Start to repro parts... heres how

pfarber · Post by **pfarber** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 1:05 pm

Most people are put off by the percieved high cost of getting parts made for thier truck and then to sell to other truck owners.

Since I'm in the middle of such a project here's what I learned:

SHOP AROUND. Some shops will not touch a project, others will for a price, and others will for much less. It all seems to depend on what thier workload is. If they have 10 orders to fill... and you walk in with a few dozen parts to fab they will 'high ball you' rather than tell you to come back at a slower time. Get thier price, thank them and then check back in a few weeks/months.

THINK GLOBAL. Don't rely on your local shops (but do check them out). The Internet is a GREAT place to get quotes if you already have drawing to submit. One place to note is www.emachineshop.com. They can price your part online when you make drawings with thier free software.

WATCH OUT FOR 'ADVICE'. This is a biggie. People have told me that a die for a project was $15K. When I asked them if they ever had a die made, or did a similiar project it was all the same 'where I worked', 'I read about it',' I heard at a trade show' etc. No one actually ever did it. Not saying that all advice is bad, but free advice is worth what you paid for it.

BE CREATIVE. These vehicles were made back before CNC, CAD, computers, high tech alloys etc. Real men and women at antique (considering gear available now) lathes/mills made these parts. So can you.

I'll update my saga when my $600 dies (lot less than $15K right?) get here and I stamp out a few parts.

armydriver · Post by **armydriver** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 8:44 am

Hey, great work. I am looking forward to hearing more about this project.

pfarber · Post by **pfarber** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 7:58 pm

After striking out with the local machine shops, I did the next best thing... I asked someone in the MV business who they used!

Good news is that an experienced MV repro shop is excited to get his hands on the tire carrier.

Nothing much will probibly happen for the next month.... but June should be a good timeframe to find out wheather or not they will want to tackle the project.