# Kyle Kuhnhausen (Owner/Operator, Kuhnhausen Metal Concepts)

- Show: [Just Gonna Send It](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/just-gonna-send-it)
- Published: 2025-11-12
- Length: 55m
- Episode: 7
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/just-gonna-send-it/2025-11-12-kyle-kuhnhausen-owner-operator-kuhnhausen-metal-concepts

## Summary

Kyle Kuhnhausen, founder of Kuhnhausen Metal Concepts (KMC), discusses his journey from a small Oregon garage to building award-winning custom vehicles like the Datsun Z and the 'Sirius 66' Corvette. He details the technical challenges of high-end fabrication, including a costly lesson with BMW DCT transmissions and the importance of serviceability in design. Kuhnhausen also explains his client vetting process, his strategy of showing detailed build processes on Instagram, and his current efforts to launch niche hardware products like tailgate brackets via SendCutSend Marketplace.

## Chapters

- [0:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/just-gonna-send-it/2025-11-12-kyle-kuhnhausen-owner-operator-kuhnhausen-metal-concepts#t=9) Introduction: Kyle Kuhnhausen and KMC History
- [2:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/just-gonna-send-it/2025-11-12-kyle-kuhnhausen-owner-operator-kuhnhausen-metal-concepts#t=174) The Datsun Z Build and SEMA Young Guns Win
- [8:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/just-gonna-send-it/2025-11-12-kyle-kuhnhausen-owner-operator-kuhnhausen-metal-concepts#t=499) The Slippery Slope of Custom Builds and Client Relations
- [17:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/just-gonna-send-it/2025-11-12-kyle-kuhnhausen-owner-operator-kuhnhausen-metal-concepts#t=1069) Vetting Clients and the 'Ballistic Beige' Corvette
- [27:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/just-gonna-send-it/2025-11-12-kyle-kuhnhausen-owner-operator-kuhnhausen-metal-concepts#t=1636) Technical Failures: BMW DCTs and Transmission Swaps
- [36:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/just-gonna-send-it/2025-11-12-kyle-kuhnhausen-owner-operator-kuhnhausen-metal-concepts#t=2208) The 'Sirius 66' Corvette and Future-Proofing Design
- [45:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/just-gonna-send-it/2025-11-12-kyle-kuhnhausen-owner-operator-kuhnhausen-metal-concepts#t=2738) Showing the Process: Build Galleries and Social Media
- [50:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/just-gonna-send-it/2025-11-12-kyle-kuhnhausen-owner-operator-kuhnhausen-metal-concepts#t=3027) Product Development: Tailgate Brackets and SendCutSend Marketplace

## Topics

- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- SendCutSend (company)
- Kuhnhausen Metal Concepts (company)
- SEMA (other)
- SolidWorks (tool)
- Fusion (tool)
- SendCutSend Marketplace (other)

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- [Afterschool Podcast, Episode 19 - Craighton Berman, Founder of Manual (04/16)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/core77-podcast/2014-04-16-afterschool-podcast-episode-19-craighton-berman-founder-of-manual-04-16) (Core77 Podcast)
- [S2E18 Side Hustles, Asking Dumb Questions, & Not Compromising Your Values | Nate Post](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-04-16-s2e18-side-hustles-asking-dumb-questions-not-compromising-your-values-nate-post) (Being an Engineer)
- [S2E41 The Hacksmith | James Hobson](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-09-24-s2e41-the-hacksmith-james-hobson) (Being an Engineer)
- [MightyHohm For The Holidays - Kaiser Keyzer's Kits](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-12-25-mightyhohm-for-the-holidays-kaiser-keyzers-kits) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

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