SFC Gunsmithing owner expands in Newton

SFC Gunsmithing has been operating in Newton since July 2019 and owner Stephen Roach is ready to expand the services he offers to his customers.

Roach recently opened Newton Laser Engraving, located at 101 First Ave. E. Suite 9. At the new shop, he now has the capabilities to engrave many objects from lighters to even firearms for those wanting to add a custom spin to a product. The idea to for the expansion came when Roach looked at what the community might not have readily available.

“It is a really good spot to focus on. I think it is going to be emerging over the next few years. Folks that like to customize their firearms it is just the next logical progression,” Roach said.

To offer this service, Roach had to complete training courses in Texas to use the machine. Not only did he learn how to use the machine, he also had to purchase one for his store. While his other business is focused on firearms, Roach stressed the laser engraving isn’t exclusive to those products.

“It is such a broad list of things ... It is just a huge list of different things that we can knock out here,” Roach said.

The business recently had a grand opening but due to the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing orders, Roach said it has been difficult to get people aware of the business.

“If I would have known that coronavirus was going to kick off, I would’ve just sat on the laser for another two months,” Roach said.

During this time, Roach said the business is more about customers calling and requesting engravings and not actually visiting the shop. If a person wants an engraving made, they can arrange a drop off and pick up time.

“We are very isolated and we are trying to leverage technology as much as we can to still provide a service without endangering the public,” Roach said.

While Roach is in charge of both businesses, SFC Gunsmithing and Newton Laser Engraving are separate. He said if a firearm came into SFC Gunsmithing and then the customer wanted it laser engraved, it would be a separate transaction.

“It is just one of those things where the businesses are symbiotic but they do both stand on their own,” Roach said.

The turnaround time to have work completed depends on the work load and how extensive the engraving is. Roach said they do graphic design in-house but can also use the customer’s design, as well.

“It is just really how big is the piece, how many do they want and how deep does the engraving need to be and then to I need to do artwork layout design for them,” Roach said.

For more information about Newton Laser Engraving, call 641-831-2792 or visit its Facebook page.

Contact Dustin Teays at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or dteays@newtondailynews.com