I am a machinist, any ideas of what to make?

A supercharger

 

I'd like a 1:1 scale CNC Tacoma.

 

That's actually pretty cool...

Although like 16:1 would be far more rational. Would be epic if it were a model of the person's truck. Obviously that'd be a (full size) truck load. Pun intended.

 

I'm in school for CNC machining right now and i'll be graduating in May. I would think lift blocks would be the easiest thing to make. Wheel spacers would be pretty easy to knock out in a set of soft jaws, i'd imagine that you could get them done in 2 operations (not including pressing the studs in) Light bar mounts would be pretty good too. I guess it would just be a question of how much time you want to invest on it

 

@Coleman42 It'd be difficult to make money producing small runs of lift blocks.

 

Agree

 

I need a gauge panel made for my '40. But the last place I talked to said it would be around $1500.

 

I've been a CNC machinist for just over 12 years now, and its definitely getting harder finding parts that aren't readily available for cheaper than i can setup a machine and buy material for. China really needs tariffs in place; its straight dumping at this point. Most of the stuff i do now are either one-offs for the picky customers, or prototypes that end up going to china for production anyway.

 

X2! Spacers to raise the front seats would be great!

What about a custom aluminum grille insert of some sort? maybe to look like the 2015 TRD Pro grille but made to fit yours (a pre-2012 front grille). I think that would be pretty kool!

 

When I made wheel spacers I used soft jaws on the lathe. Bored the ID, turned the OD. Then I mounted on the mill, indicated the ID to get center, spotting and drilled all holes, then pocketed out the counterbored holes. After this I pressed in the studs. By no means is it a fast job. In the end, would have been easier to buy the set. Making them wasn't bad though. Next up I'll probably make a shift knob from some 6061 t6. Was also thinking of making a billet step that mounts into the receiver. Also, I will be making some kind of aluminum phone mount as well

 

On the drivers side of dash by the lower corner of the head unit, that kinda triangle pop out plastic piece below the a/c vent, would be good place to have built in phone mount. You can see screen while driving and also easy access for touch screen on the phone. Maybe make something to replace that plastic triangle piece or attach to it? Just an idea

 

I made my own trailer plug relocation setup, switch panel, and a few other things for my truck.

 

it just seems like it would be more satisfying to be able to say "I made all the mods on my truck" rather than "I bought all the mods and installed them"

 

it is very satisfying to say that i made all these things on my truck. But for example.....if it takes 4 hours to make a part that cost 20 dollars, thats when its not really worth it

 

That's one thing a lot of people don't understand. I constantly get asked to make xy part because people think it will be cheaper.. than I quote them a price and they're like "But i can get it here for 100$"....

 

oh sure, I go along with that 100% but if you are sitting around with a little time on your hands anyway, what the hell.... go make it yourself.

 

I built a guitar one time back in 08. It took me like 8 months and maybe a thousand dollars before I was done with it. That guitar I could have bought down at Guitar Center for maybe $300... yah, I could have saved some time and money but now I have something I will hand to my son and he will be proud to be able to say, "my dad built this guitar"

 

i did make my 7 year old son a hotrod looking hot wheels that took me about 10 hours

 

pencil holder for my mom out of brass and the hot rod hot wheels I made from scratch beside the engine and pipes and tires. Rims, body, axles, cage I made.

 

Mattracks, lol.