Build-It-Yourself Attachment KITS...How much interest would there be???

[HeavyHitch]

Ted, What about the liability issue? We looked at doing something like that with our hitches and the insurance company said NO WAY!

[Zebrafive]

I like the idea!

Another idea is "you dream it/draw it" We cut it.

[swick1]

Zebra, some local places will do this. My metal supplier cut my grapple for me. They sold me a 4x10 sheet in the shape of a grapple :-)

[sparc]

Have to say the same thing. I would be very interested in these kits. I like doing things myself to save a buck and while building it see what weak points I could see and reinforce.

As landplanes are getting more popular. I can see you selling a lot of them as kits

I like the idea Ted and would be interested in a land plane kit to start.

[sparc]

Sometimes you do stuff on your own and take responsibility for the outcome. No hand holding needed or wanted. If a warranty is important then buy a complete assembled unit instead.

exactly. if i buy a stack of lumber and build a shed, is the lumberyard responsible if it falls down?

[sparc]

I like hooked_on_HP's idea of having the option to increase weight/strength. I would think there may be a market for some to obtain a stronger implement for equal or less than a light weight at retail!

I would think this would complicate things significantly. Now I(EA) need to stock plate in various thicknesses and keep them segregated so I don't send some pieces in 1/4" and some 3/16" or whatever.

Stick to the same piece parts that are used on the assembled units is the only way this makes sense for EA and keeps hte price down I would think, because they are using the same stockpile of parts for the items they build in their shop.

If you want to customize the attachment then the price will go up and I know you will say you are aware of this, but it may be more than you like or I should say more than the difference in the price of the materials.

[sparc]

It would be easy to put some additional cuts, design or shapes into each of the major parts in the kits. That would allow for easy identification on being a customer built item. Another option they could add is the possiblity for adding a monogram / logo / ranch brand to a portion of the implement (for a nominal fee) to provide that truly custom built look.

I was thinking the same thing. EA could use the laser to cut their logo into attachments they assemble, AND they could offer to do the same (provided you wait for the parts to be custom cut) for purchasers of kits. Something that would identify it as yours so if it grows legs you can tell it apart from others.

[TO_Bud]

I'm in Ted, sounds like a great idea. I've made several items for my tractor already and would have more if I could make things for a reasonable price. The problems I've found is getting the material together then taking it to a shop for cut-out or bends or whatever and the costs start rising. I'm not a business so I pay more for the raw steel and when a shop does work for me they always charge a setup fee of some sort so in the end my savings become minimal. I enjoy the projects but most times it's not worth it for the savings over buying something already fabbed. The only time it's worth it is when I have steel left over from another project or I cut something apart to use old steel or buy used steel. Having a kit and supplies from one vendor would solve those problems. You could even announce a couple week run time where members could sign up for a particular implement kit. If 10 or 20 people came on board you wouldn't have to stock kits, you could create them from orders. You could even substitute heavier gauge steel runs for specific implements if there was an interest. This would keep your setup costs down as well.

[jenkinsph]

I'm in Ted, sounds like a great idea. I've made several items for my tractor already and would have more if I could make things for a reasonable price. The problems I've found is getting the material together then taking it to a shop for cut-out or bends or whatever and the costs start rising. I'm not a business so I pay more for the raw steel and when a shop does work for me they always charge a setup fee of some sort so in the end my savings become minimal. I enjoy the projects but most times it's not worth it for the savings over buying something already fabbed. The only time it's worth it is when I have steel left over from another project or I cut something apart to use old steel or buy used steel. Having a kit and supplies from one vendor would solve those problems. You could even announce a couple week run time where members could sign up for a particular implement kit. If 10 or 20 people came on board you wouldn't have to stock kits, you could create them from orders. You could even substitute heavier gauge steel runs for specific implements if there was an interest. This would keep your setup costs down as well.

I understand your point and agree that in your case the idea of buying a kit to assemble from Ted makes sense. Hiring out fabrication to shops as you mention (cuts and bends) can get expensive fast, to build implements at a lower cost you really need to be setup for it with the tools to make your own cuts and bends. Having a crackerbox or small mig is just the beginning of a long list of tools to do fabrication work. Without the right tools and skill level it would be difficult to realize a savings in an implements cost. That said most of the things I build because I enjoy it and/or have a specific need or design in mind, cost effectiveness isn't the real reason.

[megaboz]

Well in the case of a box blade yea I can pretty much see no need in warranty. But say in the case of a tiller, I'd want a warranty on the transmission for it. That is what I referred to as warranty issues.

But after thinking about it, one would be better off to sell something like that already made.

But I do think the idea has merit especially having pieces cut by professionals would be nice.