Semi-retired cnc machinist wondering what parts I could make and sell a few dozen of.
Can't make 1 or 2 of anything cost effectively and no desire to make 1000s. 
Have lifetimes worth of inventory of some different Lyman targetspot parts that I sell on ebay.
If I had a larger assortment of parts maybe it could turn into 
a worthwhile endeavor?

All thoughts welcomed and appreciated. Even if you only need 1 maybe others will chime in and say they need 1 or more of the same part.

Thanks in advance.
Cordially,
Mark

Centerfire breech blocks for #2 and #4 Remington rolling blocks.  All #4s were made in rimfire and many #2s.  Some people have rimfire blocks converted from rimfire to centerfire, but a drop in centerfire block would be a very desirable part.

Personally I would stay away from making centerfire blocks to facilitate conversion of weaker rimfire rifles (specifically the #4 RB and the Stevens 44) to centerfire.  Because some people choose to do it doesn't make it a legally supportable action for a manufacturer to facilitate, without due diligence in verifying the safety of that conversion.

As Vall said, Ballard links.  And Stevens 44 links.  #2 RB centerfire blocks.  #4 remington main springs.  Rolling block single set trigger conversion parts.  A simple thing, but in demand:  Reproduction sight elevators for barrel buckhorn type sights.  Barrel sleds.  Palm Rest hardware.   Mechanical breech seaters, just pick up where others have stopped manufacturing, copy those old designs.

Skeleton grip caps and buttplates.  Get an old Dakota and copy that.  English style hook sling eyes and ends.  
Forming die sets to make 25-20SS from .223.  Or make the brass to sell.

Right now, Steve Earle makes scope blocks, so those are covered.  MVA makes high wall parts, so those are covered.  CPA makes some stevens 44 parts coincidentally to their 44 1/2 production, it might be worthwhile to do some levers and firing pins for those working on 44's.  Shiloh Sharps and C Sharps have the Sharps  handled.  DZ and C Sharps have the Hepburn handled.  

If I was to name the common rifles that people are working on (not a sell a part every 5 years proposition) I would choose:
Ballard
Winchester 1885
Rolling block military actions (interchange with sporters, just styled different)
Stevens 44 (safe only for .22 rimfire, in the modern sense)
Remington RB #2 (safe centerfire and rimfire)
Remington RB#4  (safe only for .22 rf, in the modern sense)
Maybe Stevens favorites and H&A 922 rimfires.  Supply of these seems to be drying up, though.

Don't forget lube pumps for bullet lubrication.   Small but (one would think) consistent demand.   A copy of Charlie Dell's luber would be great, as would be a supply of inserts for different bullets.   Charlie turned these out on a custom basis, send a bullet and he would make a suitable insert.   It's really the only practical way to lube tapered bullets, which many of us use.

CHRIS

Marlin-Ballard extractors.  I went nuts last year trying to find one.  (I still would be, but I discovered the right one mixed into my Stevens parts.)

Definitely Stevens 44 links of better steel. I had a guy out in California laser-cut some 44 link blanks for me out of 4130 pre-hard, but that's as far as I've gotten. Even got the necessary carbide tooling, but the mill is in an unheated shed.   

Model 44s almost always need oversize link pins fitted.  This involves reaming the lever, breechblock and link to take a shortened 5mm dowel pin.  You could offer that as a service, perhaps including the stronger link.

Ditto for Favorites, both "94" and "1915" styles.  There is no shortage of Favorites, even 120 years on.   

A kit of trial links for the 44. like was done for the Ballard.  I have found that 44 links' hole spacing varies by +/- .005, and that makes a big difference in how well the action locks up, unless you're going through the whole barrel-fitting routine.  (Which only people with a substantial lathe can do.)   

Stevens firing pins are well covered by Jack First and Wisners.  Ditto extractors and ejectors.

There was a guy in Pennsylvania making replacement turret plates for the Lyman Junior press, with holes for standard 7/8" dies.  No longer doing it, apparently.  I see people asking about them occasionally.  Part requires accurate indexing.   

I'm sure I'll think of more.

The later versions of the Lyman/Ideal tong tools used a little flanged insert to adapt the generic handles for each specific cartridge.  Check the "310 Swap Thread" thread on the Cast Boolits forum.  Very simple part., but sellers are asking $25 on evilBay for used ones.  You could make up a bunch of semi-finished blanks and bore them to order. 

Sure shot wrote on Mar 16^th, 2023 at 6:51pm:


Yes it would.

Offer a service converting Peabody rimfire breechblocks from rim fire to center fire. And extractors in center fire as well. I do have a Peabody carbine in 56-50 that could do with a center fire conversion and extractor upgrade. Frank