What is your dream KMG attachment?

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Geez, and all this time I thought it was going to be like $20.

Maybe you should hire an engineer and a knifemaker so you understand how to really approach this.

You know I only get like $50 for a knife... How dare you lead me into this only to drop me so hard on my head.

Damn it!!!!


;)
 
NickWheeler said:
Geez, and all this time I thought it was going to be like $20.

Maybe you should hire an engineer and a knifemaker so you understand how to really approach this.

You know I only get like $50 for a knife... How dare you lead me into this only to drop me so hard on my head.

Damn it!!!!


;)
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Wait a minute, arent you an engineer and a knife maker? How much would you charge per hour to be a consultant on this project? If you cant help, do you know any other mechanical engineers who also happen to be knife makers? Maybe they would be available to help me do some cyfren!

I hear theres a really good "backyard" engineer that hangs out on these forums, cant recall his name though.
 
At 6 I would probalby be in . Like Butch,I never seem to get projects like that done.
 
I'd get the price point down to the $250-$300 range as well as offer plans for sale. I know a guy who's a knifemaker who also owns a machine shop that you might want to contact for a quote, contact me offline for his contact info if you're interested.

-Darren
 
Darren's pricing was what I was anticipating too.

Was your quote for tubing? or solid bars? tubing would help bring the cost down.
 
I think a little comparison could shed some light on costs:

$72 KMG toolarm (square stock, 4 tapped holes, rounded end)
$38 KMG workrest (Slotted flatstock with welded plate)
$60 KMG toolarm receiver "box"
$170 Total. All fair prices. Rob is a good guy. I love my KMG and don't begrudge a penny of what I've spent on it.

Add 2 radiused articulation joints, several axial adjustments, and a multi-faced work surface with indexing stop. Add the parts for connecting the whole thing to the grinder. The degree of complexity has changed dramatically.

Factor in the consideration that this is "short run" and the setup costs have to be absorbed in relatively few units. (There is no way he could commit his family savings to purchase 50 units to bring the price down 10-15% and then sit on them waiting for them to sell because those that initially said "sure" changed their minds when it came time to dig in the wallet.)

That all adds up very quickly. I've seen the drawings and I've seen the quotes. This isn't a simple device to make.

Michael is searching for the best price he can get on all this as it is currently designed. While it could possibly have eventual potential as a "manufactured product" at this point it is "custom machining" and that always costs a bunch. It will be what it will be and if enough people are committed at the best price he can provide then he will probably have some made.

While it would be very sweet for the purchaser to see it in a $250-300 price range, that seems unrealistic at this point. Do that comparison and judge for yourself.

Michael, if I've spoken out of turn, smack me.
 
What Fitzo said.

The quotes I got for my knifemaker's/cutler's steady, which only had 3 clampings on a milling machine and $25 worth of materials (case hardened mild steel for gosh sakes) were in the $200 - 250 range for 100 of them. $20,000 to make them. Yikes!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I gotta say this forum community participation is a wonderful thing to observe also. Adam has created a GREAT accessory and shared his efforts with us all and, hopefully, thee's a way this goodie can be gotten into people's hands. Since knifemaking is a hobby for me I have the luxury of not NEEDING this thing to make my job easier.

I also wanted to thank Adam again for showing how ingenious people, and he in particular, can be.

Syn
 
Syn, Adam is just the frontman. He's 11, I think! He keeps Michael (Adam affectionately calls him "dad") chained in the back room making knives and designing things. :D
 
fitzo said:
I think a little comparison could shed some light on costs:

$72 KMG toolarm (square stock, 4 tapped holes, rounded end)
$38 KMG workrest (Slotted flatstock with welded plate)
$60 KMG toolarm receiver "box"
$170 Total. All fair prices. Rob is a good guy. I love my KMG and don't begrudge a penny of what I've spent on it.

Add 2 radiused articulation joints, several axial adjustments, and a multi-faced work surface with indexing stop. Add the parts for connecting the whole thing to the grinder. The degree of complexity has changed dramatically.

Factor in the consideration that this is "short run" and the setup costs have to be absorbed in relatively few units. (There is no way he could commit his family savings to purchase 50 units to bring the price down 10-15% and then sit on them waiting for them to sell because those that initially said "sure" changed their minds when it came time to dig in the wallet.)

That all adds up very quickly. I've seen the drawings and I've seen the quotes. This isn't a simple device to make.

Michael is searching for the best price he can get on all this as it is currently designed. While it could possibly have eventual potential as a "manufactured product" at this point it is "custom machining" and that always costs a bunch. It will be what it will be and if enough people are committed at the best price he can provide then he will probably have some made.

While it would be very sweet for the purchaser to see it in a $250-300 price range, that seems unrealistic at this point. Do that comparison and judge for yourself.

Michael, if I've spoken out of turn, smack me.
Click to expand...

Michael I wouldnt smack you for 2 reasons:
1. you are absolutly right. This is a simple yet labor intensive articulated positioning arm. In the first quote, a piece of 1/2x3/8" bar stock 2.3" long with 2 holes drilled in it cost $37! That tells me that this company has a very high shop rate. Thats why the total for 1 unit is $890. The second company gave me a complete price of $305 per unit. add another $90 for a reciever,hardware, documentation and packing materials and were at $400 my cost. 1.6 markup and im at $640. I still believe that the $305 is a little high but i see how good a price I can get and see how low I can get these.

Its up to the individual to determine if its worth spending $500 to get a horizontal grinder attachment (about $1300 for a stand alone variable speed horizontal grinder with a motor that uses 72" belts, plus enough shop space to put it), adjustable work rest for every wheel that you have and a dozen other uses that I didnt even figure out yet.

I dont know if I will be able to sell these cheap enough to make it worth doing but I do believe there is alot of value in this for the part time knifemaker and even more value for someone who makes knives full time.


2. If I smack you you would probably kick the crap out of me.
 
fitzo said:
Syn, Adam is just the frontman. He's 11, I think! He keeps Michael (Adam affectionately calls him "dad") chained in the back room making knives and designing things. :D
Click to expand...


Hey, dont make him any older than he is! he's only 9.
I already miss my little baby boy. It seems like yesterday he was just born.
 
I should mention that 9 year old Adam (see, I heared ya! Sorry, Adam!) also takes Mike out of the shop and makes him sit at the table at shows. Adam has much more important things to worry about. Last time I saw him, at the Janesville show, having his dad take him to find a hamster seemed to be at the top of his list. :)

A very nice lad. That speaks well of his Mom. :D
 
May Day Bump!!!!:D

I think this is an awesome tool!

Any more news ?..... seems like lots of folks were interested.... :thumbup:

Thanks for all the hard work on this...;)
 
It seems like the people I should be talking to are to busy because of blade so I might be waiting untill after to get something done with this. I did let the 3rd arm go to someone so hopefully when they get it and use it for awhile they will post there opinion.

Thanks for the interest.
 
fitzo said:
I should mention that 9 year old Adam (see, I heared ya! Sorry, Adam!) also takes Mike out of the shop and makes him sit at the table at shows. Adam has much more important things to worry about. Last time I saw him, at the Janesville show, having his dad take him to find a hamster seemed to be at the top of his list. :)

A very nice lad. That speaks well of his Mom. :D
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We did find a hamster that night, Michael. The way I cook them you can hardley taste the fur at all:thumbup:
 
cant wait to try and add a double 1.5 Sq holder on my kmg (one fro tool and one for rest ho9pe it all goes well
 
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