i always enjoy looking at prices at the store for smaller wood parts
like corbels and shelf brackets and table legs
i am always surprised at the prices because they are lower than i would
expect
the profit margins musst be pretty slim
i might be able to match their prices and make a profit if i used only
found wood
but then getting them into stores is yet another hurdle
i have concluded that the competition on that market space is too tough
On Monday, November 9, 2015 at 8:35:36 PM UTC-5, Leon wrote:
> On 11/9/2015 6:58 PM, Mike Marlow wrote:
> > Electric Comet wrote:
> >
> >>
> >> yes that is key and the other thing is that people are very tired of
> >> buying stuff that is thrown together junk from asia or the like and
> >> are seeking things that last
> >>
> >
> > IKEA would beg to differ with you - although not from Asia. (BTW - learn to
> > capitalize and use punctuation)
> >
> I think he probably learned to capitalize and punctuate but is probably
> too lazy to do so.
Or perhaps there's a bit of troll-ism involved here.
You know, if it gets us complaining, he's doing his job.
That might also explain some of EC's threads, like the caul ridiculousness.
On Mon, 9 Nov 2015 19:35:30 -0600, Leon <lcb11211@swbelldotnet> wrote:
>On 11/9/2015 6:58 PM, Mike Marlow wrote:
>> Electric Comet wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> yes that is key and the other thing is that people are very tired of
>>> buying stuff that is thrown together junk from asia or the like and
>>> are seeking things that last
>>>
>>
>> IKEA would beg to differ with you - although not from Asia. (BTW - learn to
>> capitalize and use punctuation)
>>
>I think he probably learned to capitalize and punctuate but is probably
>too lazy to do so.
Worse. He thinks it's cool to be a nonconformist and doesn't care
about his reader. Probably a Millennial.
On Monday, November 9, 2015 at 5:26:16 PM UTC-6, Electric Comet wrote:
>
> > Somewhat of an example: I am sometimes asked to build ottoman
> > frames - simple 2X square legs, casters, 1X2 stretchers and skirting,
> > 3/4" ply top. I usually end up upholstering it, also. All toll,
> > less than 8 hours hobbywork. The bare minimum (otherwise unsightly)
> > frame is not seen, when an upholstered (pleated) skirting conceals it.
>
> great idea and useful
>
> so no webbing just the 3/4" ply
No webbing. Flat board/ply, topped with 4" foam & batting, then upholster.
Sonny
On Sunday, November 8, 2015 at 3:17:05 PM UTC-6, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> On 11/8/2015 12:48 PM, Electric Comet wrote:
> > i always enjoy looking at prices at the store for smaller wood parts
> > like corbels and shelf brackets and table legs
> >
> > i am always surprised at the prices because they are lower than i would
> > expect
> >
> > the profit margins musst be pretty slim
> >
> > i might be able to match their prices and make a profit if i used only
> > found wood
> > but then getting them into stores is yet another hurdle
> >
> > i have concluded that the competition on that market space is too tough
> >
>=20
> Ever see how that stuff is made? First, they buy the raw material for=20
> about 25% of your price, maybe less. Next is to set up automated=20
> tooling to run hundreds, maybe thousands of parts with that setup.
>=20
> Getting them into stores is another hurdle, especially the big chain=20
> stores You may also have to wait a long time to get paid. Your=20
> selling price will be less than half the listed retail price too. When=
=20
> I was associated with the hobby industry many years ago, if it cost you=
=20
> $1 in labor and material the list selling price would be $4 minimum.=20
> Work it backwards to see where you have to be.
Otherwise, find a "specialized item" for a specific (preferrably local) nic=
he, so that you're less likely to compete with the big box or local outlets=
.
Somewhat of an example: I am sometimes asked to build ottoman frames - si=
mple 2X square legs, casters, 1X2 stretchers and skirting, 3/4" ply top. =
I usually end up upholstering it, also. All toll, less than 8 hours hobby=
work. The bare minimum (otherwise unsightly) frame is not seen, when an u=
pholstered (pleated) skirting conceals it.
I've made so many of these, I have round, oval and rectangle templates for =
the (generally) standard size tops, so that I don't have to figure out the =
*dimensions/layout, each time. The leg configuration/orientation is the s=
ame for each top design.
* The top's templates contain markings for centers (along sides, where appl=
icable), where the legs/stretchers are to be placed and where any buttons (=
upholstered tufts) are to be placed (if applicable). All these template m=
arkings are easily transferable to the build/product.... saves lots of time=
, not having to calculate these measures/placements for each ottoman.
Sonny
On 11/9/2015 6:58 PM, Mike Marlow wrote:
> Electric Comet wrote:
>
>>
>> yes that is key and the other thing is that people are very tired of
>> buying stuff that is thrown together junk from asia or the like and
>> are seeking things that last
>>
>
> IKEA would beg to differ with you - although not from Asia. (BTW - learn to
> capitalize and use punctuation)
>
I think he probably learned to capitalize and punctuate but is probably
too lazy to do so.
On Sun, 8 Nov 2015 16:17:01 -0500
Ed Pawlowski <[email protected]> wrote:
> Ever see how that stuff is made? First, they buy the raw material
> for about 25% of your price, maybe less. Next is to set up automated
> tooling to run hundreds, maybe thousands of parts with that setup.
have not seen it in person but i know all about economy of scale
> Getting them into stores is another hurdle, especially the big chain
> stores You may also have to wait a long time to get paid. Your
> selling price will be less than half the listed retail price too.
> When I was associated with the hobby industry many years ago, if it
> cost you $1 in labor and material the list selling price would be $4
> minimum. Work it backwards to see where you have to be.
i have done the very basic analysis and concluded that for me there
is no way
but the interesting part is that even for them it is a very very slim
margin
they are also shrink wrapped in plastic so the margins get slimmer
and all the packages i looked at except the table legs were gathering
dust
On Mon, 9 Nov 2015 04:34:34 -0800 (PST)
Sonny <[email protected]> wrote:
> Otherwise, find a "specialized item" for a specific (preferrably
> local) niche, so that you're less likely to compete with the big box
> or local outlets.
yes that is key and the other thing is that people are very tired of buying
stuff that is thrown together junk from asia or the like and are seeking
things that last
> Somewhat of an example: I am sometimes asked to build ottoman
> frames - simple 2X square legs, casters, 1X2 stretchers and skirting,
> 3/4" ply top. I usually end up upholstering it, also. All toll,
> less than 8 hours hobbywork. The bare minimum (otherwise unsightly)
> frame is not seen, when an upholstered (pleated) skirting conceals it.
great idea and useful
so no webbing just the 3/4" ply
Electric Comet wrote:
>
> yes that is key and the other thing is that people are very tired of
> buying stuff that is thrown together junk from asia or the like and
> are seeking things that last
>
IKEA would beg to differ with you - although not from Asia. (BTW - learn to
capitalize and use punctuation)
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
On Tue, 10 Nov 2015 18:40:14 -0800 (PST)
Sonny <[email protected]> wrote:
> No webbing. Flat board/ply, topped with 4" foam & batting, then
> upholster.
have not tried to upholster anything other than replacing the foam in an
old chair that had cushions from the 60's that the foam had no life left in
gave the chair a whole new purpose
now it is actually sitable
i was surprised at how much the foam pieces cost though
it was not cheap but it will out last me
On 11/8/2015 12:48 PM, Electric Comet wrote:
> i always enjoy looking at prices at the store for smaller wood parts
> like corbels and shelf brackets and table legs
>
> i am always surprised at the prices because they are lower than i would
> expect
>
> the profit margins musst be pretty slim
>
> i might be able to match their prices and make a profit if i used only
> found wood
> but then getting them into stores is yet another hurdle
>
> i have concluded that the competition on that market space is too tough
>
Ever see how that stuff is made? First, they buy the raw material for
about 25% of your price, maybe less. Next is to set up automated
tooling to run hundreds, maybe thousands of parts with that setup.
Getting them into stores is another hurdle, especially the big chain
stores You may also have to wait a long time to get paid. Your
selling price will be less than half the listed retail price too. When
I was associated with the hobby industry many years ago, if it cost you
$1 in labor and material the list selling price would be $4 minimum.
Work it backwards to see where you have to be.