Re: Some questions for TBN\'rs in Texas, OK, etc
It doesn't seem like it's been two weeks since I updated this thread.
A couple of developments.
The parts for the system are in their final stages. We've got four. One that's the do--all. Then there's the one when the rafters hit the sill. And then we have the bracket that frames doorways, windows, joists to rafters, etc. Last but probably the most important for patent purposes is the clip that makes all these things work.
Probably within two weeks I'll be able to post some pictures of demonstration projects. It is amazing to me that these four pieces along with either a Portaband, sawsall, or chop saw, and a screw gun or cordless drill a person can build a shed or a building out of pipe and purlins and sheet iron. Actually one could frame it all up out of purlins and pipe and then use tongue and groove cedar one bys if they so desired or the convenants demanded.
What is even more involving this last week has been the development of a bracket that allows a fence company or do it yourselfer to install a pipe rail fence for about the same labor involved in a simple wood one.
This means the person that's considering a vinyl rail fence will now have to consider a pipe one that offers all the benefits of vinyl, no maintenance, simple installation, but made out of steel.
Yesterday while driving down the road I had a little inspiration for our ad for the pipe fence bracket. I would put up a section of powder coated white pipe fence five foot high, four rails in a bud's pasture with the treeline in the background. I would then place another bud's absolutely gorgeous longhorn behind it. The caption on the ad would read, "Yes Mam, that's a Longhorn." Below the picture would be "No Mam, the fence isn't plastic."
Then in the body of the ad would be the description of how the fence was made without welds and was guaranteed against rust for twenty years etc.
When I was young I lived for the adrenaline rush of taking a concept and making it happen. The sleepless nights and endless days with a new challenge every minute it seemed made me feel alive.
There have been many. But it always seemed either things weren't just right for the product or the total package couldn't come together for one reason or another.
Now I'm just tired.
You know it seems one could have an idea, make it viable, and then move on. Let others take care of the details while one uses that income to finance new projects. It doesn't seem to work like that in real life.
This next week while I'm making a living I'm going to be meeting with others to facilitate the patent process, make decisions on what will happen in house and what will be done by others, whether to sell the fence concept or try to manage it.
And the whole time in the back ground there is this dream. For many years now I've thought it would be so much fun to take a truck load of materials south and do a habitat for humanity kind of thing. I figure providing a good roof and a support system for walls would be a heckuva start for those down there much less fortunate than us up here. With the roof in place the walls and room layout could be done by the inhabitants with local materials and methods.
One of the hiccups in that dream has been how to do it on a scale that would make a difference. Using my skills and equipment would limit me to one unit at a time.
But with the connectors and process I'm now working with I could have many hands doing and the erection could be of multiple units. That is exciting.
