Business Venture help

DanielF · Jan 14, 2020

Good evening All, I am looking to set up my own business with the overall aim to be creating visual car parts in a number with 3D printing and also potentially creating carbon fibre parts for both interior and exterior. I would appreciate peoples feedback whether they believe this would be a good business venture to pursue to design and create the visual car parts that you want. If people think that they are interested, could you list what parts or products you could be interested in. I would be able to create 3d scale models of your car detailing any modifications so you have your own snapshot of your car so you can track mods or previous cars rather than photos. If you think this idea is awful and not profitable then please say as all feedback is welcome. If any insurance people on this forum see this, please could you contact me to have a discussion about ensuring all parts which would be classed as modifications are legal and what standards you require parts to meet.

Thanks in advance.

CarbonMike · Jan 15, 2020

I own and operate a composites company, carbon fiber component manufacture & assembly, not double glazed window fitting... i now only deal with the professional motorsport industry, not boy racer tat.

There are literally gazillions of one man band alleged "specialist" guys around these days operating from sheds & garages across the country (this was me nearly 15 yrs ago!) And everyone expects to pay peanuts as they simply have no idea what so ever about just how much reverse engineering can potentially go into making components!

You will have a lot of competition from every angle! Inc cheap Chinese tat thats marketed as carbon but mostly made up of £2 sqm black fiberglass but sold as £70 sqm carbon.

If you think you can do it and can stomach the outlay to do it properly by all means go for it. But can you make an actual decent income from it and keep up a great reputation as that takes a LOT of time & input if youve already got a day job!

Also, how experienced are you in both these fields of engineering? Is it your current day job? Is it Youtube NVQ?

DieselJake · Jan 15, 2020

I wanted to print car parts when 3D printers came about but couldn't find one big enough for reasonable money, another thing to think about is you'll probably also have to design these parts unless scanning stuff but if scanning big stuff the scanner might well cost more than the printer, another thing to think about is you'll need a decent size room as machines big enough to work with car parts can't be tucked under the bed.

These were all things that stopped me anyway, if it works out let us know how it goes, might even have some things i'd like printing.

DanielF · Jan 16, 2020

CarbonMike said:
I own and operate a composites company, carbon fiber component manufacture & assembly, not double glazed window fitting... i now only deal with the professional motorsport industry, not boy racer tat.

There are literally gazillions of one man band alleged "specialist" guys around these days operating from sheds & garages across the country (this was me nearly 15 yrs ago!) And everyone expects to pay peanuts as they simply have no idea what so ever about just how much reverse engineering can potentially go into making components!

You will have a lot of competition from every angle! Inc cheap Chinese tat thats marketed as carbon but mostly made up of £2 sqm black fiberglass but sold as £70 sqm carbon.

If you think you can do it and can stomach the outlay to do it properly by all means go for it. But can you make an actual decent income from it and keep up a great reputation as that takes a LOT of time & input if youve already got a day job!

Also, how experienced are you in both these fields of engineering? Is it your current day job? Is it Youtube NVQ?

Cheers mike for your assistance. That was my worry where people seem to be happy with Chinese carbon look as its cheaper. My ideal would be similar to you with motorsport industry than boy racer but would not know how to get into it which is my issue. I am happy with the costs and the time needed to gain and build a reputation and for the work. This would be my day job as I would be spending all my time on the business. With experience, I have a first class degree as well as plenty of experience with it being my day job basically as such.

DanielF · Jan 16, 2020

DieselJake said:
I wanted to print car parts when 3D printers came about but couldn't find one big enough for reasonable money, another thing to think about is you'll probably also have to design these parts unless scanning stuff but if scanning big stuff the scanner might well cost more than the printer, another thing to think about is you'll need a decent size room as machines big enough to work with car parts can't be tucked under the bed.

These were all things that stopped me anyway, if it works out let us know how it goes, might even have some things i'd like printing.

I am happy to design all the car parts and I am looking to get a scanner, which money is not too much of an issue and would start small with smaller parts then build up in scale as know the printers are not small. What type of things did you want printing and may be able to sort something for you even if business doesn't go ahead.

CarbonMike · Jan 16, 2020

DanielF said:
Cheers mike for your assistance. That was my worry where people seem to be happy with Chinese carbon look as its cheaper. My ideal would be similar to you with motorsport industry than boy racer but would not know how to get into it which is my issue. I am happy with the costs and the time needed to gain and build a reputation and for the work. This would be my day job as I would be spending all my time on the business. With experience, I have a first class degree as well as plenty of experience with it being my day job basically as such.

Whats your degree in?

There are several big reputable composite companys within commuting distance from your profile location. Most of which deal in motorsport and or high end road car, aerospace etc etc.

Its a lucrative industru that pays alot better to work at an established company rather then work from home everyday.

DanielF · Jan 16, 2020

CarbonMike said:
Whats your degree in?

There are several big reputable composite companys within commuting distance from your profile location. Most of which deal in motorsport and or high end road car, aerospace etc etc.

Its a lucrative industru that pays alot better to work at an established company rather then work from home everyday.

Mechanical Engineering and Management Studies. I did know there were many around. I like being a contractor though and being my own boss but I do understand may be better at a reputable company, do you have a list of companies nearby you know of?

CarbonMike · Jan 16, 2020

In all genuine honesty, a degree in mechanical engineering probably get you in the door somewhere in an office job but wont really help at all when it comes physically making something from carbon fiber. Genuine hands on experience is what you need.

With IR35 kicking in this April the days of contracting will soon be over! Shame really, as i am also a Ltd contractor.

Formaplex in Horndean
BRP in Bordon
Supernatural Composites in Bognor
Global Technologies Racing in Fontwell
3D Composite Manufacturing in Chichester
McLaren in Woking
Williams Racing in Wantage

All commutable from where you are.

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Business Venture help

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