Don't know much about machining or costs or lathing, but would love to see your design once you have it finished. Love mech mods!
Considering machining my own custom mech mod
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i would love to make myself a dripper and some huge bore driptips before venturing into the mech, it should be easier
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As someone trained as a machinist, i can see both sides of this post.
When someone shows up with a napkin sketch and no clue about whats needed to actually produce something, I feel a $1000 price tag is on the low side.
But if someone produces a blueprint, and understands how the thing is going to be manufactured, sometimes even provides material, the quoted times/cost are reasonable. Further, with a complete plan like that, I'de be willing to bet they could find someone who would like to try an "interesting project". Lots of retired machinists with some tools in the garage, or a shop thats a little slow and needs the business.
If you don't know anything about machining, or have someone who can show you the ropes, I can not discourage someone from the Harbor Freight 7X10(12) lathe enough. Its cheap, and if you're just learning you will be fighting on 2 fronts. Both inexperience and a crappy machine.
When someone shows up with a napkin sketch and no clue about whats needed to actually produce something, I feel a $1000 price tag is on the low side.
But if someone produces a blueprint, and understands how the thing is going to be manufactured, sometimes even provides material, the quoted times/cost are reasonable. Further, with a complete plan like that, I'de be willing to bet they could find someone who would like to try an "interesting project". Lots of retired machinists with some tools in the garage, or a shop thats a little slow and needs the business.
If you don't know anything about machining, or have someone who can show you the ropes, I can not discourage someone from the Harbor Freight 7X10(12) lathe enough. Its cheap, and if you're just learning you will be fighting on 2 fronts. Both inexperience and a crappy machine.
Been looking into this same thing myself. Good prices on tubes for SS Copper and Brass: Online Metal Store | Small Quantity Metal Orders | Metal Cutting, Sales & Shipping | Buy Steel, Aluminum, Copper, Brass, Stainless | Metal Product Guides at OnlineMetals.com
Being a machinist, who's family owns a machine shop doing work for big corporations like CAT all the way down to your average joe off the street, I can tell you a couple things as if it will be worth your while.
Don't get me wrong, making your own machanical mod is very simple and worth it if you are a machinist. Not to mention cheap.
However like mentioned before, having one made for you is a little more costly. But well worth it if you want something nobody else has. If going this route I would suggest making a blueprint up and then going to your machine shop with it and a mechanical mod that functions similar to what you want. This will give the shop an idea what will be required to fabricate your new mod. Also allowing them to take note of what materials they will need and tooling that it requires. More than likely they will have to order a M7 x .5 tap for the 510 threads as it's not a very common size. The tube and top cap are the quickest to machine, the design of the switch will effect the time it takes. Depending on the shops hourly rate at best I think you'll be looking at minimum $300 for a simple design for the first one. Everyone after that would be cheaper because there will be hardly any setup time if they have multiple machines, but You may ask, how is it possible to buy a clone for $30? That is because most are made in facilities that use different CNC machines for each part, making at least 100 pieces per hour give or take depending on cycle time and number of machines. Not to mention there workers are not paid very much, and materials are cheaper.
1. Best bet is to find a shop that doesn't have much work or someone who works out of there garage as a hobby or side job. Maybe you have a buddy that is a machinist that can use the machines after work...
2. Buy a lathe, get scrap pieces from local shop to practice on, take a machining class at your community college if available.
3. Have your own tubes made and use existing clone top caps and switches. This is probably your cheapest option!
Even making it on your own there comes a point when you have to ask yourself if your time is worth it when you can buy a cheap clone, but the bragging rights and pride are priceless IMHO.
Sorry for the long post but just want to be as helpful as I can. I'm very fortunate in having access to everything I need and being a machinist, it makes this hobby very cost effective. I recently just made 10 brass hybrid connectors for my mechs that cost me as much as a large pizza
If you have any questions or need any advice feel free to shoot me a PM, I'd be more than happy to help
Edit: Just remembered, awhile ago I read about another member who designed a mod, gave the shop the blueprint, specs, etc for a quote only to have them ignore him afterwards once they found out about the market and how many ppl buy them. And sure enough seen the mod he designed being sold somewhere. Most machine shops would never have the intention of doing such a thing but definitely something to keep in mind. I probably wouldn't mention what they sell for, maybe even say it is used to power some custom tool you have "imagine if it was for something like a flashlight now there's an idea lmao" sarcasm
Don't get me wrong, making your own machanical mod is very simple and worth it if you are a machinist. Not to mention cheap.
However like mentioned before, having one made for you is a little more costly. But well worth it if you want something nobody else has. If going this route I would suggest making a blueprint up and then going to your machine shop with it and a mechanical mod that functions similar to what you want. This will give the shop an idea what will be required to fabricate your new mod. Also allowing them to take note of what materials they will need and tooling that it requires. More than likely they will have to order a M7 x .5 tap for the 510 threads as it's not a very common size. The tube and top cap are the quickest to machine, the design of the switch will effect the time it takes. Depending on the shops hourly rate at best I think you'll be looking at minimum $300 for a simple design for the first one. Everyone after that would be cheaper because there will be hardly any setup time if they have multiple machines, but You may ask, how is it possible to buy a clone for $30? That is because most are made in facilities that use different CNC machines for each part, making at least 100 pieces per hour give or take depending on cycle time and number of machines. Not to mention there workers are not paid very much, and materials are cheaper.
1. Best bet is to find a shop that doesn't have much work or someone who works out of there garage as a hobby or side job. Maybe you have a buddy that is a machinist that can use the machines after work...
2. Buy a lathe, get scrap pieces from local shop to practice on, take a machining class at your community college if available.
3. Have your own tubes made and use existing clone top caps and switches. This is probably your cheapest option!
Even making it on your own there comes a point when you have to ask yourself if your time is worth it when you can buy a cheap clone, but the bragging rights and pride are priceless IMHO.
Sorry for the long post but just want to be as helpful as I can. I'm very fortunate in having access to everything I need and being a machinist, it makes this hobby very cost effective. I recently just made 10 brass hybrid connectors for my mechs that cost me as much as a large pizza
If you have any questions or need any advice feel free to shoot me a PM, I'd be more than happy to helpEdit: Just remembered, awhile ago I read about another member who designed a mod, gave the shop the blueprint, specs, etc for a quote only to have them ignore him afterwards once they found out about the market and how many ppl buy them. And sure enough seen the mod he designed being sold somewhere. Most machine shops would never have the intention of doing such a thing but definitely something to keep in mind. I probably wouldn't mention what they sell for, maybe even say it is used to power some custom tool you have "imagine if it was for something like a flashlight now there's an idea lmao" sarcasm
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