Originally posted by robot
C9x.... your question is valid... we are doing the frame on the 32 in cad because we are making our own radius rods, motor mounts, a/c compressor mount, alternator mount, etc and therefore we need to make drawings for the machinist....and cad is easier and we can check clearances.....

On the other hand, I dont know of a reason to have a cad model of a body since any changes or mods arent done on a CNC machine.... any older body is unlikely to match the model anyway.

mike in tucson

I understand the reasons for CAD, but right up front it sounded like the guy was simply trying to impress acho_chevy.

If the guy was doing repeats like it appears you will do, then I can see using CAD.

Other than that, it strikes me as being similar to the friend of a friend who came over to my shop for some header repairs.
He takes one look at my nice little all-aluminum Marquette torch and informs me rather snottily he wouldn't have nothin' but a Victor.

I found his non-torch owning attitude interesting since he was getting free work and didn't own a torch nor did he know how to weld.

I have a hard time with free-loading name droppers....


Rant button off . . .

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Are you making the entire frame from scratch or using it to set commercial frame rails up very precisely?

Looks too like you'll be knocking out accessory brackets and the like.

Long as you're fooling with CAD, why not set up to make some column drops that carry instruments?
Moon, amongst others, used to make several styles of these.
One that held, two 2 1/6" S-W instruments, another one four and I believe they made one that carried the tach and a couple of 2 1/6" instruments.
Along with the steering column hole.

Make em as old school as you can.
Meaning rounded edges on the front that appear cast and stay away from sharp edges that ID it as simply another billet piece.

This strikes me as an ideal product for CNC stuff.

I haven't thought about these in quite a while.
Maybe I'll knock one out in my little shop....