I am wondering how to find someone who can make a small quantity of TEN pieces of metal with a CNC machine, based on a design I drew. It would require machining with a milling machine, not plasma.
Everyone wants me to order a thousand of them before they will take me seriously, but I only need ten pieces, initially. If they work as I expect them to, I may then order a thousand of them.
I know there are prototyping services out there. I don't want some guy in China or Bangladesh! I want a good ol' boy in 'MERICA to make these!
Joe
MAKE ME A WIDGET!
- Joe Jones
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MAKE ME A WIDGET!
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(14) X-TOOL LASERS
LaserPecker 1 PRO, LP-2, LP-4 + accs
50 Watt GALVO fiber
TYVOK Spider S1 60W Diode Laser 49" x 96"
1,000 Watt 4x8 Fiber Laser Table
(2) X-TOOL Apparel Printers
(1) XTOOL MetalFab Machine
SwiftSHAPE cnc machine
CreatBot D600 PRO
Fortus 400mc
BIGREP Studio Gen 2
MODIX Big Meter
MakerBOT Z-18 3D Printer
Bernardo Mach 55 TON Ironworker
Grizzly G0792 - Roll Bender
Langmuir MR-1 CNC Mill
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Re: MAKE ME A WIDGET!
Depending on the complexity I may be able to help you out Joe. Can you share a pic or file of what you wanting machined? Also let me know your required tolerance.
DIY 2x2 table
- Joe Jones
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Re: MAKE ME A WIDGET!
Hi, and thank you. I will keep you in mind.AREA wrote: Thu Mar 23, 2023 9:25 am Depending on the complexity I may be able to help you out Joe. Can you share a pic or file of what you wanting machined? Also let me know your required tolerance.
I was pointed to a company called SEND CUT SEND which is a rapid prototyping company. I have ordered some things from them based on DXF files I drew. I am NOT an engineer, and I do not play one on TV. So these might be a total flop! But I had to start somewhere. Their prices are reasonable, and they do one-offs and small quantities.
I have many other things in mind to make this year. I also bought a CreatBot D600 PRO 3D printer, but it still sits in my shop untouched as I struggle to learn Fusion 360, so I can CREATE the things that are bouncing around in my empty head

Motorcycle accessories, gun accessories and ... mods

Joe
.
FREE DesignEdge Training Online Via ZOOM!
PlasmaCam 4x4 and 5x10 w/ ALL Upgrades
(14) X-TOOL LASERS
LaserPecker 1 PRO, LP-2, LP-4 + accs
50 Watt GALVO fiber
TYVOK Spider S1 60W Diode Laser 49" x 96"
1,000 Watt 4x8 Fiber Laser Table
(2) X-TOOL Apparel Printers
(1) XTOOL MetalFab Machine
SwiftSHAPE cnc machine
CreatBot D600 PRO
Fortus 400mc
BIGREP Studio Gen 2
MODIX Big Meter
MakerBOT Z-18 3D Printer
Bernardo Mach 55 TON Ironworker
Grizzly G0792 - Roll Bender
Langmuir MR-1 CNC Mill
PlasmaCam 4x4 and 5x10 w/ ALL Upgrades
(14) X-TOOL LASERS
LaserPecker 1 PRO, LP-2, LP-4 + accs
50 Watt GALVO fiber
TYVOK Spider S1 60W Diode Laser 49" x 96"
1,000 Watt 4x8 Fiber Laser Table
(2) X-TOOL Apparel Printers
(1) XTOOL MetalFab Machine
SwiftSHAPE cnc machine
CreatBot D600 PRO
Fortus 400mc
BIGREP Studio Gen 2
MODIX Big Meter
MakerBOT Z-18 3D Printer
Bernardo Mach 55 TON Ironworker
Grizzly G0792 - Roll Bender
Langmuir MR-1 CNC Mill
- rdj357
- 4 Star Elite Contributing Member
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Re: MAKE ME A WIDGET!
I have a local specialty machine shop that I work with. I just ordered 4 custom Smap’NCut mounts that are ultimately for a large company. There are many specialty machine shops across the country who are happy to do this, just have to search them out.
Robert Johnson
PlasmaCAM GURU & Instructor
I am not affiliated with PlasmaCAM, Inc. in any way. I offer training on their equipment and software. All product and company names are trademarks™ or registered® trademarks of their respective holders. Use of them are for nominative purposes only and does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.
PlasmaCAM GURU & Instructor
I am not affiliated with PlasmaCAM, Inc. in any way. I offer training on their equipment and software. All product and company names are trademarks™ or registered® trademarks of their respective holders. Use of them are for nominative purposes only and does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.
- Joe Jones
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Re: MAKE ME A WIDGET!
Yeah. The trick is to find one that does not require you to mortgage your home just to get one or two prototype pieces made!rdj357 wrote: Thu Mar 23, 2023 10:14 pm I have a local specialty machine shop that I work with. I just ordered 4 custom Smap’NCut mounts that are ultimately for a large company. There are many specialty machine shops across the country who are happy to do this, just have to search them out.

Joe
FREE DesignEdge Training Online Via ZOOM!
PlasmaCam 4x4 and 5x10 w/ ALL Upgrades
(14) X-TOOL LASERS
LaserPecker 1 PRO, LP-2, LP-4 + accs
50 Watt GALVO fiber
TYVOK Spider S1 60W Diode Laser 49" x 96"
1,000 Watt 4x8 Fiber Laser Table
(2) X-TOOL Apparel Printers
(1) XTOOL MetalFab Machine
SwiftSHAPE cnc machine
CreatBot D600 PRO
Fortus 400mc
BIGREP Studio Gen 2
MODIX Big Meter
MakerBOT Z-18 3D Printer
Bernardo Mach 55 TON Ironworker
Grizzly G0792 - Roll Bender
Langmuir MR-1 CNC Mill
PlasmaCam 4x4 and 5x10 w/ ALL Upgrades
(14) X-TOOL LASERS
LaserPecker 1 PRO, LP-2, LP-4 + accs
50 Watt GALVO fiber
TYVOK Spider S1 60W Diode Laser 49" x 96"
1,000 Watt 4x8 Fiber Laser Table
(2) X-TOOL Apparel Printers
(1) XTOOL MetalFab Machine
SwiftSHAPE cnc machine
CreatBot D600 PRO
Fortus 400mc
BIGREP Studio Gen 2
MODIX Big Meter
MakerBOT Z-18 3D Printer
Bernardo Mach 55 TON Ironworker
Grizzly G0792 - Roll Bender
Langmuir MR-1 CNC Mill
- rdj357
- 4 Star Elite Contributing Member
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- Joined: Sun Mar 11, 2012 4:40 pm
- Location: Tahlequah, OK
Re: MAKE ME A WIDGET!
I have that exact one just 10 miles from me! They now make many of the parts for Snap'NCut magnetic mounts for me as well!Joe Jones wrote: Fri Mar 24, 2023 11:22 amYeah. The trick is to find one that does not require you to mortgage your home just to get one or two prototype pieces made!rdj357 wrote: Thu Mar 23, 2023 10:14 pm I have a local specialty machine shop that I work with. I just ordered 4 custom Smap’NCut mounts that are ultimately for a large company. There are many specialty machine shops across the country who are happy to do this, just have to search them out.![]()
Joe
Robert Johnson
PlasmaCAM GURU & Instructor
I am not affiliated with PlasmaCAM, Inc. in any way. I offer training on their equipment and software. All product and company names are trademarks™ or registered® trademarks of their respective holders. Use of them are for nominative purposes only and does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.
PlasmaCAM GURU & Instructor
I am not affiliated with PlasmaCAM, Inc. in any way. I offer training on their equipment and software. All product and company names are trademarks™ or registered® trademarks of their respective holders. Use of them are for nominative purposes only and does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.
- Joe Jones
- 5 Star Elite Contributing Member
- Posts: 3796
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Re: MAKE ME A WIDGET!
The first two plates I ordered arrived. Wow! Impressive! I'm gonna have to break down and buy a fiber laser. There is just no two ways about it.
That KERN FiberCELL 3,000 Watt fiber laser is calling my name...
Joe

That KERN FiberCELL 3,000 Watt fiber laser is calling my name...
Joe
FREE DesignEdge Training Online Via ZOOM!
PlasmaCam 4x4 and 5x10 w/ ALL Upgrades
(14) X-TOOL LASERS
LaserPecker 1 PRO, LP-2, LP-4 + accs
50 Watt GALVO fiber
TYVOK Spider S1 60W Diode Laser 49" x 96"
1,000 Watt 4x8 Fiber Laser Table
(2) X-TOOL Apparel Printers
(1) XTOOL MetalFab Machine
SwiftSHAPE cnc machine
CreatBot D600 PRO
Fortus 400mc
BIGREP Studio Gen 2
MODIX Big Meter
MakerBOT Z-18 3D Printer
Bernardo Mach 55 TON Ironworker
Grizzly G0792 - Roll Bender
Langmuir MR-1 CNC Mill
PlasmaCam 4x4 and 5x10 w/ ALL Upgrades
(14) X-TOOL LASERS
LaserPecker 1 PRO, LP-2, LP-4 + accs
50 Watt GALVO fiber
TYVOK Spider S1 60W Diode Laser 49" x 96"
1,000 Watt 4x8 Fiber Laser Table
(2) X-TOOL Apparel Printers
(1) XTOOL MetalFab Machine
SwiftSHAPE cnc machine
CreatBot D600 PRO
Fortus 400mc
BIGREP Studio Gen 2
MODIX Big Meter
MakerBOT Z-18 3D Printer
Bernardo Mach 55 TON Ironworker
Grizzly G0792 - Roll Bender
Langmuir MR-1 CNC Mill
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Re: MAKE ME A WIDGET!
didn't the first response provide an answer?
- Joe Jones
- 5 Star Elite Contributing Member
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- Joined: Sat Oct 11, 2014 2:33 pm
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Re: MAKE ME A WIDGET!
Yes, but as a result of the outcome, the device has been redesigned, and now it requires NO machining at all. We have switched to using a 3D printer to accomplish the same task for a LOT less money.
Joe
Joe
FREE DesignEdge Training Online Via ZOOM!
PlasmaCam 4x4 and 5x10 w/ ALL Upgrades
(14) X-TOOL LASERS
LaserPecker 1 PRO, LP-2, LP-4 + accs
50 Watt GALVO fiber
TYVOK Spider S1 60W Diode Laser 49" x 96"
1,000 Watt 4x8 Fiber Laser Table
(2) X-TOOL Apparel Printers
(1) XTOOL MetalFab Machine
SwiftSHAPE cnc machine
CreatBot D600 PRO
Fortus 400mc
BIGREP Studio Gen 2
MODIX Big Meter
MakerBOT Z-18 3D Printer
Bernardo Mach 55 TON Ironworker
Grizzly G0792 - Roll Bender
Langmuir MR-1 CNC Mill
PlasmaCam 4x4 and 5x10 w/ ALL Upgrades
(14) X-TOOL LASERS
LaserPecker 1 PRO, LP-2, LP-4 + accs
50 Watt GALVO fiber
TYVOK Spider S1 60W Diode Laser 49" x 96"
1,000 Watt 4x8 Fiber Laser Table
(2) X-TOOL Apparel Printers
(1) XTOOL MetalFab Machine
SwiftSHAPE cnc machine
CreatBot D600 PRO
Fortus 400mc
BIGREP Studio Gen 2
MODIX Big Meter
MakerBOT Z-18 3D Printer
Bernardo Mach 55 TON Ironworker
Grizzly G0792 - Roll Bender
Langmuir MR-1 CNC Mill