Gauging Some Interest on A Weld-it-Your-Self Product Line

[Millsonwheels]

I am now a Partner In a Agriculture Related Production Business and Had the Idea of Producing some Seasonal Equipment for the professionals as well as the small farmers such as myself.

Well Basically we have been going through the motions of Kits that are very easily to assemble pre cut, bent, with all the cylinders and hoses. that you just weld to together and go! Basically like a grapple bucket for instance we would sell the quality of the very expensive models for the price on the super cheap flimsy models. Using things like Skid steer style quick attach mounts (bobcat kubota, john deere, etc.) I am working with a excellent designer who is working with me to put alignment tabs and other small touches that make assembly painless

I thought id gauge some interest in this before throwing money at further production. Of course this would be a very reasonably priced item, Im not try to retire on one of these or anything. Basically my question to you guys is in your minds would the savings be worth some hours of your time to get a superior product in the end?

We are trying this idea out on some smaller pieces and we will see how it goes!! I am really excited about this opportunity I am dying for a way to punch my own ticket and Be rewarded for working hard (unlike past jobs)

If you would, We would love to here some input on this or any other ideas you might have, Thank You!

 

[FarmWrench]

Good idea. I have wished for years to build a few things. To keep a quality reputation, weld prep, quality and paint present challenges. Try to have a line built around the homeowners 110volt mig or 1/8" 7018. Paint presents a challenge. "Projects" get put on hold but rust never sleeps. Something light enough to ship ups and weld with a 110volt MIG will be a sad story without paint in 5years.

Local steel service center has a program to put cut components and sourced parts on a pallet and ship.

 

[pmsmechanic]

I like this idea but then I like building things. Over half of my tractor tools are homemade. I tend not to paint things so I can see that being a bit of an issue. What kinds of kits do you have in mind? I like the idea of everything I need coming on a pallet because when I build there is a lot of time spent gathering materials, cutting etc.

 

[jaotguy]

pre cut , welded and painted with a bolt on adapter plate to match it to the "unit" ,will sell more kits.....

as soon as you make it a weld it yourself kit, you lose 75 % of the buyers .... ( few will attempt welding, even fewer will do a good job , and fewer still will paint the unit if they finish it)....

you will have to offer 2 kits, a precut / flat package ... and a pre-assembled fully painted unit with bolt / weld on brackets.

 

[GPintheMitten]

I like the idea but it would depend on the implements or attachments.

 

[Millsonwheels]

Good idea. I have wished for years to build a few things. To keep a quality reputation, weld prep, quality and paint present challenges. Try to have a line built around the homeowners 110volt mig or 1/8" 7018. Paint presents a challenge. "Projects" get put on hold but rust never sleeps. Something light enough to ship ups and weld with a 110volt MIG will be a sad story without paint in 5years.

Local steel service center has a program to put cut components and sourced parts on a pallet and ship.

Well I suppose you could do weld through primer but to keep the price low I would like to minimize the amount of steps for producing these.

I like this idea but then I like building things. Over half of my tractor tools are homemade. I tend not to paint things so I can see that being a bit of an issue. What kinds of kits do you have in mind? I like the idea of everything I need coming on a pallet because when I build there is a lot of time spent gathering materials, cutting etc.

Yeah I like the idea of the kits it leaves the finish up to the assembler. I just dont know if its feasible or not yet.

pre cut , welded and painted with a bolt on adapter plate to match it to the "unit" ,will sell more kits.....

as soon as you make it a weld it yourself kit, you lose 75 % of the buyers .... ( few will attempt welding, even fewer will do a good job , and fewer still will paint the unit if they finish it)....

you will have to offer 2 kits, a precut / flat package ... and a pre-assembled fully painted unit with bolt / weld on brackets.

Thats what I was thinking originally just sell the kit them have some assembly options for the buyer to chose from. I am worried about competing with the big guys when it comes to a common attachment thats been sold for awhile. the only options when you do that is superior product at a cheaper price or sell something totally original that no one has done (difficult).

I like the idea but it would depend on the implements or attachments.

I have a couple ideas which I am keeping under wraps till the designs are done mostly for the compact tractor guys (category 1 3ph sized items and below)

I am on the look out for new ideas though and I will pay $$ for a feasible idea if it works out!!!

 

[GPintheMitten]

I don't think paint or primer is an issue. If you are going to build stuff, you're signing up for fitment, welding, primer and paint as far as I'm concerned. As long as the raw steel doesn't sit around at your place long, then it is only shipping time. Then it's up to the consumer. Let it set or get going, or the consumer primes it because they can't get to assembly right away. I don't want to pay for priming just to grind it off.

I guess you could make priming an added cost option, if it was a deal breaker for someone.

 

[Jesse masterson]

the areas a few inches from the weld areas could still be primed. A little heat away from the weld shouldn't hurt the primer, that way rust won't be a problem for the whole project just the unprimed areas.

 

[Millsonwheels]

I don't think paint or primer is an issue. If you are going to build stuff, you're signing up for fitment, welding, primer and paint as far as I'm concerned. As long as the raw steel doesn't sit around at your place long, then it is only shipping time. Then it's up to the consumer. Let it set or get going, or the consumer primes it because they can't get to assembly right away. I don't want to pay for priming just to grind it off.

I guess you could make priming an added cost option, if it was a deal breaker for someone.

Thats the impression I always had that the "kit" was in raw form, But hey If thats what the customer wants for a little extra by gosh ill do it! haha

the areas a few inches from the weld areas could still be primed. A little heat away from the weld shouldn't hurt the primer, that way rust won't be a problem for the whole project just the unprimed areas.

Well Eastwood makes weld through primer that is actually good, I dont know how it would hold up getting jostled around in shipping though.

 

[George2615]

I like the idea too. I wouldn't mind building and welding my own box blade, box scraper, grapple etc. It depends on the attachment each person would want. Even painting isn't a problem. Rustoleum can be sprayed or brushed with good results. But I'm sure there are lots of folks who don't own a welder or don't know how to weld.

 

[Jim Timber]

Kits would be cool, but you have to price them reasonably or there's no incentive to buy yours vs not buying a kit and just making it from scratch. If you can buy steel in enough volume to get a good price on it, then pass that savings on through to the customer where your cutting costs are in line with what materials would cost on the retail end of buying from a steel yard, plus a little up-charge for the design; then you might have something.

So basically, you're looking at about a dollar a pound for a finished product. Otherwise, we're just going to look at your pictures, make our own, and you don't get anything.

As was said, a good quality implement for a reasonable price is going to be your better path to success. Selling direct, rather than through distributors might be how you can stay competitive and profitable. It's not going to be fist-fulls of money, but if you can deliver a well built product for 20% less than a retail store competitor, you should be able to make some money. I don't think the tractor implement industry is a very large pool of customers in general. You also don't have a high probability of repeat sales. Not many folks need two or more of a given attachment.

 

[GPintheMitten]

There have been a few new tools intoduced to TBN members that seemed to get a good following. Jake Rake and Ratchet Rake are two. Lots of folks bought them after hearing about them here.

If you can invent something it could go well.

 

[BHD]

I would think there would be some product that would give some protection on rust and such that would not cause welding issues and could be power washed or scrubbed off for painting,
just a quick net search,
Coatings for Corrosion Protection and Rust Control
OKS Spezialschmierstoffe GmbH - Corrosion Protection
Auto & Industrial Rust Remover, Rust Preventative Paint For Cars
not saying any of these are what one should use but I know some paints cause welding problems and not sure what these do to welds, but they all look thinner than paint,


even offering the "special parts" and plans for sale as tubing and plate is not that hard to source, but Eyes for cylinders and or hinges for joints hitch plates
if one does not have a good drill press, and or a lath or milling machine being able to buy the special parts could make a large difference on making some thing or not,

my two cents,

 

[EddieWalker]

It sure would have to be cheap for me to want to do all the welding, grinding, painting and assembly. Factoring in the hours it would take me to do that, I'd be very hesitant to give it a try.

Eddie

 

[/pine]

I am now a Partner In a Agriculture Related Production Business and Had the Idea of Producing some Seasonal Equipment for the professionals as well as the small farmers such as myself.

Well Basically we have been going through the motions of Kits that are very easily to assemble pre cut, bent, with all the cylinders and hoses. that you just weld to together and go! Basically like a grapple bucket for instance we would sell the quality of the very expensive models for the price on the super cheap flimsy models. Using things like Skid steer style quick attach mounts (bobcat kubota, john deere, etc.) I am working with a excellent designer who is working with me to put alignment tabs and other small touches that make assembly painless

I thought id gauge some interest in this before throwing money at further production. Of course this would be a very reasonably priced item, Im not try to retire on one of these or anything. Basically my question to you guys is in your minds would the savings be worth some hours of your time to get a superior product in the end?

We are trying this idea out on some smaller pieces and we will see how it goes!! I am really excited about this opportunity I am dying for a way to punch my own ticket and Be rewarded for working hard (unlike past jobs)

If you would, We would love to here some input on this or any other ideas you might have, Thank You!

Exactly what does "going through the motions" mean?...have you produced /sold any "kits"...do you have a catalog or a list of products available?

 

[square1]

Basically my question to you guys is in your minds would the savings be worth some hours of your time to get a superior product in the end?

Yes, time I have...

 

[otlski]

So I've just started posting but have lurked and learned here at TBN for ten years. In that time I've seen a lot of posts looking for water runoff ditching tools. I think a 3-point full width universal tool bracket with options for various tools would be a good place to start. Capability to offset the tool in either direction past the tires would be a must. For ditching tools everything from a pointy subsoiler to a middle buster to a swale former would be useful.

Dan

 

[Underdog57]

I think it's a great idea, a lot of people have a welder and some basic tools but don't have the ability to cut steel into precision parts, machine bearings, etc....etc... You could start with a 4' or 5' grapple kit.

 

[Todd NE WY]

I am not 100% sure but if you do a search I think, Everything Attachments looked into this awhile back. I think there was a thread by someone who was kind of beta testing the kit concept for them.

 

[jeff9366]

Everything Attachments (ETA) had the same weld-it-yourself idea a year ago and solicited interest here on T-B-N.

Either there was not enough interest expressed, or they are continuing work on the concept, because we have not heard anything since.

ETA considers T-B-N an important marketing channel for their brand. Right, Travis?