CNC cutter near Bellingham WA, anyone?

[lostgringo]

Hi, I'm trying to build a small prototype boat near Bellingham WA. I'm hoping to find a hobbyist or small shop with a CNC router (or something comparable) to help me cut out the panels and pieces for the boat. It will be made from HMW-PE plastic sheets (4'x8'x0.25"); then I thermally weld the pieces together (extrusion welding). I'm finishing the model on CAD now, I hope to prepare the file for cutting this week and get my hands on material too. Getting the output file ready for the CNC is new to me so that might take more time then I expect.

This is a noncommercial project that could be easily cutout anywhere in Western WA. I will likely travel to South Seattle like Kent or Auburn to pick up the plastic sheets so anybody in the Puget Sound area interested in helping please give a shout. I'll put some pics up here shortly, that might do wonders generating interest in my project. Cheers, Dave

dwood@lostgringo.com
509.548.0684 cell

[lostgringo]

1) The first boat I ever built, here it is in Chile on a river called Puelo. Puelo is famous for its trout, but my friend got skunked we had to put canned tuna on our pasta that night!

2) Construction pic from my first boat. This boat 'Black Sheep' was built and lives in Southern Chile.

3) The unfinished design I've been working on for months now. The transom will change dramatically and I need to add frames, deck and longitudinal reinforcements.

I hope you enjoy. I still need ideas on how I take my new design into the production phase. I've so far only talked to one commercial shop, but there fees were based on lineal cuts (like in meters) and the price would have been astronomical. I don't know if that is typical.

[Rushwind]

Is your plan to make a one-off, or is this a prototype for a production run?

I have a DIY machine and would be happy to help out if possible. I'm not a professional machine shop, so we'd have to manage expectations.

I'm in Woodinville.

[lostgringo]

Thanks for the response Rushwind. It is only one-off. that is assuming I can do it right the first time.

Sorry, I didn't see your post right away. I actually took a break from the project for short rock climbing trip to the Sierra Nevada. I'll only be down in California for a couple more days -- then I'll be back at it, full-time. I hope to touch bases with you as soon as I'm back in the Puget Sound. PS, don't let it rain up there while I'm gone!!!! Yeah... we wish. Cheers.

[lostgringo]

it is really almost ready for the CNC!

[cornbinder23]

Contact diyengineer here on the zone he is most active on the metalworking machines forum, he is in north bend Washington and has a large enough table to do what you need to.
I am in the bham area, and am building a boat right now too.
I am going to build a 4x8 router table next year, as my mill and lathe conversions have taken up most of my project funds lol

JTCUSTOMS

[lumberjack_jeff]

We're in SW Washington, interested in helping you out if you can't find someone closer.

Cool and intriguing project. How expensive is the HMW-PE?

This is the ticket for a drift boat.

Welcome to West Satsop Boatworks!

[cornbinder23]

Hey Jeff nice to see you over here too!!
Just finished up the fileting and taping on the rubens nymph today, my pops decided to get off his duff and come over to see what I was up to, nice to have him around the shop.
I have too many darn projects going, this boat should have been done last month but life gets in the way.

JTCUSTOMS

[lumberjack_jeff]

Where can I see photos of the nymph? Don't tease us!

The idea of a UHMW boat is really cool, but I doubt they'd let me in to the WB show with one.

[lostgringo]

Guys, thanks for all the help and advise. I got my plastic cut out last Tues. Everything went very well.

UHMW would be my plastic of choice, but it can not be welded as well as HMW and standard HDPE. If you were a big fish, and could mold plastic boat with Ulta-High it would be amazing. You have to put a large amount of pressure on it so standard rotational molding won't do it for UHMW-PE. Bummer.

My HMW (AKA - HDPE pipe-grade) cost $110/sheet 4'x10'x0.25". Buying the extrusion welder is the thing that will set you back.

I'd like to see a pic of the nymph too!!!