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Ask HN: What can you realistically manufacture in your garage?

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Re: Ask HN: What can you realistically manufacture in your garage?

#381

Post by sliceform »

folli wrote: post #341
sliceform wrote: post #152

I used to be the education director at a makerspace and now run a 3D printing company selling small plastic parts and teaching entrepreneurs how to start small manufacturing businesses at home. Few thoughts: - Focus on your hobbies and other industries you know well. What problems exist? Where can you make things better? Are there problems people mention over and over again? - CAD modeling is often THE fundamental sk…

For CAD modeling, what software do you suggest for a beginner?

I’m a big fan of Fusion360. It’s easy enough to learn, full of online resources, and is free for tue first year. It’s also powerful enough to do machining (CAM), which is incredibly useful for manufacturing and scaling down the line.

Re: Ask HN: What can you realistically manufacture in your garage?

#383

Post by Zanfa »

egorfine wrote: post #376
throwaway787544 wrote: post #370

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How can we help? (With anything, not just drones)

- drone guys need hardware (electronics and manufacturing gear) delivered as fast as possible into Poland where our volunteers will pick up and move into Ukraine. We need everything from small electronic components to production line that will manufacture plastic or carbon drones. - push for the West to help Ukraine more. More weapons and faster delivery. So call your senator, raise awareness, etc;

Would love to hear more about the specific needs and ways to help with hardware or manufacturing, if you can point me to somebody or drop me an email (address on my profile).

Re: Ask HN: What can you realistically manufacture in your garage?

#384

Post by linsomniac »

h4waii wrote: post #300
linsomniac wrote: post #186

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is basically how Lulzbot started: 3d printing parts for 3d printers. I know at one point they were experimenting with making molds and pouring parts, I think out of resin. But when I toured their new facility a few years later, they had a giant farm of 3D printers, so I gather that didn't work out. I have since gotten into 3d printing and have printed molds and poured silicone with good luck. Some of that silico…

Thanks for this suggestion! I have looked at SLA printing and "bench/desktop" injections molding setups like MicroMolder, but I've ruled those out cause I don't have enough ventilation or appropriate space for handling resin -- I don't actually do this in a garage, but a spare room.

C'mon Jack, the resin fume high is like a bonus! :-)

That fiber reinforced Bondo is some pretty nasty stuff in the fume dept. If you really wanted to go that direction you could vent out a window or use some active carbon filtration I presume. But it starts adding up, depending on the quality you need you might also need a pressure/vacuum vessel as well and a pump.

I've managed without, for my micro volume of personal stuff I do.

Re: Ask HN: What can you realistically manufacture in your garage?

#386

Post by baldeagle »

CallMeJim wrote: post #324
sliceform wrote: post #152

I used to be the education director at a makerspace and now run a 3D printing company selling small plastic parts and teaching entrepreneurs how to start small manufacturing businesses at home. Few thoughts: - Focus on your hobbies and other industries you know well. What problems exist? Where can you make things better? Are there problems people mention over and over again? - CAD modeling is often THE fundamental sk…

CNC machines for under $5k? Where might we find some of these?

https://www.sherline.com/product/8540/

Re: Ask HN: What can you realistically manufacture in your garage?

#388

Post by thoughtpalette »

ja27 wrote: post #304
supercoffee wrote: post #222

My brother used to cast resin pen blanks in the garage. It's a pretty simple process that just needs a few silicone molds, a pressure vessel, and a vacuum pump. He sold them wholesale to a woodworking supply place for $5-10 each. He made enough over a couple years to pay for college.

I know a few people that must make good money resin-casting RPG dice. Some are super-fancy with all kinds of embedded decorations but one is just a clone of original D&D Basic Set dice (aka "Holmes dice"). Can't keep them in stock.

Can confirm. I've definitely bought some high end dice found on reddit/etsy. Helped there was a big DnD comeback after S1 of Stranger Things.

Re: Ask HN: What can you realistically manufacture in your garage?

#389

Post by joshcsimmons »

limpbizkitfan wrote: post #223
Panther34543 wrote: post #63

I've given this advice elsewhere, and I'll give it here. Go look at the small business initiatives by each branch of the U.S. military; many are now posting lists of open contracts that you can bid on for an incredible array of things. Browse through those lists and find something you can build. I really believe the U.S. military is in the midst of a large scale transfer of military spending from traditional large de…

Defense money is not worth the ethics

That username...

Re: Ask HN: What can you realistically manufacture in your garage?

#390

Post by joshcsimmons »

Panther34543 wrote: post #63

I've given this advice elsewhere, and I'll give it here. Go look at the small business initiatives by each branch of the U.S. military; many are now posting lists of open contracts that you can bid on for an incredible array of things. Browse through those lists and find something you can build. I really believe the U.S. military is in the midst of a large scale transfer of military spending from traditional large de…

Shameless plug - come work for us at Anduril, we're steadily hiring. It's been the best job I've ever had.
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