I've been experimenting with this tool since earlier this year, so can add 
these comments...

- Awesome idea!  Simplicity for non-techies wanting to create small
   mechanical pieces.
- The software is super simple to use, and the simple 3D visualization is
   awesome!
- The software does lack the ability to produce certain simple parts,
   such as lathe-turned threads (even though their machines have
   the capability).  They say that these features would be added
   sometime in the future.
- Every couple weeks you have to update the software, else it's unusable,
   and that gets very annoying when you are on dial-up.
- Pricing increases rapidly!  Something that was priced at a couple dollars
   a few months ago, is now ~$14.  The prices of aluminium did go up, but
   not that much.

Otherwise, I continue to play with it, and once they get it all sorted out, I 
will probably try the service.  In the meanwhile, I continue to work on 
converting my lathe to CNC and acquiring a mill, so I can eventually make my 
own parts.

Cheers,
-Neil.



On Tuesday 31 August 2004 08:25 am, Russell McMahon scribbled:
> Specify and order mechanical parts online for custom fabrication.
> Free design software
> Well spoken of on a rocketry list.
>
>     http://www.emachineshop.com/
>
> Worth looking at their page to see what they are able to fabricate
> Conventional machining largely it seems - advantage is ease of design and
> ordering.
>
>
>         RM
>
> ___________________________
>
> Subject: RE:[AR] Too good to be true? Machine shop online!
>
> >According to the article below, they will machine anything for you and
> > even
>
> give you free modeling software to boot! >Anybody heard of them/tried them?
> The listed prices sure sound reasonable.
>
> They are the real deal and the software is pretty cool.  The prices are
> competitive but not the best one can find with only a little bit of
> searching.  The software does have some bugs but when I found one they
> replied within hours with a workaround suggestion and fixed the bug quite
> quickly in the next release of their software.  It's definitely a fabulous
> resource and I highly recommend it to anyone in need of such a service.
>
>
>     -Dan Durachko
>
>
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