Need Input On Invention" PLEASE"

Gene, great idea. You also might want to consider making it a retractable pen/pencil so you can use it for a back scratcher etc.

Bob

-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner

holy moly that’s a lot of tools in that little gadget. Impressive.
It sure does sound handy and functional.

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

I think you just about got it nailed. Good luck with it.

-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!

Gene—- Wow – lots of work and thought went into this – very apparent. However, I’m of the thought that it may be an attempt to get to many woodworking tools/gadgets into one small package. We all certainly do loose our pencils and can never find it when we want it, but I’m not sure any one gadget, that does so many other things, will save the day.

I have no doubt that if you can get this on the market that some people will buy it. I’m just not sure that you’ll make the money back that will you invest in doing the prototype and lawyer fees to get it patented and then onto the market.

I could be wrong, because we all like gadgets, call me a pessimist. I do think it’s genius, I just don’t think it will fly long.

Sorry, but that’s my honest thoughts.

-- Betsy - There is no strength where there is no struggle

I agree with a lot of what Betsy is saying. I love the idea of a good quality retractable pencil holder, but all that other stuff seems to clutter it up and take away from the basic idea. When I see something that small with all that stuff I immediately think “gimmick”. The level, box knife, watch, etc…. these are all things that the average woodworker, contractor and homeowner already have, and they would probably rely on their’s instead of the one’s on your invention. I think this thing would do better if some of the “extras” were left off and you focused on the quality of the pencil holder/sharpener. Again, I think this is a wonderful idea, and I’m just trying to offer some honest, constructive criticism. I hope this helps, and keep us informed of your progress. Good luck to you!

-- JP, Shelbyville, KY

Gene,
I agree with Betsy and JP. Sorry but I don’t think you would sell lots, but with billions of people on Earth who knows?
John

-- Only the Shadow knows....................

after reading the above comments, I tried to picture me working with this …
pencil holder, obviously.
pencil sharpener – definitely. very convenient.
I think i’d like the little level as well
I think I’d use the protractor thingy as well if I ever needed to draw an arc…

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Hay Folks,
I do appreciate all of your comments. I have all of my ideas listed above. After I weigh all considerations and selling points , it may go to market with just the line and the level. I’ll be using your input to make a decision on that later.
Please!, Do not worry about hurting my feelings on this. I need your input.

Bob, Great idea on the back scratcher! (NOTE TO SELF) Need longer pencil. LOL
Thanks again
God bless

-- Gene, a Christian in Virginia

Gene, looks like you’ve put a lot of effort into this. I guess I’m a bit split on this. I agree that your primary focus on the product should be the pencil holder and sharpener and you may want the simplest version to include only these things. On the other hand I don’t think it would hurt at all to have several different versions of this, each with some of the expanded features you mentioned.

That would allow you to market to all personality types – the gadget lovers and those who prefer to keep it as simple as possible. In the software world we release products this way by design. It allows you to give the essentials in the cheapest possible package for those to whom budget is a concern while still offering every possible module for them that wants it all. Heck, if most the tools can be “modularized” to fit on a single face of the unit you could sell them as add-ons and just let your users customize to what’s most important to them. Just my $.02 :)

Good luck, I hope it works out well for you.

-- --==[ Pappy ]==--

Today I saw a tape measure that had a small piece of lead on the body so that you could quickly mark the piece by rubbing the bottom of the tape measure on the wood.

Nice idea.

Hi Gene,
I think I would start with the pencil holder and the sharpener. You can always add more to a second edition. After all the fun we had with the pencil forum I thought about a head piece I have on my sun glasses. It would slide on the end of a pencil and stay put until you pulled it out. Might help with the pencil on this invention.

-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon

man! if you could just get it to do laundry! lol last time i checked a patent laywer is about 50 large

-- if you aint the lead dog the scenery never changes

Hi Gene. I agree with Pappy. Keep it simple, then cater to different markets or trades using the same basic design. Good luck.

-- bryano

this sure would make a great “stocking stuffer” present

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Thanks to all who have responded. It really means a lot to me that you took the time to give it some thought for me. Seems like most think simple is better and may be the way I need to go. Thanks for the input.
It really is appreciated.

I hope that you have one in your stocking on Christmas day 2008, ( if things go as planed )
God bless

-- Gene, a Christian in Virginia

I’m with the simple is better people. If I need a protractor, I’ve got several good ones in my desk. If I need to measure, I have several tape measures an rulers around. But a good pencil with a sharpener – now that sounds handy.

-- Bruce from Central New York

I think it needs to be simplified and focused. There is only one reason for combination-type products – convenience. Obviously, you could find individual tools to do all of those things better than a combination-type product. One example is the cell phone with camera. I can buy a better stand-alone camera, but I don’t normally carry a separate camera around to catch unexpected special moments. However, I do carry a cell phone everywhere so even if it can’t do the best pictures, it is still better than nothing.

Anyway, woodworkers generally work in a shop and can easily access specialized tools that do a better job than your combination-type product. Carpenters and handymen may be a better market to focus on because they don’t generally work in a shop – they move from site-to-site. Try to limit it to functions that are good enough compared to specialized tools.

Good luck!

-- Roger - Havertown, Pennsylvania

I solve this problem by having so many pencils and tape measures that i can’t go anywhere around my place or vehicle without being in arms reach of either one.

-- miles125, Alabama.."Architecture is frozen music""