wild ot but i need opinions

since this forum has folks of all ages and backgrounds here im asking this of you all, after having just broken my umteenth table lamp from our good high quality friends in the orient, im thinking about making my own [ i made one 40 years ago in school wood shop, it still works fine] these would be made of american hardwoods on a lathe or some, due to designe, by free hand, the question is how often do you folks buy these and if a good one was available for say cost to build plus 10% so i can pay bills too, would you buy one, in other words if these were available would their be a market for them, not looking to compete with the china man, nobody can what im after is a quality american product that lasts

Yes I would !They used to be built when I was younger in our 4-H club projects.probably still in use today,30 years later,cw

There's a decent market here in NY for them, or at least we have several Amish (kinda ironic, ain't it!) or similar sects that make them. Another popular local lamp is one made from a bowling pin, as we have a large producer of these in the area so pins are easy to come by. Still, I think you'd soon find that if you knew your true costs you'd find the price you needed to charge would be prohibitive unless they're VERY well made and could command a healthy premium over "normal" lamps.

I would certainly buy one, nothing better than a handcrafted item that that has a use!
Many years ago I bumped and dropped a glass base lamp, but I refused to toss the whole thing. A few months later at a garage sale I found a pitcher looking thing (think it was for tea or coffee) with the handle broken off for 25 cents. I purchased it (much to the confusion of my wife) and made a new base for the old lamp.
A few years later a friend that was on his death bed wanted to give me a lamp some of his buddies made for him. He once blew up a VW engine in a dunebuggy and they took the remains and had it plated and made a table lamp. He had it for years and knew I would treasure it (which I do). I've had several people want to purchase it, but of course it's not for sale. As you can tell by the pictures below, it's heavy and if you bump it you know it, no way this one will tip over!

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The reason I show you this is so you can think out of the box as they say, just about any oddity with height probably could be made into a lamp and would sell.
Have you seen the old sewing machines painted up like a tractor in the photo ads lately? He sells them for 150 bucks and probably sells them fast. Think unique! Good luck, and be sure and post some pictures of your first lamp!

VERY nice lamp!! Not sure my wife would share my enthusiasum (sp).

The bent connecting rods make a bold artistic statement, and the unmachined surfaces offer a nice contrast to the polished gleam of the journals and the cut gear teeth.

How's that? My first art review. . .

All joking aside - I like your lamp, and I would proudly display it in my home.

(Wife permitting, of course)

Paul

I think you could easily sell them with the proper marketing. Oftimes at craft fairs there are item handmade that people clammer for. Just make some and then find the proper venue . Depends on the price and the value for the dollar. Henry

You certianly would expect me to say yes no doubt. The problem I see isn't the wood, but the componets to make it light up.

Any guess where you would purchase such items? I doubt if you will find USA stamped on them.

Our local auction house is getting more intrest from the older croud that wants quality like they remember from years ago. Estate sales are where to look for quality nowdays.

But anyway I do wish you good luck.

And will yours be UL Listed ?

You would be SURPRISED how many UL-grade lamp sockets short out and burn up many households.

DON'T know..........I think it's more about luck/marketing/area and who knows what else. Have built a LOT of stuff, not exactly like what you're suggesting; quilt racks, pens/pencils, stools, candlesticks, stained glass pieces, one-of-a-kind bird houses, etc. Many of 'em are given away.........some to local charities for their fund-raising auctions. Are you familiar with ETSY; it's kinda like e-bay, but all items are hand-made; might poke around in there for some ideas.
here

It will depend a lot upon your local conditions...if a lot of people in the area are out of work, their purchasing power is gone, and their friends and neighbors are probably not buying anything they don"t absolutely need...
On the other hand, Christmas is coming, and a locally made, handcrafted item may have appeal...
Check your local outlets; second hand places as well as garage sales, flea markets, to see what, if anything, you"re going to have to compete with and what prices you"ll be competing with...
Women generally buy table lamps; talk to every one you can find (that has a house or apt they buy things for) for what they like...
Try not to gamble a lot of money...Good luck.

The only down side to this is all the pieces you need other then the wood comes from where But China So the wood and the craftsmanship will be good but the rest , well you know the rest of the story .

thanks for the replys guys, im friends with the local hardware store owner so im going to see what is avalible for the socket and steel tube and wireing ect that has some quality to it, i hope that even though its china on the shelf that there is still some usa stuff out there as to ul listing that i dont know since the componets are all ul listes i would think when assembled the lamp would be fine, good point, ive not had any problems with the old one i made 40 years ago although i had to replace the socket in the '80's but not due to falure, a flying hammer got it lol ill take a look on the site i was also thinking about building a web site too as my wife can do this [ she's a computer programer for a large university] thanks again,
the more advertising to more people the better chance for a sale

THAT IS VERY NICE.

Problem is that we have been conditioned to buy the lowest cost item, even if it is junk. People don"t have any appreciation for craftspersonship any more. Back in the 70"s I tried making schoolhouse clocks. Solid oak, handcut moldings, matched grain, real clock movements. Pretty nice I thought. I took them to the big Indianapolis retailer (L.S. Ayres, also long ago swallowed up) and the buyer admired my work but took me downstairs where they were selling pressboard veneered clocks with quartz movements for less money than I was asking wholesale. It was a good lesson. The clocks I made became family Christmas and wedding gifts.

These days you may find a small market at craft fairs and similar places. Good luck but I don"t think you are going to get rich at it.