Crowdfunded MR manufacturing

[reinhardtjh]

This was new to me and I don't recall seeing it here before.  Some guys (John Drake and Randy Hammill) have started a company to do crowdfunded production.  I saw a video interview done by Otto Vondrak (the current Editor of RMC) on Facebook (naturally) here ==> https://www.facebook.com/modelcraftsman/videos/1303765409830465

The company name is Prototype Junction.  Their web site (blog, really) is here: ==> https://www.prototypejunction.com/

Unfortunately, their first project is HO scale, but they claim that they are open to any scale.

Anyway, just interesting.  Hopefully the project gets off the ground.

[Chris333]

I thought you only needed about 30k to get a model into production. They are going for $250,000.
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/ho-40-single-sheathed-box-and-auto-cars-1929-70s#/

[OldEastRR]

I thought you only needed about 30k to get a model into production. They are going for $250,000.
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/ho-40-single-sheathed-box-and-auto-cars-1929-70s#/

"Carrying charges, my boy; carrying charges." 

[bbussey]

I thought you only needed about 30k to get a model into production. They are going for $250,000.
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/ho-40-single-sheathed-box-and-auto-cars-1929-70s#/

Less than that in N. But then another $20k-$30k minimum for each production run.

[Atlas Paul]

"Carrying charges, my boy; carrying charges." 

They also have a lot of variations listed, which comes with additional design and tooling costs.

[reinhardtjh]

I thought you only needed about 30k to get a model into production. They are going for $250,000.
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/ho-40-single-sheathed-box-and-auto-cars-1929-70s#/

That seemed high to me, too.  But as @Atlas Paul mentions, they do have a lot of variations which means multiple part molds and replaceable sides, tops, etc.  Plus ancillary molds for different doors and details.  End user prices are targeted at $50 per car with some discounts for the Amherst show which expire soon.  They will have kits available at the same price as the assembled/decorated cars, but they will come with "extra parts".  Not sure if that means you can assemble it into any of the variations or just a specific subset.

[thomasjmdavis]

If they were to do the very same cars in N, I would definitely be interested.  I have included such cars (essentially modified, road specific ARA single sheathed boxcars) on my "wish list for manufacturers" type postings for several years, and having the ATSF cars both in early forms and several variations including the steel sided rebuilds would be a bonus.  Given the all the ATSF reefers and stock cars, I was surprised that Intermountain did not also do these cars.  And, if "money were no object", I would want 1 or more of each of the other cars as well.  They were much more common in the 50s than the USRA cars that are currently being mass produced by several companies.

I am kinda old school- I would rather have a company incorporate and sell me stock to raise capital.  That said, crowdfunding (well, crowdfunding with the promise to deliver a model, or X number of models, for a contribution of X$$) is essentially pre-ordering, with the cash going out when the order is placed, instead of just prior to shipment.  And they are promising early 2021, which is to say, a shorter lead time than the "pre-order" time for some manufacturers.

I am confused about kits- they specifically mention that they are producing both decorated and undecorated kits, but there are no "kitbuilder" options among their several X cars for X dollars with X discount payment options.  Or at least, I could not find any.

In the 1980s, I started a small company.  My investment to get it up and running was $50,000.  Per the CPI calculator, that would be about $125,000 today.  And that did not include tooling for injection molding several variations of a model.  So the amount they are looking for strikes me as reasonable.

[reinhardtjh]

If they were to do the very same cars in N, I would definitely be interested.  I have included such cars (essentially modified, road specific ARA single sheathed boxcars) on my "wish list for manufacturers" type postings for several years, and having the ATSF cars both in early forms and several variations including the steel sided rebuilds would be a bonus.  Given the all the ATSF reefers and stock cars, I was surprised that Intermountain did not also do these cars.  And, if "money were no object", I would want 1 or more of each of the other cars as well.  They were much more common in the 50s than the USRA cars that are currently being mass produced by several companies.

I'd be in for several of the C&O auto carriers and probably an ATSF single sheathed car or two.  Perfect for the 1948-1950 era I'd target.

I am kinda old school- I would rather have a company incorporate and sell me stock to raise capital.  That said, crowdfunding (well, crowdfunding with the promise to deliver a model, or X number of models, for a contribution of X$$) is essentially pre-ordering, with the cash going out when the order is placed, instead of just prior to shipment.  And they are promising early 2021, which is to say, a shorter lead time than the "pre-order" time for some manufacturers.

Assuming they carry through once the funding amount is reached, it's not a really long lead time.  And you know pretty soon if your $$ is committed - supposedly, if they don't reach the goal in 30 days then the project is off and any monies are returned.  This particular effort has a goal date of Feb 8th so it will be interesting to see what happens on Feb 9th or so.

I am confused about kits- they specifically mention that they are producing both decorated and undecorated kits, but there are no "kitbuilder" options among their several X cars for X dollars with X discount payment options.  Or at least, I could not find any.

You have to dig around in the various FAQ and blog entries, but when funding you just specify how many cars you're pledging for.  Later on, once they have the funding set and some other details, you pick what you want - assembled/kit, road name, car type, etc.  Then they set the production run.

[ljudice]

If i were crowdfunding an N-scale product it would be modern vehicles.

I bet it would be a slam-dunk, given the prices I see on Ebay.

[SandyEggoJake]

Love that they are doing injection molding on a small scale. 

What do you think @spookshow and others?  Any interest to join me to ask them if they would support us doing a funder to have them do our long sought after / never yet done in N "Bentendorf T section Trucks? 
Say IM Black POM w/o wheelsets, ideally to accept the Atlas axle length and kingpin? 

http://www.spookshow.net/trucks/bettendorf.html

In my first order, I'd buy 100 (50 pairs) for use on every one of my many PFE R 30-13 cars, as well as many other freight cars in my era. 

Cost to make this mold will be cheaper than most of full models, and supporting such a project with be helpful to get them on the N scale radar and visa versa.  It could also be the foundation for them to then bring out an array of never before in N scale freight cars. 

[peteski]

Trucks use molds that have 4 parts (top, bottom, left and right). The dimples for axle bearings inside the side-frames also further complicate the mold.  That is more complex (thus more expensive) than a typical 2-piece mold.

[joelm]

Wonder if us N Scalers could crowd source metal wheels! Always in short supply! Joel

[MetroRedLine]

Isn't the whole preordering system an indirect form of crowdfunding in the first place?

[peteski]

Isn't the whole preordering system an indirect form of crowdfunding in the first place?

If no advanced payment is required, then no.

[bbussey]

Wonder if us N Scalers could crowd source metal wheels! Always in short supply! Joel

We have wheels and they always are in stock.