# Metal Manufacturing Question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 13, 2011, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-manufacturing-question/567415 "2011-01-13T02:16:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![EasyPhil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47c2d/32.png) [@EasyPhil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EasyPhil)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-manufacturing-question/567415/1 "2011-01-13T02:16:02Z")
If I had a design for a small part that I wanted manufactured out of metal, who would I talk to? Someone at a machine shop? ---
**Author:** ![Triskadecamus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@Triskadecamus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Triskadecamus)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-manufacturing-question/567415/2 "2011-01-13T02:18:37Z")
For a one copy, look for model makers, or hobbyists like Creative Anachronists. Corporate folks are just not that interested in a one time, one off manufacturing job. I have been trying to get silver bullets for years now. Mostly promises, so far. Tris ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-manufacturing-question/567415/3 "2011-01-13T02:28:51Z")
Look up rapid prototyping: Here’s a good hit: [http://www.dmoz.org/Science/Technology/Manufacturing/Prototyping/Rapid\_Prototyping/Service\_Providers/](http://www.dmoz.org/Science/Technology/Manufacturing/Prototyping/Rapid_Prototyping/Service_Providers/) Here’s a joint that does sintered metal, machining etc.: [http://3axis.us/](http://3axis.us/) ---
**Author:** ![Fubaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@Fubaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fubaya)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-manufacturing-question/567415/4 "2011-01-13T03:08:18Z")
A local machine shop would probably be simpler, that’s kinda exactly what they’re there for. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-manufacturing-question/567415/5 "2011-01-13T03:19:20Z")
We need more info. How many parts do you need? Is this for a home project? Is it a prototype for a patent? How complex is the part? What are the tolerances? A machine shop could probably do it, but you’ll have to pay quite a bit of money for set up and overhead. If it’s just a non-critical piece for a home project or whatever, I would ask around to see if someone has a small home-based shop, and ask him if he could make it for a modest fee. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-manufacturing-question/567415/6 "2011-01-13T05:46:11Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > We need more info. How many parts do you need? Is this for a home project? Is it a prototype for a patent? How complex is the part? What are the tolerances? What kind of metal. Are you providing the material? Do you have engineering drawings or will the machine shop have to produce them? Stranger ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-manufacturing-question/567415/7 "2011-01-13T11:54:28Z")
Depending on what it is, you might have reasonable luck just going at a block of metal with files and a Dremel, quite frankly. But do look into if there is a [FabLab](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fab_lab) near you… ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-manufacturing-question/567415/8 "2011-01-13T13:06:13Z")
> [@EasyPhil](#): > > If I had a design for a small part that I wanted manufactured out of metal, who would I talk to? Someone at a machine shop? If you live in an industrial area, there are probably all kinds of small machine shops that do this sort of thing, making single parts and/or small production runs. In my day job, we do business with these kinds of places all the time, getting one-of-a-kind brackets and parts made, stuff that’s more complicated or exacting than we care to get made through or own on-site machine shop. Some examples from the southeast Michigan area: [Protomatic](http://www.protomatic.com/) [Lidell Specialty Products.](http://www.lidellonline.com/) [Technosports](http://technosports.com/) [Specialty Fabrication](http://specialfab.com/) Depending on the complexity and precision requirements of your part, the cost could vary widely; some shops specialize in high-precision work using the latest and greatest hi-tech equipment, while others are more budget-minded, locating their facility out in the countryside and outfitting themselves with used equipment bought at auction. Call a few places to get some prices. Check the Yellow Pages of your nearest metro area for “machine shops” to find similar outfits near you. As noted, the more copies you get made, the lower the cost per part is, because the setup/overhead costs get distributed across the entire run of parts. If you’re only having one made, be ready for some sticker shock. The shop may work with you to lower the price, telling you what features or what tolerances are driving the cost. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-manufacturing-question/567415/9 "2011-01-13T13:15:45Z")
If it isn’t a moving part of some machine, and doesn’t have to stand up to massive wear, and tolerances aren’t hugely important (that’s a lot of ‘if’, but the OP didn’t give us much detail), you can cast it yourself quite easily out of pewter or something similar, using the lost wax method. I’ve been playing with this myself recently and wrote it up on my website. (I haven’t posted a link as I don’t want to appear to be spamming). PM me if you want the details. ---
**Author:** ![EasyPhil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47c2d/32.png) [@EasyPhil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EasyPhil)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-manufacturing-question/567415/10 "2011-01-13T13:58:38Z")
The item I want made isn’t complicated at all. It’s essentially this piano sustain pedal like the Casio SP2-R, without the electronic parts i.e. no wire, no switch inside. > **[Amazon.com: Casio SP2-R Sustain Pedal : Musical Instruments](https://www.amazon.com/Casio-SP2R-SP2-R-Sustain-Pedal/dp/B00006ANEZ)** > > Amazon.com This optional sustain pedal will enhance your keyboard experience. A critical accessory for keyboard players. The pdeal works with the following models: CPS-7, CPS-85, CTK-481, CTK-491, CTK-495, CTK-531, CTK-541, CTK-591, CTK-611,... It’s just two pieces of metal, two screws and a spring but I need a modified version of it that’s 2" longer and I need about a hundred of them. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-manufacturing-question/567415/11 "2011-01-13T14:01:44Z")
Big Blue Saw ([http://www.bigbluesaw.com/](http://www.bigbluesaw.com/) )is another metal prototyping site – looks like they do laser and water jet cutting. I need to come up with some clever idea myself so I can try them out. ---
**Author:** ![fumster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@fumster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fumster)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-manufacturing-question/567415/12 "2011-01-13T14:04:55Z")
How about a door hinge and two pieces of wood? Ace hardware has a good selection of springs. ---
**Author:** ![komolono](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/komolono/32/532_2.png) [@komolono](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/komolono)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-manufacturing-question/567415/13 "2011-01-13T17:41:33Z")
This technique is quite amazing (at least to me). [http://www.van-cn.com/en/dzjg.asp](http://www.van-cn.com/en/dzjg.asp) But it’s not a fast way of copying, takes a lot of electricity and you usually end up ruining your mold. I got the random link above googling nickel electrolysis gypsum mold because I was not sure of the correct term (only seen it once). It takes days to get thick pieces with this technique. ---
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-manufacturing-question/567415/14 "2011-01-13T22:27:38Z")
> [@EasyPhil](#): > > The item I want made isn’t complicated at all. It’s essentially this piano sustain pedal like the Casio SP2-R, without the electronic parts i.e. no wire, no switch inside. > > [Amazon.com: Casio SP2-R Sustain Pedal : Musical Instruments](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006ANEZ/ref=cm_rdp_product_img) > > It’s just two pieces of metal, two screws and a spring but I need a modified version of it that’s 2" longer and I need about a hundred of them. Not sure without actual plans, but that looks like something I could crank out in that quantity in my garage in under a week. If you are anywhere near central NY state, I could make you a deal.