Do you want professional draftspeople to draft plans of your tools?

This post discusses having professional draftspeople draft plans for your homemade tools, which we could then sell in our plans market. Both you and the draftsperson would receive a portion of the sales, like an author and illustrator of a book.

Our homemade tools plans market is doing surprisingly well. We now have three authors who have earned $100+ payments in a single month. It looks like authors can do well with multiple plans, and it also looks like certain plans are selling like hotcakes (nhengineer's Rotary Phase Converter plans sold 27 copies at $12.50, in just the first month).

We've been promoting the plans via a combination of specialty newsletter mailings to our 35,000+ subscribers, forum promotions, and replacing site banner ads with in-house plans ads. We'd like to have more plans for sale, but many of our members have built incredible tools, but have never used formal technical drafting software.

The solution: professional draftspeople can make formal drawings for your tool plans, like illustrators working with an author. You can add your existing tool descriptions and photographs to their professional plans drawings. We would then edit the plans for syntax/grammar/formatting, add a graphic cover, and we could sell the complete plans, with you listed as the author, and the draftsperson listed as the illustrator.

We've been interviewing professional draftspeople; there are dozens of applicants with years of experience, and there is plenty of enthusiasm.

Currently, plans authors receive 70% of the sales of their plans. If using a professional draftsperson, plans authors would probably receive 50% of the sales, and the draftsperson would probably receive 20% of the sales.

The legal agreements would be similar to that among an author and illustrator of a book. Both the author and the draftsperson would retain ownership of their separate descriptions/photos/drawings; they would just agree to combine them in a single downloadable plans file.

We would allow multiple draftspeople to register on the forum. They could PM you, and say: "I'd like to draft plans for your homemade tool." If you agreed, they would use software to make technical drawings of your tools, then you would approve them. We would combine these drawings with your text instructions and photos (you can often just copy-paste these from your original post, but you might want to add additional text instructions). Then, we would clean up formatting/syntax/grammar, package everything, add a graphic cover, get your final approval, and put it up for sale. You would not need to physically send anyone your actual homemade tool in the mail; the draftspeople can make drawings from photos and descriptions, many of which you've already posted.

The great part is that if you're skilled at making homemade tools, but not at using technical drafting software, you can still sell beautiful, formal, professional plans. Your reputation (that you have slowly built with multiple posts, tools, awards, etc.), is valuable to people, and they would be buying "official" plans endorsed by you, with technical drawings created by a professional draftsperson, and approved by you.

What do you think? Any questions? Suggestions for improvement? Criticism? If a professional draftsperson did all of the plans drawing work, would you be interested in selling your plans?

That’s a great idea. Most of us share our work with no economic interest, but I do not see any problem if we get some benefit, and above all that copyright would be respected.

It would be desirable if we had the possibility to suggest plans for a project that we are interested in building.

Great idea. I enjoy making stuff that makes stuff

[QUOTE=Jon;80893]This post discusses having professional draftspeople draft plans for your homemade tools, which we could then sell in our plans market. Both you and the draftsperson would receive a portion of the sales, like an author and illustrator of a book.

Our homemade tools plans market is doing surprisingly well. We now have three authors who have earned $100+ payments in a single month. It looks like authors can do well with multiple plans, and it also looks like certain plans are selling like hotcakes (nhengineer's Rotary Phase Converter plans sold 27 copies at $12.50, in just the first month).

We've been promoting the plans via a combination of specialty newsletter mailings to our 35,000+ subscribers, forum promotions, and replacing site banner ads with in-house plans ads. We'd like to have more plans for sale, but many of our members have built incredible tools, but have never used formal technical drafting software.

The solution: professional draftspeople can make formal drawings for your tool plans, like illustrators working with an author. You can add your existing tool descriptions and photographs to their professional plans drawings. We would then edit the plans for syntax/grammar/formatting, add a graphic cover, and we could sell the complete plans, with you listed as the author, and the draftsperson listed as the illustrator.

We've been interviewing professional draftspeople; there are dozens of applicants with years of experience, and there is plenty of enthusiasm.

Currently, plans authors receive 70% of the sales of their plans. If using a professional draftsperson, plans authors would probably receive 50% of the sales, and the draftsperson would probably receive 20% of the sales.

The legal agreements would be similar to that among an author and illustrator of a book. Both the author and the draftsperson would retain ownership of their separate descriptions/photos/drawings; they would just agree to combine them in a single downloadable plans file.

We would allow multiple draftspeople to register on the forum. They could PM you, and say: "I'd like to draft plans for your homemade tool." If you agreed, they would use software to make technical drawings of your tools, then you would approve them. We would combine these drawings with your text instructions and photos (you can often just copy-paste these from your original post, but you might want to add additional text instructions). Then, we would clean up formatting/syntax/grammar, package everything, add a graphic cover, get your final approval, and put it up for sale. You would not need to physically send anyone your actual homemade tool in the mail; the draftspeople can make drawings from photos and descriptions, many of which you've already posted.

The great part is that if you're skilled at making homemade tools, but not at using technical drafting software, you can still sell beautiful, formal, professional plans. Your reputation (that you have slowly built with multiple posts, tools, awards, etc.), is valuable to people, and they would be buying "official" plans endorsed by you, with technical drawings created by a professional draftsperson, and approved by you.

What do you think? Any questions? Suggestions for improvement? Criticism? If a professional draftsperson did all of the plans drawing work, would you be inte

Yes, I believe that you have a great idea. I hope that it really catches on and is sustainable. Sign me up.

Great idea. Looks like everyone could be a winner.

I use Draft Sight, a 2D CAD software that's compatible with AutoCAD. So I too am interested.

I have enjoyed the site for quite a while now, without generating any tools or even comments. I use Onshape, Solidworks, and AutoCad daily. I'm not a professional draftsman, per se, just a toolmaker who uses the software. I'd be willing to help out with 3D modelling, and i can easily generate 2D drawings from the models.

I think this is a GREAT idea. Some of us older professionals have been sharing information for years, and hadn't considered profiting from this kind of thing. I have my hands in several technical markets and networks and know of some very capable folks who are not members here, who would be willing to work on generating different aspects of getting "our" work out there.

One issue I have discovered is the use of already existing pieces of information, tools, and designs that have not been published (print or electronically), but clearly have developers names attached to them. Stuff is already out there electronically or in print but sometimes the creators don't receive any compensation (by choice). Perhaps there is a way to vet information so as not to appear as if anyone here is profiting from another's works or designs. I have been taught that it is best to stay away from any perceived "adoption" of information that is either protected, or copyrighted, but not clearly defined. It's sort of an interesting yet disturbing fact that if someone can make a buck (using someone else's ideas) they will. I'm not sure how to address this since all of us are of a giving nature, but I would be willing to give it some thought with others. In fact, I sense that a lot of us find as much or more enjoyment building and designing tools as using them. And I hadn't considered profiting from it yet, just using skills to get work done! This is STILL a wonderful idea! Just would like to open the discussion.

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Originally Posted by Jon

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What do you think? Any questions? Suggestions for improvement? Criticism? If a professional draftsperson did all of the plans drawing work, would you be interested in selling your plans?

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I was trained as a technical draftsman years ago and that is what I did for much of my career before I retired 4 years ago. I am interested in assisting you in preparation of plans for your members, if you might be interested in that. I work in Autocad, but also own a licensed copy of ViaCad 3D Pro, version 9, which I'm still learning.

Do you have a set of standards, borders or title block templates you prefer to be used? I'm working on a set of drawings for my recently submitted Toe Jack, and will submit them to you for your review if you'd like.

Thanks,

Dan Linscheid

Initially when I was directed to this forum I was unaware that there were plans for sale as well as the freely shared details of home made tools. Obviously, the proceeds of plans sales compensate the forum owner/s for their efforts. As I have never been a buyer or seller of plans I have some questions which probably seem naive.
Firstly what do the buyers expect and how do most use the plans? Does the average buyer follow plans directly or does he use them purely as a guide? From my own experience making stuff and from what others have posted here, I see that many tools are built largely from what the constructors have available on their own shelves or scrap box. Therefore, although such tools work perfectly they may not be the best design for others if one was starting from a clean sheet of paper rather than a scrap box. After all everyone's scrap box is different. So does the average buyer of plans go out with a BOM and buy material as per the plans or does he usually adapt the plans to suit his own material availability, whether from his own scrap box or local sources? If he adapts the plans to suit what he has or can get easily does he really did detailed nicely drawn plans or is he just as well off with a general description and photos of a prior implementation of an idea.
My main reason for being on this forum is for the chance to pick up an idea which makes me say "Wow that's neat - why didn't I think of that?". The basic idea is all I need, once I have that I can run with it and make a close copy or a significantly different tool better suited to my needs and/or material supply. Detailed plans drawings would probably be more of a hindrance than a help. Seeing many of the posts by others I get the impression that I am not alone with that view. So who buys the plans?
Obviously plans sell so there are people who do and so there is clearly a need for them but I question whether detailed drawings are always the best or only way to deliver the information. For example if the plans are for something that will be CNC machined then without doubt CAD drawings are essential or maybe even G-code, whereas a welded tubular structure for a work bench might be better described in words and photos because each builder might want to change the work height or surface area and shape to suit available space. A software project is another case where drawings are simply not appropriate. Following that line of reasoning would suggest that there should be room in the plans for sale system which allows for both the detailed drawings as well as other methods of presenting a project. Those charged with the admin of the system could easily adjudicate on whether any given offering was up to the high standards required irrespective of how the information was given.
If someone posts a project in the general forum, is it considered legitimate to also offer a perhaps more detailed presentation in the plans for sale forum? It was never my original intention to profit from my posts here, but I would certainly have no problem with a small supplement to my tool buying budget.

Great ! I am in the process of building cnc router/plasma cutter. I am about 60% complete if there is a draftsman interested

toyvolvo - That's a valid point. So far, everything that everyone has submitted looks to be original and correctly attributed, or is information that can't be copyrighted (either public domain or de minimis quoting). I know that larger online marketplaces like eBay have had this problem, and, as we grow, it's definitely something to keep an eye on.

DanLins - we have no strict format, although we may develop one in the future. Yes, please send your Toe Jack drafts to me at plans@homemadetools.net.

tonyfoale - I think that the average user purchases the plans broadly as "more details". He sees a nice tool build online, but does not have the ability to reproduce it from a few pics and a paragraph or two of explanation. I think that some buyers may strictly follow the plans, with a BOM, a step-by-step guide, and links to purchase parts from online sources. However, others may have the ability to use the plans as a rough aid. But yes, our most prolific members, with decades of experience in engineering/physics/manufacturing, have minimal use for plans; all they need is ideas.

Agreed that "plans" is a vague term, and means different things for different tools. Some of our plans are combinations of formal technical drawings, photographs, links to online purchase sources, text descriptions, reviews of specific suppliers, videos, etc. Yes, if someone posts a project, then it's fine to also post detailed plans for sale for that project. There's some concern among our members who don't want to "profit" from their ideas. However, I'd love to completely eliminate all external banner ads on this site, and replace them with Plans for Sale ads. I think that people in forums are happy to share some ideas and details, but if we want them to sit down and use hours of their professional time/experience/education to draft formal plans, then we should pay them, and that exchange is a good sign of a healthy forum economy.

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If you've expressed interest in drafting plans in this thread, expect a contact. We have a good selection of professional draftspeople available, but I'd also like to have existing HMT members do the drafting.