Lawson,

I think Daryl Clark has had the best idea yet. You're going to get a million recommendations of items to stock which you obviously can't do without investing a lot of capital. So try another route maybe.

We keep talking about how your product line is going to compete with DIYGearSupply, etc. Instead, think about how can *they* compete with your knowledge of DIY design and construction. They can't. Your greatest asset isn't inventory or selection, it's that you have innovative ideas and tons of experience. I would try to leverage this in whatever direction you decide to go.

Ryan

Eugene,

Rock West is awesome. They have everything related to carbon fiber tubing. In fact they have so much stuff I wouldn't know where to start if I wanted to buy something for, say, a backpack frame.

That's where Lawson can find a niche, in my opinion. He could carry only tubing that he has found works for a frame, tent, etc. or, alternatively, give a link to a specific product sold by others that would work for a specific application. Linking people to Fibraplex, for example, (small fee goes to Lawson) would take care of most people's tent pole needs

On a related note, I'm used to buying carbon fiber tubing in the under $5 per 32" lengths as I find it on sale at varous places (e.g. Kites and Fun Things). The prices I see at Rock West would take the fun out of experimenting with the stuff for me. Don't you find those prices a bit high?

Daryl

Lawson,
The only problem I could see in carrying HDPE plastic frame sheets and titanium rod is the it very expensive to ship and store. HDPE plastic can be sourced from local plastic sales business in most towns.
Titanium is a bit different it expensive to be sitting on your shelves and if a person does not have a vice and the proper tools to bend metals and cut they can't use it. It would be better to just stock Vargo titanium tent stakes.

Make a deal with local or online metal supplier to have a link from your site to their site and you get 3 to 5% of the sell and let them stocking, shipping and worry about damaged items during shipping on the items. This method might also work with Plastic supplier also.
Terry

I really like your idea as I find it difficult to source components that I want here in the UK.

Would you ship to the UK? I'd happily pay for shipping.

Hey Lawson - adding diy materials is a really good idea. You're shop is already great, and you've got lots of fantastic design experience as well. I've really appreciated your help over the last few years and shooting design/gear questions back and forth. Let me know if there's anything I can be of help with.

- Scott, from DIY Gear Supply.

Simple things like aluminium flashing are very hard to obtain if you live in the eu; your often better off buying ti. A service offering overseas shipment of aluminium flashing would be very welcome. I know it is dirt cheap in the US, but costs $70 to buy and send to the UK. It might be a good idea to supply what the other suppliers don't, like the much sought after DX40. A little harder to source, but equally sought after would be some 140 denier dyneema gridstop! First rule of business: give the myogers what they want. I have also seen a site mentioning a precut down jacket kit that is no longer available. I think this is a great idea; you just can't get a pattern for a good sew through down jacket anywhere. A sew through down jacket would be simple, light and unique (in so far as nobody else sells anything like it). Something like the Mont bell ultralight 7d jacket, but with hydrophobic down. It would be nice if the pattern were available seperately for those who want a custom build.
Good luck, Matt.

I would love to see the ITW Onyx series buckles. A great mixture of light weight and strength. I love them.


JC