Jet engine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJr-RmJxtDc
OP did ask "realistically".
I mean, building a jet engine from an old car turbocharger is not that difficult, you only have to manufacture the combustion chamber.
Ask HN: What can you realistically manufacture in your garage?
31–40 of 428 posts
Re: Ask HN: What can you realistically manufacture in your garage?
#32The legality should interest you. I saw someone have their small business shut down by police because they were running it out of their basement. It wasn't the noise or pollution (which realistically are the nuisances you're going to be inflicting on neighbors) but the excess cars parked and delivery trucks coming and going down the street. One neighbor ratted them out. The problem with the space isn't really the cap…
In reviewing neighborhood covenants whilst searching for a new home, I was surprised to see some of them make explicit the fact that running a business in your home is allowed, provided that it doesn't generate significant traffic/parking.
This is indeed the case in my HOA as well and I was (pleasantly) surprised to see it codified as such.
Re: Ask HN: What can you realistically manufacture in your garage?
#33The legality should interest you. I saw someone have their small business shut down by police because they were running it out of their basement. It wasn't the noise or pollution (which realistically are the nuisances you're going to be inflicting on neighbors) but the excess cars parked and delivery trucks coming and going down the street. One neighbor ratted them out. The problem with the space isn't really the cap…
In reviewing neighborhood covenants whilst searching for a new home, I was surprised to see some of them make explicit the fact that running a business in your home is allowed, provided that it doesn't generate significant traffic/parking.
Gotta have a carve-out for the folks participating in an MLM scheme out of their house. They're quite popular.
Of course it also benefits remote tech workers who have an LLC or whatever. And handymen, et c.
Re: Ask HN: What can you realistically manufacture in your garage?
#34Have you ever seen a MagLite flashlight? (Or a clone)? The batteries are kept in place by a threaded cap which is spring loaded. My neighbor manufactures the caps, alone, in his garage. Cuts the threads and installs the spring. As far as noise I do hear his air compressor occasionally. You can buy quiet air compressors but they are orders more expensive than a standard unit.
Re: Ask HN: What can you realistically manufacture in your garage?
#35I have a dream of producing custom recumbents. I don't know where to get thin-walled pipes, but a start capital is roughly as you have described.
Re: Ask HN: What can you realistically manufacture in your garage?
#36Seeds, saplings, etc. Small houseplants and barely sprouted houseplants sell for a lot on Etsy and other sites and require very moderate amounts space and money. The difficulty is skill. Plants can be hard to grow and it’s easy to make a mistake that ruins lots of your crop!
Re: Ask HN: What can you realistically manufacture in your garage?
#37With a really good graphic/packaging designer you could make small batch, die cut and laser cut packaging. Stores flat, materials are cheap. Bring some fancy samples to farmers markets and craft fairs, pitch people who want prototype or short run packaging on Kickstarter, etc.
You'll never outcompete a large market, but for people making < 1000 of a thing, there's not a lot of options.
Re: Ask HN: What can you realistically manufacture in your garage?
#38Earlier quoted context omitted.
McMaster-Carr supplies thin-wall chromoly tube [0] suitable for fabricating bicycle frames. [0] tube is measured by the outer diameter; pipe is measured by the inner diameter
McMaster-Carr won’t sell to small companies, my friends and I have tried several times, only to have orders cancelled for the above-mentioned reason. It’s a shame because their website has a wealth of information (CAD drawings, measurements, etc.), one of the best I’ve seen.
The website and all the part details are amazing. I've made many purchases from McMaster for personal / hobby use so I'm surprised to hear about difficulties purchasing from them.
Re: Ask HN: What can you realistically manufacture in your garage?
#39Small aircraft. https://www.kitplanes.com/17-kits-for-under-25k/
Re: Ask HN: What can you realistically manufacture in your garage?
#40Zombie box type stuff. (generator quieting devices)