Since I sold my business (Torchmate), I have been playing around with various projects using a very small CNC plasma set-up. One of the projects has been the creation of miniature (19" x 10") vintage motorcycles. I draw them, create dxf files, and cut them out using FlashCutCNC software. I have posted photos of them on a number of motorcycle oriented chat groups, and have been getting dozens of suggestions, even pleading, that I sell them.
I've been down the business road before (The Beginnings of Torchmate) and have no particular desire to do it again. However, it seems a waste to let something that might be in demand go to waste - plus, I enjoy designing these little guys.
Obviously, If I were to make them available for sale, I couldn't make them one at a time on my little plasma table. I would need to farm them out to a job shop, and order perhaps 50 or 100 at a time, probably mixed and matched. They would have to be plasma cut, as the .050" kerf width is necessary for the detail to be fully visible. They would need to come to me with all dross removed, and ready for cleaning and painting.
Let's assume that there is sufficient demand for them, and that I could get anywhere from $300 to $500 for a set of three. Could these be produced in 11 gauge mild steel and shipped to me for a cost that would give me enough profit to make it worthwhile? I would probably just prime them and let the customer do the detail painting. Leave the wooden bases out of the calculations.
Here are a few pictures of what I am talking about.

I've been down the business road before (The Beginnings of Torchmate) and have no particular desire to do it again. However, it seems a waste to let something that might be in demand go to waste - plus, I enjoy designing these little guys.
Obviously, If I were to make them available for sale, I couldn't make them one at a time on my little plasma table. I would need to farm them out to a job shop, and order perhaps 50 or 100 at a time, probably mixed and matched. They would have to be plasma cut, as the .050" kerf width is necessary for the detail to be fully visible. They would need to come to me with all dross removed, and ready for cleaning and painting.
Let's assume that there is sufficient demand for them, and that I could get anywhere from $300 to $500 for a set of three. Could these be produced in 11 gauge mild steel and shipped to me for a cost that would give me enough profit to make it worthwhile? I would probably just prime them and let the customer do the detail painting. Leave the wooden bases out of the calculations.
Here are a few pictures of what I am talking about.




