"A Barrel of Kong" - A Bar Height themed Cocktail Cab [FINISHED]

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JDFan:
I know you mentioned the $0 cost for some items not being accurate but doing it that way will come back to bite you if\when you decide to actually build more to sell -- If this is truly a test build to see if it can be done profitably I'd suggest pricing everything (this includes all the screws\wiring\tool bits that wear out\ etc.) and ordering new parts for everything used in the build to also get an accurate estimate. Gathering all of the needed supplies can add several hours to the build time (esp. if trying to source lower cost product rather than just using on hand inventory) Plus using on hand inventory fails to include shipping cost on those items which for things like monitors\buttons\wood panels\encoders\etc. can add substantial costs (sometimes even more than the parts themselves) -- and failing to figure in wear and tear and maintenance costs in on the tools can also turn a small profit into a loss once a tool(s) need to be replaced if that cost isn't included. (router bits\saw blades\etc. aren't free to replace or sharpen and need to be accounted for in the costs as well)

At a minimum if using on hand inventory at least include a replacement cost for those items including shipping so that you get a better idea of what the actual build cost would be and add in a % or flat cost for tool depriciation\replacement. It is often very easy to underestimate the little costs like consumables (ie. screws\drill bits\wiring\solder\glue\paint\sandpaper\etc.) and turn what you think is a small profit into an actual loss on the projects when you fail to properly price the item because you forgot some off the build costs !

griffindodd:
Hi JDFan, I absolutely agree with everything you say above. The thing I do know is that I will never build cabs for an ongoing business model, but if I were to, I would have to take into account everything you have covered here. This is more of an experiment in how a hobbyist can make some extra bucks to fund his other builds by throwing out the odd 'money-maker' now and again.

dandro:
I think you would be doing okay if it's better than this:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/vgm/3691965752.html

griffindodd:
Ouch, that made my eyes hurt

JDFan:

--- Quote from: griffindodd on March 20, 2013, 01:25:36 pm ---Hi JDFan, I absolutely agree with everything you say above. The thing I do know is that I will never build cabs for an ongoing business model, but if I were to, I would have to take into account everything you have covered here. This is more of an experiment in how a hobbyist can make some extra bucks to fund his other builds by throwing out the odd 'money-maker' now and again.

--- End quote ---

Ahh - ok then just didn't want you to forget those costs if you were going to try to make a go at doing this for a side business, as it is easy to do a test case like this using up a bunch of on hand inventory and then start to think you made a good profit because you forgot to add in all of those costs only to start trying to do several and finding out your actually doing it at a loss or barely breaking even when the inventory is depleted.

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