![]() ![]() I used the term "Acrylic" generically and that caused confusion, my bad.I'm confident (hopefully not unfounded hubris) that I can take what was good about their product and produce something as good or better. The AFS patent has expired (along with the patent holder.) With that said, I still prefer the "bootstrap" form of business, rather than trying to buy and resurrect something.So at this point, I'm just letting you know what is being planned.Īny thoughts and feedback are very welcome! If I can get 50-100 people in on this, the molds will be funded. For the "Crowdfunding," I'm anticipating about a $50 "GoFundMe" contribution campaign that will get you in on the design of the product and a set of six blocks from the first production run. Once the design is locked down, these can be produced (In the United States!) for pretty cheap. The current product offerings are priced at ~$150 for an entry set of blocks. I'm looking for early adopters to be a part of this launch. This is the most expensive part of a product launch. Feedback on the 3D draft product images.Input on what real users of the product want in the "Best Acrylic Sanding Blocks Ever".In the near future, I will be looking for Once I have the patent submitted and have IP protection, I will post 3D images of the planned design. Launch and ship product! (This is expected within 3-6 months).Volume production (This is expected within about 3 months).Creation of molds for injection molding (This is expected within about 2 months).3D printing of prototype (This will be done within a few weeks).3D CAD files created (This is done - I will share them as soon as I have the patent application filed - got to protect the IP).Concept and initial design sketches (This is done).Here are the stages of developing a product and then bringing it to market and the current status: So, I am going to develop the "Best Acrylic Sanding Blocks Ever" incorporating the ergonomics of AFS blocks with the advantages of an acrylic base. People loved them!īut, they were still foam blocks, albeit with steel tension rods, but did not have the acrylic base that seems to provide the ability for superior flattening. I've seen many comments that AFS blocks had awesome ergonomics. Linear Blocking has an innovative handle, but man, they are expensive, and the handle has "issues," notably they can pinch your hands on concave surfaces. Particularly TrueBlox and Big Kid Blocks. The biggest shortcoming are the ergonomics/shapes of the handles. IMHO these products all have shortcomings and are ridiculously overpriced! Here are the top 3 most most visible suppliers: I've looked very closely at all the Acrylic Sanding Blocks currently being offered. I want to create the "Best Acrylic Sanding Blocks Ever" They are hard to hold onto and to control. When I get these "Best Acrylic Sanding Blocks Ever" developed, I'm going to send him a set and challenge him to give them a tryĬan you just cut some blocks, of varying thickness's, from acrylic, wrap paper around them, and go to town? Sure. And he gets great results because these tools are in an experienced hand. Even though he enthusiastically supported this idea, he confessed that he only uses a 4" X 6" "jitterbug" sander and the 4" rubber blocks from the '70's with the flaps and nails to hold the paper in place. ![]() ![]() ![]() (I've heard some guys just use a stir stick with sandpaper wrapped around it - and get show quality finishes, but c'mon!) I also see many comments that "It is not the tool, it is the hand using the tool." Those are fair and accurate comments.īut, I think we can all agree, even if you can get great results without newer tools, having great tools makes things easier. I've seen a lot of discussion about the benefits of using acrylic blocks to get panels really flat. I've been following several threads about sanding blocks. I've learned a lot, the hard way, and I know what it takes to succeed. In addition to being a car restoration enthusiast and amateur painter, I am an entrepreneur. Not only did he say it was OK, he enthusiastically encouraged me to pursue this. First, I talked with Barry and made sure this post was OK. ![]()
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