into reality with our machines. Today, we’re featuring Eric Pedersen, the owner of Pedersen Makes in Denville, New Jersey, who uses his MillRight CNC machines to craft high-quality custom woodworking pieces and grow a thriving CNC-based business. By leveraging precision, reliability, and affordability, Eric has turned CNC manufacturing into a major income stream, and we’re excited to share his success story. He has an eye for design and detail, creating works of art for his customers with his sleek and innovative designs.
- How did you get started in making stuff? What prompted you to get a CNC machine, and what MillRight machines are you using now?
I was a full-time machinist at the time using Haas machines and doing woodworking as a hobby and was looking for a CNC router after seeing one on YouTube, but I wanted something American-made and much more heavy-duty. I did some googling and found you guys. The Mega V 2 is my second Millright CNC. I got my first 5 years ago, it was a Carve King. I’ve been very happy with machines and try to incorporate them into every project where I can. -
What was your learning curve with CNC?I worked in machining for 11 years prior to starting my own small business, so I had been using CNC mills and lathes during that whole period, but regardless, the router is very quick to pick up. I tell anyone if they have any familiarity with 3D printing, vector files, basic dxfs, etc., the learning curve isn’t steep. And programs like Easel make it easy for makers to jump right in and start making cool stuff. I’ve seen people complaining on forums about the difficulty of assembling machines, but if you have a tape measure and even just a basic speed square, it’s just one foot in front of the other and it all goes together smoothly.
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What is your favorite kind of project?My favorite projects are woodworking jobs where the customer gives me creative freedom to add custom elements to a general idea that they have.
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What do you think is your best kind of work?My best kind of work is listening to heavy metal, building something from hardwood and then adding custom elements to it with my CNC.
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What is your best tip for CNC projects or CNC use in general?Good housekeeping. Take care of your tools, keep things clean, and as you’re learning, take notes. I used to take notes on everything and make corrections as I learned until it became muscle memory.
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Did you think you would be this successful with CNC in the beginning?When I first was learning CNC about 13 years ago, it was intimidating for me, as I have the attention span of a squirrel and it seemed like so much information to take in. So no, I didn’t think so lol
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What tips do you have for users to make money with their machines?When you start out, take as much free wood as you can and practice, practice, practice. I would spend a couple hours every night in the garage tinkering for years, getting better at designing stuff, trying new bits, and making gifts for everyone. And eventually people asked if they could buy ornaments, small signs and other things; and my first CNC router, the Carve King, paid for itself. And it also paid for my Mega V2 before I even had it assembled.
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Do you have a website or marketplace where you sell your work pieces?I have been extremely fortunate to have a nearby downtown with a lot of supportive local small businesses that took a chance on me, commissioned pieces and helped spread the word. Word of mouth has been a big thing and recommendations on local Facebook groups. I’m always asking my wife for feedback and she is an artist so I appreciate her constructive and honest criticism. She has helped me so much in not overdoing stuff and keeping things clean and simple.
Pedersen Makes – Facebook | Instagram -
What advice would you give someone looking to get started with CNC?YouTube has a lot of helpful resources, but take everything you read on forums with a grain of salt. Just like anything on the internet, there’s always angry people, ‘experts’ and misinformation that can get overwhelming or discouraging. It’s important to have fun. Making stuff should always be fun.