Originally Posted by jalessi  Ricardo,
The venture you are thinking about requires evaluating all CNC machining equipment and processes before making any purchases.
If you jump the gun and buy anything, you are going to waste lots of money.
Good vendors may setup evaluation time and even run one of your parts if you are going to make a substantial purchase.
Do you have any idea about the equipment required and how long it takes to machine the parts you are thinking about?
Taking some time to work up a viable business plan may behoove you.
Scat sells connecting rods far cheaper than most could even think of making them, how do you plan on competing with them?
Several of the parts you sell are between $20-30 dollars, you wont make much money turning out only a few a day.
There is a big difference between a hobby, machining parts for fun and production.
The reason why I am not suggesting equiptment is because I personally don't think you have the budget required to get into the connecting rod business.
Maybe you should ask someone more qualified than me for better information.
Jeff... |
Jeff, You are correct. If this is true, I do not have the budget to compete with Scat. The reason I ask about acquiring cnc equipment, is I am currently working on a business plan for a loan from the SBA. Which could be a micro loan from 3rd party lender associated with the SBA (50k) or normal loan direct (around 100k or more), depending on how far I want to take it. This will not be something that can be done over night. I have been in contact with the SBA (
http://scorehouston.org/) and they are currently helping me lay the foundation for my business plan. Finding out more information on manufacturing of parts would help me better situate what is possible with the loan and what is not. I really appreciate all of your help on this subject, as I am trying to better knowledge myself of manufacturing and the equipment that will be needed. MFG in general is what I was aiming for, whether it be crankshaft pulleys or connecting rods. SCAT started somewhere...