69 replies to this topic

[Beej123]

I could probably get a face plate made in wenge walnut for a centre speedo like that one (assuming i wouldnt be stepping on anyones toes)
This was something i was looking at doing at work (we make veneer office furniture in 11 different finishes) but seems i was too slow!

[ross k]

i could make a face plate but couldnt make the whole thing like shifty wants at the mo thats the thing thanks ross

[MiniMonty]

I reckon the centre binnacle (wood) ones would sell very well because (as mentioned) they would be unique and people do like to be different...
(see the bespoke section of my own site for proof) !

A few other random thoughts -
It would bug me too if the grain didn't line up on the glovebox. Your solution of a raised lid would be nice especially if it included a "tray" cut into the
inside of the lid - or maybe a cup-holder cut out (?). But with a raised lid I'd want the hinges hidden when it was shut.
Selling with a fixing kit included might help to make you the supplier of choice for those choosing between you and others (and would seem like
an essential to me if I was buying).
A choice of knobs or handles on the glove box would be good - brass / chrome / wood and a magnet each side to actually keep it shut ! (mine was always falling open
until I fitted two magnet catches).
Maybe you could look into selling them with glove box liners (added value) although I don't know where you'd get them / how you'd make them ?
Really well angled instrument "holes" so you could easily read the clocks would also set you apart from most other makers. Maybe the binnacle
could even be adjustable somehow (?)

On an "overall" advice vibe I think the key these-days for suppliers is flexibility and major customer service - so offering little extras and a degree of choice makes
a big difference. And, as many members will I am sure agree - don't promise what you can't deliver. We've all seen a few traders start out with great products
only to be talked about all over the forum for all the wrong reasons within weeks because they've taken on too many orders, promised delivery times that they can't reach etc.,

Once you get that kind of bad publicity it is, (from what I can see), very hard to recover. In a niche market where you are competing with other niche suppliers you have
to have a spotless reputation and a willingness to go the extra mile - this will have you talked about for all the right reasons.
Honesty is the best policy and people will not only pay - but they will happily wait for good quality goods / services if they are told the truth up-front.
So under-promise and over-deliver should be your policy from day one.

Hope this helps.

Best wishes
Monty

[1984mini25]

Personally I don’t see them selling as well as you hope they will, with ought trying to offend they are a plain dash with some veneer over the top.

Tried something similar my self last year, but it didn’t get very far after making my own custom dash for my project from scratch.

As for the glove box staying shut problem, magnets are crap, the best way I’ve found is using a double ball catch. As for the hinges and knobs that are in scale, I found model shops that sell stuff for dolls houses quite good.

[ross k]

well thanks for the great advice guys and i dont want this to be a large scale thing just something to earn some pocket money so up for all suggestions the idea of different knobs etc is a great idea and i will look into a cup holder but its still only at the prototype idea at the moment so not promising anything and if i do this doubt i will be able to make vast amounts so will only take orders for one or two at a time and was gonna sell them with fitting kits anyway so thats all good i will look further into the centre binnacle idea as you all seem so keen thanks alot ross

[Shifty]

Just remember that when you make £££££ out the centre binicle, it was MY idea!!!

[ross k]

haha ok shifty will do just gotta get my hands on one now to work from well im gonna start with the dashes as said before and see where i go from there so what wood shall i make the first one in oak or walnut veneered of course maybe someone would like to specify how they would want one ill make it then if they want it they can buy it if not ill put it on ebay and see how it goes thanks ross

[Beej123]

haha ok shifty will do just gotta get my hands on one now to work from well im gonna start with the dashes as said before and see where i go from there so what wood shall i make the first one in oak or walnut veneered of course maybe someone would like to specify how they would want one ill make it then if they want it they can buy it if not ill put it on ebay and see how it goes thanks ross

How much do you recon these will come out at?
And how long does it take you to make the bare product before veneer?

[ross k]

dont now really dont really time it but spose i could when i make my next one whys that ? not sure how much im gonna sell the dashes for any suggestions of what people are willing to pay would be great just i dont want to seem to rip people of but want to make some money its a dificult one

Edited by ross k, 10 January 2011 - 05:23 PM.

[ross k]

thinking around the 70 pound mark what do you guys reckon to that thats with auxilary holes and stereo hole if neither are desired maybe 60 pound what do you reckon thanks ross

[Jacko-lah]

Now I've seen the pictures I just keep thinking of boats.

[Beej123]

That price sounds pretty good for a totally custom made veneer dash, only problem i can see is that veneer doesnt respond well to moisture but as long as they are laquered well they should be fine.

How much for a blank? I havnt decided which switches im having etc. and can get it veneered once i have it cut.

[Mini Mad Drakeley]

i really like this idea, i always think the walnut dashes are too dark and lighter coloured woods i think would look brilliant, i think you could achieve the difference from other companys if you also made custom dashes from specialised woods aswell, and 60 or 70 quid isnt really that much but when i actually get a job to be able to get stuff for the mini i would probably call you to make a rose wood dash if you decided on the custom specialised dashes, my dad had rosewood grab rails on his boat and its a beaut wood

[Beej123]

i really like this idea, i always think the walnut dashes are too dark and lighter coloured woods i think would look brilliant, i think you could achieve the difference from other companys if you also made custom dashes from specialised woods aswell, and 60 or 70 quid isnt really that much but when i actually get a job to be able to get stuff for the mini i would probably call you to make a rose wood dash if you decided on the custom specialised dashes, my dad had rosewood grab rails on his boat and its a beaut wood

Bit of a geeky moment, there is only one type of rose wood you can get hold of now without getting into trouble with the EU and it is VERY expensive, even as a veneer, not impossible though

Note to the OP, if you have someone request a veneer that you dont have or dont want to purchase, let me know as i could get the veneer on for you, we do 11 different finishes and stock them all

[ross k]

ok thanks thats a great help and when you mean a blank do you mean a dash with no holes at all just cust to size with mounting kit thanks ross and also there pretty well laquered what finish do you think would be most popular as my one shown is a satin finish as i hate high gloss shine but i now some people like a high gloss shine thanks ross