Every Problem Has a Shape
A bimini clamp that nobody makes anymore. A tool holder that fits your layout, not someone else's. A hatch fitting that went overboard three countries ago. These are the kinds of problems that land in my inbox — and they're exactly the kind I enjoy solving.
Whether you need a direct replacement for something broken or discontinued, or an entirely new part designed from scratch, the process starts the same way: a conversation. Tell me what you need, and we'll figure out the best path to get there.
How It Works
Simple replacements — a knob, a clip, a bracket with known dimensions — can often go from first message to printed part within a day. If you have the original (even broken) or a manufacturer drawing, that's ideal. These usually skip the formal CAD review stage entirely.
Custom or complex designs start with your description — words, photos, sketches on a napkin, whatever you have. I'll ask clarifying questions, then build the part in CAD. For anything beyond the straightforward, you'll get a design review before printing begins. Expect 2–3 days for most projects, longer for genuinely complex assemblies. If it's urgent, say so — critical needs get prioritized.
Design vs. Print
My onboard printer handles parts up to 180 × 180 × 180 mm in a range of engineering-grade materials (see the Capabilities page for specifics). But design isn't limited by what I can print on the boat. For design-only services, the scope widens considerably: larger assemblies, tighter tolerances, components machined from a billet, and even parts destined for 3D-printed metals. If you can describe it, I can very likely design it.
What I Won't Take On
If a part failure could put someone's health or life at risk, it's not a project I'll accept. No exceptions. This includes structural rigging hardware, pressure-rated fittings, and anything that serves as a primary safety system. When in doubt, ask — I'd rather have the conversation than have you wonder.
Billing
Design time is billed hourly. Printing costs are calculated based on material usage, power, and machine wear. You'll always know the expected cost before work begins — no surprises.
Ready to Start?
Send me a message and lets start the conversation.
To help things move quickly, here's what's useful to include up front:
- What you need — a sentence or two describing the part and what it does.
- The original part — photos from multiple angles, or the physical part itself if you can send it. Even broken pieces help immensely.
- Manufacturer drawings or model numbers — if they exist, these save significant time.
- Key dimensions — if you're measuring yourself, note which measurements are critical fits vs. approximate.
- Operating environment — sun exposure, saltwater, mechanical load, heat, flexibility requirements.
- Quantity — one-off, a few spares, or a short run?
Don't worry about having everything on that list — something is always enough to start the conversation.
