Enraged;1452418 said:
:3d_frown: i wasn't trashing the business, merely stating that i prefer to CNC my own parts when i am competent/able to do so if the alternative is a bit too $$y for me.
Billet rear diff cover......
- Thread starter gofastgeorge
- Start date
:3d_frown: i wasn't trashing the business, merely stating that i prefer to CNC my own parts when i am competent/able to do so if the alternative is a bit too $$y for me.
People tend to charge what the market will bear for that kind of work and as they're aimed at the Mk4 $$$ crowd obviously the market bears quite a lot.
They're selling for more than most of the Mk3's that come through here have cost in total so won't really be an option.
The next point is "need" it's not like even the big dog Mk3's have been suffering that type of failure so there's very little need, it's a LOT of money to pay for a Chi Chi part.
Looking at that piece I'd cost it out around half that and still be making a good profit on it if I were to make them but then again my machines are all paid for so I can be more realistic on pricing than most.
They're selling for more than most of the Mk3's that come through here have cost in total so won't really be an option.
The next point is "need" it's not like even the big dog Mk3's have been suffering that type of failure so there's very little need, it's a LOT of money to pay for a Chi Chi part.
Looking at that piece I'd cost it out around half that and still be making a good profit on it if I were to make them but then again my machines are all paid for so I can be more realistic on pricing than most.
PureDrifter;1452868 said:
If you do your own CNC work, then you know what it takes in time to design, to set this up, and the cost of BILLET aluminum. This is made of T6-6061 and is setup just like the factory cover for ventilation. The idea of making this cover and selling it to the public for less is absurd. The cost of a square piece of this material is what others think this should sell it for.
prsrcokr;1453096 said:
Its Billet...
Most people that make these comments don't realize what it takes in R&D to make this along with the materials and time.
Enraged;1452418 said:
100 percent correct!
One other thing. This isn't needed for most applications unless you are making some power and going to the track.
Working well for us
People, you guys need to realize that, machine time, programming and profit are factored in to this. Some may be able to make it cheaper, fine, you make it then.
If Rich makes it, I will buy one for sure. Just need a couple of things added for my set-up.
Duane
If Rich makes it, I will buy one for sure. Just need a couple of things added for my set-up.
Duane
uask4it;1458586 said:
when did i ever say i'd sell it for a profit :3d_frown:
i was talkin about making it solely for myself.
PureDrifter;1458684 said:
If you are making it for yourself, you'd have more money in making just one anyway. I don't see your point.
I know this may not be an accurate comparison, but...... I have a machinist friend that I was talking to one time, and he was explaining to me about custom fuel rails (I know, apples, oranges....kind of...) for our trucks in my truck club. Most of the aftermarket vendors that sell billet fuel rails sell them for anywhere between $200 on the cheap side, to about $400 IIRC. He was explaining that it costs about $20 for the stock (this was a couple of years ago, mind you), and probably about $20 labor to machine the rails. So that's $40 to machine a pair of fuel rails for a V8 motor. Even if you wanted to make a 100% profit, that's only $80 for the rails....but most vendors were selling the rails for 5-6x's that. Again, not diff covers, but same concept.
I know it all boils down to what you think your time is worth, but on the same token, put the ego aside and don't be greedy.
I know it all boils down to what you think your time is worth, but on the same token, put the ego aside and don't be greedy.
people only look at the material cost and machining time, rarely do they understand that money was spent on design (time), costs for 3d modeling (computer, software, etc) and prototyping (which can be very expensive). to recoup those costs over small runs of parts (10-50 parts), it can make the parts expensive.
Enraged;1459272 said:
If we get 7 people or so, these can be made for cheaper than 800, I spoke with Rich already about this. He can add some fins for cooling although the aluminum will help that and add a fitting to accommodate my oil cooler too. (in case you guys would want one)
Duane
not me, but it will go on my list of things to try making, im looking at picking up a cnc mill within the next few months.