Budgets

[jimmyybob]

Merry christmas to all.

I hope you dont mind this question but how did every one do with the build costs of there projects.?
Did you go under or over the 'full kit price'.
I noticed the full kit price for the tractor is about ?750(single motor) i am hoping to be under this but having said that there is no point in skimping on the detail.
All of the projects ive seen here are to a very high standard.....but was it an expensive standard or clever work.?

Thanks

[brian]

Hello JBob.

In my case with the extra engineering work of the suspension and steering, the working instruments, road going lights, and all the other over the top bits and bobs, I reckon I've about scored a draw with Toylander.

Is it worth it? Well I can afford to indulge my grandson, it is a lot of money, but as Richard points out in the advertising bumph, these are toys that can be handed down from generation to generation, assuming you have the space to keep it.

I have spent a lot more money building road going kits for my son and daughter, and while they both contributed to the cost of the builds, neither of them actually paid what the cars finally cost, and neither car could recoup there final cost if sold.

Regards,

Brian.

[multisync]

Hi Jimmyybob
Costs!
I went my own way, not using kit, because I simply wanted to do it myself, not because of the costings. As a modelmaker, I get pleasure from the build so it suited me.
Using the kit gives you all the advantages of Richard's knowledge and research and devopement, and evolution.
Going your own way will give you lots of headaches, and often you will need to redo something, if it doesnt quite work out first time.
I kept a detailed account in the beginning but lapsed as I got towards the end, but my costs are close, within a few pounds I think.
Comparing kit price with my cost isn't really comparing like for like.
My cost is the total cost of the build, to where it is now, just some cosmetic finishing required. If you take the kit price, you need to add other costs to make a comparison. Body tub materials, about ?60, a couple of tins of paint, primer, undercoat, matt black, exterior top coat, interior topcoat, soon runs away with another ?50 or more. Then there's batteries and charger and so on.
My total cost was in the region of ?750, which equates closely to the kit price, But I used a second hand invalid buggy, I have second hand batteries, unknown condition!, second hand motor!, on the plus side I have a fully proportional throttle, and drive to both wheels, which would be an extra cost on the kit, but then, I don't have the lighting set.
All in all I think the kit is good value and a good way forward, but the way you go is more a matter of personal choice than the cost.
It depends on your expertise, experience and available facilities, and of course your spare time!
I'm retired, and I spent a great deal of time on the project, it took nearly 3 months from ordering plans, to where I am now. Although I too spent a long time pondering the way forward before I actually started.
Sorry for long winded reply, but hope it helps you decide which way to go, either way its a great project, great feeling when its complete, and great fun for the kids, so don't delay, get the wood ordered up and get started. Put some heating in your workshop and keep busy!
Always ready to help
best wishes
walter
PS   that includes ?200 for the invalid buggy, you can get them cheaper but I used my wifes buggy and ?200 bought her an identicle replacement!
W

[markh15]

Hi JimmyB,
S'pose I'd better throw in my two-penneth.
My build took seven months to complete, and was done from scratch (like Walter), but because I'm on sickness benefits, money was sometimes tight (especially around Christmas). On the other hand, I have friends in Engineering, so machined parts were  made F.O.C. and most were sourced from scrap materials found lying around their places of employment.
The only bits I couldn't find (Headlights, Dash Stickers), I bought from Toylander, along with the Dash Panel, but this could have been made to be honest.

Because I used a motobility Scooter (again donated), all of the electrics, steering and motor were found from here.

Like Walter, I started to keep an account of outgoings but lost track, but with the receipts I could find, (and a half decent memory), I estimate the moneytary outlay to be in the region of ?400.

Being terminally skint most of the time, I found alternative sources for parts.

B & Q Warehouse's are a goldmine for bits if you apply a little imagination, also Trailer Parts can be used for some things on the build (lights etc), I used 'Towsure' and 'Indespension' (two of the biggest) who both have Mail-order, and sites Nationwide.

Other members have provided alternatives, Technobots for Sprockets, Gears, Chain, Bearings, etc, and also Bearingboys for the same type of stuff, plus some other usefull bits and bobs.

And then there's good old Ebay, if you can't find what you want on here, then it doesen't exist in my opinion!

Tools, Grinding/Sanding Disks and other stuff can be found cheap at Aldi, Lidl, and Netto (don't laugh), with some of the larger tools (like pillar drills), going for around ?35. Also Machine Mart have a fantastic set of Hole saws (16 piece) in sizes from 3/4" to 5-1/4" for under ?10!

The only thing limiting you is your imagination.

My advice, compare prices, shop around and think outside the box!

Good luck,
Regards,
Mark.

[Gremlin]

Hmmmm costs..............

I cannot put a cost exactly but i must have exceeded that sum consideribly, due to my suspension design and other factors.

The cost is very dependent on what you intend to build and how many options you want to incorporate. Finding a disability buggy complete seems to be the most economical way forward, unfortunately i did not have such opportunities and i basically had to import and source all the bits from other countries, adding to the final cost.

Do not get dishearted by the costs, it took me nearly 2 years sourcing all the right bits so the cost was spread out, hence i did not see it all that expensive.

To be honest cost is nothing when you see your children with smiles across thier faces, and seeing them run around in something you created and built, priceless!!

Patrick

[markh15]

WELL PUT PATRICK.

[paulr]

Regarding budgets so far we sourced our own wood,metal work bits for the suspension and axles have been unearthed from the depths of the garage from our other hobby.Most expensive bits so far has been the cost of paying children to pull trees up in the garden and laying slabs for a new shed to be located to build the Toylander in. Also Santa bought a fair few goodies for us.  We will tot it up later. Very much later.

[jimmyybob]

My cost is the total cost of the build, to where it is now, just some cosmetic finishing required. If you take the kit price, you need to add other costs to make a comparison. Body tub materials, about ?60, a couple of tins of paint, primer, undercoat, matt black, exterior top coat, interior topcoat, soon runs away with another ?50 or more. Then there's batteries and charger and so on.

This is the kind of thing i hadn't even thought about.....batteries and charger being the main ones.

[multisync]

Hi Jimmyybob
Glad you found some of it helpful, I sprayed mine with aerosols, bad idea, too difficult to touch up small areas, and I've got a little bit of damage already
Walter

[markh15]

Hi JimmyB,
It's definitely the little bits that push up the final total.
On the painting front, I would recommend a good quality exterior gloss, applied with foam rollers.  I did mine for around ?30, sourcing the materials from 'Range' stores.
The foam rollers were so cheap, that it wasn't worth the time and effort cleaning them, just throw them away after each coat of paint.

The trick to hand painting is preparation.
Make sure the surface is clean and dust free before applying paint, and let the paint harden for a couple of days between coats. An old friend of mine, (who was a Vehicle 'Coach Painter'), taught me this although he did it with quality brushes.
When it's hard enough, sand down with 240's grade 'Wet or Dry', with a little 'washing up' liquid in the water, (this stops the paper clogging and helps it glide). Sand back gently until the surface has a matt, smooth finish, then dry it off (an old bath towel is ideal), and then apply the next coat.
Let the roller do the work, and be gentle on the corners, or the roller 'skids' dragging the paint.
Each subsiquent coat then fills any small impefections in the surface, leaving a better finish.
Build up the paint slowly, don't rush. Hard to reach, or hidden places (inside the body tub) can be done with a 2" brush.

I did this 3 times, there's still a little 'Orange Peel' visable, but not as bad as 'Brush Lines'

Hope this helps,
Keep busy,
Regards,
Mark

[Daniel]

I bought all my parts from Richard after visiting him and seeing his finished motors.  I originally was going sort the motors etc.. myself but seeing the ones Richard had made changed my mind.

I bought the parts bit by bit as I went along which is the most expensive way as opposed to buying the lot in one go, but I couldn't spend it all in one go.

I'm glad I used Richard's parts as it has come out really well and I'm very pleased with the result.  I also did'nt have the time to make the parts myself.

I painted the my boys toylander using synthetic emamel bought from an automotive paint supplier, and a small gloss roller.  I left the inside with the roller paint finish but after each outside coat I used wet and dry to sand it down, then used a combination of cutting paste and polish to get a smooth finish on the final coat.

In all in probably cost over ?1,200 but that does not included the hours and hours of work I put into it.  I saw a finished one advertised in a landy mag a month or two back, same spec as mine ?1,500.

[markh15]

Hi JB,
And then just to complicate matters, you think you've finished and you spot something else that needs addressing, or could have been done differently, and start again. That's what Winter's for!!

As others have said, there is NO amount of money, or price, that can match the look of excitement on the little 'uns faces when they get behind the wheel and drive off.

You too will get your reward, when people ask where you bought it, and you tell them you built it... Priceless!!

Keep Busy,
Regards,
Mark.