In need of the forum's help assessing a new idea...
06-11-2016, 05:29 PM
#31
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The sales pitch is very good and well thought out. And you had some points in there I hadn't thought about before. I think youre really onto something, especially with all the positive feedback so quickly on this forum.
If you decide to go forward with your idea, which I will assume you are, I would recommend a couple things from the business side. If you want to garner some interest outside of forums, you should really think about a website, even a really simple one through wordpress or other generators. Its amazing how well having a very simple website helps, especially because if I were to show some car friends who arent Porsche guys, I'd have to link this thread which is too much reading. Also, when you have a domain, you can then have a business email instead of a yahoo address, which just looks good. You can use Gmail to host your domain and create an email address with your domain, e.g. XXXX@rennstand.com or similar. I'm sure youve thought about these things before, but a website sooner than later would be helpful in my mind.
Also, I'm a structural engineer specializing in durability, i.e. destroying metal things in different ways. If you dont have a test plan yet and would like to bounce ideas off of someone for free, feel free to PM me.
Good luck, i love new product ideas especially when its a 1-man show and has some passion behind it.
If you decide to go forward with your idea, which I will assume you are, I would recommend a couple things from the business side. If you want to garner some interest outside of forums, you should really think about a website, even a really simple one through wordpress or other generators. Its amazing how well having a very simple website helps, especially because if I were to show some car friends who arent Porsche guys, I'd have to link this thread which is too much reading. Also, when you have a domain, you can then have a business email instead of a yahoo address, which just looks good. You can use Gmail to host your domain and create an email address with your domain, e.g. XXXX@rennstand.com or similar. I'm sure youve thought about these things before, but a website sooner than later would be helpful in my mind.
Also, I'm a structural engineer specializing in durability, i.e. destroying metal things in different ways. If you dont have a test plan yet and would like to bounce ideas off of someone for free, feel free to PM me.
Good luck, i love new product ideas especially when its a 1-man show and has some passion behind it.
Admittedly I really haven't been focused on the business side of things which I'm just starting to put effort into now, and you made some excellent points about needing a website and having a dedicated e-mail address. So true. I need to get on that asap. What I have so far is the domain name, rennstand.com, so I should definitely be putting that to use soon, especially now that the idea is out there.
I'm going to check out wordpress, and thank you for each of those suggestions! They're a great help, as this is really new territory for me.
06-11-2016, 05:51 PM
#32
Rennlist Member
Would these lift as high as the 21 inch height of the ESCO stands? I know you can do most all work with a 14 inch height but much more comfortable under the car if lifted higher.
While you are thinking about it, I think you need 29 inches to pull the engine :-)
It would be great if they were priced similarly to ESCO stands ($60 each/$110-$120 a pair)
That is my one big peeve with the jackpoint stands.
While you are thinking about it, I think you need 29 inches to pull the engine :-)
It would be great if they were priced similarly to ESCO stands ($60 each/$110-$120 a pair)
That is my one big peeve with the jackpoint stands.
06-11-2016, 06:03 PM
#33
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Would these lift as high as the 21 inch height of the ESCO stands? I know you can do most all work with a 14 inch height but much more comfortable under the car if lifted higher.
While you are thinking about it, I think you need 29 inches to pull the engine :-)
It would be great if they were priced similarly to ESCO stands ($60 each/$110-$120 a pair)
That is my one big peeve with the jackpoint stands.
While you are thinking about it, I think you need 29 inches to pull the engine :-)
It would be great if they were priced similarly to ESCO stands ($60 each/$110-$120 a pair)
That is my one big peeve with the jackpoint stands.
06-11-2016, 06:05 PM
#34
Rennlist Member
This. Extra height is a real boon for those of us who don't have space (or spousal approval) for a lift, and have to work lying on a creeper under the car.
Maybe could sell extra-lift extensions as an accessory. Same with adaptors for different pad types.
Awesome idea overall!
06-11-2016, 06:13 PM
#35
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^^^
This. Extra height is a real boon for those of us who don't have space (or spousal approval) for a lift, and have to work lying on a creeper under the car.
Maybe could sell extra-lift extensions as an accessory. Same with adaptors for different pad types.
Awesome idea overall!
This. Extra height is a real boon for those of us who don't have space (or spousal approval) for a lift, and have to work lying on a creeper under the car.
Maybe could sell extra-lift extensions as an accessory. Same with adaptors for different pad types.
Awesome idea overall!
06-11-2016, 07:11 PM
#37
Rennlist Member
Looks like a great idea. Better than the jackpoints in design & adjustability. I would buy them at that suggested price.
06-11-2016, 07:13 PM
#38
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06-11-2016, 07:13 PM
#39
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06-11-2016, 07:15 PM
#40
These look great! One question and a comment:
- Do you have a design limit/load limit? I do not mean to be a d*+^, but how you calculated it, and then how you ensure quality in the build is pretty important. BTW, if you posted this, please forgive the question.
- My daily driver is a Jetta these days, and on both this car and the wife's Beetle Turbo, there is really nor "approved" way to get all four wheels in the air without a lift. You solve this problem!
Thanks for sharing, and I look forward to this hitting the market,
Bill
- Do you have a design limit/load limit? I do not mean to be a d*+^, but how you calculated it, and then how you ensure quality in the build is pretty important. BTW, if you posted this, please forgive the question.
- My daily driver is a Jetta these days, and on both this car and the wife's Beetle Turbo, there is really nor "approved" way to get all four wheels in the air without a lift. You solve this problem!
Thanks for sharing, and I look forward to this hitting the market,
Bill
06-11-2016, 07:35 PM
#41
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These look great! One question and a comment:
- Do you have a design limit/load limit? I do not mean to be a d*+^, but how you calculated it, and then how you ensure quality in the build is pretty important. BTW, if you posted this, please forgive the question.
- My daily driver is a Jetta these days, and on both this car and the wife's Beetle Turbo, there is really nor "approved" way to get all four wheels in the air without a lift. You solve this problem!
Thanks for sharing, and I look forward to this hitting the market,
Bill
- Do you have a design limit/load limit? I do not mean to be a d*+^, but how you calculated it, and then how you ensure quality in the build is pretty important. BTW, if you posted this, please forgive the question.
- My daily driver is a Jetta these days, and on both this car and the wife's Beetle Turbo, there is really nor "approved" way to get all four wheels in the air without a lift. You solve this problem!
Thanks for sharing, and I look forward to this hitting the market,
Bill
The simulations were done by an engineer from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University using the SolidWorks FEA Simulation software.
The simulations (of the full aluminum model) were conducted using a loading of 6,500 lb at the stands highest setting while on flat, level ground. A friction coefficient of 0.3 for greasy/slippery surfaces was used for the contact between the stand and the ground. The results of the testing demonstrate the stands ability to withstand the ANSI requirement for a safety factor of 3 or greater, therefore giving each stand a safe load rating of 2,000 lb, or 1-ton. Simulations of non-ideal loadings verified that the stand will also be able to safely handle sufficient loads should the stand be misused up to a safety factor of 2, i.e. 4,000 lb., meaning we tested what would happen if, for example, one of the feet came down on a tool accidentally, or just settled on an uneven surface as another example. So even twisted a bit, the stands held 4,000 lbs before even beginning to show the warning signs of structural failure. This was only for the aluminum version, so you could imagine how much stronger they are as an aluminum-steel hybrid, or full steel.
I forgot to emphasize that the above tests were run on a single stand, and not as a pair!
We will run simulation tests again on the production model, and of course practical load tests on the design to make sure they are as strong or stronger than the prototypes. We're going to test them to failure, ie destroy them.
As far as for ultimate quality and build go, the vetting of manufacturers and monitoring quality is a huge priority for me going forward. I would never attempt to sell a stand that I wasn't willing to risk my own life under, and I want to sleep well at night knowing my customers are safe under my stands.
That was a great question, and I'm happy you brought up the concern regarding quality control! I greatly appreciate the compliment as well!
06-11-2016, 07:50 PM
#42
Three Wheelin'
Yes, Jackpoint stand - that's the one, but they are $375 to $389/pair!
Incidentally, have you tried fitting your jack stand under the front jacking point on a 993 - there is only about 6 3/4" from center of jacking point to the front tyre!
Incidentally, have you tried fitting your jack stand under the front jacking point on a 993 - there is only about 6 3/4" from center of jacking point to the front tyre!
06-11-2016, 07:53 PM
#43
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I angled the ends of the center piece, and then put opposing angles on the ends of the legs that feed into it, allowing you to insert the legs from slightly below the center piece rather than having to feed them in directly from the sides. Ended up with a patent on that too.
Excellent question! Thank you!
06-13-2016, 02:31 PM
#44
Rennlist Member
This looks like a very nice solution to me, and I would certainly be interested.
I'm sure there is a practical limit, but I would suggest making the reach as high as possible. (Which you have likely already done.)
Best of luck!
I'm sure there is a practical limit, but I would suggest making the reach as high as possible. (Which you have likely already done.)
Best of luck!
06-13-2016, 02:53 PM
#45
Rennlist Member
Love the design and the functionality. Simple but well thought out.
I personally would love to see your jack stands increase height your able to raise the car. I'm a buyer
I personally would love to see your jack stands increase height your able to raise the car. I'm a buyer