Hi All
Due to a number of issues in trying to make some money from the 3D printer venture - making mods and reproduction parts I have decided it just isn't viable. I have invested nearly $4 grand as well as 300 hours of printing and even more hours sitting at the computer designing etc but meanwhile recently slogged with paypal charged backs has put me into a spiral downwards. I should of just kept the money in the bank. I want to do mods and reproduction stuff but finding that for it to mildly viable for me to do - sales are showing it just isn't worth all the time and effort and Shapeways has been a fail as well as I think people expect things for cheap / nothing.
Therefore unless a miracle occurs I will not be taking on any new little jobs with the only real outstanding ones being for Ralph as we are at the tail end of finalising that - hopefully is helpful to him otherwise another part of learning curve.
I will still sell the items that are selling as the hard work has been done:
- Range of AC/DC - bell covers
- Metallica Cross
- Bally Shrouds (small and large)
In the end I have learnt the hard way that 3D printing is great for proto-typing but not as a stand alone business trying to sell parts.
Where from here, I am designing and have built a few proto-type 3D printers and maybe there is a local market for that for an affordable printer running on linear bearings, self levelling and fast / accurate etc but today I don't have my hopes too high on that.
I will still design mods but for "ME" and the machine (machines I hope to own) for fun and if people like them I will set a price that covers my time and materials and if they don't mind the price - they can buy them and if people don't no loss as I did it for fun. Another fun product is designing a custom pin so I will put my efforts into that.
In the end in the next week or 2 I will resort to standing along a main road with a sign asking for a job.
My apologies for expressing my feelings and emotions but I am at the bottom of a pit and over it - 6 months unemployed, mother in law with terminal cancer, almost out of money and so many wasted hours - I need some luck but unfortunately I am not one of those people.
You will still see me around but in a different capacity - general conversation or sharing designs I have done for fun.
Thanks for the kind words and support over time.
Cheers
Jady