Money Making Project-T Poles

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Ok folks I got a bunch of PM's regarding this post under the Other Manufacturers, Hypertherm PowerMax v 1.25" Steel. This is a very quick project that can be done on the cheap and net some big $ Bucks just in time for Christmas. I'll post the original portion 1st.Post#14 The other I used my Powermax almost all day doing 27 sets of clothes line T's (thats a total of 54 posts) in 1/4" steel tube. Then went on to make 27 steel benches out of 3/8" tube and bar stock. Consumables still look like new. Oh yeah those T poles and benches were for a low income family project.__________________Post#15Those clothes line T poles were so popular in the that housing project that the city has contacted me about making more for a couple of new housing projects. Good thing is that they provide all the pipes for the project. So only shop material and labor involved. Cost me about $5-6 per set and each set sells for $80. profit per set $74-75 . And they want 150 sets over next two months. 150x75=$11,250 or 150x74=$11,100 Very nice profit for very little work.When I 1st moved down to FL for the first winter season I looked all over for some Clothes Line Poles to hang out clothes to dry rather than use my dryer. Pictures did not attach will try again__________________Last edited by specter; 12-14-2008 at 12:07 PM.Co-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
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Reply:Originally Posted by specterPictures did not attach will try again__________________
Reply:OK here's the pic's. Sorry but I forgot to make sure they were under 150k size.The poles in the pictures were my 1st set made in my back yard. One set used 1/4" wall 2" dia galv steel pipe. The other set I used normal fence post stock 1 1/2" dia . I did not notch the pipes. I merely hammered the end of the 7' stand pipe then welded it to the top piece (you can use 6' long pipe). The top piece is 48" long with bolts welded on for the plastic covered steel wire to attach to. One bolt is centered on the top and the end bolts are several inches from each end. To close off the top piece I used fence post end caps (Got to keep those bees out)I used two different posts to see what worked best. I must admit the 1/4" walled 2" dia galv pipe worked best. Makes one hell of a HEAVY Duty clothes line that you could even hang the kids off of.Down here the county wanted the heavy pipe cause the kids in those housing projects use the for swing sets.For regular homes folks tend to like the lighter set of poles. So I make both. When I 1st started making them I merely hammered  the ends then welded them together. As I started mmaking more I progressed to a tubing notcher  (makes them look better). But now so many folks want them I used a pattern guide and my plasma cutter to notch the pipe (its much faster than a drill and notcher).The county provides me with the pipe for their clothes T-Poles. But the ones I make  commercially I use a fence supplier for the lighter fence po.e materials. And my normal steel supplier for the heavier pipe. All the end caps come from the fence pole supplier. I use either paint or cold galv spray to seal the welds.Good Luck earning those bucks for those Christmas Gifts.Tom Attached ImagesCo-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:Sorry for the wait but I had to resize the pics and  give full description of project.Co-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:The tubing  notcher that I had used before plasma cutting the pipe notches is available at northerntool.com. Its called the "The Ol' Joint Jigger"  Aluminum Tube and Pipe Notcher its part# 152392-1901 catalog price $269.99. It fits onto your drill press for easy operation. They also have another version just for bench tops.But Like I found if you have to make many of these sets you'll find that making a cutting guide for plasma cutting works much faster and cheaper than using a drill press notcher and bi metal or cobalt cutters.TomPs to save additional money you can allso use recycled pipe your find around places.Co-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:looks good witch county are you in
Reply:Hi Ed,Well when up in NY during mid April- end Oct I am in Livingston County. When down in Florida I am in Lee County.If you interested in making these for a housing project contactyour county's  purchasing office. Here in FL their existing contract was with an individual that had just died. He was making a circular type unit that spun around in a fixed pipe in the ground. County told be problem was the unit were not very sturdy and could be easily stolen.Apparently after this contractor died they were looking for someone to make replacements and while driving around my neighborhood one of his buyers spotted my clothes line. After this existing fixed priced contract expires that contractor had negotiated with the county I plan to offer them a more reasonable cost plus fixed fee contract. I think the previous contractor was  screwing the county especially since the contractor was providing the pipe.Co-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:thank if you want a good notcher go with jd2under 300 with shiping Attached Images
Reply:Uh Specter---  My neck hurts"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Nice notcher ED. The notcher works fine iif your making a few sets but I found it vvery time consuming. Sure the notcher makes fine holes! But when you consider that you'll be inserting one pipe into another then welding around the notched hole a pretty hole really doeosn't matter. With the plasma guide that I made cutting the notches is FASTER  and while the notches may not look as pretty once welded you cannot tell if they were made using a notcher or a plasma torch.Yeah Sam I guess I should have rotated the pics 90 degrees. But oh well notch your head then go make a few bucks selling clothes lines.Oh those kids in the neighborhoods were using those previous rotating clothes lines as Merry Go Rounds for their rope swings. But the clothes lines brokoe and the kids got huurt.Last edited by specter; 12-14-2008 at 05:39 PM.Co-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:It's ok, I'm kinda gettin' used to it Attached Images"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Gee Sam cute puppy!!?? Does he help you weld as well??TomCo-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:I just renegotiated the price per set on the contract $20 lower since they were supplying the pipe and end caps. And they rewarded me by referring another county to me and now I have Two more Contracts for sets as needed. Wow!! I never knew these clothes line poles would be so popular. I might have to start and assembly line with additional help.Co-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:good to hear " good news" when we only hear bad new on TV and Radio.  Congrats, and keep burning.....
Reply:Well folks are getting energy motivated. Hanging clothes out saves using the gas or electric dryer.  Plus the sun also kills additional bacteria that washing may have missed.Co-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:Well folks what turned out to be a project making some clothes line poles for myself and friends as turned into a major business. So far this month I have over $25,000 in contracted clothes line poles waiting to be delivered or made. I have called in a friends welding business that was going slow to help out. It sure helped him buy some Christmas goodies for the family.Co-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:Originally Posted by specterWell folks what turned out to be a project making some clothes line poles for myself and friends as turned into a major business. So far this month I have over $25,000 in contracted clothes line poles waiting to be delivered or made. I have called in a friends welding business that was going slow to help out. It sure helped him buy some Christmas goodies for the family.
Reply:The Continuing Saga of the T-Poles Project. What started out by making a clothes pole/clothes line for a friend is now turning  into a production line affair with three separate welding shops (yep all friends).  I certainly didn't expect so many community housing projects wanting these things. But given the hard times out there we're greatful to have the business.Co-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:So Mr. Snowbird, hows the weather down their......  Don't you miss the winters up here??
Reply:Well I would say that its hard to get use to the heat and humidity but this week we are short on both. I actually already have plans to get out of FL forever and move back to fulltime in ny within a year. I miss the farm and restoring that money pit of a farm house that was built in 1795. came down here to relax  and it turned out to be more workLast edited by specter; 01-22-2009 at 10:42 PM.Co-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:Well county came up with a new use for these T-Poles (clothes line poles). Folks in the low cost housing areas where these clothes line poles are installed are also using them as dog runs since the county has a leash law thhat no dogs can roam free. County called and now they want even more so they can use them at the county's animal shelter for exercising the dogs. For use they will be made out of even heavier pipe with a stronger notch fit and weld as well as heavier steel cable for the run line.Co-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:Some of your upscale clients might go for this.T- poles / volleyball netPoles are set and keyed  in a sleeve which is concreted in, which makes them easily removable. Net height is 7' 11 5/8" for men. 7' 4 1/8" for women. Co-ed competition is played on a men's height net. Poles are 30 feet apart. A lighter (removable) center is needed. To play volleyball un clip the swivel connectors remove the center pole and put up the net. I’m to old to play volleyball now so they serve as a base for purple martin houses. A butterfly without wings, is just an ugly bug
Reply:Yep nice idea. Problem here in the low cost housing units is that the kids are using the clothes lines for their gym equipment and playing on. The county wanted the poles stationary so kids could not use them as a merry go round and get injured. Plus here if it comes out of the ground it will be stolen as sold as scrap.But in an adult only community that would be a good idea being able to convert the clothes line over to volley ball net poles.Co-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:Sorry, I didn't realize that the low cost housing units were your upscale clientsA butterfly without wings, is just an ugly bugThey aren't really my clients the county is. The county seems to have deep pockets when it comes to spending the tax payers money on things. The  clients with the fat wallets always seem to be the ones expecting more for there money.Co-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:Originally Posted by specterWell folks are getting energy motivated. Hanging clothes out saves using the gas or electric dryer.  Plus the sun also kills additional bacteria that washing may have missed.
Reply:man i need to make money like that on the side.i need to find a place to sell them to.
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammUh Specter---  My neck hurts
Reply:Originally Posted by specterWell folks are getting energy motivated. Hanging clothes out saves using the gas or electric dryer.  Plus the sun also kills additional bacteria that washing may have missed.
Reply:On clothes line I'm sure distances from pole to pole is debateable but do you(is it designed) cement the post in the ground about 1 ft deep! Looks like maybe 3 lines on t post! I suppose YOU just build the clothes lines & housing department installs them! Great ideal/plans, wish I could get something like that going up here!RoHo East of HouTex
Reply:I grew up with clothes lines. Not too many people could afford a dryer. Go to somebodys' house and you looked around for the clothes line. If they didn't have a clothes line it meant they had more money than you. If it was rag tag and falling down it meant the ole man never fixed anything that he didn't use. Clothes lines and what was on them said a lot about who lived there.  Wet clothes and blankets were heavy. Lug about three baskets of wet clothes out to the clothes line and you'll know just heavy they can be. The posts have to be sunk in good, or have anchors and down guys.A large family would need at least four wires thirty feet or so long.  In the winter you'd have to bring in a pair of frozen levis at night and put them on the wooden rack in the house.
Reply:Originally Posted by SandyI grew up with clothes lines. Not too many people could afford a dryer. Go to somebodys' house and you looked around for the clothes line. If they didn't have a clothes line it meant they had more money than you. If it was rag tag and falling down it meant the ole man never fixed anything that he didn't use. Clothes lines and what was on them said a lot about who lived there.  Wet clothes and blankets were heavy. Lug about three baskets of wet clothes out to the clothes line and you'll know just heavy they can be. The posts have to be sunk in good, or have anchors and down guys.A large family would need at least four wires thirty feet or so long.  In the winter you'd have to bring in a pair of frozen levis at night and put them on the wooden rack in the house.
Reply:I just didn't think anybody used them any more.Heck one time I bought a house that had them and I cut them down I thought everbody had dryers these days.
Reply:Most of the housing projects and folks that want to save  energy use them. That just about all I use here when I am in FL. I use them on my farm up in NY as  well.I have even started selling alot of just the poles with the tops modified to make a dog run.Co-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:Just made a batch of clothes line t poles and dog runs and their selling well despite the economy. Lots of folks returning to air drying their clothes and saving on electric bill.Co-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:Originally Posted by specterI just renegotiated the price per set on the contract $20 lower since they were supplying the pipe and end caps. And they rewarded me by referring another county to me and now I have Two more Contracts for sets as needed. Wow!! I never knew these clothes line poles would be so popular. I might have to start and assembly line with additional help.
Reply:I'll be getting in contact with Specter to determine if this might work here in Yuma.  Big plans in the works, this looks lucrative...........MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:Just got another contract for 300 more for  a New York Energy Conservation Project for Low Income housing.Co-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:Awesome! After reading this I think I'll put one up, I used to love the way everything smelled that had been dried on a clothes line.
Reply:You might be interrested in one of these notchers to speed up your production. You can get them here.http://www.lowbucktools.com/index.html***** Not affiliated with them at all. I do use several of their tools and they all work great.*****Last edited by Rugar; 06-30-2010 at 07:26 PM.
Reply:great idea. i got a line on some pipe from a water distiller plant!!! 1-7/8 and 2 inchZach WareOwnerMid-GA Outdoor & Equipment ServiceByron GA478-960-2014