What aluminum parts should i make?

[packerfan3022]

I'm gonna start making parts out of aluminum(CNC) and am wondering what you guys would like to see more off/cheaper? Maybe some vintage aluminum stuff?

All are dimensions or a part to get dmensions off of and ill make//sell them.

Thanks!

[TEM]

How much cheaper are we talking?

If you can make everything and sell it cheaper, then make EVERYTHING! and people will buy it!

Monster truck people are crazy on aluminium everything, as long as its anodized.

On-road guys; Steering knuckles and hubs.

12th scale; Lowering and extended rear pods. 1 size fits most!

You know, unless you really want to be starting a business doing this, it's hardly worth your trouble. Collecting specs, drawing them, etc. Maybe make just a couple things to flood the market cheaply in the beginning? I'd go with the 12th scale lowering and extended rear pods. Easy to make and fits most cars.

[fanke19]

My father owns a Tool & Die shop, and we looked into making some parts for T-Maxx when we first got back into the hobby a couple years ago. That is until we started adding up all the time that would go into making jigs, fixtures, CNC programs, etc.

For instance, our shop rate is close to $50 per hour. It will take us just under an hour to CNC machine a set of eight raw aluminum a-arms. These are not deburred, countersunk, polished, annodized, etc. Add in the extra time and money that you're going to spend doing that stuff, and you're very close to breaking even with the going rate of around $120 that you can buy some stuff from a big name out there already doing it. Oh yeah, don't forget that for that $120, they're also including Shock Towers ( front and rear ), hinge pins, clips, and screws!

These companies also no-doubt have very expensive 4 and 5 axis CNC milling machines, and turning centers that can machine a complex part complete in one setup. We're talking about a machine that you can't get USED for under $75,000.

I don't know how these companies make money doing this. They must either not pay employees squat, or they do it themselves and don't charge for their time. That, and they must make hundreds if not thousands of these pieces at a time, therefore decreasing setup costs.

Your best bet would be to find a niche, and try to make money on those parts. It's possible to do, but it might take a bit of research. Go for it if you feel you have what it takes!

[ayk_driver]

also remember big cnc companies for r/c spit out like 100 pieces at a time....

i no a guy who has a cnc laser cutter... 1 of only 5 in canada..... he builds boat kits and wont run it until he has 6 kits ready to cut..... and he will cut all 6 at one time on one sheet of wood.... in less that 1 hr he has 6 kits ready to box up and go.... its more cost effective and cheaper for his customers....