Muff's Modules & More

julian · Last edited by julian on Thu May 10, 2012 8:35 am; edited 6 times in total

Steve (monobass) asked me to quote on his passive attenuator panel, but we both pretty much knew from the start that i would not be able to compete with printed panels.

The beauty of cnc work is that custom stuff is much cheaper than printed, but the cost is that it does not scale well for bulk jobs. On the numbers Steve had on the order list, printing was always going to be cheaper.

This got me thinking - how can i get arround this limitation....

I think the best way for me to be able to offer cheap panels is to do bulk buys, keeping all the panels the same size, but letting people submit whatever they want for engraving.

So, i would wait for 'critical mass' (probably about 50-off) and the cut the whole job in one lot.

The constraints would be -

That sounds like a lot of restriction, but it actually covers a whole load of options.

I would set a target price of GBP 14 per unit. This is approximatly USD $23 or Euro 18.

I can not produce single units for this price, however, i *can* produce custom units in bulk (if that makes sense?)

So, for example, if you wanted 5 completely different custom 4hp panels cutting, regardless of what you wanted on them (providing the above constraints were met) the price would be exactly the same per unit, and all you would have to do would be wait for 'critical mass' and then you would get the panel for cheap.

How does that sound?

So, to confirm -

GBP 14 would buy you -

...but they would only be cut when 'critical mass' was reached.

Im only testing the water at the moment. From the response to Steve's passive attenuator offer, it seems like this sort of thing could be of interest to some people (but this is in no way competition with Steve's group buy, as his bulk purchasing power of using the same design for all panels will better this price anyhow) but ive been know to miss-judge things in the past (and end up with panels sitting on the shelves for months on end!)

If youre keen, can you say below, and, if the numbers go over 50, i guess its a go-er.

(or indeed, if you have any suggestions too)

In the unliky event that this turns out to be a good / popular idea, i could introduce runs on different widths panels / different colour infills / even different colour metals - all just depends on popularity!

edit -

Please submit designs by email to my work email address -
[url]
http://www.thebeast.co.uk/contact/[/url]

Could you make it clear as to if your design is private or public?
I will create a repository for public designs for people to choose from.

Thank you,
Julian

Rod Serling Fan Club · Posted: Sat May 05, 2012 8:25 pm Post subject:

I'd have to see what I can fit in 4u but I suspect I'd be down for a couple.

mckenic · Posted: Sat May 05, 2012 9:05 pm Post subject:

I dont know if the below fits within the constraints of what your proposing... but if it does, Id be down for these chaps and the 3 opposites...

edited for better pic! jesus its awkward to find the right 3!

haima · Posted: Sat May 05, 2012 10:14 pm Post subject:

Put me down as interested - I have a few 4hp designs kicking around.

BTW - I've got one of Julian's engraved panels - it looks fantastic! Engraving looks better than photoprint IMO...

Monobass · Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 12:43 am Post subject:

Very good idea Julian - put me down for three.

julian · Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 1:57 am Post subject:

bleeps · Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 3:07 am Post subject:

I'd like one of these

julian · Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 3:12 am Post subject:

Monobass · Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 5:13 am Post subject:

countersinking?..

julian · Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 7:10 am Post subject:

ringstone · Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 7:20 am Post subject:

Monobass · Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 8:23 am Post subject:

yeah I have a countersink bit I'm just really lazy hihi

adh82 · Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 9:24 am Post subject:

id take a couple for a mixer!!!

bleeps · Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 9:43 am Post subject:

bleeps · Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 9:46 am Post subject:

mckenic · Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 10:55 am Post subject:

Actually... that 808 panel would look quite nice with the 808 PCB behind it...

Me too please!

bleeps · Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 1:24 pm Post subject:

And one of these

The OR-wired sockets on the Doepfer DIY pages should work passively, right?

spotta · Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 3:46 pm Post subject:

What a great idea, I've ony been doing DIY for six months and I already have a couple of projects that could use a service like this, nothing in 4hp just yet (although now i'll be looking harder) but I hope it works out and you do end up doing other sizes.

julian · Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 5:30 pm Post subject:

To be honest, my main concern is not that people will desire these, but the logistics of 'closing' the transaction.

I think that what ill have to do is only log submitted files on the mass-o-meter (i hate that name alreddy!) otherwise i can forsee reaching 50, and then asking for the designs, and there being a significant delay at that point.

Another concern is taking pre-payment. I do not like the idea of taking money from people before the job is good to go, but i think that could also create delay as above.

...which isnt a problem, but i wouldnt want 45 people waiting for the last 5.

I guess that may just be the way it is - the first 50 to submit files *and* payment get on the run.

I think there has been enough interest today to formulate the plan better, and to start a proper log, asking for files to be submitted, and we can see where it goes.

julian · Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 8:26 am Post subject:

Could i ask people to start submitting designs?

And, could you tell me if theyre private designs, or if you are happy for other people to also use the design?

What i will do is create a repository for the public designs, so that people who want panels for projects, but do not wish to design their own, can simply say "2-off design #5" etc.

Ill do screen grabs and put them on the first post of this thread - but, again, if your design is private i will not publish it.

Thank you,
Julian

ps.

could i ask for 'public' designs even if you do not wish a panel for yourself? that way i can get a selection of designs for people to choose from?