CNC Your Own Parts

[MrAl]

Hello there,

Anyone try this yet? Using a CNC machine to make car parts.

Some parts may be too hard to make due to the complexity.
Hardened parts would not be directly CNC-able, I think the approach here is to use softer metal for the CNC, then hardened, then use CNC grinding.

I worked in two different machine shops briefly long long ago, but forgot most of what we did. I do remember making bearings though, they were first made using softer steel, then hardened, then machined a second time. I remember some were hardened using a hot salt bath, and some were hardened using a carborizing pot. The final product pieces had to be randomly tested for hardness using a special machine.
Don't remember much more this was a very very long time ago.

For non-hardened parts this should work I would think.

[scot850]

There are those who may go that route. Then there is the option of small batch runs and finding somewhere that can do that. I did my last machining 45+ years ago. I plan to leave it that way! LoL!

The new way though is to 3D print stuff. You can even print metal, but not sure how strong the metals are?

Neil.

[MrAl]

There are those who may go that route. Then there is the option of small batch runs and finding somewhere that can do that. I did my last machining 45+ years ago. I plan to leave it that way! LoL!

The new way though is to 3D print stuff. You can even print metal, but not sure how strong the metals are?

Neil.

Hi Neil,

Oh ok, ha ha. Yes it can be difficult sometimes but sometimes it may be difficult to find a part.
With my old, old, Hyundai, I had to make a new part that was part of the emissions control because there was none to be found anywhere. I used a metal pipe and some special high temperature epoxy, and used a part of the old piece that was still ok.

[volvolugnut]

MrAI,
Your comment on making bearings is interesting to me. I had always thought making bearings to be a specialty of bearing manufacturers. But I guess if you need a special size or design you make them yourself.
I have designed a lot of machined and heat treated parts, but not rolling bearings. Others did all the work to make the parts. But I learned a bit about their processes along the way. There is a lot of technology in both the design and the making of most machined metal parts.
It was very interesting and I made good money doing it.
If anyone needs some basic advice, I may be able to help.
volvolugnut

[abscate]

I’ve been CNC parts for years, now.

Call Neil Canada......

[Chuck W]

I mean, unless you have access to an actual CNC machine (Which is kind of a general term, really), it's kind of cost-prohibitive for the average individual.

I've machined stuff, formed stuff, welded, had things laser-cut/water-jetted, and have made a lot of my parts over the years.

CNC work, like what Ben does at BNE Dynamics, requires some serious overhead.

[abscate]

I mean, unless you have access to an actual CNC machine (Which is kind of a general term, really), it's kind of cost-prohibitive for the average individual.

I've machined stuff, formed stuff, welded, had things laser-cut/water-jetted, and have made a lot of my parts over the years.

CNC work, like what Ben does at BNE Dynamics, requires some serious overhead.

He has some nice ball bearing m56 shift bushings!!

[MrAl]

I’ve been CNC parts for years, now.

Call Neil Canada......

Hi Steve,

Oh really, what parts have you made in the past already?
I am just getting into this a little now.

[MrAl]

I mean, unless you have access to an actual CNC machine (Which is kind of a general term, really), it's kind of cost-prohibitive for the average individual.

I've machined stuff, formed stuff, welded, had things laser-cut/water-jetted, and have made a lot of my parts over the years.

CNC work, like what Ben does at BNE Dynamics, requires some serious overhead.

Hi Chuck,

Well the price on some of these has come way down. You can actually get one now for under $200 USD.
I don't know if you could make something as demanding as a bearing, but I know you would be able to make other small parts.
For example, I do not know if you could make a wheel bearing with a cheaper CNC machine, but then again you'd probably have to buy the little steel balls that go inside, if that bearing used them.

[MrAl]

MrAI,
Your comment on making bearings is interesting to me. I had always thought making bearings to be a specialty of bearing manufacturers. But I guess if you need a special size or design you make them yourself.
I have designed a lot of machined and heat treated parts, but not rolling bearings. Others did all the work to make the parts. But I learned a bit about their processes along the way. There is a lot of technology in both the design and the making of most machined metal parts.
It was very interesting and I made good money doing it.
If anyone needs some basic advice, I may be able to help.
volvolugnut

Hi there,

Well one place I worked for a short time was actually a bearing manufacturer.
The heat treating process was very interesting. Until then I never knew one of the initial heat treating methods used molten salt where the bearings were dipped into the hot salt bath for a set time, then removed and quenched in water.
There was more machining after that too.