A newbie question about the "DIY community rules"

[Miska]

Hi everybody!

I´ve built a few guitar stompboxes but other than that I´m a beginner in DIY. My problem right now is to find money for the projects I´d like to try.
The question(s):

Is it ok to build an extra unit to somebody who would then pay for the parts for both of us? Or would I be violating any copyrights or the rules of this community? Would you guys consider that as making profit?

I´ve been readind this forum for a while now and I think it´s a very cool site and it has insprired me a lot! Impressed by all the mad professors around here. :grin:

I just want to be clear with the rules...

 

[gyraf]

Hi Miska,

Welcome to "The Lab"

[quote author="Miska"]

Is it ok to build an extra unit to somebody who would then pay for the parts for both of us? Or would I be violating any copyrights or the rules of this community? Would you guys consider that as making profit? [/quote]

That shouldn't be any problem - I belive that many of us does this from time to time in order to finance our addiction..

The problem starts when several units are built, as a for-profit-operation..

Jakob E.

 

[Miska]

Ok.

Thank you for your answer Jacob!

Miska

 

[rafafredd]

[quote author="gyraf"]in order to finance our addiction..[/quote]

:green:

 

[Gustav]

Since I fired up the SSL with a bunch of audiobuddies in my studio Ive got 2 "orders" for the SSL. clone

Im doing it for the parts+50 euro and they are in agreement that if I dont get it working they sort out the troubleshooting themselves...I get some more soldering time, maybe some extra parts here and there, a chance to learn more about this stuff+Soldering is one of the most relaxing things I know. Its great to do something with your hands when youve got your head in the books all day long.

I wouldnt do it for complete strangers though, but some people have helped me out with other things, and are scared of soldering, so its a great way to do something for others.

Gustav

 

[soundguy]

Ive built a few things ttwo at a time for my brother, he pays for the parts. For the amount of time it takes me to build most things and do all the metal work, him paying for my parts doesnt even begin to compensate for the time and labor to put together a second unit, let alone constitute any profit, we both feel he's getting the crazy deal. I wouldnt feel guilty at all... If the parts for a project total $300 and you rate your labor crazy low at $10 an hour and add ALL the hours you put into it, its pretty much charity...

dave

 

[PRR]

> consider that as making profit?

I divide the "profit" world in three parts:

1) guy/gal builds a few for friends for costs plus a few beers, has to keep his day-job to pay the rent and feed the children.

2) Guy/gal builds a few hundred units, goes to shows to promote them, has to charge $1,000+ per box to devote the time to the work and promotion and still eat.

3) Corportation pushes tens of thousands of $99-$999 boxes to Gitar-World, Gig-Shop, major mass marketers.


#1 is NOT commercial profit. Nobody will know, and few will care, if you do an amp for a buddy.

#3 is all about profit: low-paid workers stuffing low-bid parts, high-pay salesmen flooding mass market retailers with boxes that don't gross a huge profit per box, but make it up in volume. These guys "can't" steal DIY projects: our stuff costs $50 and they have to produce stuff for $0.50 at the dock in Asia. They do adapt ideas: nothing we can do about it.

#2 is a funny business. Kind of the last gasp of old-world craftsmanship, combined with a LOT of savvy business and sales. Some of these guys are proud of their design skills and not so good about pushing the product. They do it for love. They don't Xerox other people's work, and often don't mind if you use their design for your (or your friend's) self-amusement. Others are more into sales, or got tired of driving a 1987 Chevy. They might "borrow" existing designs, or get snooty when their designs are exposed for study.

 

[Miska]

Thanks for sharing you thoughts!

Miska

 

[tony dB]

Miska,

Welcome at The Lab!

As you might have found out already by lurking, in PRR's words (as in many others here) there's very often big wisdom! :thumb: Hail Master PRR :wink:

I build some little things for friends too, and often don't even recover costs for parts and cases/boxes at 100% :razz:
Just great fun doing this and the enormous satisfaction you get when stuff works and makes a valuable tool in our studios.
For me this is a hobby, allowing me to clear my head after to much hours behind a mixingdesk or motivating bands to deliver that "golden vibe take".

And it is addictive, very addictive... I am Tony, and I need to hold a solderiron at least every 6 hours. It started very innocent, repairing a guitarlead for a guitarist, changed a fuse or 2.... sorry, had to ADIY myself a little :grin:

Have fun with your DIY, just don't start any ebaybusiness with projects what you found here and you'll be fine :green:

Cheers,

Tony.

 

[Miska]

As you might have found out already by lurking, in PRR's words (as in many others here) there's very often big wisdom! :thumb: Hail Master PRR :wink:

You got that one right!

And yes, I´ve noticed DIYs addictive effects already...

For me it took a very long time to finish my stompboxes but I really enjoyed it. Spending hours and hours making something and then trying to sell it on ebay...? No thanks. I don´t think there´s even a small chance that it would be worth it. And I want my DIY to be FUN!! :grin: :grin:

Miska

 

[tony dB]

:thumb:

 

[CJ]

And don't forget, once you market something, you have to back it up with customer support and waranty repairs, which is half the cost of producing the product. The more complex the product, the more support you will have to give. The secret here is to make it so cheap, that instead of the customer nagging you, he just throws it away and buys another one.

 

[BYacey]

A cop once told me that anything is legal until you get caught.
PRR, What class does a person fall under when they drive a 1978 Renault Le Car?? :wink: