I am trying to build this part with Aluminum or something as such.
Is there a local workshop anyone can suggest where I can get this made from?
I also tried doing it by 3d printing and later painting it ( some sort of chrome finish). But it looked ugly and I don’t quite know yet how to finish it to look not cheap.
Any help is appreciated.
The space definitely has the equipment necessary to make this part, assuming the dimensions are reasonable.
Why wouldn’t you make it in our Space? We machine aluminum. We cast aluminum. We have classes in doing both.
Does it need to be metal? What look are you going for?
Do you suggest the lathe? or CNC? Haas mill training seems a little lengthy and I wanted to make it sooner than that.
the outer dia is 82mm.
It looks like it’s just a ring. I would think it would be easy to cast something like that. How smooth do you want the surface?
This is about the limit of my ability in such matters. I’m expecting Walter to chime in; he works on the lathe a lot.
All of this could change based on what your skill level is with any of the other tools mentioned, but assuming starting at zero on all the above, I’d talk to Paul about casing the part in aluminum using the one you have printed out as the model. Obviously I can only see one side of it in the above pic, but it looks pretty straightforward from that to mold with sand and then clean up using sandpaper, etc for as fine a finish as you like…
I need this pretty smooth really. Also don’t have that much leverage in tolerance too. 
I will be signing up for a casting class soon. I am guessing a 3d printed part can be used as a guide for sand molding?
Round part = lathe…
I’ve never used a lathe, but it just seems more complicated than pouring aluminum into a hole in the sand. How difficult would you think this would be for a beginner?
That’s how Paul did it in the Sandcasting class he held a week or so ago.
I am getting excited about the possibilities already.
Lathe seems to require no training at all. I will try to get hold of the aluminum casting group to see how that works 
This is how the other side looks like :
This is a straight forward job on the lathe, but it could be done is the HAAS as well if that is how you swing.
You would need to obtain some stock (at least 3" long and a little larger in diameter then your finished part). I suggest onlinemetals.com
Getting a machine shop to do this part will easily be about $150-$200. And they will be giving you a break at that price.
You can cast the rough part, but you will still need to use the lath to create a reasonably accurate part with a decent finish. I suggest starting with bar stock instead. You should acquire a 2-3" long piece of 3.25" diameter 6061 aluminium bar stock
Online Metals
They sell it by the inch at about $9 per inch. I strongly suggest getting 3" to have enough for a mistake or two.
certainly doable in the lathe, provided the thicknesses provide enough “meat” for the part to be held in the chuck without crushing so you can work both sides. However, if you have no experience, I’d think casting would be the way to go.
Walter’d certainly be your best bet to hit up for lathe viability…
@Hardsuit Paul Wilson’d be the guy to hit up on the casting situation, I believe…
Is it possible to do the slight chamfer or fillet on the edge with the lathe ?
Assuming you want this to simply LOOK metallic?
What kind of painting/post printing process did you use?
Well, I do not have any experience really on painting. I tried to sand a 3d part as much as possible and then used a primer before spraying the paint. These are some old spray cans I found in the painting room.
Couldn’t achieve the dull metallic look and it became kinda shiny cheap looking finish. And also It had some occasional grains on the surface. However I try to clean it, it seems to be there, ruining the whole finish. Any suggestion?
As of now I just need one and hence thought i will go for the metal.
I am not the best source for finishing 3d printed parts, but if you posted that question with the 3DFab tag, you wuld probably get some folks who know a lot more about it.
I’m under the impression that to get rid of the “grain” you’d need to dip the part in acetone, which I believe is an acquired touch so you don’t melt the part. However, certainly doable.
Then, of course, painting is never as easy as it sounds: it’s all in the prep. You’d want to prime, sand, prime, sand, prime, sand, etc. until you have the finish you want, then paint in desired color, possibly more than one coat, depending. If there are significant surface irregularities, you’d want to use body filler to smooth them off, then the sanding routine, Usually at least 2 rounds of 600 grit and primer. If you want the dull metallic look, you’ll need the dull metallic paint, e.g. [this stuff][1] for a finish simliar to an aluminum wheel. If you wanted a flash metallic finish Krylon sells stuff @ the big box stores that offers shiny chrome, bronze, brass, etc. finishes, but dull aluminum is actually pretty hard to find and usually would have to come from a auto parts store or order online.
Just making it in aluminum could be easier. It just kind of depends. Also, not sure about the casting where we are about other folks doing it and/or if they’re up for one-to-one assistance on it. You’d just have to ask.
[1]: http://www.amazon.com/VHT-SP181-Aluminum-Wheel-Paint/dp/B000CPCRGS
I’ve heard that the plastic part is put in a closed container that allows acetone fumes to work on it for an hour; no dipping in the liquid.
I think I covered that.
