Getting started creating my own one-piece.. manufacturing suggestions?

[snowbound]

So after seeing all the great info and interesting mods and creations, I finally got off my butt and registered so I could start asking questions.

I've got a bunch of random one-piece (or in one or two cases three-piece) tool ideas, mainly just for the heck of it, and looking for suggestions on where you would go to get prototypes made if you didn't have your own shop and didn't know anyone who owned a mill/cnc/etc.

Would you go the Shapeways 3-D printed route, like some of Tofty's (and others) very cool creations? Seems like a reasonably painless way to get that first prototype in your hands, no setup costs, no custom tooling cost, etc. The per-piece for additional ones would be high though.

Would you hire it out to a local shop? If so, what would you look for? Waterjet cutting (especially if you wanted hex holes or intricate things)? Good old milling skills? Whoever you got the best vibe from?

Would you use any of the online services, like Big Blue Saw or another cutting service?

Just trying to get some tips from folks who have already put sweat blood and grindings into their own creations and learn from that experience.

Thanks!

[Metropolicity]

Big blue saw is awesome but still a little pricey. Getting stuff cut isn't the hard part, it's heat treating the tool so it's flexible but hard enough to do work. All that time designing and the hex hole gets rounded after a few uses, bah!

If I were designing a OPMT, I would start with some wood, fire up a scroll saw or a sander and get the profile right. It's cheap, fast and you can get a product for ergonomic uses super easily. From there you can use vector programs to draw out the shape digitally and tweak it. Use that digital file to get some plastic parts laser cut out of acrylic (or plywood, big blue saw does this also or check out your local maker space).

Once you've nailed down the profile, you can shape the edge or pry point from the laser cut acrylic to determine how you are going to grind it and the technique.

THEN do move to metal...

That's how I would do it...(not that I've thought about it or anything )

[snowbound]

Nah, doesn't sound like you've thought about it at alllll...

Really appreciate the input! I have a scroll saw and a benchtop belt sander (as well as a host of other woodworking equipment), so seems like I'll be making some wood chips before I go making metal chips. I may finally have something to do with all the scraps pieces besides fuel the woodstove!

I also just found out a friend has full access to an industrial-size CNC machine (one of those crazy bigger-than-a-closet-sized automated tool change turret ones), a heat-treating oven and a Rockwell hardness tester (!) so I sense the need to bribe him in trade once I get closer to chip-making time.

[Metropolicity]

Nah, doesn't sound like you've thought about it at alllll...

Really appreciate the input! I have a scroll saw and a benchtop belt sander (as well as a host of other woodworking equipment), so seems like I'll be making some wood chips before I go making metal chips. I may finally have something to do with all the scraps pieces besides fuel the woodstove!

I also just found out a friend has full access to an industrial-size CNC machine (one of those crazy bigger-than-a-closet-sized automated tool change turret ones), a heat-treating oven and a Rockwell hardness tester (!) so I sense the need to bribe him in trade once I get closer to chip-making time.

Looking forward to hearing back with reports.

Grab a stump, there is plenty of multi-coffee/koolaid to be had!