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Thread: Pokey things

  1. #1
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    Default Pokey things

    Here are some things I forged with pointy ends for the open fire.


    L 2 R : Tear Drop Wrap Toasting Fork
    Round Wrap Toasting Fork
    Round Eye Twist Toasting Fork
    Round Wrap Forgeweld Fire Poker
    D-Shackle Camp Tripod





    Thoughts, feedback, on workmanship & designs appreciated.

    There is a lot of time spent in drawing out the taper for the wraps but the look nice, the forks are split with a chisel and drawn out to shape.

    The longest fork is the quickest and simplest, could make 2-3 of these in the time it takes to make the others.

    I have been asked to have a demonstration stand/stall at the local community show. So I need to make a small stock of items to sell. As such I'd be interested to know what you guys think would be reasonable prices for these if I was to make more.
    …..Live a Quiet Life & Work with your Hands

  2. #2
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    Default

    I think of the three fork designs, I like the longest, simpler fork more. Nice simple design plus I think I would find the open hook/eye more useful to actually hang it. As to pricing im not so sure but I would probably just extrapolate my time and materials cost and add a profit margin, IE 3 hours @$35ph + $12 in materials + $50 = $132.

  3. #3
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    Default Updated info

    When you do go there, have someone with you to sell the items while you're doing the work, people love seeing things being done.
    The best way to work out the cost of something you make and want to sell, is by;
    Material cost , metal, rivets, blacking etc = $ 5.00
    Material cost to produce, Gas, coke electricity = $ 0.80
    Labour $/hr X time taken to make $50 X .5 = $25.00
    Mark up % covers cost of replacement tools etc 5% $30.50 = $ 1.55
    Total cost = $32.05
    Selling price = total cost + discount mark up (if you give 10% markup 11%) = $35.20
    (These figures are an example only as I don't have a calculator handy.)
    This would be your minimum costs, depending on where your market is, it could sell for a lot more. A lot depends on the clientele that go there, if it's a flea market where 99% is second hand, I wouldn't bother getting out of bed, because the majority of the people that go there, try to talk you down on price, if you had something marked at 50 cents they only want to pay 30 cents. If you do go there be prepared to give a bit of discount for cash, take an order book for special custom made items, also any photos of other items you've made either in an album or photo board, anything to keep people there, so your mate has a chance to "catch" them.
    Reason for stopping on a short message, had to do a rush trip to the Vets.
    Kryn
    Last edited by KBs PensNmore; 8th Aug 2016 at 08:39 PM. Reason: Updated information
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  4. #4
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    Default

    Got a mate who loves to talk even when he doesn't know what he's on about. I think I have him roped in for that at least for part of a day.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    …..Live a Quiet Life & Work with your Hands

  5. #5
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    Hi Dale
    I'll see what I can find out at work today

    Phil

  6. #6
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    Default

    As a personal preference I prefer items to be symmetric rather than offset, so the teardrop fork with it's skewed eye does not quite work for me.

    Michael

  7. #7
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    Thanks Phil.
    Michael, the round have the benefit of being easy to hang also. However the tear drop is nicer to hold and more controllable.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    …..Live a Quiet Life & Work with your Hands

  8. #8
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    Got off to a slow start today. Went to light the forge and the blower wouldn't work. After dismantling it cleaning it out and reassembling away it went. Then need to make up a rest for the long bars as hot iron continuously falling out of the fire is not good. T-piece is split from the square and I forged a little wing nut.


    I would have done a better job but I wanted to get into the products


    Finally got onto some work few more camp tripods of a different design(not finished).

    Less complicated design than the one in previous post.

    Also started on a hanging sign bracket but not enough of that to make sense.

    Made a little forge elf to sit and keep me company.

    3:30pm time for a late lunch and a good rest.
    …..Live a Quiet Life & Work with your Hands

  9. #9
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    Hi DSEL. I don't dislike any of those items you've pictured. The four "forks" each have appeal and would look good on a wall (wash my mouth out). The camp tripod appeals to a different market, but diversity is good. I think a range of prices would help too - some simpler items for those on a tighter budget; more decorated items for those with plenty of the folding stuff.

    As KBs PensNmore says "When you do go there, have someone with you to sell the items while you're doing the work, people love seeing things being done." Too true.

    I'd like to add that I'm amazed at how you've taken to this blacksmithing - like a duck to water. Keep it up, you've obviously got a talent.

    Cheers, Vann.
    Gatherer of rusty planes tools...

  10. #10
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    Here is the mornings work.
    This is a convertible spit to camp tripod.
    …..Live a Quiet Life & Work with your Hands

  11. #11
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    Also made 2 fire pokers and started on three travel hooks and another big toasting fork.



    Also annealed some hot chisels and punches I've forged ready for filling and polishing. Still cooling in a bucket of ash.

    Now to have some lunch and look for some woodworking holdfast drawings for my next session.
    …..Live a Quiet Life & Work with your Hands

  12. #12
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    Hi Dsel, like your work, particularly your elf ...

    The price you can ask for your work will depend entirely from your customers and what they are prepared to pay. Something you can only find out by trial and error. All conjectures about cost and hourly rates are irrelevant to set the price. Perhaps a guide for you for a minimum price, nothing more.

    Those forks, are they intended to poke around the fire or to hold some meat over the fire?
    If to mind the fire they should be of a heavier gage, but of course it is a matter of taste.
    Civilized man is the only animal clever enough to manufacture its own food,
    and the only animal stupid enough to eat it.
    Barry Groves

  13. #13
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    Marc,

    There is a fire poker in there but the two prong forks are toasting forks. I personally use them all the time as do some of my friends for toasting marshmallows. But you can toast a slice of bread with them or cook a sausage. I guess you could even try thin steak if you wanted too, I haven't tried that though.
    …..Live a Quiet Life & Work with your Hands

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