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I can design a wireless router as a side project. I've built my own furniture for fun. I don't think I have the resources to start a car manufacturing line...

I can design a wireless router as a side project. I've built my own furniture for fun. I don't think I have the resources to start a car manufacturing line... When the barrier to entry is high, there's no reason to lower prices.

cr0sh 10y ago
Actually, the barrier to entry to build a car isn't that high - it only appears that way. Most of the parts - if not all - are available. All one really needs is the knowledge (internet), the tools ($$$), and the space ($$$$) to build. I have a friend whose father is in his 70s, who builds custom VW vehicles; one of his last vehicles used a shortened chassis and the cab from an old electric truck (might've been a Cushman). He finished that one, and is moving on to another. Plenty of people fabricate rally cars and sand rails using tubular steel and fairly simple tools (tube bender, a notcher, mig welder, grinder, plasma cutter or torch, etc). In many cases one can do this all in their garage (but it is better to have a more dedicated space). Engines tend toward the VW end of things, but nothing says you have to use such an engine; there are plenty of new and used engines and sub-frames to work from. I've considered building something similar to this flatpack truck: http://oxgvt.com/the-ox-all-terrain-vehicle/ http://oxgvt.com/the-ox-all-terrain-vehicle/ I figure that the parts from an old VW Vanagon could provide most of it; that or use some front-wheel drive vehicle, then build the cab-over part. The only real compromise on all of this would be the safety aspect; pretty much any home-brew vehicle is going to be a likely death trap in a real accident, but that is outside the argument of being able build one. There's also the issue of registration and insurance, but this too can be overcome (at least here in the United States - other countries may be more or less lenient/easy to do this). The information is out there to build a vehicle, and fairly cheap too. You just have to be willing to get your hands dirty (and suffer some injuries - it seems any kind of automotive work requires a blood sacrifice, not unlike PC repair).
- ensiferum 10y ago
  I just wonder how would you ever pass this for road worthiness?
- pdelbarba 10y ago
  You bring up a good point; I'd still say it's harder but not insurmountably so. Maybe a better way of differentiating would be the regulatory hell you'd have to go through to sell your cars on a mass production scale. For a router, you could actually get away with almost no testing or paperwork whatsoever (not even with the FCC if you use pre-certified RF modules).

cr0sh 10y ago

Actually, the barrier to entry to build a car isn't that high - it only appears that way. Most of the parts - if not all - are available. All one really needs is the knowledge (internet), the tools ($$$), and the space ($$$$) to build. I have a friend whose father is in his 70s, who builds custom VW vehicles; one of his last vehicles used a shortened chassis and the cab from an old electric truck (might've been a Cushman). He finished that one, and is moving on to another. Plenty of people fabricate rally cars and sand rails using tubular steel and fairly simple tools (tube bender, a notcher, mig welder, grinder, plasma cutter or torch, etc). In many cases one can do this all in their garage (but it is better to have a more dedicated space). Engines tend toward the VW end of things, but nothing says you have to use such an engine; there are plenty of new and used engines and sub-frames to work from. I've considered building something similar to this flatpack truck: http://oxgvt.com/the-ox-all-terrain-vehicle/ http://oxgvt.com/the-ox-all-terrain-vehicle/ I figure that the parts from an old VW Vanagon could provide most of it; that or use some front-wheel drive vehicle, then build the cab-over part. The only real compromise on all of this would be the safety aspect; pretty much any home-brew vehicle is going to be a likely death trap in a real accident, but that is outside the argument of being able build one. There's also the issue of registration and insurance, but this too can be overcome (at least here in the United States - other countries may be more or less lenient/easy to do this). The information is out there to build a vehicle, and fairly cheap too. You just have to be willing to get your hands dirty (and suffer some injuries - it seems any kind of automotive work requires a blood sacrifice, not unlike PC repair).

ensiferum 10y ago
I just wonder how would you ever pass this for road worthiness?
pdelbarba 10y ago
You bring up a good point; I'd still say it's harder but not insurmountably so. Maybe a better way of differentiating would be the regulatory hell you'd have to go through to sell your cars on a mass production scale. For a router, you could actually get away with almost no testing or paperwork whatsoever (not even with the FCC if you use pre-certified RF modules).