I often look at this section to see what people are making. I think it's really cool to see different ideas and different skill levels. For example when someone posts a picture of a spoon everyone says "Nice one mate" even if it's a really rough / dodgy first attempt, they certainly don't say "it's been done before"
When I saw the the photos of the mini lantern I just thought it was REALLY cool and wished I had the skills / facilities to make something so well. As someone who used to be a product designer (in another life before having kids) I can say that there is very rarely a 'totally new' idea. For a while I worked for Dulux (a long time ago) and I often had to deal with visitors coming to try to 'sell' us their totally unique 'paint brush washing system' or 'special hook for hanging a paint pot on a ladder' All these people (usually older men and members of inventors clubs in the midlands) were convinced they had come up the next BIG thing. It's pretty hard to come up with something totally new.
Like lots of people I just make stuff for pleasure - I love the problem solving, developing skills and making something that looks good, and it's nice to get feedback other peoples comments and ideas are interesting. Obviously when someone posts pics of something they've made on this part of the forum they are PROUD of their achievements, they aren't trying to sell what they've made - just get a bit of encouragement and support from like minded people.
I love looking at what everyone makes.
Vicky
Hey P@ I think that's a really nice piece of work, that is quite obviously of superior quality to the alternatives, already available.
The UCO candle lanterns are quite frankly; awful. They are made from horribly cheap materials and are vastly over rated in my opinion. Way over priced for what you actually get, as are the replacement candles.
The "oil burner" insert for the UCO appears to be a simple and cheap, plastic moulding which is a great idea but which cannot cost more than a few pence to make. I certainly wouldn't be happy to part with £10 for that.
On the other hand P@, The drawback ( I imagine) with your lantern is; It's surely going to be extremely difficult to make these in any decent numbers, at the same or better quality and keep the price, any where near competitive.
I hope you can, as I'd certainly be interested at the right price.
Very well done and good luck with it, I sincerely hope you can progress with this, I really like it
sincere best wishes
Steve
Often Out,standing In A Field
I like the look of this too and I can see how it would be far less messy than the candle version so count me in too if you go into production if the price is right. Well done P@ you have turned out something really good there I reckon, and well made too me thinks.
It's hard to soar like an eagle
When your surrounded by turkeys!!