Small fire wood storage rack- What should I charge?

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Small fire wood storage rack- What should I charge?I made this for myself. The dimensions are 4.5 ’x4’. The material is 14 gauge 1.25”.The local wood guy said I can sell it on his place for no cost. I have about $30 in steel. Attached ImagesDave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:How long did it take you to make? And using what tools/welder/process?I'd buy that for $50 bucks... but I sure wouldn't buy it for $100... No offense intended on the quality, I'm just speaking in terms of what you get.Miller Performance AD Helmet - Camo Edition Soon to have: Jackson HSL 100 - Forest Digi CamoMiller Thunderbolt AC/DC((Currently at welding school))
Reply:A quick search online will help you get a feel for what similar commercial racks retail for. If Wally World is getting $50 for something similar, it's silly to ask a lot more or a lot less..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Consider a different market like a BBQ joint that uses wood to smoke meat.Good luck,Yakdung
Reply:Expandable ones sell for about $120.00 - $170.00 Bucks with covers...  They are pretty 'cheaply made' as well (both over-seas and domestic).  I've seen others like yours for $70.00 bucks and up and since yours is made from 14 gauge and very 'stout', my feeling is that you'd have no problem selling em' for $79.99 and likely closer to $100.00 or more with a half decent cover (like those 'no-name' water-resistant BAR-B-QUE covers).Cheers,Miller Diversion 165120 amp Buzz BoxVictor Oxy/Ace Oxy/LPGSmith "Little" Oxy/LPGHypertherm Powermax 30Lot's of Misc. tools n' crap....
Reply:I would sell for $75 as it sitsDynasty 200DXPassport plus w/ spoolmate 100victor 315c oxy/(act and prop)Miller digital elitemilwaukee power tools
Reply:I appreciate your inputDave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:This exact question was raised awhile back and segued into an argument on gussets but I think the general consensus was $75 but his was nicer. I would say 50 would be the most I would spend on yours.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...=firewood+rack
Reply:An old rule of thumb is to charge in labor what you've put into it in materials.-MikeThurston WeldingHuntington, IN
Reply:Mike I like the rule. I kid of want to make this a father son thing. I will explain later (i'm in class)Dave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:Originally Posted by Scott YoungThis exact question was raised awhile back and segued into an argument on gussets but I think the general consensus was $75 but his was nicer. I would say 50 would be the most I would spend on yours.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...=firewood+rack
Reply:It looks like it's bare metal, do you plan to prime/paint it? That would raise the value considerably I would think.jman has a good point. I wouldn't spend a dime on one, I'd make it myself. I'd try asking a different crowd what they would pay for such an item.Hobart Handler 140Everlast PowerMTS 200SHypertherm Powermax30
Reply:cost, I couldn't tell you, but market wise, you'ld expand your market if you make it so it coule be broken down. Just being able to fold the seats down and slide something in makes it easier to sell. and something like this would only take some holes drilled and some larger stock to slide the bottom cross members into. and you wouldn't reduce the strength enough to affect to "quality" factor.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:Thumper 99 It is painted flat black. I took the picture late with the cell phone.Thanks Thor i will see how this works out.Dave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:I hate to see your work compared to Wally crap. If all you can sell them for is $50 when material cost you $30, I don't see the point unless you REALLY get a thrill making them and have no need to make money.  No mean tone intended. I just hate the fact that someone, with welding knowledge would say that most they would pay is $50. Maybe if you are from China. This is what the country is coming to......... wups, getting of track....$30=material, + 55 mins to cut and weld. ( using a fixture) and paint  x say $30/hr( low, guy in his garage doing it in his spare time for beer money, rate)=$27.50 + $5 for paint. That's $62.50. That's without any profit margin. AND that's not doubled for a true retail price.........Say a modest 10% profit= $6.25 = $68.75 doubled = $137.50. Just my 2 bits. 200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.
Reply:^^ Good Food For Thought ^^Always nice to keep a clear perspective if you are a hobby welder (me) andtrying to cross the line from hobby to income.How do you know the blacksmith's dog? When you hollar at him he makes a bolt for the door!
Reply:I have to agree with bert the welder.Make in each bottom plate a small hole, so it can be fastened to the floor, or whatever it is put on, and can not fall.
Reply:Originally Posted by bert the welderI hate to see your work compared to Wally crap. If all you can sell them for is $50 when material cost you $30, I don't see the point unless you REALLY get a thrill making them and have no need to make money.  No mean tone intended. I just hate the fact that someone, with welding knowledge would say that most they would pay is $50. Maybe if you are from China. This is what the country is coming to......... wups, getting of track....$30=material, + 55 mins to cut and weld. ( using a fixture) and paint  x say $30/hr( low, guy in his garage doing it in his spare time for beer money, rate)=$27.50 + $5 for paint. That's $62.50. That's without any profit margin. AND that's not doubled for a true retail price.........Say a modest 10% profit= $6.25 = $68.75 doubled = $137.50. Just my 2 bits.
Reply:Originally Posted by Scott YoungThis exact question was raised awhile back and segued into an argument on gussets but I think the general consensus was $75 but his was nicer. I would say 50 would be the most I would spend on yours.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...=firewood+rack
Reply:[QUOTE=app-ironworksllc;922281]I almost asked the op why no gussets, but figured I'd let sleeping dogs lay......till you went and kicked the dog.
Reply:wow Brian, you can't tell you were a little erked by that one...but hey, I get it. it was one of the most useless arguments ever.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:Materials +10% + time is what you should charge.  Always.I don't ever try to compete with wally world prices.  People are getting custom stuff from me because they want a better product than the chicom crap that Wally pushes.Stick by your guns, make a better product & the customers will come.There is only 1 exception:  When it a repeat customer hits me up for a G-job now & again.  It always pays off.Also, even though the guy isn't charging you to sell them, hook him up with a few bucks.  He'll sell a lot more for you later on! Originally Posted by skidaddyAn old rule of thumb is to charge in labor what you've put into it in materials.
Reply:WeldingMachineGood adviceI planned on giving thre guy some money I don't see how he stays above water.Dave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:try to avoid pricing by formula you will screw yourself or piss off the  the customer..add up all your costs and mark it up.. i once spent ten hours for a lady on $9 worth of round bar..
Reply:make the uprights and floor of the rack the exact same size and design (less ofcourse the base plates) so you can stack all three elements on top of each other on your welding table and tac/weld them at the same time. Speed things up and sell it for $95.BrianDid someone give you hell about gussets? I think I recall something. Brian mine is not as fancy as yours what do you think I should charge? Again kids are rolling into class so I got to go.Dave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:Reebs,Here is a good experiment.  Have the kids develope a price according to what ever criteria they want.  then have all the teachers and parents come and write down a price they think it is worth.  The lesson is you can only charge what the market will pay and then determine if the "work" that goes into a project is capable sustaining a business or employee.  It will also give them a true value to the work.  lastly, it will also give you reall data for fixing a price on your firerack.
Reply:Originally Posted by ReebsBrianDid someone give you hell about gussets? I think I recall something. Brian mine is not as fancy as yours what do you think I should charge? Again kids are rolling into class so I got to go.
Reply:i usually take my materials and multiply by 3 to 5 depending on the complexity of the project and then you have a total price you make money and cover your expenses as well so if the matl on that was say 40 bucks x 3 = 120Lincoln Pro Core 125Lincolin sp 100Miller Big 40Lincoln Idealarc SP250miller matic 212http://www.facebook.com/hdwelding?sk=wallwww.hdweldingbeds.com
Reply:Originally Posted by Thumper99It looks like it's bare metal, do you plan to prime/paint it? That would raise the value considerably I would think.jman has a good point. I wouldn't spend a dime on one, I'd make it myself. I'd try asking a different crowd what they would pay for such an item.
Reply:I agree on the 10%, but I was looking at it from the perspective of a homer doing it for beer money, not running a full businessI could never figure out these theoretical "formulas". 3x material? I can make a sculpture that's 6" tall or 2' tall. Difference in material may only be $15, but they may take the same amount of time each. Or the little one may take twice as long because it's more finicky to work because it's so small. I always tell clients that size doesn't always matter when it comes to price, among other factors of course. And at the same time the bigger piece makes more money because, well, it's bigger. Some of my smaller work I make $50/hr on, other bigger pieces I can make $300/hr on. It's just funny that wayI found the whole "gusset gate" thing funny. It's like people that come up to one of my cd or wine racks and get it a shove. Of course it's going to tip. But real world load direction and gravity don't work that way. What do ya want a 60" tall wine rack with a 100lb, 60" round base........   Originally Posted by app-ironworksllcI almost asked the op why no gussets, but figured I'd let sleeping dogs lay......till you went and kicked the dog.$75NO!The rule of thumb I've always heard is materials x 3 = retail. It really should be: [ labor cost+ burdens (tax, ins)] + [ materials + markup + burdens (sales & use taxes)] + [ overhead +profit ] = retail $$$.Most places would be out of biz in short order if they only made 10% profit. From what I've seen most industries business models shoot for 33% as a healthy percentage to fuel growth.Mine sold for over double your doubled amount, and yes, the customer is very happy with it. (And, no it has not failed catastrophically, killing a van load of nuns, a bus load of kids, two dogs, a cat, and 3 baby squirrels in the process, due to the lack of gussets.)Like you said, unless you get a thrill building them why do it for free, if it was easy everyone would do it.
Reply:Originally Posted by bert the welderI agree on the 10%, but I was looking at it from the perspective of a homer doing it for beer money, not running a full businessI could never figure out these theoretical "formulas". 3x material? I can make a sculpture that's 6" tall or 2' tall. Difference in material may only be $15, but they may take the same amount of time each. Or the little one may take twice as long because it's more finicky to work because it's so small. I always tell clients that size doesn't always matter when it comes to price, among other factors of course. And at the same time the bigger piece makes more money because, well, it's bigger. Some of my smaller work I make $50/hr on, other bigger pieces I can make $300/hr on. It's just funny that wayI found the whole "gusset gate" thing funny. It's like people that come up to one of my cd or wine racks and get it a shove. Of course it's going to tip. But real world load direction and gravity don't work that way. What do ya want a 60" tall wine rack with a 100lb, 60" round base........
Reply:yeah 50 is a reasonable price.Good ol Texas pipe welder
Reply:Those would sell good here in three rivers ca everyone has fireplace