Howell Forge · Sylva, NC
Simple mechanical parts, modeled right.
Mounts, brackets and rails as clean Fusion 360 solids, delivered as STEP, STL and 3-axis CNC-ready files. One person, plain communication.
Featured work
(not mounted on a firearm)
MIL-STD-1913 profile · modeled in Fusion 360 · cut on a 3-axis machine
Precision machined accessory rail, 3-axis
An accessory rail built to the MIL-STD-1913 profile, the same rail standard used for camera, light and optics mounts. I modeled it in Fusion 360 and cut it on a 3-axis machine.
It's a good example of the work I take on: tight, repeatable geometry, simple setups, and files that go straight into CAM.
- Process: 3-axis milling
- Modeled in: Fusion 360
- Files: Fusion 360 model, STEP, NC program
Fusion 360 model · CAM simulation · prototype
Prototype 1V8: bracket prototype
A bracket prototype modeled in Fusion 360, with a CAM simulation of the pocketing toolpaths. Shown as what it is: a prototype, still being revised.
Fusion 360 assembly · prototype
Bipod prototype
A bipod prototype assembly modeled in Fusion 360: clamps, legs and adapter parts designed to fit together and be made on simple equipment. This is a prototype, not a product for sale.
What I model
Simple, discrete parts: mounts, brackets, rails, plate adapters and clamps.
| Package | What it covers | Price | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Part Model | One simple part from your sketch, a photo with dimensions, or an existing part. One round of revisions. You get STEP + STL (and the native Fusion file if you want it). | Contact for quote | Contact for quote |
| Part + CNC-Ready Files | Everything above, plus a 3-axis-ready file set: STEP, setup notes and a dimensioned PDF drawing. Toolpaths: confirm scope when we talk. | Contact for quote | Contact for quote |
| Variant Pack | 3–5 sizes or hole-pattern variants of one base part, modeled parametrically so later changes are quick. | Contact for quote | Contact for quote |
How it works
- Send what you have. A sketch, photos with a ruler or calipers in the shot, or an existing STL, STEP or PDF.
- I confirm the details. Critical dimensions, hole patterns, what it attaches to, and how you plan to make it.
- I model it. A clean parametric solid, with one round of revisions included.
- You get your files. STEP + STL, plus a short notes file listing which dimensions were confirmed, which were estimated, and any open questions.
What I don't take on
Enclosures and casings · seals and O-rings · latches and mechanisms · structural or residential drafting · cosmetic surfacing · 4-axis work · fixture design · production runs · load-bearing life-safety parts · anything that is itself a regulated firearm part.
If your job is one of these, I'll tell you straight away and point you somewhere better if I can.
How I work
I use AI-assisted tools in my CAD workflow, mostly to iterate faster and keep good notes. A person still checks every dimension.
About
I'm Chris Howell, founder of Howell Forge (2023–present), based in Sylva in Western North Carolina. I model simple mechanical parts in Fusion 360 and program straightforward 3-axis work, with an eye to whether the part will actually be easy to make.
Resume: download the one-page PDF.
Have a part in mind?
Send a sketch, photo or file and I'll tell you if it's a good fit.