A HAAS VF1 or minimill might be an affordable option. The little lathe and minimill used to start around 15k but thats been several years ago. One of those machines would be handy to attempt some pattern making as Harry discussed. If a good used machine could be purchased for 20k for example, add another 5-10k for tooling and you would need to make half a dozen of those tools using the 5k wheel example as a reference. It could pay for itself quickly in that sense but still it is a spendy outlay for a hobbist. That said it could also be used to make cnc detail sheet metal stamping dies and other stuff. Downsides are it is big would need 480 3pf probably and that up front cost aint cheap. One interesting prospect might be would or could Harry use his casting machines to make castings for others using molds made or supplied by the others? That might help two parties get some stuff made and more cheaply over all but of course would add several situational and logistics challenges.
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