Hi Mike-- Don't buy a kit just because you don't have enough money for a finished one. You have to enjoy woodworking and have some aptitude for it, and some tools. If that isn't your thing, just save more money -- have a big garage sale, or something. Making a hurdy-gurdy is like having a second job -- one that you don't get paid for [at least not in money], but with satisfaction in doing the work and seeing it progress.
> I don't think I can tackle a Hurdy Gurdy from scratch and can't really afford the kit. Is there any middle ground out there somewhere? A kit *is* the middle ground, between scratch-built and ready-made. The only middle ground between scratch-built and a kit is getting some critical parts pre-made. Mel and Ann sell individual components, the things too hard to make yourself. But you're just creating a ton of work for yourself having to make the rest from scratch, trying to save a little money. Plus, you will need more tools, have to find the right kinds of woods yourself, etc. And it will be less likely to work right. A kit is the *minimum,* as far as I'm concerned. It's still a huge challenge, though it can be very enjoyable. But it isn't like a snap-together model airplane kit! > I need to make an HG that ultimately can be sold, so quality has to be there I don't know why you're already talking about selling it, but the more you do yourself, the less you have to be willing to get for it. You may be very good, but people are naturally going to understandably question its 'amateur' construction. [A well-made kit can be put together inaccurately.] This is especially true if you are thinking of selling it online, where people can't really tell what they're getting. And where are you going to find someone local just dying to buy a homemade hurdy-gurdy? > I can't shell out $900 for a complete kit and only sell the HG for $1200 You'd have to expect that, maybe. You might get your money back for it, but you cannot plan to make a bunch of money off the months you spent making it. If selling it is a big issue, then get a ready-made one. It costs more, but you can be assured of getting your money back, right? I'm making a Hurdy Gurdy Crafters kit. No way I'm going to sell it after putting so much work into it! It won't be as good as a pro's because I'm an amateur, which means I might be introducing problems I'm not aware of yet, but I'll still like it better because I made it myself. People are different, but I'd never bother with the committment required for a kit, all the while planning to sell it later. Better to have one of HGC's finished ones, with that goal in mind. Michael http://harvey-house.info/blog-hg/ On Mon, Oct 17, 2011 at 7:40 PM, maesoph <[email protected]> wrote: > Dear All: > > Per your advice, I have contacted Hurdy Gurdy Crafters and am quite > pleased with the responses from Mel and Ann there. However, I don't > think I can tackle a Hurdy Gurdy from scratch and can't really afford > the kit. Is there any middle ground out there somewhere? I need to > make an HG that ultimately can be sold, so quality has to be there, > but I can't shell out $900 for a complete kit and only sell the HG for > $1200 or so (just guessing, but it's unlikely I would get more unless > I was a Pro at this). Any chance of getting material cost down to > $500 or less?????? Any ideas would be appreciated - maybe I should > take this straight to Mel and Ann though??? > > Mike > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "hurdygurdy" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/hurdygurdy The rules of posting, courtesy, and other list information may be found at http://hurdygurdy.com/mailinglist/index.htm. To reduce spam, posts from new subscribers are held pending approval by the webmaster.
