That gasket business sounds so easy
Just a few hundred thousand for tools, a building, raw material, etc. The splash shield material for example. There's a $10,000 MOQ (yep I didn't know what MOQ was either - Minimum Order Quantity). then the cost of shipping. Oh and then a forklift purchase to get the rolls off the truck. And lastly a 6000ft building to put it in plus another smaller 2000ft building I kept that I started in. Did I mention this is a hobby business that couldn't even support me if I lost my day job?
I'm interested in other splash shields if what I'm offering isn't correct for some models. One of the issues I run into is say a guy has a 37 Packard and needs splash shields. They MIGHT fit a bunch of other models but I don't know what ones and surprisingly most guys that have a 37 Packard don't know either OR worse they give me the wrong info and I list them for a 37 and 38 Packard. Later I find info on a forum that that DMT has know idea what hes doing cause a 38 Packard is different. Bottom line if a part ONLY fits one model I probably can't justify it cause like mentioned above i'm stretched thin and I'm a working slob with no retirement savings , now. Making a new product, even something simlke, takes an evening (after my day job from 6PM till 1 or 2AM) to reverse engineer a part. Hundreds for the steel rule die. Then HOPE I can at least pay for the tool. I dig money out of my own pocket to many times to pay for new tools.
Waterjet? Laser? Other? I have a laser but lasers have big limitations. One is they can't cut rubber. For that you need steel rule. I have 4 different style steel rule die presses and punches. Waterjets are noisy, messy and introduce too much moisture into both the parts and the facility which causes moisture problems in items that are sealed in bags. I've been investigating CNC oscillating knife equipment and will eventually purchase one. it's not a perfect technology. Soft or light weight stuff is hard to hold down without getting pushed around by the knife blade but other stuff it's great. The bad is they are wicked expensive (for me anyway). Even used. They have a tool/attachment for cutting holes upto 1/4" instead of time consuming steering a knife trying to make holes. That attachment alone is $12,000. The machine is like $140k then $6k to have the manufacturer assemble and set it up. Then a steep learning curve and I'm already very familiar with CNC - I design electrical power circuits and program industrial machines and robots at my day job.
SO if you have some parts, send picture via email. Help me with info about exactly what years/models the parts fit. the more models the easier it'll be to justify purchasing the steel rule tooling.
Presently I'm interested in nailing down all the firewall and kickpanel insulation pieces. Any in car pictures would be appreciate. Pictures or samples of Non AC or any variations on the AC pieces I did above for Alan would be appreciated.
I rarely have time to check in on the forums because of my day job, this side business and family obligations but if you email me to let me know there's a conversation I can help with or defend myself
just shoot me an email.
Thanks
Jim Fillmore
Detroit Muscle Technologies
It's 6PM. I just got here after my day job and will be making gaskets till 1 or 2AM. Then up at 7AM for work again. Anyone else on this schedule?