69 replies to this topic

[ross k]

hey guys i currentlly work every friday with a cabinet maker as a result i decided i would make my mini a dashboard so i decided to make an oak veneer dash i am very pleased am thinking about making them to sell and i could make them veneered with any wood such as walnut or oak like mine they would be a simular finish to the original walnut dashes raised bit by speedo etc so my question is do you guys reckon anyone would by them would it be worth it as i dont now of anyone else doing these also i could varnish them as desired for example high gloss or matt thanks ross if your interested ill get a pic up its just hard to get a good pic

[jamie@thefatgarage]

If people will pay for sticky back carbon fibre lookalike plastic, they'll pay for anything!

[bamby]

think there would be a good demand for this. I would be interested in this - got a photo

[mk1leg]

Could you do burr walnut or birds eye maple...............

[ross k]

will get pics asap um not sure i can do any veneered would thing is gotta buy a whole sheet so might start with one wood then if they sell do a different would so maybe make them in batches of 10 in different woods if they sell thanks ross

[Bungle]

don't forget to register as a trader if your going to start selling on TMF

[ross k]

yeh i will do just enquiring first so will see if people are interested then of they are i will be registering thanks ross

[Shifty]

Sorry, but to even offer the hint of a service you need to register as a trader. Can you fill out the form ASAP, Thanks Shifty

[MiniMonty]

C'mon chaps - let the man do a bit of market research !
I agree that if you're trading then you're a trader - but asking a few questions has to be OK. (right) ?

I'd say check out your competition (eBay is a good place to start) because although a lot of folks do pay
a lot of money for a nice dash there are some very well established players at the top end of the market - and a lot
of "budget" dealers offering cheap but low grade goods. You'd have to decide where you were going to fit in the market
for what sounds like a hand made quality product.

Oak (or any other) veneer would be lovely and people will buy stuff if your product is good but do check out
what's already available from the big suppliers and the niche specialists before you commit any time or money.

Best wishes
Monty

[Jacko-lah]

I'm thinking that you have learnt the skills of a craftsman, and instead of designing and making beautiful bespoke furniture in a classic but modern style, and selling it to millionaires, you have chosen to target a highly niche market, which is full already.

I'd be looking at Habitat, and other modern furniture retailers and coming up with something novel, rather than copying something that's been done to death.

[Stevee]

oak is a very nice wood but quite heavy

if you was just having a Lux mini then its fine but with performance may way you down a bit

ive got a oak gear knob and switch back ground they look good


EDIT: would to wood cause i can't spell this morning

Edited by Stevee, 08 January 2011 - 10:25 AM.

[ross k]

thanks for the great advise guys well ive sent the pm of to register as a trader and in reply to your questions firstly stevee im talking about making veneered dashboards so they would look like oak but wouldnt be any heavier than your average mdf dash all comments welcome and here are some pictures as promised any thoughts would be great this is my first prototype so may change them slightly but what you reckon would these sel or would you buy one ?

[Davethepioneer]

Looks awesome mate, if the price is right I dont think you wil have any problem selling these.

[Shifty]

Looks good, although the grain not lining up on the glove box would annoy me!!

[ross k]

yeh not noticed that what do you guys reckon they would be worth also was thinking about putting the lid of the glove box on top like the binnacle bit reason being it would be alot easier to make so i can make them a bit cheaper as cutting it in like that takes me ages but i could do it if you guys reckon it worth it thanks for the comments and advice keep them coming