Originally Posted by
Classtime
I think when Jim Merze makes a few seat post binder bolts and offers them to us, he is doing what RS is suggesting craftsmen do but maybe not often enough. Dave Bohm is another craftsman who makes stuff. I bought a set of tube blocks from Dave that he made. These are two guys that are doing what RS would like to see more often. Jim and Dave did not need prompting from Richard -- They are a dying breed -- And I think that is Richard's lament.
When making something in the hand-craft business, often it is as nearly easy to make several than just making one. Your fixture setup takes time. You get into a groove doing a task. The process is setup for multiples. There are many reasons to make more than one. But at the very beginning of it all, there needs to be motivation. With bike parts it is mostly personal. Jim Merz wants to make some weight weenie parts or a better bivalent hub, it is because it floats his boat. Make a few extra because you can. And maybe, just maybe he will cover the costs of material. He is certainly not in it for the money and he can do that because he is retired.
I do the same, it floats my boat, I'm not in it for the money. I have a day job I won't quit. It has OK health insurance. I'm not giving that up. And if I were in the bike business, I sure as **** would not apply my craft to something that doesn't put shoes on the kids. Sachs suggesting it is an obligation without providing value is insulting. For a hobby, fine, give back if you want, or don't. For a business, pay for baby's shoes.