Has anyone ever had something they've designed manafactured?

[HankMcSpank]

I don't think you have the right frame of mind for manufacturing yet. You have met obstacles and started complaining rather than deciding how you will overcome them. Stand back and look at it again. Start by redesigning your spring so it can be made from wire, you will get your target price at much lower quantities. You do have target prices, don't you?

At least allow me 5 mins to complain amongst those with similar frustrations!

Believe me - I spend every waking minute trying to overcome them (the spring steel is a minor one - and I'll circumvent it, but just happens to be the most current) - this is bordering on obsession!

Re redesigning the spring - I see your angle, but it needs to be robust & erhm springy-backy-ish (else the whole thing will not work properly soon after someone has bought one!)

Re target prices - well I know my target selling price, & I know what most of the parts to make it will cost me, & I know what margin I seek - with all those variables to hand, I therefore know how much I'm prepared to spend on the 'widgets' I've still to source ...but then there's the 'HankMCSpank is it worth that-o-meter' (patent pending)

For example, when youve busted a gut to source 95% of the parts for under a tenner - then one simple mini part costing £3.00 sticks in the throat!

Anyway, vent over - I look forward to similar stories coming - well done btw with your product - that's seriously good revenue! Off to research chronoscopes now (just kidding!)

[Robin Hewitt]

- this is bordering on obsession!

That is a much better frame of mind :naughty:

[Robin Hewitt]

Re redesigning the spring - I see your angle, but it needs to be robust & erhm springy-backy-ish (else the whole thing will not work properly soon after someone has bought one!)

I had to get a custom spring in tin plated steel so it was solderable. Had it made in the UK by Simpson Springs and Pressings. Quote was 12p at 2k pcs, 7.9p at 5k pcs. He used the wrong wire and the durned thing broke somewhere between 2 weeks and 5 years later. He held his hand up and made me another 5k pcs with the right wire ad gratis. The two big spring suppliers on line in the UK are Lee Spring and Flexo Springs, either will quote you if you design it.