Producing Prototype Copies

[Philippe Ingels]

I want to start developing a product range of wooden ornaments (dolls). They will have a very simple profile that needs to be lathed. To keep the cost down I have considered buying pre-lathed pieces from e.g. craftparts but these do not really offer me the creative flexibility I need. The ornaments will be no more than about 2.5 - 3 inches and 1.5 inches in diameter.

My questions are:

If I want to buy a lathe to prototype and produce the first 100 or so runs what would be the best product to choose (as low on cost as possible)?

What is the best way to produce exact copies?

Is there a company that can produce product runs very cost effectively?

 

[Mark Hancock]

If you are only talking of a run of a 100 or so you'd probably be best using a good production turner rather than the cost of tooling up yourself. Turners such as Gary Rance and Les Thorne come to mind.

 

[Philippe Ingels]

Thanks Mark. Do you have their contact details for me. I can't find them on a web search

 

[Mark Hancock]

Thanks Mark. Do you have their contact details for me. I can't find them on a web search

Both are Register Professional Turners and you'll find their details on this site:
http://www.rpturners.co.uk/index.asp

 

[CHJ]

Welcome to the forum Philippe, please keep us informed as to how you project goes.

Having once used the skill of the production turners to evaluate you idea I would imagine that using a company or individual with automatic copy (CNC?) lathes would still be more cost effective rather than set up yourself.

 

[Archy]

Hi , i'm a production turner , i use fells rotary knife lathes as well as hand turning , using the rotary lathe you would get them all exactly the same , the turning time would be short maybe a hour but the time taken grinding the cutters to shape and setting the machine would be longer depending on the shape.

Richard

 

[CHJ]

Welcome tot he forum Richard, good to a worker taking an interest in what we are at.