Carpenter prices

CHrisP86

I'm still trying to find time to build a 1x12 cab...

So I had a brainwave that if I give the materials, which I already have, to a local carpenter he might be able to knock something up for me fairly cheap and I'll then put the role and grill cloth on.

Just got a quote from one guy of £250...

So stupid. I could buy a finished unloaded Zilla for less than that or a finished loaded MJW for only £20 more.

I know people have to make a living but for a pro with all the tools, it can't be much more than a morning to build the shell which means he wants to charge £500 a day!

Or am I massively underestimating the costs for this?

Sporky

I think you're underestimating the time involved, particularly if he's not done it before and is going to do it at all well.

Do you have plans? If not you're asking him to design it. If you do have plans, are they complete, not just a cutlist? So all the joints detailed? If not then you're still asking him to design it. Assuming the plans are complete and detailed then you're asking him to do all the marking out, measuring and cutting, then all the assembly. Cutting a large, neat, round hole is also a non-trivial task.

If he's good at it he may well be able to charge £500 a day for some jobs.

Ché

Do you want any internal bracing? Is the baffle hole cut out? How do you want it jointed? (Butt joint, Finger joint etc.)

impmann

Also bear in mind that a speaker cabinet maker is completely geared up for just that sort of work, therefore they will have systems and processes in place to make the job more efficient - plus will probably be making more than one at one time. This keeps costs down.

asimmd

He may have quoted a high price because he didn't want to do the job.
Its been done before.

CHrisP86

Fair points.

I was going to give him detailed plans and only wanted butt joints, maybe the baffle dadoed in to the cab, with a bit of bracing.

Back to having a go myself I guess.

AustrianJohn

Chris Uff is your man.

http://www.ampmaker.com/infocentre/forum-21.html
http://www.ampmaker.com/infocentre/thread-56.html

FelineGuitars

Chris - what cab are you looking for ? something special and specific or just a 1x12 etc?

CHrisP86

@FelineGuitars Ideally I want to make the old style Cornford oversize 1x12.

Have you got a 1x12 for sale then?

Sporky

If not I've got an oversized cab that I need to get rid of. The baffle's cut for 2x10 but a 12 will go in fine, it's to the Award Session plans.

FelineGuitars

Got a Marshall 1912 1x12 but maybe not oversized enough for you

Chalky

If he's already got the tools then it should be very quick work if you've been clear about what you want. I suspect you're asking a construction joiner rather than a pukka carpenter.

CHrisP86

I can't remember how much I specified other than dimensions and that I only wanted butt joints but he said "at least £250".  I think he was advertising himself as more of a cabinet maker.

Sporky

Chalky said:

If he's already got the tools then it should be very quick work if you've been clear about what you want. I suspect you're asking a construction joiner rather than a pukka carpenter.

Surely building a cabinet is joinery, not carpentry?

Chalky

Sporky said:

Chalky said:

If he's already got the tools then it should be very quick work if you've been clear about what you want. I suspect you're asking a construction joiner rather than a pukka carpenter.

Surely building a cabinet is joinery, not carpentry?

I'm sure you're right but I hear the word joiner used for everybody who goes near wood round here.

equalsql

How much would he charge if you provided the wood, tolex, glue and screws?

CHrisP86

I'm guessing that was a tongue in cheek comment but £250 was the price quoted with me providing the wood and doing the tolex myself...

equalsql

CHrisP86 said:

I'm guessing that was a tongue in cheek comment but £250 was the price quoted with me providing the wood and doing the tolex myself...

  

hywelg

He's simply covering his back because he doesn't know how to build one. A 'cabinet maker' in his world is someone who makes China cabinets!!