Tape Measure Holder

[scottguehne]

Hey guys, this may be kind of...unnecessary...but maybe somebody else would like one. I made a tape measure holder for a buddy, just so he can have quick access to his tapes, and they are no longer taking up space in his box. It is just a simple stainless piece with some 3M VHB tape holding it on the tool box. The holes in it are for screws, just in case he stuck it to his work bench, then he could use machine screws to bolt it on. There are some rules to follow when the VHB is used though, such as the surface being cleaned with alcohol, and the mating surfaces needing to be clamped or at least forced together for a minute or two. When the rules are followed, the VHB creates a crazy bond between the two surfaces.

If there would be any other interest in this, or anything else you would like made out of stainless (I can accommodate just about anything, as long as it is mail-able), just let me know. I should be able to create a cad drawing for you, and if you like it, we could work on a price and what not. It doesn't have to be sheet metal either, I have both square and round tube (under 2").

 

[Snappy]

How much for that tape measure bracket ?

 

[kwhitelaw]

thats kickass

I'd be interested in one of those with the hole spacing 12" apart, just 1 hole on each end...

even better would be if you could have 2 "steps", so i could hang some safety goggles on 1 side and tape measure on the other. the 12" hole spacing would allow me to attach it to my hutch on my box.

if thats something you could make and would be interested in trying, shoot me a pm with a price and ill see if I want to pull the trigger.

thanks!

kevin

 

[scottguehne]

How much for the tape holder? I don't really know, not much. Make me an offer I guess, haha. I have thought about a price, but I don't really know. Maybe 10 to 15 bucks??? I can say for sure it wouldn't be more than 15 shipped, more than that and I would be crazy. Make me a reasonable offer, the worst I can do is say no, right?

Kwhite, I'm not quite sure what you mean by 2 "steps". I'll see if I can cook up an Autocad drawing for you, and if it is what you want, we'll go from there. If it isn't quite what you want, we can talk until I understand exactly what it is you want. I should have the drawing done within...24 hours?? Would that be acceptable? I have a program now called Inventor, its like Cad, but my license just expired. So either I'll download a free version of autocad, or I'll try to get a new license for my Inventor program. Inventor rocks because drawings can be viewed in 3D, with autocad I would have to draw 3 views, which isn't a big deal though. Give me some time, and I'll get a drawing to you asap.

Feel free to PM me, or you can shoot me an email at: [email protected]

Thanks for the interest guys. I'll get back to both of you in about 24 hours.

 

[kwhitelaw]

sounds good..

i tried to do a simple "drawing" but it didnt translate to well once i posted it in my post...

it would look just like the one you posted but at one end it would bump out more, so sticking further out from the tool box wall. so if there is 1" between the stainless portion you clip onto and the tool box, at one end it would be 2" or so, maybe for 1/3" of the way down..

so 1-2 tape measures etc could be clipped on, and then a pair of safety gogles slid over the deeper scetion.

hope that was alittle easier to understand lol.

no rush on the design. thanks

 

[scottguehne]

Alright, I cmpletely understand what you mean. I'll get a drawing posted within a day.

 

[Snappy]

I'd like to see a pic of that "two step" holder too when you get it figured out.

 

[scottguehne]

Well guys, I've hit a snag. I can't seem to get even a trial version of autocad or inventor, so no fancy shmancy 3D drawings today. I will make a hand drawn version right now though. I'm still looking into gettin the computer software though, it makes drawing new things easier, and cooler. I'll have a drawing up in about an hour.

 

[scottguehne]

Alright, here is my hand drawing. It's just a rough draft, the crucial things that I need to know will be over all length, hole spacing, hole diameter, and the depth and length of the two steps. Maybe the height of the holder as well, but that is less important. I simply gave dimensions for a foot long bracket, but it can be whatever you want. I checked out those flat rate boxes from usps, wow, 9 bucks to ship a 12x12x5 box. The box will weigh more than what's inside. I'll tell you what, the tape holder will be 10 bucks. I'll let you figure out what shipper you want to go with, that way you can truly know I'm not givin you the shaft on shipping charges. If you want me to figure out the shipping, that's not really a problem, I just need your city, state, and zip. Mine by the way is Red Bud, Il 62278, for those that would want to figure out the shipping themselves.

Preliminary Sketch: Squiggly lines around the perimiter are so the scanner would pick up the whole image. My scanner/printer/computer is a grande el *****-o. Pardon my poor spanish.

 

[kwhitelaw]

looks exactly as i'd envisioned it.. even the measurements are good in terms of depth etc..

the only thing that I would need to be consistent would be 12" hole to hole spacing to mount it, so overall length maybe 13.25".. hole opening could be 3/16" as I could put a washer on it if need be.

my zip is 22193, so whenever you have time to make it just shoot me a total and ill paypal you.

thanks again! you definitely are an artist.

kevin

 

[scottguehne]

****! I was hoping you would want to figure the shipping out yourself...No big deal though. From what I understand, paypal takes a certain percentage of the payment. Anybody know what that is? I'll have to readjust the cost I guess for that. I wouldn't think it would change the price by more than a dollar or two though.

kwhite, 12" hole spacing won't be a problem. I'll head to the post office in the next few days to get an idea on the shipping. I'll probably do that tomarrow. Once I get shipping wrapped up, I'll make it and send it out. There is a catch though. If you are happy with the result, you have to spread the word, send some business my way. Maybe I'll make some more drawings of a couple other things I'd like to make for people.

 

[kwhitelaw]

****! I was hoping you would want to figure the shipping out yourself...No big deal though. From what I understand, paypal takes a certain percentage of the payment. Anybody know what that is? I'll have to readjust the cost I guess for that. I wouldn't think it would change the price by more than a dollar or two though.

kwhite, 12" hole spacing won't be a problem. I'll head to the post office in the next few days to get an idea on the shipping. I'll probably do that tomarrow. Once I get shipping wrapped up, I'll make it and send it out. There is a catch though. If you are happy with the result, you have to spread the word, send some business my way. Maybe I'll make some more drawings of a couple other things I'd like to make for people.

sorry, i didnt read your last post very clearly on the shipping. I *think* it would fit comfortably in a flat rate envelope, with maybe something slid under the "2 step" portion to prevent any flattening should something get pressed on top of the package. probably just a couple wraps of newspaper etc. if so, those run $4.95 iirc.

paypal will deduct a little, maybe a $1.

I wouldnt be against just paypal'ing you $20, should cover your inital cost of $10 for the item, plus shipping, paypal, and a little extra for your time. of course if it has to go in a larger shipping container we can adjust the shipping cost. im flexible.

thanks again. just let me know once its done (absolutely no rush) and we can figure out the cheapest/easiest shipping.

thanks
kevin

 

[kwhitelaw]

and i'll definitely let people know. hell, I have a couple more boxes in the garage that could use something like this...or could come up with some ideas and contact you to design/build them..

 

[scottguehne]

I'll make one up tomarrow kwhite. I can make one, and then post a pic of it on this thread. If you want more than one, I can make them and try to get a few of them in one box, save you some cash on shipping. By the way, I looked at usps' website, and a small flat rate box was $9, but I didn't check on an envelope, that's a good idea. I'll head to the post office saturday morning with the tape holder in hand, and I'll see what the cheapest thing I can fit it in is. I could cut some lumber or foam to fit under the steps no problem. I'll keep you updated as I go.

 

[Bull]

It might be cheaper just to get a box somewhere else (your basement, for example) that fits the product and some padding, and then mail it First Class. Those flat rate boxes seem kind of high in price, don't they? That's not a criticism of you, but just a question about the most cost effective way to ship.

 

[kwhitelaw]

I'll make one up tomarrow kwhite. I can make one, and then post a pic of it on this thread. If you want more than one, I can make them and try to get a few of them in one box, save you some cash on shipping. By the way, I looked at usps' website, and a small flat rate box was $9, but I didn't check on an envelope, that's a good idea. I'll head to the post office saturday morning with the tape holder in hand, and I'll see what the cheapest thing I can fit it in is. I could cut some lumber or foam to fit under the steps no problem. I'll keep you updated as I go.

thats cool, no rush. i really only need one at the moment. any other ones might have different dimensions etc. we can start out with this one and maybe get you a nice little sidejob business lol.

just let me know whenever you get a total and ill shoot it over.

thanks!
kevin

 

[scottguehne]

HAHAH! That's a great idea Bull. I feel a little dumb now. I bet I could find a box no problem, but what about postage? First class? I'll check all that out at the post office still I guess. I'm not sure about how they determine shipping price if you supply the box. We'll see I guess. I'll do whatever I can to eliminate unnecessary shipping costs, after all, somebody is trying to buy something from me, I'm gonna try to keep a customer happy.

 

[nate379]

Paypal takes roughly 3%

I have a couple of those I made a while back. I just used some scrap 1/8" I had and bent it up in the vise. Not as nice as stainless but does the job just the same.

 

[kwhitelaw]

HAHAH! That's a great idea Bull. I feel a little dumb now. I bet I could find a box no problem, but what about postage? First class? I'll check all that out at the post office still I guess. I'm not sure about how they determine shipping price if you supply the box. We'll see I guess. I'll do whatever I can to eliminate unnecessary shipping costs, after all, somebody is trying to buy something from me, I'm gonna try to keep a customer happy.

IF you decided to make a business out of this, I would pick up a small postal scale. you can box it and get a pretty accurate price right at home..

 

[mrb]

IF you decided to make a business out of this, I would pick up a small postal scale. you can box it and get a pretty accurate price right at home..

and then you can do your shipping labels right from paypal, and have the mailman pick them up....never have to leave the house, or part with folding money

 

[nate379]

Sure if you have a mailman I guess.

My mail box is about 1/2 a mile from the house and it's just a guy in a Jeep that brings the mail.

 

[Snappy]

I'll make one up tomarrow kwhite. I can make one, and then post a pic of it on this thread. If you want more than one, I can make them and try to get a few of them in one box, save you some cash on shipping. By the way, I looked at usps' website, and a small flat rate box was $9, but I didn't check on an envelope, that's a good idea. I'll head to the post office saturday morning with the tape holder in hand, and I'll see what the cheapest thing I can fit it in is. I could cut some lumber or foam to fit under the steps no problem. I'll keep you updated as I go.

USPS click N ship site:small flat rate box (8 5/8"x5 3/8"x1 5/8") is
$4.95 domestic. 1st class parcel has to be under 13oz & is usually fairly reasonable.

IF you decided to make a business out of this, I would pick up a small postal scale. you can box it and get a pretty accurate price right at home..

When you get a scale and go through paypal to print a shipping label you can also save on delivery confirmation. You can also arrange to have the pkg picked up where your shipping the item from.

 

[skeletonizer]

I checked out this thread with interest. When I worked in plumbing/pipefitting I had problems with my tapes wandering off at job sights. Some of the other trades guys seemed to have sticky fingers.

I started to wear a leather tape holder on my trouser belt and would remove the belt clip from the rulers. I have not had a tape wander off since. Anytime someone barrows my tape they ***** about the clip missing as they hand it back to me.

 

[scottguehne]

Alright, fellas, here's the first prototype. The 12" center to center 3/16" holes spec has been met. Aside from that, I believe the dimensions weren't critical.
Here she is:

I'll be heading to the post office sometime tomarrow to check out shipping.

 

[kwhitelaw]

lemme know a total for one shipped to 22193 and ill paypal you.

thanks!
kevin

 

[Junkman]

It might be cheaper just to get a box somewhere else (your basement, for example) that fits the product and some padding, and then mail it First Class. Those flat rate boxes seem kind of high in price, don't they? That's not a criticism of you, but just a question about the most cost effective way to ship.

Once you go over a certain size, or a certain weight, then it automatically moves to the Priority Mail rate. Priority Mail rates vary by the sending location in relationship to the delivery address. The further away, the more it costs.

Sure if you have a mailman I guess.

My mail box is about 1/2 a mile from the house and it's just a guy in a Jeep that brings the mail.

If you are shipping Priority Mail, the mailman will drive to your door and pick it up. If you are receiving a Priority Mail package, the mailman is paid extra to deliver it to your front door. I know this because I live in a rural mail delivery area, and have been told this by the Postmaster, when I found my package placed alongside of my rural roadside mailbox. Now, if it is small enough to go into the box, this is where it will be put, but larger boxes are brought directly to the house.

USPS click N ship site:small flat rate box (8 5/8"x5 3/8"x1 5/8") is
$4.95 domestic. 1st class parcel has to be under 13oz & is usually fairly reasonable.
When you get a scale and go through paypal to print a shipping label you can also save on delivery confirmation. You can also arrange to have the pkg picked up where your shipping the item from.

There are 3 or 4 flat rate boxes, with different prices for each. They are the best way to ship, if you can fit what you are sending into them. If the receiving destination is close, then the flat rate box might not be a good option unless the item is very heavy. You definitely need a scale to calculate the postage to know what the best way is. If it is exceedingly heavy, then UPS is the less expensive way to go. Light stuff that is bulky is also cheaper by UPS if you are going a long distance with it. Last week I sent a package to California for $12 by UPS, and the Priority Mail cost was about $23 with the cost of $100 insurance.

 

[Junkman]

I need a few square and rectangular stainless steel plates that will just have a few screw holes in them. My guess is that I would need it to be no larger than 15" square. I can get the exact dimensions next week. Also, have you considered making a hanger for screwdrivers, etc.?

 

[scottguehne]

I won't get to the post office till next week, sorry, I got kinda swamped today. And I've actually thought about making screwdriver holders, as well as pry bar holders. I'll get drawings up soon. Kwhite, I'll let you know about shipping as soon as I can.