Can someone make me some tools please

**Southgippsland** · 9th March 2016, 08:57 PM

Hi to all wood and metal workers. I joined this forum because I have a request to make. I am a rug maker and our style of rug making [called hooked rugs] uses a rug hook shaped like a crochet hook but with a wider shank and a wooden handle added.At the moment I buy my hand-made hooks from Ireland and resell them back to the world [as well as Aus]. My question is this. Are their any metal workers and wood workers here that could make these hooks for me?An Australian timber would be great- say a eucalypt maybe and the hooks are made from brass as is the ferule and very finely polished. I would like an exact duplicate of the hooks that I carry [I carry several sizes and styles with two different style handles] The wood handles are so smooth they feel like silk.What do you think? I hope someone will consider having a go. I can get a hook to you to have a look at but you can get an idea of the sort of thing I am after first from the photos.They would have to be under $20 each for me to buy wholesale, hopefully no more than $18.00 as I will resell. Surely we can make these in Aus. Thank you in anticipation. I hope I will get lots of response.

IMG_1878a.JPG

**KBs PensNmore** · 9th March 2016, 09:45 PM

Welcome to the Forum. The picture you put up is that a set or are they supplied individually? Any chance of some detailed measurements, please. Diameter and length of brass, length of handles diam, and sizes of ferrules. What sort of quantity are you looking at 10, 20, 50, 100, as this will have a variance on the price.

**dai sensei** · 9th March 2016, 10:50 PM

Am I correct in saying you want, "a handle, with ferrule, with hand made hook from brass", all for less than $20 ?

**Luke Maddux** · 9th March 2016, 11:10 PM

Sounds like a big ask for under $20.

Have you considered buying the hook pieces in bulk and then approaching some woodturners about installing them into the handles?

**DSEL74** · 10th March 2016, 09:56 AM

I'm sure these can easily be made here in australia, but have you consider what the material cost would be, + how long it would take to do?
Doesn't leave much of an hourly rate for the worker so you can potentially on sell at twice the price.

With your business model proposed you need to buy something cheap made in a china sweat shop.

**cava** · 10th March 2016, 10:05 AM

**old1955** · 10th March 2016, 11:06 AM

Welcome to the forum.

**ian** · 10th March 2016, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by Luke Maddux

Sounds like a big ask for under $20.

agree

with material costs, a person would have to crank out 5 or 6 an hour to show any profit

**rob streeper** · 10th March 2016, 01:01 PM

Your brass alone at the prices I get, assuming 8mm solid brass rod and .6125 X 0.045" tubing for the ferrule will run you nearly $4AU before machining, making the handle and assembly.

You can likely get these made up in China cheaper but be ready to spring for a 5000 piece minimum of each design.

**Southgippsland** · 10th March 2016, 01:27 PM

Correct

**Big Shed** · 10th March 2016, 01:35 PM

Originally Posted by rob streeper

Your brass alone at the prices I get, assuming 8mm solid brass rod and .6125 X 0.045" tubing for the ferrule will run you nearly $4AU before machining, making the handle and assembly.

You can likely get these made up in China cheaper but be ready to spring for a 5000 piece minimum of each design.

Ready made brass ferrules are readily available in a range of sizes.

**Southgippsland** · 10th March 2016, 01:45 PM

It is not a set. They are sold individually

**Southgippsland** · 10th March 2016, 01:47 PM

I hear what you are saying, but for me to compete my mark-up is very small, nowhere near double.

**Southgippsland** · 10th March 2016, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by old1955

Welcome to the forum.

Thank you

**ian** · 10th March 2016, 02:41 PM

Originally Posted by Southgippsland

I hear what you are saying, but for me to compete my mark-up is very small, nowhere near double.

I'm sure there are a few who are hearing what you say.
And can work out what they would need to do to make these to your specifications -- what you shouldn't be expecting is a commercial maker to work for less than the dole.

Of course, working for beer money is a completely different matter.
Do you know how your existing hooks are polished? Could it be by tumbling them in a barrel filled with plastic beads?

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