Let’s say I get an order for a vintage auto part that is made from a casting and there are none available. I like to machine several pieces then weld them together to build a pseudo casting. With this piece I can then machine the item to original specs. I can start this type of job using an oringinal blueprint, a sketch with dimensions( must be complete ) but better than a sketch an original part that I can utilize reverse engineering on. A few years ago I manufactured several 1917-18 Pierce Arrow speedometer gear housings this way. I machined and assembled these units which are operating well today. This order came through Al Abrahamson,of Carson City Nevada, who has been in the vintage automobile hobby for many years.It really doesn’t matter what the part is to go on the process is the same or similar. Small quantities are best for us, however we do have a small manual turret lathe that can pump out small parts readily after some set up.
Some customers may be concerned about the materials we use, however todays materials are generally superior to those used years ago. We will use the most appropriate modern material available which will probably be better than the original and make a better part. We enjoy working with some materials more than others but we will make your part, or parts out of the one or your choice.
Some of the parts we make are for museum pieces and will never fly. In this case, with the blessing of the customer, we might use a free machining material that looks like the original but costs less and is easier to machine. As an example 12L14, leadloy, is easy to machine and looks like any other cold roll steel. Using this material saves both time and material cost for the customer. If the aircraft will be flown then we will be very accurate and use only the material specified on the original drawing or one that is superior in strength and hardness.