Hey everyone..Hope all is well. I have to do a market research paper in school where I have to manufacture a product and get it out to the consumers and I have to make it look realistic. I was wondering if any builders could give an estimate on how much raw steel is needed for a buggy like an Ivanpah Race Buggy, Windspeed Pro (just used as an example of the type of buggy to be manufactured) and what that amount of steel would cost?

Thanks - Tony

Steel prices are pretty high these days. I tried to use whatever I can find around the house that I didn't use anymore like an old bike rack or an old universal gym that is now missing many parts!! :roll: I didn't have the right piece for the axle so I purchased that. It cost me about $35 for a 5 foot 1.5" tube with a 1/8" thick wall. That is the price for DOM. If you buy stainless it would run around $60. These are the current local price in my area for small quantities. You can get cheaper if you buy larger quantities. You can check out prices at places like Metal Supermarket. My next build will be stainless but it will cost double (or more) in cost for metal.

Thanks Van...This is just a fictitious concept paper I'm doing so I would tell them I'm buying in large quantities. I'm trying to sell the idea that buggying is a rapidly growing sport here in the US (and I hope it is for real) like in Europe and thus, this idea of producing a high quality/high performance model would be able to produce profits by selling a lot of them through, not really mass production, but accelerated production or a manufacturing facility that could pump them out quickly when needed.

van, watch out w/ the stainless build. You might want to use high grade stainless. Rather than haphazardly obtained stainless of unknown class. You go mixing that stuff and your likely to get hurt by welds that just crack w/ no warning. You have to use the proper electrode w/ the right metals or there will be problems. You want to use 316L or 304 if at all possible.


SORRY FOR HIJACK

What's up Weldengod....How's everything in the great Newport News?

COLD....

Same here....I'm working for an airline now so I should be able to jet over to ORF soon. I can pack about three kites but I don't know about my comp XR (without having to actually pay money)

Tony,

If you want to get a more detail cost of all the parts such as fabric for seat, straps, buckles, D rings, weld nuts, tires, rims, and such , I can sell you my spreadsheet of all my cost. I might have to get a copy of your research paper when your done. I'm somewhat interested in the buggy building market. It's a shame we don't have a good resource for cheap high quality buggies in the US.

WD .. been looking at 304 stainless and also a class to learn how to TIG.

Thanks Van...I agree about the US market. I sincerely appreciate your offer but I'm just doing a paper for now...I would like to run my idea through a company that I used to work for that manufactures office furniture and has a big ass welding/powder coat facility. If the owner shows some interest I'd be interested in talking with you. I'll keep in touch...