I have a laser at my disposal for cutting sheetmetal (http://www.amada.com/products/lasers/fo3015nt.asp ). I'm sure I could be taking better advantage of this to make stuff for the miata but I haven't come up with much. I also have access to skilled welders, powdercoating, forming, and more (can't bend tubing, unfortunately).

If you have a good idea, and can possibly design it...and I like it enough to make one for myself I'll make one for you too.

An example would be the butterfly brace...if i had drawings/solid models I could make these but I don't have the time/energy/motivation to do the r&d

 

small stuff wise you could do tow hooks, thats all i can think of at the moment

 

Gauge panel for under the radio. The one's on the market right now are too damned expensive.

How thick can you cut? I bet you could see a lot of 2.5" exhaust flanges for the Greddy TD04.

The butterfly brace doesn't need to be laser cut, most of the work is done using a large metal break.

 

I can cut up to 1/2"

I'm not really looking to do it to make money but if someone has a good idea along those lines I would do it.

If there is demand for the exhaust flanges I could make a few...I do have a TD04 sitting on the work bench I could measure if drawings aren't already available.

While the butterfly brace probably doesn't have to be laser cut, FM's most certainly is. Having it bent up wouldn't be a problem either but actually generating drawings and creating something that would fit is the issue. I can use the laser all I want so whether or not the item actually needs to be laser cut is not an issue.

 

mirror plugs to plug the holes that the mirror leaves when you pull em out.
visor plugs as well
under fender support braces
seat brackets for aftermarket seats
metal inner door straps

 

Very good ideas. Also a plate for the side mirrors maybe for upgraded mirrors? Custom Badges? What are the limits to this machine. If you could do so badges i would be really interested in buying a bunch.

 

Exhaust exit surround - I need one for my new exit to replace my hvac flashing mock-up. Of course there's probably a total of one person wanting this.

 

a rx7 tranny adaptor would be cool

 

I say put the laser on the moon and hold the world hostage.

you could make gauge bezels.. like this:

 

How bout a radiator cooling plate/block-off plate.

 

winner chicken dinner

 

I think that WOULD be a money maker.

 

adapter plate to place a variable TPS on the 1.6 throttle body. I waterjetted mine from 1/8" aluminum plate.

 

yes


1.6tps plate
tow hook
gauge panel for the radio

I'll pay now.

 

An adapter to relocate the stock caliper for use with 1.8l rotors. Or another one to use an after market wilwood caliper. There was a big thread on miata.net about cheap big brake kits. Someone had built an adapter plate to use a wilwood caliper with a stock rotor from the 2001+ sport brakes.

There are some avalible on the market, but they are stupid expensive.

Jay

 

 

do you have a drawing that you could share?

 

sounds like it could be cool to offer.

Cutting this or many of the other ideas is a trivial matter, the problem is that I have no way of designing most of them. If somebody can provide me a drawing and what material to use, etc I will probably make it happen. Whoever comes up with the idea can have the part (free) to test it out.

 

to side mirror plates. That way i could finally fender mount some motorcycle mirrors with integrated turn signals

 

Sure. It is with my old work stuff so I will have to dig around for it. I should also have the G-code if you need it, but it doesn't seem like you do.