CNC machining. aluminum/plastics/brass

[Frankensteined]

Hello. I don't know where to post this so kick me in the nuts for all I care.
Maybe it can be moved to the proper section or deleted if I am not allowed to post things like this.
I've been in a manufacturing environment since 18 and worked with hand tools since little. Very mechanically inclined and computer savvy. I realized that my current job as a cnc machinist limits my capabilities so im tryig to start something of my own.

I can make anything within a 10x10x10 size. Anything bigger I would have to improvise.
Aluminum and plastic is what I prefer to work with. I can design in 3d, program and machine it. I would like to do a few production runs of something simple to earn trust and move on to more complicated things. Maybe prototype work.

I wrench on e30s and thought this place could be a good start.

[Swendog]

I'm relatively new to the E30 scene, picked up my 1990 325i about a year ago. Like most r3v'ers, mechanically inclined and do my own wrenching. But I've been around BMWs for a while...enough to know that despite all of the "fine German engineering", cars need to be mass-produced. Having said that, we all know of the myriad of junky plastic and rubber parts that are prone to failure. Think "silicone intake boot replaces rubber". I am sure you can find a number of items that have potential for improvement that have NOT been tackled. Make up a list and float it out there! I love your enterprenural (spellin?) spirit! GO GET EM!

[Frankensteined]

I have a full background story to all of it for some of you to read. Half of it to explain how I came to this and half to inspire some of you. Im at work currently and don't have enough time to write it.




Edit:
I've been in a manufacturing environment since 18 and worked with hand tools since little. Worked for company's that manufacture components for military aircraft, robotics, semiconductor and medical. I've done it all. Sweeping floors, Deburring, shipping, customer service, mechanic, computer repair and I.T., 3D drafting/design and CNC operating and programming.
Very mechanically inclined and computer savvy. I realized that my current job as a cnc machinist limits my capabilities and no longer challenges me. So here I am 24 years old living in this life of masters and slaves and I've reserved my position in this modern day slavery. Well it isn't too bad right? It just requires that you show up, do your job (serve your master) and you are taken care of. By that I mean. You go home at the end of the day. See your family, have a roof over your head, and own a few things that make your life decent (in my case more toys than your average 20s person.) All that because of the job. Life isn't bad right?... Yet in the middle of all this I ask myself: Is that all? Here I am, shook hands with the riches, enjoyed their presence and admired their power/wealth. The lifestyle they live and the amounts of green they toss at things make me chuckle at some wannabes driving their new Mercedes. Without them disclosing their worth I can only imagine those numbers. These are the big boys with even bigger toys. Yet they aren't even in the holders of the wealth group.
With all that said... I have always been the guy to see it from the side. Never the one to achieve anything other than just serving the ones higher. So what am I chasing? You would think money. Money is power, its what makes people happy right? Well not really. I was always ok with the little money that floats around. What's aching me is that I have nothing to stand for and nothing to pride. I came to the conclusion that I need to grab life by the rear, get rid of this mangina and grow a pair. The peach fuzz has faded, the beer gut has taken its shape and my voice has stabilized but those balls just haven't dropped yet. Excuses on top of excuses, just to give myself a pat on the back for why I haven't achieved my full potential. A few year back a friend of mine was saying how he is going to get a job after college and work for someone. I asked him why would you want to be someones bitchh? His response was that back in the day the king's butler had a better lifestyle than anyone in the kingdom. To which I replied: Why would you want to be the butler when you can be the king? So here I am, no longer wishing to serve. looking for ways to learn how to swim, Big dreams, pursuit of happiness, yada yada... bunch of cliches. The truth is my dreams are to output something that represents craftsmanship quality and performance. My happiness is to see other value it, and if I don't jump in the water I won't learn to swim. Im starting at the bottom and challenging myself as I go.

Had enough of this inspirational crap for today? I hope it at least challenges some to stop slacking and get off your mum's couch, or so said... haha.

As for me I need work on my CNC mill. Starting with some small production to fund my ideas.
If any of the shops selling e30 components have something, I'm willing to work with you, until I can release my own products.
And for anyone who has other ideas. I will try my best to make it for you. pm me!

[Matt-B]

Brass bleeder screws, metal block off plates for 24v oil level sensors, just thinking outloud. Spacers, hubrings....

[Frankensteined]

I've got plenty of ideas. The issue is that they are either already produced by others or the market isn't big enough to make it worth making. But I might just have to make something to show first.

[Matt-B]

Make spacers that are not redicouliusly priced

[enigmaticdream]

What kind of aluminum do you work in?

[HaloArchive]

what kind of CNC work? Milling? plasma cutting? Laser? Water jet? ... etc

[HennaE30]

I'm relatively new to the E30 scene, picked up my 1990 325i about a year ago. Like most r3v'ers, mechanically inclined and do my own wrenching. But I've been around BMWs for a while...enough to know that despite all of the "fine German engineering", cars need to be mass-produced. Having said that, we all know of the myriad of junky plastic and rubber parts that are prone to failure. Think "silicone intake boot replaces rubber". I am sure you can find a number of items that have potential for improvement that have NOT been tackled. Make up a list and float it out there! I love your entrepreneurial (spellin?) spirit! GO GET EM!

ftfy

[MissRay]

I have been wanting to have an aluminum or brass "bushing" made that replaces the lower bushing of the shift lever.

Not my photo, but this is what I'm referring to. Not the ball, the lower end.

[Frankensteined]

Swendog - thanks for the support
I guess I might have to make a list and eventually eliminate the no-interest ones and make the ones worth it.

Make spacers that are not redicouliusly priced

4 of them for around 100$ isnt bad at all.
see them made by a few.
Unless you are talking about 4 to 5 lug, then there are more components so cost goes up.

What kind of aluminum do you work in?

6000s -7000s is what i worked with depending on the job.

I currently make a lot of titanium pieces at work for the 787 Boeing. wont disclose more.

I am willing to work with any kind of aluminum but if its something specific, then the material has to be ordered by the customer.

what kind of CNC work? Milling? plasma cutting? Laser? Water jet? ... etc

Milling. Sorry this was all written from my phone while at work, i skipped a bunch of info.
I am in the process of setting up my cnc lathe also. i have to see how that goes first.

I have been wanting to have an aluminum or brass "bushing" made that replaces the lower bushing of the shift lever.

Brass would be nice. but i guess i could start with aluminum

[mr2peak]

I wouldn't use aluminum for a bushing. It deforms and binds.

This is what you want to use. Oil impregnated sintered bronze.

http://www.nbmmetals.com/sae-841-sintered-bronze-oil-impregnated.html

[Frankensteined]

I wouldn't use aluminum for a bushing. It deforms and binds.

This is what you want to use. Oil impregnated sintered bronze.

http://www.nbmmetals.com/sae-841-sin...pregnated.html

You are correct. I recall having this conversation with one of the guys i work with. He is a big RC toy junkie, in his 50s... so passionate about it. Thats exactly what he was saying about bushings.

What I meant is start with aluminum to make a test piece.
I also wonder... Does that bushing go out on a lot of them. I seen the lever of a few cars and it seemed fine? Whats the reason to make one?

[Frankensteined]

here is something I have made a few weeks ago.
Im sure you guys know what it is, but its more of a cosmetic part. no performance purpose.

[essi1553]

here is something I have made a few weeks ago.
Im sure you guys know what it is, but its more of a cosmetic part. no performance purpose.

Looks great why not contact Brody at Miller and see if he wants to sell it with his MAF kit's? What's something like that run $$$?