Any machinists here?

[I.B. Washincars]

I want to make a step to attatch to my liftgate on my truck. I need one part made to make it work. I had someone send me the file for the part. I have it in PDF, which I can open, but it is not to scale. He also sent an Autocad file (DWG), which I can't open. It is a very simple, flat part with a couple of holes. Anyone here that can help me out?

Bill, if I send you the PDF, can you post it here?

here you go, but had to print it, scan it then post it.

 

[CRHAMEL]

HELLO I.B.
Give me a call I am sure we can help you
out. 800-657-2139
Chris Hamel
FYI: We are re-building our shop because we had a fire
Chris

 

[I.B. Washincars]

Thanks, Bill. I'm glad it was no trouble for you

I only need the larger part, the elyptical shaped one. There is a guy on the Ford Truck forum that made a side step for his truck that gave me the idea that I want to adapt to mine. Here's what he made for his.

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1078106-my-man-step.html

My truck bed is a pain to get in when the liftgate is open, but not lowered. He found a pedal cover for a forklift and made the part to fit it. I tried to get him to make me a couple, but since he had made them while he was supposed to be working he sent me the drawings instead.

 

[mjwalsh]

Pat & others,

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/index?id=6703438&siteID=123112

The above free AutoCAD viewer will allow you to plot to a 1:1 scale to system printer which is any printer you use. Units would have to be set. Then the tracing could happen like it says --- from there a good jig saw & center punch & drill should work. A machinist should be able to follow the dimensions & radius on the material you specify though.

It is a pretty hefty download & install & I am not sure on what is allowed if you need to modify it --- since it is free. It could be an option. Make sure your computer meets the minimum processor & memory requirements though.

I suppose anybody like myself who has AutoCAD could open your dwg file & then send you a few scale printouts via snail mail or if you have someone local you could just pick it up from them when it is printed. There might be an AUGIE user group in your area who would be happy to do such a simple task for you for free as a gesture of good will.

Chris is probably a good choice since he also posted & is probably way beyond just a draftman or most machinists.

MJ-Mike kingkoin of bismarck

 

[CRHAMEL]

Thank-you for the props Mike!!!
Do you want want a couple of these?? no problem
You could make this pretty easy your self. I'll tell you how
If all you need is the big part. Draw out a pattern, trace it on the Alum
cut the rough pattern out with a band saw and a belt sander to follow the pattern line, use a 1 drill to get you c/s... for cosmetics if you are concerned about that use mother polish to get a mirror finish.
If that dosent help give me a call
Thank-You
Chris Hamel

 

[I.B. Washincars]

I could see me killing a whole weekend trying to make two of those things out of what I have to work with. I don't have any metal stock, band saw, or belt sander. Other than that, I've got everything I need. They need to be fairly precise so they will fit the factory made pedal cover that I want to use. You can see it in the link I posted above. Since it won't show, cosmetics are not important at all, but precision is.

 

[pitzerwm]

Just take the pix that I sent you to any metal shop and they can whip it out. If you made it out of plywood or oak, it should last a long time.