allen levine
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I wanted to see if I set up my jigs, used different routers, all set for same sized box, if I would be able to mass produce enough boxes for craft show(not me, I wont sit, but someone would sell with their goods and take a small percentage)to make it worth it for me.
so these are simple boxes, lift off lid. Im not a great box maker,never claimed to be, but they are square and the top fits.
Everything is simple so it can be made quickly with few setups. I havent glued the lid pulls on. Just experimenting with some scraps.
I wouldnt make one or two, Id make 20 at a time.
So heres my numbers-
cost of material-7.00-14.00 each box.
Labor-when all is set up, using different routers for each step, so only have to set up everything once, Id estimate approx 2 hours per box, without finishing.
Finishing would be a tung oil mixture with a nice sheen.
So tacking on a couple of bucks for each box for overhead, the cost of maintaining my tools and running electricity and heat/ac etc......and making a fair wage, I just dont see people paying 75.00 and up for these boxes. No way.
It was an experiment, I used 4 different routers and have them all set now, and kept all measurements handy. but I wont pursue woodworking for profit with small crafts.
Dont know how anyone can make any profit(On small items like this) unless they work for12.00 dollars an hour.
and Im not trying to be a negative person here, I just dont see how it can be done in a home shop .
(these pics, only sanded to 80 grit, no finish, lid pulls arent glued on, wrong angle on pics, the sides are walnut, box on right was one that I didnt toss, its just ash and spanish cedar lid, 2 other boxes I had to toss)
the last pic is just how I double tape the sides together, cut patterns on paper, spray adhesive to side, then cut on bandsaw 2 at a time for uniformity.
so these are simple boxes, lift off lid. Im not a great box maker,never claimed to be, but they are square and the top fits.
Everything is simple so it can be made quickly with few setups. I havent glued the lid pulls on. Just experimenting with some scraps.
I wouldnt make one or two, Id make 20 at a time.
So heres my numbers-
cost of material-7.00-14.00 each box.
Labor-when all is set up, using different routers for each step, so only have to set up everything once, Id estimate approx 2 hours per box, without finishing.
Finishing would be a tung oil mixture with a nice sheen.
So tacking on a couple of bucks for each box for overhead, the cost of maintaining my tools and running electricity and heat/ac etc......and making a fair wage, I just dont see people paying 75.00 and up for these boxes. No way.
It was an experiment, I used 4 different routers and have them all set now, and kept all measurements handy. but I wont pursue woodworking for profit with small crafts.
Dont know how anyone can make any profit(On small items like this) unless they work for12.00 dollars an hour.
and Im not trying to be a negative person here, I just dont see how it can be done in a home shop .
(these pics, only sanded to 80 grit, no finish, lid pulls arent glued on, wrong angle on pics, the sides are walnut, box on right was one that I didnt toss, its just ash and spanish cedar lid, 2 other boxes I had to toss)
the last pic is just how I double tape the sides together, cut patterns on paper, spray adhesive to side, then cut on bandsaw 2 at a time for uniformity.
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