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  • Author Author: dougw
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Would you build from a kit?

There have been many great projects published on element14 that were suitable for members to build, but there are very few who actually do. There have always been lots of hobbyists out there who want to build things. I think there are at least 2 or 3 gaps that prevent more uptake of good project builds:

  1. There are large numbers of people that will build from kits, as proven by Ikea. Those customers would not design their own furniture, but they will buy a complete kit and assemble it. Having a complete kit available for purchase is a significant key to better uptake.
  2. Build projects are not presented as DIY how-to instructions like Instructables. It is a whole separate project to turn a build project into a step-by-step build guide. Projects that come close to this on element14 have seen some uptake. For example PIK3A was the most popular build instruction I can remember and quite a few were built by members.
  3. Marketing - of course there are many, many ways to bring awareness and incentivise build participation. element14 does some of this, but this has not been a big focus at element14.

Speaking for myself as a potential builder of someone else's design, I would buy and build a kit if it was a nice design that I would find useful or attractive. If the build project lacks a kit and I wanted to build the idea, I would most likely re-design it my own way, but it would need to be a much more attractive idea due to the time commitment involved. The result is I would be far more likely to build a project if there was a complete kit available for purchase.

The question for this poll is:

Would you be significantly more likely to build a project that was published on element14 if a complete kit of parts and software was available for purchase?

Please list other factors and requirements in the comments below.

Parents

  • There are large numbers of people that will build from kits, as proven by Ikea.

     

    I would argue that most of these people build from kits in order to achieve an outcome, like building an Ikea chair because they need a chair to sit on. Many do not buy the kit simply to enjoy making or learning how to make the chair. I think the majority would prefer to simply buy a ready made chair but buy the kit because it is cheaper and the time it takes to build from a kit is much shorter than starting from scratch with the raw materials.

     

    In my experience, I found electronic kits were useful to learn from and you got something out of it at the end. For example, building an Audio player from a kit was one of my favourites. The downside is that often the quality was poor (both in terms of build quality - because the maker was learning and messed things up, and the components used were not always the best for the job - often chosen because they were more robust and easier to install etc.). Before Instructables and YouTube came along the documentation provided with these kits tended to be dreadful.

     

    More recently, I've tried kits from Adafruit and Sparkfun and they were pretty good with great (video) instruction & documentation. Mind you, I recall Arduino's recent attempt at creating an Engineering Kit, which received very mixed reviews due to build quality. Yet with the right skill (as demo'd by different Element14 members) the projects created from this kit were amazing.

  • in reply to BigG

    I don't really enjoy building Ikea furniture, there is a pressing mental challenge to try and get it built as quickly as possible and with as little reference to the instructions as possible, but generally I'd prefer a ready assembled unit. Sometimes you need a little bit of engineering ingenuity (and some tools) to overcome issues in the manufacturing of these home assembly items. I've had to drill holes that were missing before (having checked and double checked I had the correct parts in the right configuration!). I've also had to re-thread bolts or tapped holes where they aren't finished well. Same for many other items also such as kitchen units, home gym equipment, garden furniture. I guess they are flat-packed to save space in both warehouse and during transportation and in doing so reduce damage to the stock.

     

    Electronic kits are perhaps more fun if after assembly you get to design and add your own enclosure making the project more personal :-)

  • in reply to 14rhb

    In fact the dislike for doing flatpack assembly has spawned a whole new sector. There's plenty advertising on Google... like this UK crowd (who's now getting free advertising, without any endorsements or fees to Google image) Just Flat Pack | Furniture assembly made easy

     

    Yes, I agree electronic kits are way more fun... and you can at least work at the table instead of having to be on bended knee with everything sprawled across the floor.

  • in reply to 14rhb

    I cannot stand the allen keys and the disposable sheet-steel stamped wrench/spanners! Sore hands after using those, but not every purchaser of such furniture/equipment etc has the right tools, since tools are not always cheap either.

    Also, I don't know if it's normal or a good/bad thing to do, is it just me or do others squeeze PVA wood glue into every joint! : )

Comment
  • in reply to 14rhb

    I cannot stand the allen keys and the disposable sheet-steel stamped wrench/spanners! Sore hands after using those, but not every purchaser of such furniture/equipment etc has the right tools, since tools are not always cheap either.

    Also, I don't know if it's normal or a good/bad thing to do, is it just me or do others squeeze PVA wood glue into every joint! : )

Children
  • in reply to shabaz

    "...Also, I don't know if it's normal or a good/bad thing to do, is it just me or do others squeeze PVA wood glue into every joint!..."

     

    I do that as well  image

  • in reply to shabaz

    Oh those stamped tools are terrible! I've seen that Ikea does sell little inexpensive tool kits - so at least then people have the option to upgrade if they want more than one little table.

     

    I used to do the glue thing but not anymore, unless it's specified, or if things gets wobbly later. Without the glue it's much easier to later take things apart to move it to another room or place.

  • in reply to shabaz

    Tey seem to be just that little bit too small; enough to give the user sore fingers! However for me, opting to use an allen key from the shed often comes with risk of them having some car oil on them - and hence making the furniture dirty. But I do have the ideal tool now thanks to Element14: Test of Wera Bit-Check 30, Zyklop Mini 1...the precision ratchet wrench is small enough to get into the most awkward spots, allows finger adjustment at the start and not too much torque due to the short length. That said, when assembling a lot of furniture I have used a 1/4" hex bit in my cordless drill with the lowest torque setting - and then a final tighten by hand to whatever seems appropriate without stripping the material.

     

    I also used to use extra glue - often from a larger container rather than the provided sachets - but it prevents the unit being broken down if required. I do run silicone sealant around draw bases etc (where the thin hardboard goes into the chipboard groove) as this prevents dust accumulation or, in the kitchen, a place for flour mites to hide.

     

    The worse part I found used to be the tiny panel pins on the hardboard back of wardrobes etc and trying to make sure they didn't break through the 'good side' image