CubbyChowder finally got a BMW 2002 - it's project time

[TeckniX]

Thanks, I'm getting pretty motivated on getting these racks going again. Shop life has been pretty rough lately, all the expenses are really starting to add up. I've been trying to stay afloat by working on people's cars to make some side money. It's hard to make money when you have no money to spend on materials/tools/supplies. You gotta spend money to make money, and you gotta make money to spend money haha, kind of hard to juggle that. It's a good thing though, puts priorities into perspective and it's good to get scared sometimes, it really makes you get creative haha.

I'll go ahead and start asking for 10% on profit, since I'm giving some pretty sound biz advice.

Money issue? Easy.... You have prototype and skills to build. Create a kickstarter like campaign for your roof-rack idea. Figure out how many you can build and how much you'd sell them for; that's what you make your 'money goal'. BOOM! Instant backers of your build and pre-pay for your rack plus some cash in the bank


You're welcome

[CubbyChowder]

Thanks, I'm getting pretty motivated on getting these racks going again. Shop life has been pretty rough lately, all the expenses are really starting to add up. I've been trying to stay afloat by working on people's cars to make some side money. It's hard to make money when you have no money to spend on materials/tools/supplies. You gotta spend money to make money, and you gotta make money to spend money haha, kind of hard to juggle that. It's a good thing though, puts priorities into perspective and it's good to get scared sometimes, it really makes you get creative haha.

[JTV]

HOLY SHIT! If you get those roof racks going please tell me cause they look sooo dope. Looking for one for my e28... Also I will get one if they're in my price range... haha

[LowDriver]

Love it!

DAM!!
You deserve my first post for sure!

[DER E30]

Update on the roundie???????????????????????????????????????

[BMW BRAD]

LOL! I said it before......... got dam you got mad skillz!

[CubbyChowder]

Let me know the day you design something like this for an E30. Will buy on the spot.

Actually the second one pictured is designed for an e30 just haven't finished it yet haha

[zumjosh]

Let me know the day you design something like this for an E30. Will buy on the spot.

[Raarasutra]

roof rack porn!

I would definitely rock on of those on my benz

[CubbyChowder]

I bet you could make a BADAZZ roof rack..........

Haha funny you say that, I actually did design my own low profile roof racks and built a prototype, and got 80% through a second prototype. They are designed to work with all older BMW, VW, Mercedes, etc that use drip rail gutter mounts.

I have since put that project on the back burner for a little bit. I reached out to the BMW and VW guys to gauge interest and get feedback, and got tons of valuable input and suggestions from actual potential customers. After hearing what they had to say, I decided I need to completely redesign them if I want to sell them a consistent scale. My prototypes are a bit overbuilt, and I essentially need to simplify them.

Anyways, here a few photos of my two prototypes, first one is test fit on my 2002. My main goal is for them to be super low profile:






And here's a photo of my second prototype that I still need to finish:

[BMW BRAD]

I bet you could make a BADAZZ roof rack..........

[CubbyChowder]

I appreciate the input and suggestions, at the moment I don't have the right machinery to elegantly engrave words and designs into wood like that, but those are some good ideas for sure.

My overall goal is to create things that are completely my own designs and under my control (as opposed to doing custom work for people with their own ideas and designs). I don't know exactly what that "thing" is yet, but I feel like I'm getting there. I'll admit that I'm not entirely passionate about building tables specifically, but they are a great object to build when exercising creative ideas and gaining experience by doing. I feel like with every table I build, my techniques change, I become more strategic and I generally have a better understanding of working with metal and wood. I am not in a huge rush to create a product and start a business revolved around it just yet. I'm still totally experimental and keeping all options open, because I believe things will eventually start to fall into place when they're meant to.

And during all that, I hope to finish this damn project so I can finally enjoy it!

[drosas]

Also they may not all be willing to pay, but could use it - In that case, make the top engraving a bit like above but have all of your contact info all over the wood. This way you can 'leave' it there as free advertising as people put their glasses down they'll get read/see your info.

That's a really good idea.

[TeckniX]

I see that the 02 has been lacking updates, but really like the table fabric. In one of your earlier posts you mentioned trying to sell the tables for some of the local wine stores.

The way I think you should do it, is present some wood inserts that already have the store's name on it, but makes it look like a wine label.

Something like this:


You can even get 'tricky' and make it so the name of the store is on a wooden plank that you can change when you go from store to store.

Also they may not all be willing to pay, but could use it - In that case, make the top engraving a bit like above but have all of your contact info all over the wood. This way you can 'leave' it there as free advertising as people put their glasses down they'll get read/see your info.

[CubbyChowder]

This build gives me so much inspiration for our 02. Just starting the rust removal process. What are you using to grind down those welds? So far I've used flappy disks and cutting wheels and its worked pretty well but I was just wondering if you have any other ideas.

Thanks and keep it up!!!

Thanks man and good luck with your build. I too use flap disks for the smoothing out, but lately I've also been using a pneumatic die grinder with 60-80 grit 2" roloc pads and that works really well, just takes a little longer.

How much would you sell a table for?
They look awesome
Would look great in my living room!

I will build you a table beyond your wildest dreams in exchange for your e28

haha but in all seriousness, it just kind of depends. I put a LOT of time and money into them, so I would have to ask quite a bit. Upwards of $500-1500 depending on dimensions and level of intricacy. I've been told I could expect to see $2-3k depending on what shops carry them. I don't know, I haven't focused too much on selling them yet.