Any CNC Programmers in the house?

[911Gil]

Here's the issue, I have some old discontinued after-market three piece wheels, and I'm trying to widen them by and inch, well I've found some barrels, that get me half inch closer to my goal. I've been calling some local machinist to make me a loop or ring that I can sandwich between the assembled barrels and the wheel center. I've called some local machinists, and pretty much tell me its going to cost me $1500. To make me two pieces. I asked them why is it so much to manufacture, they pretty much told me that the cnc programmers take up the majority of the cost. Essentially what I'm looking for is an aluminum half inch thick loop with 20 evenly spaced holes (not sure about the inner and overall diameter dimensions yet). Any thought, theories and help will be greatly appreciated!! One other thing I've called Kodiak for a quote, come to find out they no longer make after-market barrels.

Best Regards

Gil

[MattKellett]

Hi Gil

I'm a cnc programmer and machinist for a prototype shop in the bay area.

It sounds to me that the programming of this ring would be an hour, most shops would charge by the hour. Let's say the ring is 16" in diameter and you machine from 1/2"stock without facing, otherwise you're going to have to buy 5/8" stock. So let's say a piece of aluminum 17"square, 1/2"thick is going to run about $200, and then you have to pay for machine time and set up, so lets say set up of an hour and machine time of probably an hour, so your looking at maybe 4-5 max.

So not knowing what the shop charges for there hourly rate, but I'd say that you could more than likely get these cut for $700 - $800.

Hope this will help.

OF course without actually seeing exactly what you want, the cost could be higher.

Cheers

Matt

[gtc]

Have you talked to Jeff Alton? He may be able to help get some custom barrels built that would actually fit properly.

[911Gil]

Thanks Mat, thanks Graham, I will try Jeff Alton first, if he doesn't have the parts I will get a hold of you Mat. Mat the price you mentioned, is that for both pieces, Anyways thank you both for your input!!!!!!

Mat, could you provide me with your companies contact number?

[MattKellett]

Yes I think you could probably get both machined for around about that price range, all depends on what you actually want and need. It sounds very simple to me, but don't hold me to the cost as there are so many variables.

the company I work for is A&J Product Solutions.

A+J Product Solutions

408 400 9501

[jim72911t]

Matt's got it right. There is also the issue of fixturing a ring that is 16" in diameter (with probably a 15" inner diameter) and a half inch thick. That thing is gonna move and flex, and getting a finished product that holds the tolerances you'd need for a wheel might be difficult.

Also, I'm betting that the shop that quoted you $1500 is probably taking into consideration that they might scrap one before they nail down the process.

Good luck.

[gtc]

If I were actually going to make them, I'd probably look into having them cut on a water jet.

[red911sc]

Originally Posted by gtc

If I were actually going to make them, I'd probably look into having them cut on a water jet.

This!

[911Gil]

Thanks guys, based on the dimensions and simplicity of the design, it looks like water jet is the way to go. Any recommendations in SoCal? Once again thanks to all of you!!

Gil

[LJ851]

Originally Posted by 911Gil

Thanks guys, based on the dimensions and simplicity of the design, it looks like water jet is the way to go. Any recommendations in SoCal? Once again thanks to all of you!!

Gil

Your wheel halves locate (precisely) on your current wheel center, they are not centered by the bolts. With a machined 1/2" thick spacer there will be nothing to accurately center the wheel half and with a water jet piece the tolerances are much greater. I would want the spacer to be "hubcentric" to the original locating diameter which would require machining on both faces of the spacer, for trueness and strength.

[Flieger]

Early Fuchs are not hub-centric. I hve early hubs so even though I am using 16" Fuchs they are lug-centric for me.

[LJ851]

Originally Posted by Flieger

Early Fuchs are not hub-centric. I hve early hubs so even though I am using 16" Fuchs they are lug-centric for me.

So if OP makes spacers for the wheel halves of his 3 piece wheels that are not concentrically located to the wheel centers it's ok? What are you saying?

[Flieger]

I just am saying that non-hub centric works too.

[Tervuren]

Most machine shops are pretty busy, and its hard to find good machinists, pretty easy to get hired if you are one, pretty much anywhere.

So what you're facing, is that shops will charge based on hassle, rather than simply cost of materials. A wheel is a pretty critical part to a car, and they need to make sure they get it right, even if it takes multiple tries. They have to factor this into a quote. Not to mention in this lawyery world, they could be liable if your design didn't work out.

I see this at my shop sometimes, they will quote 1000% of the cost, if they get the job, the money somewhat offsets doing a job they would rather not take, and if they don't, they still have plenty of business, and get to go home on time.

I'd expect almost anywhere you go, you're going to get charged extra for this, because its being used on a critical part of your car. The only way you'll get a reasonable deal, is to go to a place that works with wheels as their main production/living, they'll have the confidence to believe they can do it right, and will charge a more reasonable rate. Either way, its still not going to be cheap.