Studio Furniture Company

TheDjsoulja · 2nd July 2011

Hey guys, I'm sure all of you've noticed the ridiculous prices on quality studio equipment. Me being a student and not having a job, it's been hell trying to scrape together cash and look at good desks. A lot of people mod Ikea's and stuff, but I have been working on something else. I'm thinking of starting my own business for studio furniture, prices will be judged off of the cost of materials plus another addition for labor, and the cost of shipping. I would be open to custom designs (at no additional cost) as well as rebuilding some of the furniture I've already built, with periodic pictorial updates. Anybody have any tips/ideas for me, and would any of you purchase from me? I'm thinking of starting the company probably late September or early October, so gimme feedback!

HermanV · 2nd July 2011

I wish you the best of luck.
I find that a lot of these desks from companies are a tad bit overpriced especially the lower budget desks like the studio RTA and middle atlantic stuff.

since we are on the topic:
I use the studio RTA "creation" desk that I got for reduced price but I'm considering a different desk. I pretty much just want a desk that is supported by two rack bays on either side and the bridge of the desk to be slightly slanted console style like the "mastering" desks with three spaces instead of four so my displays wont be so high like they are on my current desk. sorry if I'm not clear enough but If anyone has a picture of a desk that seems to fit what I am describing then send it my way.

TheDjsoulja · 2nd July 2011

Alright, if you can draw up some plans or anything, or find a reference pic post it and I'll see what I can come up with!

xaMdaM · 2nd July 2011

You wanna build studio furniture as a business, but you don't have any prints or designs ready? OK, you're just starting out, so, I'll give you that one... kinda'. Do you have any pics of your work? Without that, you're sunk, right off the bat.

What kinds of materials will you be working with? Oak, cherry, maple, walnut, jatoba, bamboo, melamine?

What class of hardware will you be using? Are you using harry homeowner grade junk, or are you using M5? What about rack rail? Can you prewire electrical and fans? (will it meet UL cert?)

Where are you located? (it's gonna dictate your shipping costs)

Have you got a commercial dock to load from? (Shippers charge liftgate fees)

Then you've got the issue of business license, insurance, sales tax, etc... Oh yeah... marketing and advertising, utilities, phone, website, and credit card/payment systems...

Now, go factor all of those expenses in, and get yourself a decent stock of lumber and hardware to start up your business with... NOW, you have an idea why some of these companies charge what they do... and can your craftsmanship compare to a machine based company, or a master carpenter with 20 plus years of experience?

If you can beat all the odds and actually make a buck, go for it... but I would initially question your abilities from the statement that you're a student - in that I'm guessing you've not been a carpenter's apprentice in school. So, you're probably only going to have a few word of mouth sales for your first year or so.

But if you're an excellent craftsman, you'll likely make some decent income from all kinds of furniture... but get ready to kick it up several notches to compete in the marketplace.

Julian Croft · 2nd July 2011

morning djsodja

I reckone if you can make decent furniture here some ideas.....
Making it from scratch forget flatpack, I come from Africa nothing solid is flatpack. If you can condense it for shipping great.
The more solid the better, it doesn't all have to be wood. Marine ply is a great solid material.
The underside should not have a board that blocks sound from front to back.
Build in cable troughs, build rack sections with draws at the bottom that have doors at the back with gaps at top and bottom to put cables through without having to go through loops and holes to wire adhoc gear. Build a quiet place with ample quiet ventilation for the computer with sound poofing to keep computers cool and quit. Stop the large panels from resonating by glueing rubber sheeting to the under and inside of large wood surfaces.
An IMX machine weighs 30kg an O2R weighs about the same, a big sound designer weighs 130kg, desktop monitors in a small. editing room weighs 40kg, a lighting guy with the 5 assistants needed to change the lightbulb 550kg. Make it solid user friendly with modules and ease of use, being accoustically friendly, your onto a winner.

ps: after sanding raw wood needs 5-7 coats of varnish from very thin 15% to 60% thickness varnish to thinners with sanding and washing with damp cloth between coats to get a smooth finish.

Good luck.
Jules

hsal · 2nd July 2011

Quote:

ps: after sanding raw wood needs 5-7 coats of varnish from very thin 15% to 60% thickness varnish to thinners with sanding and washing with damp cloth between coats to get a smooth finish.

there are different options for varnish, one can also use waterbased, just apply some water with a sprayer (like jif window cleaner) wait until the grain is raised, sand and apply the waterbased clearcoat (in several coats).

If you are using plywood, try to get hold of some plywood made out of baltic birch made in Finland, this is the best quality they do not have holes in the inner layers.

good luck

hsal · 3rd July 2011

Quote:

What class of hardware will you be using? Are you using harry homeowner grade junk, or are you using M5? What about rack rail? Can you prewire electrical and fans? (will it meet UL cert?)

Where are you located? (it's gonna dictate your shipping costs)

Have you got a commercial dock to load from? (Shippers charge liftgate fees)

these are some important aspects to concider, it can be overwhelming starting up a business.
Having a good workshop is a big plus, where you can control moisture levels (especially working with solid wood) and a good system for storing lumber

Julian Croft · 3rd July 2011

morning everyone again

I think its awesome you've come up with a idea to tie you over ... an awesome initiative. I don't think it matters there is no business plan or designs? just that you are doing it.

I started faking it, when I first moved from live touring to post, I even phoned a friend to ask how to hit rec on Nuendo 1....- 2hrs before my first voice over for 5 radio ads. I don't need to fake it any more....however, start I did. We all need too!

what we are tired of being is the equivalent of IKEA... I'm in Africa we don't know what IKEA is but the idea of it for studio stuff might not be best. The stuff I've seen has all been the studio equivelent, or overpriced, really all overpriced.

hsal has the same enthusiasm of what you starting just with a little more concern about doing it properly. Many really strong business here "down south" I mean way south ........southern hemisphere south has started with the tools at hand and friends willing to help.
The ideas of what is needed is not your problem , its having the courage to start and finding.the potential in wood in what is thrown away and a vision of what is needed.. My mother used old used wooden crate pallets for tables and stuff. Drift.wood makes awesome furniture.
Its not the cost of raw material its the potential seen in the seed!
Just start and let people tell you it was not great but the next one will be better and the next two you will need a friend to help, the next one you will crap yourself, after that you will ask your dad to help if you on the business side you have failed to do it already, then you have a business model and support.

Marketing is not rocket science all it is is taking your first products pictures and showing them to everywhere who has the slightest inclination of using it.

you have an awesome idea just make it work!!!!!!!

TheDjsoulja · 4th July 2011

My computer is down(using my ipod touch with the gearslutz app) so I can't give a proper reply for now, but I'll address a few points: I am a student, yes, but my area of expertise is design. I'm not a master carpenter nor was I trained under a master carpenter, but I've worked with both my stepfather and step-grandfather with building things since I was 5. I have several plans drawn up, I have work space, I can borrow tools from family until I have money to buy my own. I've done research into tools, wood types, etc so wood won't be a problem. Not worried about marketing because word will spread fast. Thanks for all the support and tips, and when I get to a computer I'll reply to all of the excellent points made as well as any points that may be made later on. Keep sending info because I'm always open to learn new things and I want to make sure this is done as professional as possible'

jod · 13th July 2011

hi guys,im new to the site,i dont wana seem like im jumping in on ur post but ive just finished making my own desk,i really wana put al the pics up on the site but not sure where to put them,i think its great how people on here are so into there studio's.any suggestions on documenting my project ??

GotGear? · 13th July 2011

I believe this is the appropriate forum.

I too think these commercial desks are high priced so I'll be building my own. Not from Harry Homeowner grade junk. Fine wood and solid hardware.

jod · 13th July 2011

ok well ill try n work out how to put the album up in here then.spot on

2nd July 2011	#1
TheDjsoulja Gear interested Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 5 Thread Starter	Studio Furniture Company Hey guys, I'm sure all of you've noticed the ridiculous prices on quality studio equipment. Me being a student and not having a job, it's been hell trying to scrape together cash and look at good desks. A lot of people mod Ikea's and stuff, but I have been working on something else. I'm thinking of starting my own business for studio furniture, prices will be judged off of the cost of materials plus another addition for labor, and the cost of shipping. I would be open to custom designs (at no additional cost) as well as rebuilding some of the furniture I've already built, with periodic pictorial updates. Anybody have any tips/ideas for me, and would any of you purchase from me? I'm thinking of starting the company probably late September or early October, so gimme feedback!

2nd July 2011	#2
HermanV Gear nut Joined: Sep 2010 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 119	furniture I wish you the best of luck. I find that a lot of these desks from companies are a tad bit overpriced especially the lower budget desks like the studio RTA and middle atlantic stuff. since we are on the topic: I use the studio RTA "creation" desk that I got for reduced price but I'm considering a different desk. I pretty much just want a desk that is supported by two rack bays on either side and the bridge of the desk to be slightly slanted console style like the "mastering" desks with three spaces instead of four so my displays wont be so high like they are on my current desk. sorry if I'm not clear enough but If anyone has a picture of a desk that seems to fit what I am describing then send it my way.

2nd July 2011	#4
xaMdaM Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2004 Location: Graham, NC Posts: 661	You wanna build studio furniture as a business, but you don't have any prints or designs ready? OK, you're just starting out, so, I'll give you that one... kinda'. Do you have any pics of your work? Without that, you're sunk, right off the bat. What kinds of materials will you be working with? Oak, cherry, maple, walnut, jatoba, bamboo, melamine? What class of hardware will you be using? Are you using harry homeowner grade junk, or are you using M5? What about rack rail? Can you prewire electrical and fans? (will it meet UL cert?) Where are you located? (it's gonna dictate your shipping costs) Have you got a commercial dock to load from? (Shippers charge liftgate fees) Then you've got the issue of business license, insurance, sales tax, etc... Oh yeah... marketing and advertising, utilities, phone, website, and credit card/payment systems... Now, go factor all of those expenses in, and get yourself a decent stock of lumber and hardware to start up your business with... NOW, you have an idea why some of these companies charge what they do... and can your craftsmanship compare to a machine based company, or a master carpenter with 20 plus years of experience? If you can beat all the odds and actually make a buck, go for it... but I would initially question your abilities from the statement that you're a student - in that I'm guessing you've not been a carpenter's apprentice in school. So, you're probably only going to have a few word of mouth sales for your first year or so. But if you're an excellent craftsman, you'll likely make some decent income from all kinds of furniture... but get ready to kick it up several notches to compete in the marketplace. __________________ Good shit ain't cheap, and cheap shit ain't always good. The finished studio: www.darkpinesstudio.com Studio build blog; dm mobile.com A Rod Gervais designed studio

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2nd July 2011	#5
Julian Croft Gear Head Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 41	morning djsodja I reckone if you can make decent furniture here some ideas..... Making it from scratch forget flatpack, I come from Africa nothing solid is flatpack. If you can condense it for shipping great. The more solid the better, it doesn't all have to be wood. Marine ply is a great solid material. The underside should not have a board that blocks sound from front to back. Build in cable troughs, build rack sections with draws at the bottom that have doors at the back with gaps at top and bottom to put cables through without having to go through loops and holes to wire adhoc gear. Build a quiet place with ample quiet ventilation for the computer with sound poofing to keep computers cool and quit. Stop the large panels from resonating by glueing rubber sheeting to the under and inside of large wood surfaces. An IMX machine weighs 30kg an O2R weighs about the same, a big sound designer weighs 130kg, desktop monitors in a small. editing room weighs 40kg, a lighting guy with the 5 assistants needed to change the lightbulb 550kg. Make it solid user friendly with modules and ease of use, being accoustically friendly, your onto a winner. ps: after sanding raw wood needs 5-7 coats of varnish from very thin 15% to 60% thickness varnish to thinners with sanding and washing with damp cloth between coats to get a smooth finish. Good luck. Jules

3rd July 2011	#8
Julian Croft Gear Head Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 41	morning everyone again I think its awesome you've come up with a idea to tie you over ... an awesome initiative. I don't think it matters there is no business plan or designs? just that you are doing it. I started faking it, when I first moved from live touring to post, I even phoned a friend to ask how to hit rec on Nuendo 1....- 2hrs before my first voice over for 5 radio ads. I don't need to fake it any more....however, start I did. We all need too! what we are tired of being is the equivalent of IKEA... I'm in Africa we don't know what IKEA is but the idea of it for studio stuff might not be best. The stuff I've seen has all been the studio equivelent, or overpriced, really all overpriced. hsal has the same enthusiasm of what you starting just with a little more concern about doing it properly. Many really strong business here "down south" I mean way south ........southern hemisphere south has started with the tools at hand and friends willing to help. The ideas of what is needed is not your problem , its having the courage to start and finding.the potential in wood in what is thrown away and a vision of what is needed.. My mother used old used wooden crate pallets for tables and stuff. Drift.wood makes awesome furniture. Its not the cost of raw material its the potential seen in the seed! Just start and let people tell you it was not great but the next one will be better and the next two you will need a friend to help, the next one you will crap yourself, after that you will ask your dad to help if you on the business side you have failed to do it already, then you have a business model and support. Marketing is not rocket science all it is is taking your first products pictures and showing them to everywhere who has the slightest inclination of using it. you have an awesome idea just make it work!!!!!!!

4th July 2011	#9
TheDjsoulja Gear interested Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 5 Thread Starter	My computer is down(using my ipod touch with the gearslutz app) so I can't give a proper reply for now, but I'll address a few points: I am a student, yes, but my area of expertise is design. I'm not a master carpenter nor was I trained under a master carpenter, but I've worked with both my stepfather and step-grandfather with building things since I was 5. I have several plans drawn up, I have work space, I can borrow tools from family until I have money to buy my own. I've done research into tools, wood types, etc so wood won't be a problem. Not worried about marketing because word will spread fast. Thanks for all the support and tips, and when I get to a computer I'll reply to all of the excellent points made as well as any points that may be made later on. Keep sending info because I'm always open to learn new things and I want to make sure this is done as professional as possible'

13th July 2011	#10
jod Gear interested Joined: Jul 2011 Location: aylesbury Posts: 2	hi guys,im new to the site,i dont wana seem like im jumping in on ur post but ive just finished making my own desk,i really wana put al the pics up on the site but not sure where to put them,i think its great how people on here are so into there studio's.any suggestions on documenting my project ??

13th July 2011	#11
GotGear? Gear addict Joined: Mar 2010 Location: Midwest Posts: 309	I believe this is the appropriate forum. I too think these commercial desks are high priced so I'll be building my own. Not from Harry Homeowner grade junk. Fine wood and solid hardware.