Looking for products to make in a machine shop.

[Bob Quinn]

I have a machine shop in Michigan, primarily cnc milling, grinding and wire edm capabilities.
I've been trying to come up with things I could make and sell direct to customers.

While I still do contract manufacturing, I would like to diversify a little and not be at the mercy of customer contracts which can disappear at any time.

Just wondering if there is anything that the boating industry needs that isn't currently available.

Preferably I would want something that could be sold in some kind of volume.

Just looking for ideas if anyone has anything to share please do!

One thing I have been thinking, not really a machine shop thing, but something I haven't been able to really find, is a good fender that could be put along the length of a swim platform edge to protect dinghy's from getting banged up. I found some edge fenders but nothing I really found that I liked. The ones I found wouldn't really wrap around the top and bottom of the swim platform but are more meant to screw to the edge of a flat faced dock.

Another thought was a dock line tensioning mechanism that you could insert into the middle of a dock line to somehow twist or lever action tighten a dock line. Something possibly similar to the chain tensioners they sell for the trucking industry, but made to work somehow for ropes. This idea might be just a "me" thing though. I don't hear of anyone else looking for something like that. So I'm guessing it's something that probably wouldn't sell very well.

Any and all thoughts are welcome!
What do you wish was available that you can't seem to find?

 

[bigbill]

large hollow pool noodles sliced length wise and slip over the edge of the swim platform....cheap and easy

 

[Bob Quinn]

large hollow pool noodles sliced length wise and slip over the edge of the swim platform....cheap and easy

That just might work perfect!

 

[Bob Quinn]

Captain Ralph posted something here, but then it disappeared.
To answer your question, yes I can cnc aluminum no problem.
I'll see if I can log in to that forum and take a further look.

 

[Briankinley2004]

Steering wheel caps to fit the original Hatteras wheels

Rod holder backing plates

 

[Bob Quinn]

Steering wheel caps to fit the original Hatteras wheels

Rod holder backing plates

Do you have pictures?

I can understand the steering wheel caps being hard to find.

The rod holder backing plates.... they aren't available? Tell me more

 

[Chasemmc]

Galley maid windless clutch release wheel

 

[Sadey]

A little more costly then the noodle but it has worked in up to 47kt gusts for us.

 

[Bob Quinn]

Galley maid windless clutch release wheel

Do you have a picture?

 

[Bob Quinn]

A little more costly then the noodle but it has worked in up to 47kt gusts for us.

I actually bought a set, debating putting them on or not.

 

[bostonhatteras]

Pump bodies. Flexible impeller. Vane style. centrifugal and so on. The list is long but the point is short, pump bodies are simple blocks with a precise hollow and a shaft way. You could devise any number of pump styles to accommodate existing impellers, gears and shaft seals. From there you could devise any number input shaft options with fixed or auxillary drive methods. Just my .02¢

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Marine grade bbq grill. Something to compete with the Magma.

OR

not necessarily marine but a SS plate to replace the grates on a gas grill. I see people buying these propane "flat tops". Why not just have a robust plate what replaces the grate on your grill to turn it into a flat top? Maybe add a few vent holes at the rear so the combustion gases can escape and you're good to go. Make something common size to fit 3, 4, or 5 burner Weber grills to start. There are a bunch of those out there.


Or

A sturdy boat hook like you're looking for.

 

[Avenger]

Maybe look at making stainless replacements for the chrome/brass stanchion bases and Tees used on rails.

 

[rsmith]

Maybe look at making stainless replacements for the chrome/brass stanchion bases and Tees used on rails.

Yes you can’t find quality ones like Hatteras used. Schmidt used to make them but stopped

 

[Avenger]

Yes you can’t find quality ones like Hatteras used. Schmidt used to make them but stopped

There you go. He's looking for high volume.

I have an idea for converting Galley Maid/ Ideal windlasses to free fall, but it would require engineering and, considering the limited market it wouldn't be a big production item.

Horseshoes, rubber bands and atom bombs are all cheaper by the dozen.

 

[Bob Quinn]

Marine grade bbq grill. Something to compete with the Magma.

OR

not necessarily marine but a SS plate to replace the grates on a gas grill. I see people buying these propane "flat tops". Why not just have a robust plate what replaces the grate on your grill to turn it into a flat top? Maybe add a few vent holes at the rear so the combustion gases can escape and you're good to go. Make something common size to fit 3, 4, or 5 burner Weber grills to start. There are a bunch of those out there.


Or

A sturdy boat hook like you're looking for.

Good ideas Sky!

 

[Bob Quinn]

Maybe look at making stainless replacements for the chrome/brass stanchion bases and Tees used on rails.

Are these no longer available?

 

[Avenger]

Are these no longer available?

Seems to be the case:

https://www.samsmarine.com/forums/s...n-bases-for-late-1965-late-1971-Hatteras-41TC

 

[Bob Quinn]

Seems to be the case:

https://www.samsmarine.com/forums/s...n-bases-for-late-1965-late-1971-Hatteras-41TC

If anyone has a sample of each type to spare I could look into getting brass castings made.
Might be a good place to start!

 

[Bob Quinn]

Yes you can’t find quality ones like Hatteras used. Schmidt used to make them but stopped

Did Schmidt make them out of Stainless?

Where is Schmidt and or full name, I'ld like to look them up.
Thanks