New here...

I couldn't find a better place to do an intro, so here we go.

I have 3-4 products in design right now, 3D renderings are nearly complete for all of them. They are remote control car and truck parts. The plan is to make a quick profit from one part to finance a much more complicated part that I am really wanting to get out in the public.

What do I do at this point? I have never done anything like this, but I have 3 different guys working on three different projects right now, and will have the needed AutoCAD files and PDF's very soon, in the next couple days.

The biggest thing I am concerned about is cost, I literally have zero idea what this is going to cost me.

What is the procedure when working with a manufacturer? My first part is a multi-part wheel. I expect I would need 2 sets (8 parts) prototyped so I can test them, etc and make sure they won't fail. I also expect this will be the most expensive part, the small prototype order. Am I correct on this?

Is it abnormal to prototype locally, then when I know the files are good, to contract a larger run without testing?

Generally, how many parts are needed for an order to be cost effective? Is a run of 60 parts considered a decent sized order, or is it a smallist order that will still cost more than if I ordered 1000 parts? I can't see me needing that many...

Anyway, I am very excited about this, and sincerelly hoping I don't have to sell my truck to finance this...

Jeremy
Kirkland, WA

Jeremy,
Maybe you should change your name to Greenmonster since green seems to be your biggest problem right now

Prototypes are a common and expected thing in machining job shops and many shops advertise there willingness to do prototyping, while most manufacturing facilities are not really interested in them. why? because there is no money in them for manufacturing shops that are set up for production, just that simple. Coulda been, shoulda been, might have been, almost was, does not deposit well in the banks.

There are hobby shops that if equipped are capable and many are willing to work for very little money because that is not their source of living, they just enjoy it, and these extra bucks from small jobs help pay for their hobby, if you are short on funds for this project these are the people you need to go to and there are a number of very capable hobby machinist here on the rfqwork forum. People that do this for a living cannot, will not and should not be expected to work for $10 an hour or $20 for that matter. Machining is not my living and it is not really a hobby but if my equipment gets turned on, a reasonable profit for time and investment is expected or it no longer gets turned on, just that simple.

How many pieces are needing machined to be cost effective cannot be answered here, too many unknown variables, I would think 60 for small shops not set up for quantity production would be a good number.

If you are committed to this project, perhaps you should consider selling your truck, I realize that was likely just a figure of speech but if that would provide the funds you need, it might be a solution, others have sold and sacraficed a lot more to accomplish a goal.

To me it is unfortionate that we do not get paid for quotes, but, that is the way it is so why not put your part up for a quote and see what happens.

Are you working on a web site ?

Best to you.

Kenny

I have a site, but it doesn't feature any of my current projects just yet, it is more of a display of some of my work mized with RC enthusiast content.

I will post up for bids as soon as I have the Autocad files, as I have been reading and know that machinists will be asking for them right away. All I have at the moment are PDF files of the parts with no dimensions.

Thanks for the response! I completely appreciate that you guys are generally underpaid. As long as I can secure the funds, and the comment about selling my truck was no figure of speech, I will easily retail a set of 4 wheels (the part I want done first) in the range of $100 a set, so as I see it, there is room for everyone to make some money, as long as the costs aren't through the roof. I imagine it will be a good deal all around. I would truely love to have a good relationship with a good company that I can keep coming back to for more work, it is my hope and intention to find that, hopefully here.

Send a copy of the drawings with dimensions I would like to look at them deltaenterprizes@sbcglobal.net

I haven't posted up for a bid yet because I am still waiting on the drawings. All I have right now is pdf files with no dimensions.

Jeremy,
Once you get your autocad files please email them to me so I could look at them, I am interested in making your products. You could also send me the PDF's, so that I could get a better idea as to what your products are. Thanks,

Martin