Chris,
I have small 3D printers and use a CAD program and draw up and produce my items
for the shop, woodworking, home, and auto as the problem with engineers is we
think we can do it better.
Hence, I have stopped going to manufacturers, machine tool and die shops and
sourcing
those folks to do some of the work. Hence they are all just giving up
and closing the doors as the competition for "one offs" is non existent and
overseas
producers can do it on the cheap even for small production runs if you
supply an STL file or similar. (Of course they like your design as they now
have
your idea and may be able to hack your design and sell it.) Heck, a printed
circuit board you design can be made for only a few bucks a piece by PCB Way,
and you can get it back in a week or two. Technology is great, but the
manufacturing
is all overseas today. Even the small metal items we used to hand
fabricate are now easily done on inexpensive desktop CNC machines allowing
amateurs
to do fabrication and machining "it in house". Doing the
CAD/Design/Printing/CNC
work can be extremely time consuming posing the question, should I
do this or farm it out. Of course, the problem is finding the shop that will
accept your work and do it anymore is getting hard to find. So, I spend the 4
days necessary to design, CAD, print/cut, test, modify, CAD, print/cut, test
and after 4 or 5 iterations I make a trinket that will be "damned adequate" for
the task.
As for exhaust and other pipe type needs, we still have to go outside unless you
are an experienced TIG welder of thin stainless tubing. We can buy the elbows
and lengths we need online and even the ball joints for sockets, but again,
this is a trial/error/fit issue even if you are copying an existing part and
will be time, and learning curve issues.
As you well know, I'm not saving time or expense doing my own parts, as the
enemy
of good is better. My redo pile is becoming a need for a recycling means.
The work just keeps snowballing. However, it keeps me out of getting in trouble
as idle hands can and will find inappropriate ways to stay occupied. At least
this is productive to me.
Stay safe,
Bud Yerly
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
<owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com>
On Behalf Of n7188u
Sent: Sunday, January 07, 2024 10:04 AM
Subject: Europa-List: Re: Slight exhaust leak at cylinder head manifold joint
Hi Bud,
Thanks for your reply.
First on the CKT thing yes it is very sad. But your comments about why are right
on. I am personally facing a similar situation as a product development Engineer
for a big medical device company were things are so business oriented that
its becoming more and more difficult for us Engineers to do an adequate job.
To the point I have decided to go into early retirement this year and find
something
else to do. BTW, what is happening with Boeing is a good example of the
consequences of what I see at work every day.
Anyway, setting that aside lets hope someone picks up the CKT baton and provides
support to these great components.
Regarding my exhaust leak, rest assured I am not going to sit on this. I am not
the type to ignore issues, but I generally like to do my research and be
prepared
before jumping into the fix. My plan is to read up on your procedure, get
what I need and do it. But this morning I was able to go for a short flight and
have some fun (spending 8 month grounded to paint the airplane requires some
compensation at the end :D )
Chris
Read this topic online here:
http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=513036#513036
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