Distractions

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Describe your non biking hobby here (keep it clean) and post a few pics if applicable but please make sure they are not massive and don't overload it with pics

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mike-rf600r
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Re: Distractions

Post by mike-rf600r »

I have to put the business cap on sometimes mate. Gotta look at the potential Bigger picture atm your pushed up against te current picture and can’t even see that as your too close so to speak.

That’s how posh people are or should I say can be as not always that way. You’ll get your money if not if they local enough turn up with it and say it’s here if you want it. Put them on the spot. Then say if not I have another buyer so we’ll call it quits but please don’t waste my time again. Time is money after all taking up space wanting to move onto other projects etc etc.

Basically you need to sort that chip out on your shoulder mate. If they don’t want it now move on be civil but firm don’t cock up chances of future business due to your chip. As you said you have interest in it so it’s no bother if they don’t have it really.

Only putting it that way as I have a similar chip and done myself out of easy money in the past because of it.
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slim
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Re: Distractions

Post by slim »

You are right of course Mike :-bd

I do have a chip on my shoulder at times mate, with this I struggled to do what they wanted as quickly as they asked so have a whole bucket full of the little buggers sat there nagging away at me :ymsigh:

I really dont mind if I make something for the hell of it & it sits around for months but when i'm asked to do something specific for someone at an agreed price to a timescale & they cant be arsed to pay up it really rubs me up the wrong way, thankfully it does not happen often

Message sent asking if they want the fecker or not but in a polite way as advised :)
Lets see what happens today but if there is no response again I will be on to the other folk that showed an interest tomorrow, then if it sells tough, these folk can have another made at full price & pay in advance or its not happening
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mike-rf600r
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Re: Distractions

Post by mike-rf600r »

Excellent, yup that’s firm but fair. :-bd

Just a suggestion. Maybe for any future commissions maybe worth asking for a 25-50% deposit that can go towards making costs but also they are more inclined to see the deal through if are already out of pocket so to speak. Roots out time wasters then too.
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marmike
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Re: Distractions

Post by marmike »

Great advice Mike ^:)^ ^:)^ ^:)^

Good luck Slim you got the inside track from Mike there, and i think you are onto something with what you are doing :-bd Soon (very soon) internal combustion motors will be yesterday's betamax. There will be a market for 'Nostalgia-Nox' That piston/light is the way to go- start with small trinkets to get people talking - could go a long way IMHO
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slim
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Re: Distractions

Post by slim »

Thanks for putting me straight gents :-bd

I think where I have been going wrong is by thinking of this as something to keep me occupied rather than as a small business /:)

I'm certainly not looking to make it a full time occupation or looking to make a fortune out of it, been there, done that in the building trade & really don't need the stress anymore but yes you lads are right so business cap is now firmly on when it comes to people asking for specific stuff :-bd

So the damn lamp ...... i got a message back, yes they like it & yes they want it so i replied pick it up by saturday or its sold elsewhere, I did it in polite way but left no doubt that they would lose it if they didnt pick it up

Another guy asked about a table, seeing what i make for himself & if delivery was possible (its not far) i replied that he was welcome to come & see what i do, discuss what he wants and that delivery would be a tenner for fuel..... no reply :-\
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mike-rf600r
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Re: Distractions

Post by mike-rf600r »

Your in control so you make it as stress free or stressful as You like. Don’t want the joy to be sucked out of it and ruining a hobby for you.

Keep up the good work. If can do something you enjoy that can Earn you a few extra ££ to help make
Life a bit More comfortable or being able To save more or whatever your goal can’t be bad.

I’m currently trying to find something to get into as a by the book on the side venture. It’s quite hard to know where to start or what to get into.
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slim
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Re: Distractions

Post by slim »

:-bd No stress now I got my head on straight Mike :D

As for something to get into there is very little you can do without spending a few quid to accumulate a few quid & a lot depends on how much you can afford or are willing to risk along with whatever skills you have

just as an example I used to buy & sell bikes quite a lot & once I had a few quid in the pot concentrated on what I called grand bikes (£1000) the reason for this is most wouldn't need much doing to them & a lot bought for 7 to £800 would take a weekend of cleaning & nothing else to flip for an average £200 profit or more on occasion, cheaper stuff usually meant more work and having to spend out to make the same profit ;)

You could do that if you buy sensibly but you will get stung once or twice if doing it all the time, remember the first profit is the best even if its only £50 smile & move on to the next one that could make £500 if you are lucky
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mike-rf600r
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Re: Distractions

Post by mike-rf600r »

I’ve started doing that but using my bosses money so the profits are slimmer as split them 50% of something is better than 100% of nothing.

I’ve thought more about the bike thing but with margins at that small amount for the outlay makes it more risky for me. I can make more on exhausts and to me less stress as I know my market. Just want something more consistent is all month to Month. I can’t complain but I am =))
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slim
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Re: Distractions

Post by slim »

Sold a few things recently & the Rf is gone so the new bike fund is beginning to look a little more healthy :-bd:

The table I was commissioned to make to match the two blue side tables seen hereabouts somewhere
Image
Image

A clock I made as a thank you for a friend who had supplied a load of parts when I was too skint to be able to pay for them, she was really chuffed with that :handgestures-thumbupleft:
Image

Another lamp made for a bloke who already has 3 side tables, there is another as well but I didn't get a pic of that
Image

Lastly the small coffee table I had made previously but then refinished because I was bored sold to a bloke who also bought another item when he picked it up today :D
Image

The same bloke has also sold another item for me already & thinks he cans shift quite a few more pieces though his shops :D I am hoping that could turn out to be a good thing & we can both make a few quid

Best of all the bloody damn monstrous lamp is finally gone from under my feet :-bd: the folk that originally asked for it phoned mid week only to be told its gone but if you still want one its x amount upfront & the waiting time is a month+ :laughing-rolling: couldn't help myself :Snigger:
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alien937
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Re: Distractions

Post by alien937 »

I'm loving the Clock and lamp! Hand Made in :flags-wavegreatbritain: :-bd:
slim
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Re: Distractions

Post by slim »

Thanks Alien, I really like the clock myself even though it was probably the most simple thing to make out of it all, I will probably make a few more similar ones :D
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novocaine
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Re: Distractions

Post by novocaine »

alien937 wrote:I'm loving the Clock and lamp! Hand Made in :flags-wavegreatbritain: :-bd:
with Japanese expertise. :-bd:

looks good bud, now you've starting doing something with the wood they look better.
jaz66 wrote:Carbon fibre....It's just corduroy for vehicles.... :))
slim
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Re: Distractions

Post by slim »

Thanks novo :handgestures-thumbupleft: I much appreciate the tip about wood finishes mate, hopefully in a week or two I should be able to start running a plane around them as you suggested too :-bd:
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Re: Distractions

Post by novocaine »

slim wrote:Thanks novo :handgestures-thumbupleft: I much appreciate the tip about wood finishes mate, hopefully in a week or two I should be able to start running a plane around them as you suggested too :-bd:
yer, once the wanking wrist is sorted. :Snigger:
reckon a 45 chamfer on the underside of that large coffee table would have made a huge finishing difference. over 45 and it would "lighten" the look of the top which might not be the look your after.

Japanese finish, Japanese parts, brit behind the tools, just the way it should be. :-bd:
jaz66 wrote:Carbon fibre....It's just corduroy for vehicles.... :))
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jaz66
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Re: Distractions

Post by jaz66 »

Liking it all slim..nice work.. :-bd:

and from certain angles that table looks like its floating in mid air.. :shock:

Image
slim
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Re: Distractions

Post by slim »

novocaine wrote:
slim wrote:Thanks novo :handgestures-thumbupleft: I much appreciate the tip about wood finishes mate, hopefully in a week or two I should be able to start running a plane around them as you suggested too :-bd:
yer, once the wanking wrist is sorted. :Snigger:
reckon a 45 chamfer on the underside of that large coffee table would have made a huge finishing difference. over 45 and it would "lighten" the look of the top which might not be the look your after.

Japanese finish, Japanese parts, brit behind the tools, just the way it should be. :-bd:
I think you are right about a 45 on the underside mate, maybe a third of the way up the timber would have worked well on it & that's something I will be trying once the wanking hand is sorted (until the other one gets worse that is) :roll:
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slim
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Re: Distractions

Post by slim »

jaz66 wrote:Liking it all slim..nice work.. :-bd:

and from certain angles that table looks like its floating in mid air.. :shock:
Thanks mate, I hadn't spotted that floating business but you are right :handgestures-thumbupleft: I think its even more pronounced in this pic of the other end ?


Image
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marmike
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Re: Distractions

Post by marmike »

Slim you have a bit if a business opportunity there I reckon. The lamps are a winner, and the clock. that Japanese finish complements the sheen of the metal. the table is excellent. I went to that bike gear place (is it moto-legends?) they have a shop in Guildford full of blokes with beards selling you leather goods, your stuff would go down great in there as bespoke shop-fitting items. Or in the Bike Shed at Woolwich, or the Ace Cafe, or any triumph dealer's showroom.

If I were you I would send those places a few snaps and see if you get any takers.

great to see the objects develop as you do each one. :-bd: :-bd: :-bd:
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slim
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Re: Distractions

Post by slim »

Thanks for the nice comments marmike :-bd:

I think you are right mate & I am now looking to make a small part time business out of it, but what I don't want to be doing is just knocking stuff out for the sake of it or doing the same thing over & over again because its more about the joy of making something different that some folk like rather than any desire to get rich off it

I have been in discussion with a bloke that bought a small table & another item off me recently he has a couple of shops he said he could sell stuff through & true to his word he has already sold a big ticket item for me & made a few quid himself, going to sit down with him on Saturday & see if we can work a deal out, to be honest something like that is better for me than selling it myself
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marmike
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Re: Distractions

Post by marmike »

yeah i think that's the key mate stick to your strengths and delegate the other stuff if you can find people you trust.

as you say, better to make a name as a designer/maker at premium prices than try to set up mass-produced operation which is always gonna be capital-heavy and a real sweat to do.
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slim
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Re: Distractions

Post by slim »

I think we are thinking along the same lines mate apart from the premium prices bit lol

As long as it covers my costs & makes some pocket money that will do for me, long gone are the days of me chasing an extra quid, I'm far happier now with less cash & more time to feck about with things I enjoy

I know that one lad who had a load of the early stuff off me was making a lot more off it than me & I couldn't care less to be honest I got what I wanted with no hassle & that counts for a lot in the mad world of slim :D

Having said that I'm not a complete mug, the new bloke will be paying cash for every item he takes away then if he cant sell it then that's his problem, to be fair he seems happy at that so I'm thinking he already has buyers set up, I'm also thinking he wants a load of stuff made to order & that's yet to be discussed but I'm definitely not going to do production line stuff for anyone
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mike-rf600r
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Re: Distractions

Post by mike-rf600r »

Lol that first lad you meantion sounds like me. Off hadnt been for distance I’d be purchasing off you tools the same :laughing-rolling: I thought about it many times from the first time you posted. I know profit when I see it.

Keep it up and keep it how you want. Your the boss don’t let someone try push you on a direction you don’t want or will take the fun out of it. Give yourself a decent margin that’s fair. Your a man who knows more than little Me anyways business wise as I’m still barely putting my toe in the water in comparison.

Keep at it. :handgestures-thumbupleft:
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slim
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Re: Distractions

Post by slim »

Lmao @ mike :laughing-rolling:

It still makes me smile when I see the first lad, he seems to think he had got one over on me because he was making money I maybe could have had myself, what he hadn't realised was I was still getting exactly what I would have sold the stuff for but he was storing it & having the problem of getting rid of it = free warehousing & advertising :D

Honestly I'm not greedy about it, my prices stay the same no matter where the stuff is going when it leaves me, I'm an old hand at buying & selling & really don't mind if someone else makes a few quid
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mike-rf600r
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Re: Distractions

Post by mike-rf600r »

Very true and more often than not a quick flip at still decent money is so much better than waiting for that one person willing to pay top dollar price. Onto the next thing with quick flips soon build up a nice pot of profit. Keep stock rolling.
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slim
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Re: Distractions

Post by slim »

Well my new contact came on Saturday & cleared me out of all my remaining stock apart from 2 small pieces that I am fairly sure are sold anyway :-bd:

He then proceeded to order 4 stools with bigger tops all the same height & as many clocks as I have time to make when I'm able again :o :D just got to get this hand in usable condition now so I can get on with it :)
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