Garyspruill

Thanks NVLeatherworx, Consistency : I agree with you. I have already been approached by the Asian mfgs. That solution is not even in my wheelhouse in anyway! I already do business in Asia with another company and know first hand the acceptable tolerance levels they accept. Not happening. I currently have (3) mfgs I am working with. (2) of them are mfgs in Europe and (1) here in the States. The youngest of the (3) companies is 70 years in business. The tolerances we are speaking about between us is less than a 1% variance which is too high for me at this time. I am very aware of the Golden Ring rule. That is the "why" I keep saying: Trying to make it better, not the same, but better. The word "better" has many meanings, to one, it means pricing, or consistency, or color selection, and the really hard one is: working with it. This is the reason I am asking the questions: what is better to you and why is it better to you? You sound like a businessman same as me. If I came to your shop and you and I sat down and had a cup of coffee and in the conversation the topic of thread came up, and I asked you: what is it you like about your favorite thread, bullet point it for me, you would say? I am handing you a John James 002, a yard of Tiger thread 0.80, know that I respect your opinion, tell me what you like about it? Time and true is hard to put a pen to. Please note: I am just a educated red-neck businessman from Texas trying to figure out if there is a market for what I am doing. If not, I can move on. Done it before. If there is a market for it, I want to pursue it. Here is a thought: In about (3) weeks from now, I will have samples, you want to get some a test drive? See if I am on the right track or not? Reminder: my perception of "better" may be different than yours. I don't need my perception, I need the public's perception. Gary

Thanks NVLeatherworx, 1/2 the costs: you may be right! But I am going to try. Offer a braided thread, to compete with a well respected thread is going to be tough "if" I pursue this adventure. Lots of marketing, lots of showing off the product, getting it in the hands of the end user's, all tough to do. I know, have done it at least a dozen times. (Texan) It ain't easy. Looking at your numbers you mentioned: Base Line: a 500 meter spool = 546.50 yards, with shipping at 0.06 per yard, that runs right up to: $32.79 for a 500 meter roll at your door. I am going to guess you are getting Tiger Thread at 0.80 thickness or 1.00 correct? That's a really good deal. Now for the normal user, looked across the website and the normal retail price point for the same thread runs right at: $36.99 for a 500 meter roll. That comes to: $0.067 for a 546.50 yard roll before shipping. Math: 500 meters = 546.50 yards. divided by $36.99 retail = $0.067 per roll by the yard. What I am asking is: on the money end of it, and again the "if" I pursue this, and (not set in stone) found my mfg's to make a equal to or (trying to) make a better liked product at a price point of around $0.046, math: 546.50 yards (x) $0.046 costs per yard= $25.14 for 546.50 yards, aka: 500 meters, would that interest anyone? Trying to keep it apples to apples. Also, on that note, distribution would be in the US. Shipped from the US. I may have to go overseas to have it made. to keep the costs in line. I am still hoping to get some feedback on "what" the end user's want to see in a hand stitching leather thread? Here is what I will do to try and get some feedback. Tell me what your favorite hand stitching thread is, tell me what you like about it. Tell me the "why" you use it! Best end result is about it. Let me soak it all in to see if there is a market for what I am trying to do. Now: for those that share this, here is what I will do for you. If I jump on this project, which I am trying to do, for all those that give me feedback that I can use with my guru thread engineers (laughing because never knew this folks were out there) I will send you product to test for me. Not some piece of cardboard with some thread wrapped around it, more like 50 to 75 meters of thread on spools to play around with. Not going to get into colors yet, but something to run down some lines with, or just use on something you are working on. Try it out. Good? NVLeatherworx, again, thank you for your input. Helps me see all sides of the project. Gary

My goals are: 1st - Hand sewing thread 2nd - Sewing Machine thread 3rd - Linen Thread 4th - Edge Paint 5th - Motorized parts - burnishers - sanders Right now, I am in the first stages, trying to figure out the "if" there is/would be a market for such a thing. If not, move on. If yes, pursue it, test it, see if on the right track to offer. Still trying to figure out what the Leather worker's want to see in a hand sewing thread. Quick story, my youngest son, wanted to learn how to Fence (Sport Fencing for Olympics), we went out to find him a club and he was very successful at it. Me, not setting on the sidelines, now have this to offer to the fencer's: www.swordmasters.com, many of the products we offer, we design and make ourselves. Its a niche market, yet is very successful. Gary

Hey Ed in TX, Another Texan here. Have I touched base with Springfield, District, Buckle Guy, Frog Jelly, Makers, yes. I am working with some top notch thread engineer's (never knew there was such a thing), and wanted to get this (if) idea off the ground as a stand alone first, then if we choose to offer the product to the wholesale route, can do so at that time. My main concept is going to be: maker to user market. This may change, but for now, this is the path I am on. Sewing machine thread: this is what the thread guru's keep pushing me to do first?? Same type of thread as mentioned above, yet non-waxed in the size 130's and 90's just for sewing machines. Maybe down the road along with the Linen goods. Thank you kindly for the input. Something to put on the chalk board. Gary

Hey Chrisash, Agreed in your comments. Pick the colors you want to run with, let the market dictate the strongest colors, keep those colors on a consistent 30 day turn around time at factory. Let the slow seller's be on a order as needed basis to restock. Doing it this way, your core group will always be there to pay for the stranglers - non-sellers. Quality: design it to be the best, test it, let the market decide if your right or if changes need to be made. Striving for the best, hoping to get to the end user at a niche price point. Thanks again, Gary

Cowboybob, That is a great looking reducer. (top image) You could get that slowed down to around 30 stitches a minute with no torque loss at all. Great job! I'm calling you when I need one. Gary

My goal would be to offer a product that is equal to or better than what we currently have access to here in the US and to our brother's and sister's across the pond that would offer more color selections and at about 1/2 the costs. Me paying $7.00 for 25 meters of thread is telling me in my head, there is a market there. Then when I order it, and am told they are out of this or that color, tells me even more, there is a market there. I am not putting the re-seller's down or anything negative, I am only thinking: at $7.00, and they are selling out, a lot of folks are selling - buying a lot of it. Gary

Hey Fowlingpiece, I like your idea. Linen Cordage, maybe in phase (2) add an additional line of product to the lineup. Something like the Lin Cable from France that would be lightly pre-waxed. Hmmmm??? Good idea. Thank you! Gary

Hey chrisash, Market looking at: Middle to High end at consumer level: yet at a cost of about 1/2 of what we are paying for the same here in the US from brothers and sisters Italy and Germany. I am very used to marketing, aka: getting the word out and tested. Understood what your saying. Better product at 1/2 the costs is not always going to knock the top dog off the hill. I am thinking of the "user" market, not the big boys. My game plan: if I pursue, make the product, test - test and test some more, then; get it in the hands of the user's by sending out free samples to try out. Not 1500 meter cops, but at least a couple of 25 meter spools. Get feedback and make the needed changes. I am going to be relying on folks that "know" a ton more than I do. I live on the marketing basis of: let the market tell you what they want and they drive the market. Thanks for the input, helpful. Gary

Thank you scoobynewbie, I have never used the Tandy sinew. I may have to go to a Tandy store and see what it even is. Colors: I am thinking somewhere close to 30(+) colors for what I am doing. Gary

Folks, New to board, new to leatherwork, learning. Found this site by accident through google. I am more of a reader of posts, rather than a writer. Name: Gary Have built several projects and proud of all of them. Wife is happy anyway. I get a lot of satisfaction from the detail work that goes into what I am making and have a much higher appreciation to other’s work now as well. Personal life: business owner. High stakes entrepreneur, husband and father of 3 boys, 2 great daughter-in-laws (my now daughter's) and (5) great grand-kids In all things I do, I can never set idle nor on the sidelines. Never! I have a business idea, and wanted to see the “if” there was an interest in it? I have read many posts on this forum about different types of hand sewing thread. OK? I started studying all the different types there were since this was such a huge topic. I have used and respect the “Tiger Thread” due to its ease of use and likability from other user's. Here lies my humble question: Is there an interest – market for a like product to this thread? Polyester, braided high strand count, flat, lightly waxed, super high tensile strength. I know this topic is covered all the time. I am approaching it from a different side of things. I am very used to new company start ups and know, I need to know the market before I jump in with both feet and asking for your assistance to let me know if there is even a market for such a thing. I have already reached out and visited several thread companies with my ideas here in the US. Several have even told me to pound sand and did not want to even get involved with such a project. I never take a “no” about anything. Your feedback would be grateful and rewarded if take on this crazy adventure. Let me know the “what” you are looking for, what you would want to “see” in a leather thread. I will be a sponge and soak it all in. Reminder: I am on the Tiger Thread path. Thanks a million in advance, Gary PS: If you can’t tell, I am not a huge “poster” on forums