"BJL" (simplifyandaddlightness)
04/20/2014 at 20:42 • Filed to: woodwork, laguna seca, because racecar, road america
1
15|
"BJL" (simplifyandaddlightness)
04/20/2014 at 20:42 • Filed to: woodwork, laguna seca, because racecar, road america | 1
| 15 |
Well, I have been searching and searching for a job this summer and have not found one.I could go to work with my father as he is a carpenter, but I have been doing that for a while, and it is hard to fit into a resume. So here is my proposal. Help me out.
So, as the picture suggests, I have considered making a track out of wood. I have found good pictures, and both laguna seca and Road America seem like good tracks to work with. I am planning to actually bend wood here; 8 foot long in a jig.
Right now, I have minimal tools. I need to buy clamps, jig saw, and the other things needed. I have found out how to make a steamer with a wallpaper steamer and a pvc pipe, and that is what I plan to do.
So, here is where you come in. I can really only sell on craigslist, as it would be hard to ship, and I don't know how ebay works for sellers. I need a price point, and for reference, the price for the picture above is 219 dollars for 3' tall. Also, I was wondering depth. I was wondering if keeping it wall art size as in an inch or two thick would sell better than a five inch thick shelf sort of thing.
I am just trying to get this all figured out before I drop 250 dollars for a setup and find out that I cannot sell anything. Thanks for all the opinions.
Check out the other wooden things I have done too!
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
AthomSfere
> BJL
04/20/2014 at 20:50 |
|
Why not start with something you can ship? 1'x1' with elevation changes for example would be great, or even 6" for desks...
And as far as shipping goes, 3' isn't bad, as long as it isn't 3' all around, 36"x36"x36" would be expensive! 36x24x6 probably not bad.
Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
> BJL
04/20/2014 at 20:51 |
|
Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
> BJL
04/20/2014 at 20:51 |
|
It's a cool idea. I posted about those a few weeks ago and they are expensive. I myself do a bit of carpentry and appreciate good work. I think you might be able to take requests from Oppos. I don't know what tools you have, but personalized stuff might bring in good money. You could do cut outs of all kinds of things.
jkm7680
> BJL
04/20/2014 at 20:51 |
|
The market would be seemingly limited, unless you price them better than these. Another thing to consider, would be the demographic. You could camp out at C&C, or Auto shows, leave flyers under the wipers at shows. That kind of thing.
http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/race+t…
Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
> BJL
04/20/2014 at 20:57 |
|
I would have to think the bending is a lot of work. Could cutting straight pieces and bending some save time? I do some woodworking myself and bending is nothing I can do in a short amount of time. Something more or less flat and not too tall is pretty easy to ship. See what flat rate boxes prices are for something that big. I would buy one if you start making 'em!
|
AthomSfere
> jkm7680
04/20/2014 at 21:10 |
|
You want to guarantee I won't buy your product, leave a flyer under my windshield wiper...
|
jkm7680
> AthomSfere
04/20/2014 at 21:12 |
|
I mean stick them under the wipers of your personal vehicle.
At Car shows and such, sometimes people leave them under their own wipers, for people to take as they wish
Singhjr96
> BJL
04/20/2014 at 21:13 |
|
You could get a job at a dealership and do the basic oil change, tire rotation stuff. Or even just be the person that details cars. I definitely like the idea though. Be careful bending those pieces and make sure to let them soak long enough, like a few days long before you steam them. You need to get them soaked enough because if you don't they'll just snap. It quite hard to bend some of those angles. I would also get a piece of plywood, and screw together a few pieces of wood at with an end-lap joint, then screw those onto the plywood in the shape you need. That way you can unscrew the pieces and move them around as you need on the piece of plywood. Thats what I did for my bent wood chair.
|
AthomSfere
> jkm7680
04/20/2014 at 21:14 |
|
Whew, yea that would be OK by me.
|
jkm7680
> AthomSfere
04/20/2014 at 21:18 |
|
Yeah, Haha.
Leaving random brochures under my wipers is a sure way to get me to burn it.
Luckily, On my A4 I've got these door handles. That means nobody can stick shit under them. Wipers, are a different story.
Ferrero1911
> AthomSfere
04/20/2014 at 21:36 |
|
The only time anyone left a business card on my car that didn't upset me was this detailing guy at a car show. He very carefully put his business card on my driver's side window. It wasn't even really wedged, more like balanced. I was impressed enough that I still have the card and I'll probably call him someday.
mattoverdrive
> BJL
04/20/2014 at 23:13 |
|
It's a really cool concept, but I'm thinking the initial costs will be prohibitive for such a niche project.
I'd recommend you work for your pops, and maybe make these on the side. That way you'd have some steady income, and the wood working projects can be a bit extra cash on what you'd be making regularly.
I know you've said that you've been working with your dad for awhile, and your concerned about putting that on your resume. I'm assuming you're going to school, and will probably be looking to get into a different field once you graduate. Truth be told, summer jobs probably won't affect your career outlook too much one way or another once you graduate. One exception could be if you were working , or interning, in the field you're planning on making your career, but that's not even a guarantee.
Just work with you're dad, he'd probably be more understanding than another boss would be with you doing your own thing on the side.
Zibodiz
> BJL
04/21/2014 at 04:18 |
|
You won't make much money on craigslist. The two possible ways to turn a profit on this are online (eBay & etsy) or at antique malls & flea markets.
Selling online is really easy. Shipping isn't hard either. Just pack it in a box with 1" of tightly packed peanuts all the way around it before you list it on ebay, then tell ebay the box dimensions & weight and it takes care of the rest.
Etsy is not as automated as eBay, but the customers are easier to please. Well worth trying.
A lot of antique malls/flea markets rent space for $20-$50/month, and all you do is set up your booth, and collect a check at the end of the month. I used to know a retired lady who made a tidy sum selling crafts at one of those.
Starting a business is exciting and a great experience, but often takes a while to start making money. I would suggest getting a 'regular job' and start this on the side. After a year or two, you might be making a lot of money from it.
BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
> AthomSfere
04/21/2014 at 07:57 |
|
I'd pay for a 1'x1' with elevation changes. That would be kickass...
Eazy-O
> BJL
04/21/2014 at 07:57 |
|
Can anyone explain to me, and I'm genuinely interested, how come there's no copyright on these things? I... simply don't understand the process used to determine whether or not there's a copyright. Thanks muchly. Have a pic as thaks.