The following Merchant Policy pertains to the sale of Plans, Products, and Services of MechanicalElements.com and Synthx.com — both are websites of Synthesis Engineering Services, inc. Please also see the Privacy Policy and know that you can Contact Us with any questions.
How to Order
Order Plans Online: Follow the link buttons to the items you want, then use a major credit card or PayPal account to place your order. Credit Card transactions are processed via PayPal or via Stripe depending on the choice made during checkout.
Plans are available for electronic download immediately after payment. This delivery method benefits our customers because it has No Added Shipping or Handling charges, AND customers can receive the plans in just a few minutes. Speedy delivery, so to speak.
Plans by Email: Under some rare circumstances where download is not possible, we can deliver plans via email. Please contact us and we can probably help make the download work for fastest deliver, but if not, email is possible. (Please allow 3 business days for email processing.)
Plans by Mail: As of 2023, we no longer provide printed plans, or plans via Mail Order. The need is rare, while the cost of shipping is high. It is best for customers who want the large format prints to simply download the files, then take them to a local print shop for printing. It saves customers 2-3 weeks for delivery as well as saving charges for Shipping and Handling. Printing costs are roughly the same either way.
Use Agreement
The product plans and designs offered for sale through Synthx.com or through MechanicalElements.com are for individual use only. Any use of these plans for resale, or for producing products for sale is strictly prohibited. Licensing for production and/or resale is available on request. We reserve all Intellectual property rights for the plans and the designs. We thank you for honoring these terms.
This restriction is not only a part of our Merchant Policy, but customers must also explicitly agree to it when they purchase plans. Again, thank you for honoring these terms.
Return Policy
All sales for downloaded digital products are final. Our system shows the download attempts, so if you have not downloaded your order and need a refund, we can make that happen. Since digital products really cannot “return”, sales of those orders are final. Please let us know if you have questions prior to purchase. We are happy to help.
In general, sales for shipped items are final. You may request a refund for items not yet shipped by sending an email message to “information” at Synthx.com or via the Contact Page. Please indicate the reason for return. If payment was by credit card, then we will issue a credit that will appear on your billing statement.
Of course, we always honor our customers. We will happily help with resetting the downloads counter, or re-sending links, or re-shipping – for any defective products or problems with opening the product. Just connect with us and we will help you figure it all out.
If you have any questions concerning your order, or questions about items in this Merchant Policy, then please connect with us through the Contact Us page.
What Do The Plans Contain?
The project Plans (often called Blueprints) from Mechanical Elements are designs by an Engineering Company, Synthesis, so they are engineered to perform, as stated. Our plans are more complete, with more, and better information than others on the market. That is why these are the best plans available.
The plans are presented in drawings with instructions, in PDF format for easy access. Sometimes the Drawings and Instructions are separate PDF documents (contained in a .ZIP file), and sometimes they are in one document. The Drawings show the design, with many notes about how to build it. The Instructions include Lists of Materials, Components, etc., and give Step by Step construction tips.
Some plans also include other files for the build. The instructions will explain how to use them. DXF files, for instance, can help in making special parts using CNC, laser or water cutting. Most of these extra files are computer code (not readable by humans).
This Merchant Policy document gives a good overview, but or more information about What is in the Plans, including samples of the content, please visit our Sample Of DIY Plans & Content page.
Plans DO NOT Include These:
- Plans DO NOT include the full 3D CAD files. – Some plans include files like DXF for special parts (see notes above), but only for parts which need that definition to be made. Please also see our FAQ about this.
- Plans DO NOT include FEA or other Engineering analysis data.
- Plans DO NOT include a full list of part numbers. While some part numbers are given for specific things, mostly we let you make your own component choices.
- Plans DO NOT include the physical parts and pieces, but we do give info about how to get them. For instance, some Trailer Parts Kits can be purchased separately from another company.
- Plans DO NOT include paper prints. See the comments in this Merchant Policy both above and below.
Plans Format & Printing
Electronic versions of the plans are provided in either Adobe PDF or Microsoft Word format for easy accessibility. A .ZIP file format is for compression and encapsulation to ease downloading. If your computer does not already have one, a free PDF reader is available at www.Adobe.com, and a free ZIP utility to unpack the files is at www.WinZip.com.
Most plans have a native format to print on Letter Size, or “C” size paper. All plans can shrink to fit other sizes like Letter size – 8.5″ x 11″ . To some people, the C size is difficult or expensive to print because it is quite large, so we recommend printing to fit smaller paper sizes. If the printing is too small on 8.5″ x 11″ paper, use 11″ x 17″ paper (commonly called Tabloid). Or use a similar size for customers that are not in the USA.
For special cases where full-size templates are required, files of other types (like PostScript & DXF) are also included. Send the special files directly to a large format printer, or take them to a printshop for printing. Please read the instructions about DXF files. They are computer language, not usually for printing, but for cutting out parts via Laser or Water Jet. All of that is explained in the instructions document contained with the plans.
If a TXT files is included in the download information, it is simple instructions about the files contained in the download. It is a simple file that can open by almost any text reader.
Product Performance
All product designs at Mechanical Elements are fully engineered to perform as stated when built as defined with proper care in construction – including new materials, skilled construction techniques, and certified welding (if welding is required). Use only parts that meet or exceed the requirements stated in the plans including (as applicable) the axle, wheels, tires, coupler, bolts, locking fasteners, pins, safety chain, deck lumber, hydraulics – pumps, cylinders, hoses, fittings, etc. – cables, winches, hoists, springs, casters, etc. This is not an exhaustive list. DO NOT EXCEED MANUFACTURERS STATED LIMITS.
Because actual choices for parts, material and construction are beyond our control, there is no expressed or implied warranty – not for the product, or the plans, or for construction – or any of the ways they can be used, misused or abused.
Please check local legal requirements for the applicable: trailer, towing, crane, lifting, OSHA, press, hydraulic requirements – to know what is applicable in your area. Minor adjustments to the plans may be needed for local legal compliance. For instance: trailer side marker and end marker light requirements, safety chain styles connections or crossing, electrical connectors, wiring sizes, brake types or size, breakaway kits, cable strengths, crane or trailer labels, certifications, inspections, licensing, etc. All of these and any other compliance requirements are your responsibility.
Payment Options
These are the payment options we have. We strongly recommend payment directly on the website for fast easy delivery via download.
- For orders processed through this web site, we accept most major credit cards and PayPal – just follow the “Add To Cart” and purchase links.
- We no longer accept orders by mail (postal service), or for mail delivery.
- On rare occasions we will accept orders via email and payment via a cashiers check or money order. Contact us if you cannot purchase in the standard way via the website.
- For printed plans, we recommend purchasing the plans via download, then take the files to a local printing shop. See above for printing options.
As with most things in this Merchant Policy, please contact us if you have circumstances we have not considered or stated in this Merchant Policy.
Plans Delivery
- Orders from this website can download (save to your computer) immediately after successful checkout.
- Plans must be saved locally by the customer. They are available for download for 7 days after purchase. For security reasons the download links do expire after 7 days. These can be reset, if needed, after that, so please contact us if you have trouble, and we can help.
- If you have trouble with the download, please read this article titled “Where is My Plans Download” for help. Some common issues are explained along with the appropriate remedy.
- Electronic orders delivery via email is possible for certain situations, but it requires coordination. Please contact us if you cannot make the download methods work.
- We no longer provide printed plans via the Mail. (Increased cost, with very slow and often unreliable delivery.) See the section above about printing.
Thank You
We Thank You for being our customer, and Thank You for allowing us to serve you. Thank you also for taking a minute to read this Merchant Policy and the associated Privacy Policy.
We also appreciate all those that take a minute to tell others about us. We are here to serve you, and your friends. Have a Wonderful Day!