I looking into starting a small business…what are some metal parts that people are having a hard time getting? I have access to mills and lathe, manual and cnc. Throw out some ideas that I could make. I’m not looking into getting sued so no patented parts. Do you have an original idea that you need help making? Shoot me an email for a quote. Cheap rates since I get the machinery for free.
Here are some examples from my personal 3D that I am currently working on.
I can work with any format from hand drawn to Solidworks.
Thanks!
There are a lot of folks in the deltabot community looking for tapped, threaded steel balls for magnetic carriage attachment. These are seemingly unavailable for less than $25 each but should be. Lots of inexpensive stainless/brass ones, flat on one side ones, etc but mild steel not so much.
Well, just a thought.
The other day I lost one of 4 screws used for enclosure case in my project for home. As the case is installed outside missing screw in the enclosure was essentially a hole that was exposing the internal electronics to rain water. Well, you get the idea - the small replacement parts like screws, washers, etc that are needed in small quantities - one or two.
In my case I wouldn’t even need a metal item, the plastic would do as well.
Also, in my case I spend some time finding descent connectors (male to female single pin converters that would “sit” in the slots tightly, if you know what I mean - so the pin diameter or the pinhole diameter would was critical in my case).
Finally, I still need some sort of mounting board (non-metal, though) of a certain dimensions to make sure my electronics in the enclosure case is not just shoved in, but placed rather professionally. 
If you are in the USA, I would not doubt it if you could make money acquiring and reselling (or just making) 3mm and 4mm screws of unusual lengths. Seriously…people seem to have to order Screws from online. The hardware stores suck. Oh look…your profile says you are in the USA.
Thanks!
@Brad_Hopper , could you send me a drawing or site with one?
@Vera_Dobrianski , I work with all types of plastics, send me your ideas and let’s see what we can do.
I am surprised you did not put a triangular piece in the corners to make it more sturdy. Maybe I am silly for thinking those should be added. I am not machinist. It just makes sense to me.
@Brandon_Gill
are you looking for just a normal blueprint - 3 projections with dimensions?
Also, once you are ready to put the commercial out… I would put the commercial in (at least local or city) radioshack and OEM parts because this is where I would go to get my parts.
Also, do you have some sort of 3d scanner? because once you have a “sample screw” it is sometimes difficult to determine the threading parameters (depth, “step”, etc)
@NathanielStenzel , it is a proto type, so if they are needed I will make some for it.
What lengths are people looking for? I can buy in bulk and make them to any length that is needed.
@Vera_Dobrianski , a blueprint, solid, or just the dimensions. I have the tools to reverse engineer it also if I have the part.
I was thinking more online sales but if there is anyone in the Minneapolis area that needs anything, don’t be afraid to contact me via email. Gillblazer@gmail.com
@Brandon_Gill I imagine the screw lengths needed are sometimes up to 3 inches long (does something taboo and mentions inch lengths for a metric screw). Being able to cut premade ones down from 2-3 inches to the appropriate length would help alot of folk. Just make sure the nuts still fit on the thread. Oh…and no fair marking the screws up to $3-4 for less than 10 like the major hardware stores do.
@Brandon_Gill k. Thank you - I will send it after I have a sketch with all the dimensions and holes that I need. Can you tell more about the tools?
I just was thinking the other day that what I really need - is some sort of measuring device (size of a phone, “carry around” style, priced at 50$ ) that would map it’s measurements to 3d model. Any of those are around yet (or may be I will start my own startup )?
That printer looks like it’s going to be very solid!
Perhaps build beds of varying sizes (rectangular and round) would be popular. If you can get them extremely flat, I would certainly like one to convert my PrintrBot Simple from a wood bed to an aluminum one.
That would not be a problem…as long as I can get them longer then what they need I can cut them shorter. I can make custom screws also but would have be a large order like 200+ to make it cost effective, unless you want a $50 screw.
@Carlton_Dodd , Thanks! A flat aluminum bed for your printer could be done quite simply. I have the one on my printer ( not pictured) that is flat with in .002 of an inch. I will have to look up the types of beds for all the printers. If I could get more people to commit to buying one it would drop the price per piece considerably.
@Brandon_Gill That’s a decent flatness tolerance for the PB-Simple. I’ll measure my wood bed later and send you as close dimensions as I can later today.
I’ll try to give you stock, and the measurements for my extended Y-axis that I’d like for a quote.
+1 for tapped threaded steel balls. Even better if the ball can be housed in a barrell that allows a decent degree of movement AND can take a magnet.
@NathanielStenzel you can make your own custom length screws. That’s what the holes near the hinge of a set of decent wire strippers/crimpers are for…
