Do you sell your projects? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Sudo_apt-get_install_yum
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2018, 09:54:20 am
content: Hi all!Like the title says, do you ever sell your electronics projects or turn them into a low volume product?Personally I never do so.Whenever I start a project it’s because there is no product available that suits my needs or because I want to learn something new. There have been several occasions when I stop by a hackspace or other type of DIY maker place and people offer me money for me to make them a copy of my project and I tell them to make it instead and give them a link to the project files.In my opinion it takes the fun out of the project when commercializing it. It’s a different story when it comes to work.What’s your guys experience with selling your projects?Do you like it or don’t you like it?

author: @rt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2018, 11:15:48 am
content: I usually do the thing, and then hit it with a hammer,because the value for me was in the doing, rather than the having.

author: mdszy
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 24, 2018, 12:11:25 pm
content: I've made someIN-12 nixie breakout boardsfor breadboarding and I've sold them. I had a small batch of 25 made that I sold, and that I've now sold out of, and now I have parts for 50 more on the way. It's been a pretty great experience so far (except for learning why I'll never use Tindie again...) and I've mostly sold on eBay. I've got another project I'm making that I'm hoping to sell once I have the design finalized. I quite enjoy it, and I think it'll end up being a nice small source of income when I'm back at college in just a few weeks.

author: Messtechniker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2018, 12:34:52 pm
content: Commercialising a product takes up a lot of time,I wish to spend otherwise. However, I do chargea modest amount for occasional oneoff repairs.I then put these amounts into my lab. Just myway of doing it.

author: onesixright
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2018, 03:05:25 pm
content: Quote from: @rt on August 24, 2018, 11:15:48 amMakes me think about my old teacher.We needed to (endless) solder cubicles. With all imaginable diagonals. Once done, present for evaluation. He placed it on the ground, stepped on it. If you where lucky, he said “well done” ... Can laugh now, at the time not do funny Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

author: Bassman59
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2018, 06:15:23 pm
content: Quote from: Sudo_apt-get_install_yum on August 24, 2018, 09:54:20 amGiven that I design electronics for a living, the answer is yes.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2018, 06:28:45 pm
content: I have some tools I developed like a ruggedized USB to TTL / RS485 serial port converter and a current probe which turned into commercial products. Not hot sellers but every now and then one gets ordered.

author: D3f1ant
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2018, 09:09:35 pm
content: Yep, turning projects into products is what I do for a living. Dont all products start off as projects?

author: Eka
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2018, 11:53:51 pm
content: Back when 6809s were new, I made and sold electronics that were pieces of art. I haven't sold any of my recent electronic art. I do plan on selling again.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2018, 12:07:39 am
content: I've built some projects with the intent of selling them but by the time I finish it I'm usually attached to it. I did that with several nixie clocks and I have more clocks than any normal person needs.

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2018, 12:26:34 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on August 24, 2018, 06:28:45 pmA current probe with a decent bandwidth for the cost would sell quite well. Being able to measure current makes an oscilloscope more useful.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2018, 11:13:07 am
content: Quote from: NiHaoMike on August 26, 2018, 12:26:34 amYou'd say that but sales aren't as hot as I had hoped for. Somehow current probes are not something many people find useful.

author: kridri
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2018, 11:51:56 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on August 26, 2018, 11:13:07 amHow are you guys doing that with the European legislation?I designed recently something for an research project but now the facility had asked me to build some custom mechatronics for them.

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2018, 12:12:19 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on August 26, 2018, 11:13:07 amWhat are the specs and cost?

author: timgiles
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2018, 12:28:00 pm
content: Do you think it would be worth starting a thread where forum members can publish projects they are selling?

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2018, 02:24:27 pm
content: Quote from: NiHaoMike on August 26, 2018, 12:12:19 pmQuick specs: 2 channels DC-10MHz, 10Arms / 40A peak. price: 175 euro for EEVblog members including VAT. This isn't a clamp on device but you'll have to loop the current through it. However with most circuits being surface mounted nowadays this isn't a real problem because you'll need a piece of wire anyway.

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2018, 03:12:10 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on August 26, 2018, 02:24:27 pmThat is quite a disadvantage when a common way to use a current probe is to install multiple sensing loops that the user can switch between with the circuit operating. Were you running into issues with repeatability when trying to make the probe able to open?Of course, nowadays with some switching power supplies so sensitive to stray inductance, another idea is to add cheap shunt resistors everywhere and then use some sort of isolated probe optimized for accurate low level readings in a high EMI environment. Or find a cheaper way to do surface level magnetic sensing and not need a shunt in the first place.

author: trophosphere
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2018, 08:31:56 pm
content: I used to sell a couple of my projects but then I found out I was spending all of my free time making batches of those things and not working on anything new for myself so I had to quit. My indication to stop was when I started to consistently avoid working on any electronics.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2018, 08:49:20 pm
content: Quote from: NiHaoMike on August 26, 2018, 03:12:10 pmThat is too complicated to make from a mechanical point of view. As an alternative I created two channels.QuoteAs someone pointed out in another thread a shunt resistor has problems with it's self inductance. A 10nH self inductance has in reactance of nearly 20m Ohm at 300kHz. When using a 50milli Ohm shunt that gives an error of nearly 8% (note that the resistive and reactive part are 90 degrees out of phase).

author: VEGETA
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2018, 07:00:01 pm
content: Quote from: mdszy on August 24, 2018, 12:11:25 pmMay I ask how much did it cost you and how much are you selling them?I am interested to sell my projects when I finish them so I wanna know about it. I have a simple dummy load project on my channel, which could be better in the future to be able to sell.

author: briandorey
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2018, 07:17:22 pm
content: I have ended up selling a project by accident after making an ADC board for the Raspberry Pi computer for a solar power data logger and then getting lots of requests for people to buy it after it was featured on Hackaday.I ordered enough parts to make 200 thinking it would take years to sell them and they sold in less than a month. It has now turned into my full time job with my brother and we built our own pick and place machine to help with the production. A full size commercial PNP wouldnt fit in our loft workshop.

author: RoGeorge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2018, 07:17:50 pm
content: I don't sell, but some do:https://www.tindie.com/

author: jmelson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2018, 08:36:38 pm
content: Quote from: briandorey on November 06, 2018, 07:17:22 pmWow, that's pretty wild! I bought a used P&P, and it IS huge, but I think it is worth the space it takes up. I make about 15 regular products, plus some custom units. Never a really big business, but supplements my "day job" income. I have a credit card merchant account, and a web store.Jon

author: VEGETA
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2018, 09:02:28 pm
content: Quote from: jmelson on November 06, 2018, 08:36:38 pmAny links to your products?My biggest doubt is if people will buy the stuff or not. I guess one needs to test this.

author: technix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2018, 10:00:36 pm
content: Some of them I do. I have a Tindie store for that. Everything is built to order now though since the volume is still very low.

author: jmelson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2018, 11:39:03 pm
content: Quote from: VEGETA on November 06, 2018, 09:02:28 pmDidn't want to appear to be advertising, buthttp://pico-systems.com/osc2.5/catalog/index.phpis the store.Here's a link to some other topics of interest :http://pico-systems.com/Yes, knowing what will sell and what won't is a TOUGH problem. I've been through this a few times, and know big corporations test with "focus groups" and such, but us little guys might not be able to do that.Jon

author: VEGETA
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2018, 07:32:53 am
content: Quote from: jmelson on November 06, 2018, 11:39:03 pmSo we have the only viable mean of determining this: make 10 of it and post it here then see what happens.I was thinking about the cost of all components, and though that the PCBs must be in a panel so that one product PCB costs 1$ only. Is this the way you do it?Of course, for me living in Jordan, my only source option is aliexpress (or possibly lcsc) due to low price and free shipping. Digikey and others require a whooping 75$ shipping price! could be good for making +1000 units but not 100 or less. I could get 100 of lm358 for mere 3$ delivered from aliexpress.the biggest drawback is the enclosure, it will be pricey to ship due to being so heavy. And I guess there is no fulfillment service to do such works outside.

author: briandorey
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2018, 09:35:03 am
content: Quote from: VEGETA on November 06, 2018, 09:02:28 pmMy web shop ishttps://www.abelectronics.co.ukand the pick and place we made is on my blog athttps://www.briandorey.com/post/diy-pick-and-place-v2-project-complete

author: VEGETA
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2018, 12:38:26 pm
content: Quote from: briandorey on November 07, 2018, 09:35:03 amSeems a nice store and well organized. Does it sell well monthly? or is it just side business?I mean, you don't sell on ebay or anything so you rely on your site.

author: briandorey
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2018, 12:44:44 pm
content: Quote from: VEGETA on November 07, 2018, 12:38:26 pmIt started off as a side business to my previous web design business but after a couple of years it turned into over 95% of our income. We tried selling on ebay but the fees are too high.

author: VEGETA
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2018, 01:02:22 pm
content: Quote from: briandorey on November 07, 2018, 12:44:44 pmLuckily for you, you are in Europe where there are tons of PCB fabrication and assembly houses as well as enclosure suppliers... where you don't need to deal with shipping fees and customs. Unlike me XDI liked a certain aluminum enclosure on aliexpress which is around 4.5$ one off... If I want a 100 of it then it would cost me +750$ total! which is an order of magnitude more than my whole BOM! and that is without silkscreen or cut outs!!!As for PCBs they are reasonably cheap if I penalize them I would get 1$ per unit or maybe 2$ mostly.. which is ok.The project I want to try to sell is a simple dummy load, but after making it better. I made some videos about it on my channel.

author: briandorey
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2018, 01:23:59 pm
content: Quote from: VEGETA on November 07, 2018, 01:02:22 pmWe usehttps://www.quick-teck.co.uk/index.phpfor our PCB's but we do all the assembly in house in our small loft!A lot of the part we use come from suppliers in China so we have to deal with the import hassles and charges

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2018, 07:53:28 pm
content: There's one project I want to actually start on, a home automation/monitoring system. The software part will also work to monitor things like servers. Basically an all in one solution. The issue I have is this is not exactly a 1st of it's kind idea so my fear is that I accidentally infringe on some patents or copyright or something then I lose my house and everything I have in a lawsuit - heck even if they settle it would still be several grand or more which would hurt me badly + travel costs to have to go to the US to show up in court. So not sure if it's worth trying to sell it even when I do create this project. Too much red tape and politics and risk.

author: jmelson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2018, 10:58:17 pm
content: Quote from: VEGETA on November 07, 2018, 07:32:53 amI generally do NOT do panels, but then my boards are usually 50 x 50 mm, or a lot larger. I have done some really small boards and recently started doing them in panels.QuoteI have my own machine shop, and can do enclosures when needed. But, most of my products are bare boards, and let the customer provide their own enclosure.Jon

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2018, 12:53:48 am
content: making something suitable for sale is a pain in the ass and you need to redesign even though your design works. Too much work for a hobby. Typical commercial things bearly work by design.I might use ridiclous gauge wire for 2 amps. Does it make sense for me? sure. do I want to be resizing everything for sale? Better pay me alot. It's over designed for anything but a one off, but my time is so expensive compared to most parts.I can save like 90% of development time sometimes by accepting the fact that I might get a fault or require some kind of fairly advanced, expensive but quick and easy for me hack to make work right in the future. If I wanted to account for that shit in my home projects I would go bald. For a one off that took me a few weeks to design, do I care if I need to add a 15$ part later ? Who gives a fuck. Commercially it would be suicide for volume.If I was worrying about 5$ in a BOM cost at home I would go fucking insane. I can do like 50 other things to make quick pocket money with no risk.If you do sell that then you will get under cut if its obvious.Obvious example : redesign a pain in the ass circuit to work on a single rail because you can probobly do it to save a extra battery and/or severely reduce the powersupply cost and make it small/chic.But if you do it for yourself you can gild the lily and get high performance.

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2018, 02:26:03 am
content: Another issue is having it be compliant too. ULC, CSA, ETL, FCC etc... So many other ones to overlook. Though I wonder if you can get away by selling it as a kit "for educational purposes only". Like if I use my home automation system as an example I would just sell the bare boards. It would essentially be a glorified arduino with preloaded code where the various boards plug into each other and talk using my own protocol, but I can just sell it as a project board that happens to have preloaded code.One thing I might actually look at selling though is organization tray/containers. Once I build my shop and heat it, I want to design some organizer drawers and stuff and come up with various jigs to be able to whip them out fast. Will be for myself, but depending if there's any demand for this sort of thing I might actually sell them. Probably local only though, would cost too much to ship. Would not make lot of money mind you, but if I enjoy it, it would be something to do. Things that are simple like wood working projects are probably less likely to get you in hot water as far as compliance stuff, IP law etc. People are paying you for your labour to put pieces of wood together, and not for a specific product.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2018, 05:57:38 am
content: I'm pretty sure there are exemptions for kits, certainly a lot of kits lack all the various certifications. Also with the flood of knockoff stuff from China ranging everywhere from very good to absolutely terrifying, I don't think anyone has the bandwidth to do anything about it.