Molding Business

[shelbycharger400]

i have noticed on the lines of molding, some have an extensive line of different heads you can get.
if you have machine shop friends,, they could make you the custom knives 

[FeltzE]

To run a successfull moulding business you will really have to tack down your market and recurring customers. I have run a sawmill business part time for years, and some years less then others (due to military deployment) and it has hurt my business. I'm now retired and slowly word is getting back out and business flow is increasing.  I'm adding shavings for bedding to balance out the ebb and flow of not having a steady flow of sawmill customers.  We run feast and famine at the saw. No calls for a week or two then (and it only takes one) several that have us scrambling to catch up.

Shellby: I wouldn't have a machine shop make my moulding knives or heads. I'd go to one of the distributers, guaranteeing balanced knives, corregated heads, and templates. Alternatively with a little patience and a 1/4" grinding wheel you can grind your own patterns (carefull with the balance issues) yourself successfully.

Eric

[shelbycharger400]

feltzE..  one of my machinist buddys usto teach at the u of m,  and has told me some stuff that friends of his have done... particle ray cones and such.   tool steel is tool steel p50 ect ect.   balancing can be done if you know the right people plasma coatings.. no problem, anodizing..covered, corregated heads... no problem.   one buddys shop,  2 bridgeports,  one engine lathe, 2 hardinge chuckers .  all tools should be calculated to "maximum load" at 4 x nominal speed, most tools break when that is grossly exceded !    i have a small optical comparator here at home.    Im building an injection moulding die at the college im going to, on a tool room cnc.

[FeltzE]

Sounds like you have it figured out. Have you considered making a pellet mill? Now there is a market for that stuff up North!!

Oh, I've been lookin at them lately.

Eric

[shelbycharger400]

yea...i have thought bout it.....waaaaaaayyyyy  tooo many irons in the fire now