How EDguns are made?

Pippo asked me in the neighboring topic.

I thought to make a nice video about it, but still have no time to do it. So, just a scetch of such a topic I can share some pictures and tell short story.

First EDgun I made at the local pulp and paper plant, in one of its workshops. Then I bought that workshop and equipment installed there when P&P plant didn’t need it anymore. I went on making guns at that equipment and when we reached about 15-20 guns a months (we made stock ourselves as well), I got a proposal to make stocks from Alexander Rubin (owner of ArtDecArt company, which makes stocks for EDguns and other brands in Russia now). I considered that as quite in time proposal, since we reached out limit in machinery and stock took us too much time.

So, stocks were made by Alexander since that time (then we stopped working for a while, then started again and work for, at least 10 years now, as far as I remember).

So, removing the stocks from the production we could get the following number of guns per month — about 30. Then we reached the capacity of the equipment. And I thought that CNC macnine will help me. I didn’t have any experience with that, so I began to look for someone who could make me details.

First I applied was Demyan (the founder of Ataman company). He made me some details which I didn’t accept by the quality. Besides he took the wrong material, not the one I’ve ordered and the detailed were very soft.

Just an example of what he did for me:

I said “No, thank you!” and keep looking for the CNC machines. At one of forums, where the CNC specialist were gathering I found a young man, who said that he can make the detailes I need. He was in Moscow, I was in Karelia and that is 1’350 km. We communicate by e-mail and agreed on making some details for some money. While in Moscow I appointed a meeting for him, near the factory he was working at. I arrived, met him, gave him money, said that I am waiting the detailes, sat back in the car and went away. As he told after that he was shocked, since that was our first meeting in real like, I gave him quite a good amounto of money, having not knowing him at all. He appretiate such a trust and we start working. He and his partner were working at that plant as employees.

So, they began to make me detailes at CNC machine of their employer, after the main time they worked for him, they worked for me. We started to make about 40-50 guns a months. But demand was so big that I pushed them for more detailes and they decided to leave the factory they work and establish their own enterprice. They did it (being quite afraid of such a risky step out but my charisma was stronger their fear 🙂 ) They started with two CNC machines they took in leasing. So, step by step they bought new machines and we made 100 guns a month, then 150, then 200 and now more then 300.

They work only for me, so I can consider them as my production department. But I don’t want to rule the production department, I jsut issue the tasks, we make plans and work according to the plans. I have no share in their enterprise and I don’t need. That is out mutual decistion, they don’t come to the design and the policy of EDgun company, I don’t go to the routine of the production. But, if there is a need to buy a new CNC machine we decide to do it or not together. Or I forse them to take new machine if I see we have no free resourses to make more guns.

Plus we have another partner in EU, who gives us parts for assembling guns in Estonia and some parts for assembling guns in Russia. So, no China or some manufacturing I don’t control, if that was the point of Pippo’s question 🙂

I bought only barrels, stocks and gauges from outside, all the rest of the details are made by my partners who I control by the quality.

Here are few pictures from the plant (that was one year ago, now there are three more CNC machines).

And that is a note I found in the cafe nearby

It is said: “Dear guests! We don’t have in this bar: dgugs, pattyes, charging for NOKIA phone. We have no idea where to catch the whore and have no idea how much it can be. !!! We have no phone number of that nice girl, and we cannot come and ask her for it!!! Thank you for understanding!”

So, in short I am the generator of ideas, marketing, designer, etc, etc. etc. Once I tried to find investor I got quite serious men, who carefully investigat everything and say me the following “Ed, your business is very interesting, we consider it as quite successful and promissing, but there is only one problem in your bussiness — that is you. If you are out of it — it will not run.” I think they are right 🙂

So, that is in short and I have great plans to develope the business. It is still hobby for me, hobby which gives me some money but money is not the key aim of the businees. It is just fun to make the guns, communicate with people and grow 🙂