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From Classic Car Emblem to Custom Metal Casting: What Jimmy DiResta Made with a Onefinity CNC
- 6 hours ago
- 5 min read
Some projects start with a need.
Others start with a simple question:
“Can I make that?”
That is exactly where this project begins.
In a recent video, Jimmy DiResta takes inspiration from a 1976 Cadillac Eldorado he originally owned decades ago, sold, and recently bought back. While bringing the car back to life, one small detail caught his attention: the Eldorado script emblem.
Rather than simply admire it, Jimmy asked the question every maker eventually asks:
Could I recreate this myself?
With a screen grab, some digital cleanup, and his Onefinity Elite Gen 2 CNC, the answer was yes.
Turning an Idea Into a Physical Pattern
The project starts with the original Eldorado logo. Jimmy grabs an image, traces it, and modifies the design so the script connects as one continuous piece. That is an important detail. When you are making something this delicate on a CNC, especially script lettering, design decisions matter.
Once the file is ready, he brings it to the Onefinity Elite Gen 2.
Using a 60-degree V-bit, Jimmy carves the emblem into MDF. He skips a clearing toolpath and instead uses a very fine step-over to get the detail he wants. The finished pattern is roughly 13 inches long by 5 inches tall, and the machine runs the job for about two hours.
That is one of the great things about owning a CNC.
Once the file is set, you can let the machine do the precision work.
Why This Project Shows the Power of CNC
This was not just a decorative carving.
Jimmy used the CNC-cut MDF emblem as a casting pattern. After sealing the MDF to strengthen the fine details and prevent flaking, he used it to create a sand mold for pewter casting.
That means the Onefinity CNC was not just making the final object.
It was making the tool that made the final object.
That is a huge part of what makes CNC ownership so powerful. A CNC can make finished products, but it can also make molds, jigs, templates, fixtures, patterns, prototypes, and production aids.
In other words, it is not just a woodworking machine.
It is a problem-solving machine.
Onefinity in a Real Maker Workflow
What stands out in this video is how naturally the Onefinity fits into Jimmy’s shop workflow.
He uses the Elite Gen 2 to cut the emblem pattern. Then he goes back to the CNC again to cut the sand casting frames with tight finger joints. From there, he moves into molding, pouring, trimming, sanding, polishing, and finishing.
That is real-world making.
It is not just pressing a button and walking away. It is digital design, CNC accuracy, hand finishing, experimentation, and creative problem-solving all working together.
And that is exactly where a Onefinity CNC machine shines.
The First Try Is Not Always the Final Try
One of the best parts of the project is that the first casting does not come out perfect.
Jimmy does a first pour and realizes he did not melt enough metal. The casting fills in two stages and leaves a visible defect where the two pours meet. On the second attempt, he has enough metal, but trapped gas causes another issue. On the third attempt, he adds more vent holes, gets the mold to fill properly, and ends up with a successful casting.
That is making.
That is learning.
And that is where having your own CNC becomes incredibly valuable.
When a prototype is not perfect, you are not stuck waiting on someone else. You can adjust the design, remake the pattern, change the mold, cut a new fixture, and keep moving.
The machine gives you control over the process.
From MDF to Metal
After the successful pour, Jimmy trims the casting, removes the backing, cleans up the flashing, sands the surface, and polishes the pewter emblem. He also uses laser-cut VHB adhesive to create a full sticky-back emblem that can be mounted to the car or another surface.
The result is a custom metal Eldorado emblem that started as an image and became a physical object through CNC machining, casting, and finishing.
That is the magic of having the right tools in your shop.
You can take something old, rare, personal, or impossible to buy — and make it yourself.
What Could You Make with a Onefinity?
This project is about a Cadillac emblem, but the same process applies to countless ideas.
With a Onefinity CNC, you could make:
Custom car emblemsReplacement badgesShop signsCasting patternsMold mastersTemplates and fixturesFurniture inlaysBusiness logosProduct prototypesPersonalized giftsPlaques and awardsDisplay piecesParts for restoration projects
For hobbyists, that means creative freedom.
For small businesses, that means opportunity.
For makers, it means you can stop asking, “Where can I buy that?” and start asking, “How can I make that?”
Why Choose Onefinity?
The Onefinity CNC platform is built for makers who want precision, rigidity, and room to grow.
The Onefinity Elite Gen 2 used in this project is designed for serious work. It features a rigid motion system, closed-loop motors, integrated ball screw covers, and the Redline control system, giving users a capable platform for detailed projects, repeatable production, and creative experimentation.
Whether you are cutting MDF patterns, hardwood signs, acrylic parts, aluminum projects, or production fixtures, Onefinity gives you the confidence to create with accuracy.
And because the Onefinity ecosystem supports add-ons like spindles, rotary systems, lasers, tool setters, dust collection options, workholding, and more, your machine can grow with your shop.
Not sure which machine is right for you? Use the Onefinity Compare Products page to find the best fit for your space, budget, and goals.
Starting Small? There Is a Onefinity for That Too
You do not have to start with a giant production setup to begin making real CNC projects.
The Onefinity Apprentice is a great option for makers who want an affordable way to get started with CNC. It is compact, approachable, and built for users who want to learn, create, and start making projects without overcomplicating the process.
For many users, the Apprentice is the first step into CNC.
For others, the Elite Gen 2 is the machine that turns a hobby into a serious shop tool.
Either way, the goal is the same:
Get making.
The Best Projects Start with “Can I Make That?”
Jimmy’s Eldorado emblem project is a perfect example of why CNC ownership is so exciting.
It starts with curiosity.
It becomes a digital design.
The Onefinity turns that design into a physical pattern.
The pattern becomes a mold.
The mold becomes a metal casting.
And the final result is something custom, personal, and completely unique.
That is what CNC makes possible.
A Onefinity CNC does not just help you make projects.
It helps you bring ideas to life.
Ready to Start Making?
Whether you want to build a business, upgrade your shop, restore classic parts, create custom products, or simply make things you cannot buy anywhere else, Onefinity gives you the platform to do it.
Start with one idea.
Make the first version.
Improve it.
Then make the next one even better.
That is how makers grow.
And with a Onefinity CNC in your shop, the next project is always within reach.
Explore Onefinity machines today and start making what you used to only imagine.
