Hand-Made Mechs

[Ed_C]

I wanted to ask a question about high-end mods. I'm not interested in debating if they are better than clones or worth the price, as this has already been discussed ad nauseum. My question concerns how they are made and who is really making these. I hear people talk about hand-made mods all the time, and I really question the term because these mods are all made, as far as I know, using modern computer controlled machining and are not really hand-made. I also wonder how many builders are actually doing the work in-house. I know there are some, but I would imagine that some, if not most, of the smaller builders outsource most, if not all of the work. I'm just wondering if the idea of small builder, slaving away, building his/her creations, with love, is just marketing, or is there some justification for this. Are these really works of art, as some people would say? Once again, I'm not asking if these mods are worth the price of admission or if they are well made. Thanks for your input.

 

[stevegmu]

I know of one line of steampunk style mods made by a guy in a shed out in the country in Central Europe. No CNC machine.

 

[State O' Flux]

I'm just wondering if the idea of small builder, slaving away, building his/her creations, with love, is just marketing, or is there some justification for this.

No justification at all... at least, not if they want to make more than a hand-full a year, or do more than just break even and actually make a profit. Economies of scale... and all that.

A member of VF is in the process of making a high conductivity (relatively huge continuity pathway), close tolerance premium mod now. Per a few PM discussions I've had with him... due to tight tolerance issues that the sublet machine shop he's working with can't seem to hold (and won't eat the cost of their limitations)... he's had to scrap the sample run and is having all the parts made oversize - and each and every part will require hand final dimensioning, fitment and finishing.
And... to top it all off, he's still shooting for 100% parts interchangeability, so no one will have to deal with future replacement parts issues.

He'll be doing (very) good to make $20 per unit on the first batch at $210 retail. As a 10% profit on this small a scale qualifies as a terrible business model... I'd say it's love. He's doing it because he wants to bring his vision of the best performing, most reliable mod money can buy to market - and if he eats it on the profit, lesson learned.

 

[MrPlink]

I would presume they are at least using a vert mill/lathe, which I suppose compared to a CNC is handmade.

In which case, I own a couple rifles that are handmade by yours truly.

Depending on what kind of material they are starting with (ie already tube shaped or a solid block of metal) it may not be THAT complicated to make, but not as easy as pushing a big green button and waiting a minute or two.

In this case is there any advantage to making mods "by hand"? Not in the least bit.

 

[2naphish]

check out Bay City Vapors. mom and pop shop. they do outsource the hand engraving and polishing. my understanding is they build every thing metal in their own shop.i do know they have customer service that is second to none . i like the mods and the family entrepreneur aspect so much i have all 3 models.

 

[Bad Ninja]

check out Bay City Vapors. mom and pop shop. they do outsource the hand engraving and polishing. my understanding is they build every thing metal in their own shop.i do know they have customer service that is second to none . i like the mods and the family entrepreneur aspect so much i have all 3 models.

I've heard this before about BCV.
One has to wonder .... With the skill and equipment to thread and mill parts, whynomneaerh would you have to outsource finish work like
Polishing?
As someone who manufactured suspension components for the performance auto industry, this sounds silly.

 

[2naphish]

I've heard this before about BCV.
One has to wonder .... With the skill and equipment to thread and mill parts, whynomneaerh would you have to outsource finish work like
Polishing?
As someone who manufactured suspension components for the performance auto industry, this sounds silly.

i have chatted with James from bcv several times and i gather they don't have the time to do everything in house and refuse to compromise the quality of the finished product. its a family business and i am guessing they don't want to outgrow their market. the mods are stunning right out of the box and the performance is almost shocking if you are used to top caps and pins. suits me just fine. all IMO