Erector set

[Dan Hintz]

I started playing around the time I turned 8... by 10 I was building giganto structures and complex mechanisms. But I became an engineer, so my brain was obviously wired to do such things from an early age...

[Walt Langhans]

Actually Walt, I have found just the opposite, with the rubber band guns at least. People wanted them now, not next week. Also at Christmas time I stop everything except cakepans, that is all I have time for. The problem is that is the time that everyone wants the toys. Of course I could always make a bunch of kits in my not busy time but there is always the risk of them not selling and me having time and money invested in the kits.

How are you selling your toys? Do you have a web site or are you setting up a booth some where or both?

Regarding the erector set I was probably around 8-9 and I started building all kinds of stuff, but then again I had legos, lincon logs, and I can't remember the name but the toys that used round wooden connectors and dowels, so I was always building something

[Joe Hillmann]

So far the only places I have sold the toys is at a local farmers market on Thursdays and at a flee market on Mondays during the summer only. And also at my shop.

Someone had mentioned them not being pratical to produce. I have to disagree. Between the nuts, wood and hydraulics I have about $6 in material and about 23 minutes in laser time. They won't be low cost toys but if you go look for construction toy at any department store they aren't cheap either.

[Walt Langhans]

So far the only places I have sold the toys is at a local farmers market on Thursdays and at a flee market on Mondays during the summer only.

I think that's a perfect way to do it for that product, heck I'd buy one If I was doing something like that I'd probably start of taking 5 of each design and see what sells, if they all sell then bring 7 of each next time and so on. Not wasting time and money on unsold inventory is a tricky proposition at best but I would tend to try and error on the side of running out then having stuff laying around.

I would also defiantly take your erector set with you to the next one as well. If you really want to impress people I would have one of each thing that the kit can be made into on display. That way when people ask about it you can tell them it all came from the same kit for x$, but the fact that they are SEEING all the things it can make will increase the value of the kit in their minds.

Good luck let us know how it goes!

[David Rust]

How are you selling your toys? Do you have a web site or are you setting up a booth some where or both?

...and I can't remember the name but the toys that used round wooden connectors and dowels...

Tinker Toys!!!

[Walt Langhans]

Tinker Toys!!!

That's it! Thanks it was driving me nuts... well... more nuts

[Chuck Stone]

I think I got my Erector set at age 6 or 7 and built basic things. Maybe by 10 or so
I was ready to move onto more advanced pieces.. but by then parts went missing.
(oldest of 5 at the time.. shared toybox. NO CHANCE of keeping kits together!)

[Martin Boekers]

Joe, have you thought of packaging designs. there are some here that do pretty well with
their packages.

One thing you may want to consider, is having some samples when you show them with
personalization on them. If I was a kid (ok, I still am in spirit) it would magnify the coolness
if say it had a logo "Marty's Excavation" on it.

Also, as far as burning goes, maybe others should try other woods such as Maple.
If your going for a higher market the wood can make a difference.

I have made some personalized gliders and the kids loved them,

[Joe Hillmann]

Here is my plan for packaging. The first picture is just there to give an idea of what I am thinking, it will actually be photos or traced line drawings from photos on the cover. Along with age suggestions, number of parts and something along the lines of HILLMANN'S CONSTRUCTION SET.
DSCF4431.jpg
When the lid is opened this is what is inside. I may include a screwdriver depending on how cheap I can get them at Menards. In the upper left hand corner you can see the hydraulic cylinder. After the test modes were built my kids fought over taking turns playing with the hydraulics on them. I think that should be a big hit. The instruction booklet will also be in the top layer.
DSCF4432.jpg
Under they yellow layer is the black layer which is the cab, bucket and engine cover.
DSCF4433.jpg
And under the black layer are 32 right angle connectors. (there are several missing in the photo). One connector in each corner and one in the center are very lightly glued to the box to keep the layers in place when the box is handled.
DSCF4435.jpg

This is actually the first product I have made that I have spent much time on packaging design. I have thought of putting a clear window in the front of the box so the parts can be seen inside but that brings up all sorts of problems.

I had thought of customizing the kits but I plan on selling most of them at flee markets and craft shows so customizing them add either shipping or extra running around.

[Joe Hillmann]

Edit: I posted twice.

[Martin Boekers]

I was thinking about packaging the vectors and selling that like LaseBuzz designs..

[Joe Hillmann]

I was thinking about packaging the vectors and selling that like LaseBuzz designs..

Oh, I had thought of it but the problem is everything is optimized for a 18x32 bed with many parts shairing edges so they can't be run on a smaller laser without a lot of reworking. Although for most items I still have the unoptomized originals but they are such a mess I don't even know if I could figure them out let alone someone else. The other problem is everything is designed around plywood that is .110 thick which isn't a common thickness but I can get truckloads of it.

[Joe Hillmann]

My next project is a tracked excavator with four sets of hydraulics on it. Right now the tracks are giving me a bit of trouble.

[Joe Hillmann]

I now have ten of the kits ready to go except the instruction manuals. When making them in bulk the tires became a real challenge. I ended up redesigning them 3 times to get a wheel that , looks good, rolls, is strong, is easy to assemble, it easy to attach to the models and doesn't take too long to cut on the laser.

Here is a finished model.
DSCF4477.jpg

Here is the other side with the hydraulic system on it. These pictures don't show it but there is a seat and a few details inside as well as a SMV sign on the back.
DSCF4478.jpg
Here is about 1/3 of 10 kits. Making these kits was the longest I have ever ran my CO2 lasers at any one time.
DSCF4437.jpg

[Chuck Stone]

Suggestion?

Can the yellow be adjusted to be a little more red?
(sort of like a Kodak or Caterpillar yellow?)
and somewhere in there you need RED!
The blue is good. They yellow is OK. Red would
make it 'pop'.

Or are they sold raw, and people paint their own?

Just thinking from a visual appeal/impulse buy angle..