# The first step is always the hardest
**URL:** https://community.electricforum.com/t/the-first-step-is-always-the-hardest/463
**Category:** EV Small Talk
**Created:** [November 14, 2007, 10:45pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/the-first-step-is-always-the-hardest/463 "2007-11-14T22:45:09Z")
**Posts on this page:** 13
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@hobbes28](https://community.electricforum.com/u/hobbes28)
#### Post date: [November 14, 2007, 10:45pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/the-first-step-is-always-the-hardest/463/1 "2007-11-14T22:45:09Z")
Hello folks. I am a machinist from Texas and lover of electric vehicles. I am currently in r&d phase for manufacturing an ev. I have tons of mechanical experience and am researching the electrical aspects of a fully electric vehicle. I am looking to start a full sized project vehicle sometime in the next year. I hope to learn lots here as well as help where needed.
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### Author:  [@FEUS](https://community.electricforum.com/u/FEUS)
#### Post date: [November 15, 2007, 7:00am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/the-first-step-is-always-the-hardest/463/2 "2007-11-15T07:00:16Z")
cool, any pics or info on it?
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### Author:  [@hobbes28](https://community.electricforum.com/u/hobbes28)
#### Post date: [November 15, 2007, 8:30am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/the-first-step-is-always-the-hardest/463/3 "2007-11-15T08:30:21Z")
Everything that I’ve done so far has been on a small scale, testing controller ideas and regeneration with miniature motors and home made stepper controllers. The hold up for me is that I want to make a very efficient “back up” generator that can help me out if the range isn’t what I am planning. I’ve got a prototype generator built in CAD but we just had a new baby so the part isn’t made yet. As soon as I can get it made, I’ll be more than happy to post pictures of everything.
I was browsing through and saw the Saturn conversion series and really liked watching the conversion take place in pictures. I think documenting your progress really shows how easy it can be to do one of these yourself and really have high hopes that others will see that and follow suit.
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### Author:  [@FEUS](https://community.electricforum.com/u/FEUS)
#### Post date: [November 15, 2007, 9:28am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/the-first-step-is-always-the-hardest/463/4 "2007-11-15T09:28:43Z")
let me know if you need anything in CAD i am profecient in 2D and 3D.
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### Author:  [@hobbes28](https://community.electricforum.com/u/hobbes28)
#### Post date: [November 15, 2007, 9:45am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/the-first-step-is-always-the-hardest/463/5 "2007-11-15T09:45:43Z")
Thanks. I’m also a CAD/CAM programmer plus having a machine shop at my disposal should make this whole project go much easier. lol.
What programs do you use?
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### Author:  [@FEUS](https://community.electricforum.com/u/FEUS)
#### Post date: [November 15, 2007, 9:50am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/the-first-step-is-always-the-hardest/463/6 "2007-11-15T09:50:41Z")
[QUOTE=hobbes28;1299]Thanks. I’m also a CAD/CAM programmer plus having a machine shop at my disposal should make this whole project go much easier. lol.
What programs do you use?[/QUOTE]
AutoCAD
lucky that you have a machine shop! i REALLY want a C&C (computerized) one SO bad but i cant see spending 20K+ on a personal basis/ only have a 3 car garage so i dont really have the room
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### Author:  [@hobbes28](https://community.electricforum.com/u/hobbes28)
#### Post date: [November 15, 2007, 10:00am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/the-first-step-is-always-the-hardest/463/7 "2007-11-15T10:00:46Z")
[Link](http://www.haascnc.com/details_VMC_NEW.asp?ID=179#VMCTreeModel).
This bad boy runs 25k and doesn’t take up a whole space in the garage. The best part is that you could probably make some parts for people’s car once or twice a month and it would pay for itself.
Our shop has 6 CNC mills and 3 CNC lathes plus some manuals. That’s the only reason I don’t have one in the garage yet.
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### Author:  [@FEUS](https://community.electricforum.com/u/FEUS)
#### Post date: [November 15, 2007, 10:11am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/the-first-step-is-always-the-hardest/463/8 "2007-11-15T10:11:54Z")
wow the damage i could do 😃 😉 yea definately tempting but i dont have 25K laying arround anywhere lol.
i used to deal with one that had a working area of 5’x12’
that thing was great 😃 i miss working on it.
you able to give any kind of deals with me sending you files and i pay you for completed parts for the time being? or what?
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### Author:  [@hobbes28](https://community.electricforum.com/u/hobbes28)
#### Post date: [November 15, 2007, 10:55am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/the-first-step-is-always-the-hardest/463/9 "2007-11-15T10:55:52Z")
That’s another one of my problems too. lol
I can make programs off of AutoCAD drawings pretty quickly and can squeeze them in our production schedule and am pretty sure I can work out a sweet deal fer ya. 😉
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### Author:  [@FEUS](https://community.electricforum.com/u/FEUS)
#### Post date: [November 15, 2007, 11:39am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/the-first-step-is-always-the-hardest/463/10 "2007-11-15T11:39:43Z")
[QUOTE=hobbes28;1303]That’s another one of my problems too. lol
I can make programs off of AutoCAD drawings pretty quickly and can squeeze them in our production schedule and am pretty sure I can work out a sweet deal fer ya. ;)[/QUOTE]
sweet!! we need to talk! 😃
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### Author:  [@WeeDubb](https://community.electricforum.com/u/WeeDubb)
#### Post date: [February 2, 2008, 7:36pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/the-first-step-is-always-the-hardest/463/11 "2008-02-02T19:36:21Z")
Hey, I live in dallas and I might need an adapter plate for the transmission. Do you think there is any way you can cad that up for me? It is for a VW Fox… Just bought it today 😃
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### Author:  [@hobbes28](https://community.electricforum.com/u/hobbes28)
#### Post date: [February 7, 2008, 9:06am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/the-first-step-is-always-the-hardest/463/12 "2008-02-07T09:06:25Z")
[QUOTE=WeeDubb;1783]Hey, I live in dallas and I might need an adapter plate for the transmission. Do you think there is any way you can cad that up for me? It is for a VW Fox… Just bought it today :D[/QUOTE]
If you can get me a drawing with some dimensions, I would be happy to hook you up.
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### Author:  [@AleaAustin](https://community.electricforum.com/u/AleaAustin)
#### Post date: [April 11, 2012, 10:17pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/the-first-step-is-always-the-hardest/463/13 "2012-04-11T22:17:54Z")
A very best luck for the new experiment. And I like that even if you are good established in your field then also you want to learn something new. And you try hard for it.