Fabrication experts help needed

Hate to break this to you, but if you can't give them an official blueprint, you'll have tell them what it is and what it will do so the machinist can have an idea of what needs to be done.

Are you reluctant to share because of style originality or patentability?

CASH!!! I actually work in a machine shop and am also a certified welder. Depending on what it is you may need to supply materials or a rough mock up but it is near impossible to tell you what you need if you dont divulge info. If you want to send me an e-mail with an idea of what it is maybe I can be more specific. If you still want to keep it to yourself then I can certainly understand that too.

tos@fuse.net

Some of us on here have the resources to create a 3D model and provide you with a drawing for the machinist. Email me if interested.

A dimensioned three view drawing, an idea of how many you are going to want made and an idea of the end material is a good place to start.

Also be open to input from the guys that will be making the part. They have seen and made many things and probably have some good ideas to simplify fabrication (and cost) and enhance function.

You don't need a drawing to scale. You don't need CAD. A machine shop can build to a napkin sketch as long as you know what you want and your drawing is clear.

Dimension and tolerance the part. You need to understand how accurate each feature on the part must be, then tolerance accordingly. This is the area where new designers/engineers cause themselves the most trouble (or cost their companies the most money). Lazy, stupid people call out features with extra tight tolerances "just to be safe". Can you tell I have an axe to grind?

Figure out what kind of material you need. You might even consider spending a few minutes lifting some standard non-compete statement from a web site or something.

Go to a machine shop and get an estimate. Be prepared to pay more than you might expect for a single part. Larger quantities will be much cheaper, depending on the part.

If some/a lot of this is not clear to you, go to your local library and check out some books on drafting. Also Machinery's Handbook is a valuable resource for the designer.

Good luck, I hope this helps!

Here you go!!! Free cad, pricing, I think everything you need, just have money to pay the costs, whatever they may be.

www.emachineshop.com