To cut or not to cut

Just a quick question. what would a printed cut out kit be worth to you?

Here’s what I’m thinking.  What if there were an option, where you could buy a kit and choose to get a printed and cut kit.  There would be an additional service fee, say $30.  Is this a feature that you would want.

I’m just speculating, but it might be something we could offer, at least on a limited basis.

Thom

Comments

[Ben]

I enjoy cutting out the kits, generaly speaking. However, there are pieces that would be worth having a laser cut kit of, say for instance the many window components. Or the stairs for the signal tower. Or some other fine architectural details like the roof brackets on the whistle stop. I also think that having printed, cut paper clapboards could be helpful for stacking up for the nice 3D effect. I guess in short, maybe laser cut fine-detail kits would be desirable rather than the entire kit. Just imho.

[Gael]

Thom, When you say "cut kit", I assume you mean laser cut, such as Paper Creek kits were? My first paper kit was by Paper Creek, and I was thrilled with it. If you sold laser cut kits, it would probably increase the appeal of your kits. Hand cutting the little parts can be challenging at times, even taking into account using fresh super sharp cutting tools. But, if you had both options, cut and uncut kits, that should satisfy most everybody.

[John Humes]

Thom,

I agree with Ben and Gail. They both made good points.

For some of us, like myself, would go either way. Depends on the model and the price.

But Thom, in the meantime, please give us something new that we can download:)))

John

[Dave]

There's a lot of crossing information that brought this about. For my own research and test builds I am looking at some of the mechanical cutting tools like the Craftrobo. A laser is not in our immediate future. You have to sell a lot of kits to offset the $6000 plus price tag. Sure its a gamble, "build it and they will come", sort of thing, but it's still 6 grand we don't have.
We are negotiating with a couple of other kit manufacturers to do some cutting for us and there is a kind of a plan for a limited edition "super kit". I just did an interior for Rich at RS laser and Jimmy D is looking at using our steel for one of his roofs. I've even contacted Paper Creek to see if there are any opportunities for us to pick up his line. So we are looking at a lot of ways to grow.
Sorry back to cutting. Some people do like to do the cutting. It certainly doesn't seem to put too many people off. Traditionally, paper kits are not laser cut.
What I'm thinking about here, is more of a custom service. So the cutting charge would just be an extra. I have no idea, at this point what the cost will be. $30 is a guess on my part. Thanks for the feedback guys. Keep it coming.

[Dave]

Ok John, What do you want to see. I have a lot of kits in the works.

[John Humes]

Thom, I belive it was in mid September of this year, on your web site you showed a few pics under the title if "City Sceans". I would love to see that series. A bit later you showed a photo of a portable coal loader. I am also inteerested in that. John

[JDuv]

I wouldn't buy a pre-cut kit, for the same reason I don't buy pre-built kits. I get a sense of accomplishment out of printing, cutting, folding and building my own models. It really doesn't take me that much longer to cut out the models then it takes to build them.

[Gael]

Thom, if you could acquire the Paper Creek line and revive their kits, I think that would be great! I'm not taking away anything from your kits, I love your stuff, and was excited when I first discovered you guys. The Paper Creek line, in my opinion has a lot of growth potential, as there's gotta' be more old buildings in Randsburg, CA that are begging to be modeled (among other old western towns that still exist, and I could suggest a few)). I drove through there in the early 90's and was blown away, as it was like I'd entered another time dimension. I found your comments on the cutting tools interesting. I'm no expert on laser cutting, or cutting tools, etc., but I do like kits that are already cut out. I was aware that laser machines are 6 grand, and that's a lot of green!! You'd have to sell a ton of kits to recover that kind of serious money. A "super kit", possibly cut out?, sounds really exciting! Sign me up for one!

[Dave]

John, All of the kits shown in that "city scenes" post are already in a finished state but not all of them have been test built.
"Habbaker's garage" which we re engineered from a prototype by John kosma Is going up just as soon as I correct a spelling error. Hopefully others will follow soon.
IF we offer cutting of kits it will be an option that won't effect our normal way of offering kits. It's just an effort to help those who are hesitant to try our kits because they don't feel they can do the cutting
Our goal is to try to find out what people want so we can build a sustainable business and keep developing paper kits.
The coal loader mentioned will be available in an upcoming kit called the "coal vendor" which is also done and being test built right now. It looks great. The loader is a tough model due to it's size but defiantly build-able. perhaps it will be a freebie.

[Jim Gore]

Thom,

As you know, after spending a couple of months of evenings cutting out all of those windows for the G&D engine house (each is a sandwich of two window printings) [and, yes, there really was trip to the emergency room], I must admit to the desire to have windows, anyway, cut out by laser for me. The rest of it, I can do just fine and I like to modify those other items as I go along. I suggest offering the windows laser cut but not the entire kit. Perhaps it's just 61-year old eyes talking ... I will continue to cut them out in the mean time and enjoy building the kits as much as ever.

Jim

[M Ruzicka]

I think a line of windows and doors that are already cut would be a good idea. With this option you could download the main kit and then decide if you want the cut windows and doors. I also think a line of windows and doors would be very helpful for scratch building.

[John Humes]

Ruzicka's sugjeston is top notch. Further the items could be mailed in a number 10 envolpe. Your inventory would not take up much space,

[Dave]

We will do windows and doors before we go to our next show which is Amherst. I' will have a dozen or so sets of doors and windows as well as shingles. If they sell well do more.

Mr R's idea is a good one and pretty much what I was thinking. Just windows doors and decorative parts would probably not cost that much.