Online CNC work? Suggestions?

maybe it was https://www.emachineshop.com he used?

 

The ability to design stuff from home is going to cost me money!

I had the first epiphany that if I mirrored the bracket onto itself I'd save money by cutting it in half when I received it. But then when test fitting the print on the truck, I had another epiphany: I realized that if I made the bracket base just a bit longer and just the right size... I could have two more made that would that would mount my 6" lights without having to cut the bracket into two pieces. And of course this is totally not necessary because the stock bracket works already. But, I'd be all matchy-matchy and my OCD wouldn't trigger. Thankfully the offset was just a bit too large for the rear 6" lights and the lights would be colliding with the rack frame. Guess I'll just have to pull those mounts off and rattle can them along with these when I finally get them in. Latest design below. This will be mirrored into one piece to cut in half once I receive it.

 

Oh geesh, sorry- it was late when I wrote that. its this one! Online!!

https://www.emachineshop.com/

 

Haha, i’m in full agreement! to be honest, I went down a rabbit hole of considering making my own mill. but i have no bends in my design but a 4 axis would be required...might be fun to do though. Time for some homework before the wife shuts that project down...

 

No worries, I just sent them an upload. They aren't instant quote, but I'm sure it'll only take a day or two.

 

Shop local. There is usually a welding, fabrication or blacksmith forge that has benders and CNCs for inexpensive. A local forge only charges $20 for their CNC. You provide the material and file and they will cut it.

 

That thought has occurred to me as well... 'buy local' and all. Maybe I'll put a few calls in after some googling and see what I can find. How do these guys set the locations for the brakes? Does a CNC machine 'dot a line', or do they pencil it from the drawing and a ruler? Or maybe the laser etches a line?

 

If you put the design into their CAD program, the quote is built in.

 

My friend, I have been designing stuff for a living for 30 years. It's what I do. In my world, you quickly realize what is and isn't feasible, depending on cost and availability. For the average guy ( you, me) getting pretty much anything custom built in ones or two's is not going to work because of cost. Conversely, buying the tools necessary to build your special design is unaffordable too, because you will probably only use that special tool once or twice.
My hobby is woodworking so I have a lot of tools I've gathered over the years. But, I don't build everything lol. I will still buy specific pieces because I don't have the tools to build it in my shop. For example, curved back chairs, I don't have a steamer or jigs so I buy the chairs. I think this is the case with you.
Go find a bracket that will work and is available. If you want to design something that's great. But only design something you have the ability to build yourself or the funds to pay 20X what it would cost in quantity.

 

Get it 3D printed. Be our scapegoat lol

 

LOL... already printed to verify fitment. Took it on one run up to about 50mph and then back down. I didn't trust it for much more than that. I was mostly curious about wind noise change with the bar.

 

I'll see if I can upload to their software.

Doh.... Windows only. My Windows partition on my MacBook is OVTune only.

 

Metal 3d printed*. I had a wax stamp modeled and 3d printed out of bronzed stainless. Wasn't too crazy expensive

 

Sorry... didn’t notice that hiccup.

I guess you could always find someone with a PC to do it for you, PM me if you’re interested.

 

Yep. Super easy for me to do business with.

 

Who was your contact there? I’d always prefer supporting community enthusiasts if possible.

 

Originally I talked to Jake, but eventually he introduced me to Chris, their engineer.

I had to wait until they had a break in production, which was fine for me, but it’s something for you to consider.

 

As others have said, small quantities are going to be very expensive. You need to get above 50 or more to make it reasonable.

You got some good leads on online manufacturers. Another thing to consider (in case you care) are domestic vs overseas manufacturers. 3D Hub is often overseas, e-machineshop will be domestic. I'm not knocking overseas, but I always go with domestic for our products.

 

This is the setup charge you are paying for. The CNC machine can put the bends a specific location from a datum (reference feature) on the part, but a human needs to set this datum. The bend therefore is only as good as the guy setting up the machine.