Moderators please move this if it's not appropriate here.
I'm looking for expresions of interest in a adapter making service for IIS members. I want to offer my services to make adapters, extension tubes etc. for conecting various telescope parts together at the imaging train end of the telescope. This is much like one well known company is doing now in the USA, but I aim to provide the parts at less cost.
Parts will have a moneyback guarantee or replace for free if the parts are delivered out of spec, or something to that effect.
Would this be a service that anyone woud be interested in using??
I recently spent a small fortune getting adapters made and I don't even delve into the abyss that is imaging rigs. I think you would get quite a bit of work from the forums and from astronomy clubs...
Moderators please move this if it's not appropriate here.
I'm looking for expresions of interest in a adapter making service for IIS members. I want to offer my services to make adapters, extension tubes etc. for conecting various telescope parts together at the imaging train end of the telescope. This is much like one well known company is doing now in the USA, but I aim to provide the parts at less cost.
Parts will have a moneyback guarantee or replace for free if the parts are delivered out of spec, or something to that effect.
Would this be a service that anyone woud be interested in using??
Regards,
Joshua.
I think that's a great idea to do it locally. I'd be careful about the moneyback guarantee or replace for free part. Unfortunately you'll get people taking advantage of this. Will you set yourself as a sole trader?
I think that's a great idea to do it locally. I'd be careful about the moneyback guarantee or replace for free part. Unfortunately you'll get people taking advantage of this. Will you set yourself as a sole trader?
Marc, i will have to be carefull about that, but i recon I'd have to offer some kind of guarantee, any ideas? And yes, I'd do this on my own.
It sounds great. I have spent a small fortune on Precise Parts adapters.
But he does provice a quality product and his make an adapter graphic on his site is clever but it does put the responsibility on the buyer which I don't like.
I made one simple error on an expensive adapter that cost US$350 and it was useless. The guarantee doe not apply to user error of the site which I did.
Given the amount of business I had given him perhaps a 50% off the correct adapter would have been nice. Haven't used him since (then again I haven't needed an adapter either!).
I think that's a great idea to do it locally. I'd be careful about the moneyback guarantee or replace for free part. Unfortunately you'll get people taking advantage of this.
I think it would be best to offer the money back guarantee and see how it works out. If a customer has supplied correct specs and the part works, why would they return it?
If you can product good quality adapters at a reasonable price then I reckon you'd get quite a lot of local business.
Cheers,
Rick.
My thoughts as well. There is definitely a local demand.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joshua Bunn
Thanks Matt and Marc.
Marc, i will have to be carefull about that, but i recon I'd have to offer some kind of guarantee, any ideas? And yes, I'd do this on my own.
You'll have to ask for exact specs in a precise predefined format so there is no room for interpretation after acceptance. If the part differs from specs, agreed, then you should provide a new one at your own cost but if it is within specs then that's the buyer's choice. Free part, return, garantee is a can of worms. There might not be much money in custom parts only so it might be worth your while thinking of producing a limited stock of generic spacers, M42/48, TAK threads, etc... The usual stuff that everybody's always after. That could be your cashflow.
If you can provide a precision local service that is cheaper than Precise Parts, I will certainly support your service. I have spent a great deal of money on adapters over the years and would prefer to pay money to a local service of the same quality.
Always happy to support a local. I’ll need a plate made and a mod to my mirror cell to accommodate a new focusser on my scope - it’s not a standard SCT backend. I have accurate 2D drawings already prepared.
Alternatively could send the mirror cell and focusser to you with drawings to show how it has to fit... backfocus is the issue.
Just a bit hesitant at the moment about disassembling the OTA.
Alternatively could send the mirror cell and focusser to you with drawings to show how it has to fit... backfocus is the issue.
Just a bit hesitant at the moment about disassembling the OTA.
Thanks Wavytone. I'm sure we could work something out. I've been borrowing a friends lathe for all my recent machining. So I've got to purchase a lathe with a mill first
Last edited by Joshua Bunn; 12-06-2018 at 10:20 PM.
Thanks Wavytone. I'm sure we could work something out. I've been borrowing a friends lathe for all my recent machining. So I've got to purchase a lathe with a mill first
Joshua,
You probably already know this, BUT........purchase wisely!!! You are considering offering bespoke precision "parts", consequently, you will need to have absolute confidence in the capabilities/accuracy of your equipment, otherwise you could be setting yourself up for both criticism and failure.
There's also something about quality parts - I don't know what it is, but some things when you assemble them they almost screw themselves together the threads are that buttery smooth. Other things rattle, squeal and protest the whole way, even though the threads are correct. I don't know what it is that gives it that lovely smoothness but if you can capture that I think it will go a long way towards building a reputation for quality.
when you assemble them they almost screw themselves together the threads are that buttery smooth. Other things rattle, squeal and protest the whole way,
That’s related to two things - the choice of materials and the surface finish at microscopic level. Some metals bind badly to the same metal (stainless to stainless, or aluminium to aluminium). The other trick is to apply a trace of lubricant.