Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Show HN: Handcrafted standing desks from reclaimed materials

woodwardsalvage.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

21–30 of 47 posts

Re: Show HN: Handcrafted standing desks from reclaimed materials

#21

Post by jk215 »

fitztrev wrote: post #19

I appreciate the comments. As I said, I'm just getting started with this. I posted it here just to get some initial feedback. I understand there are other options for standing desks that are both less expensive and more functional. The value proposition isn’t a "better" standing desk, or a "cheaper" standing desk, it is a standing desk that is built by hand from reclaimed, quality materials, sourced from the communit…

Looks good man. Telling your story through some high quality photos and a video would really go far in validating your USP and pricing. If I were in the market for something like this that is the story I would want to support.

Re: Show HN: Handcrafted standing desks from reclaimed materials

#22

Post by nmcfarl »

fitztrev wrote: post #19

I appreciate the comments. As I said, I'm just getting started with this. I posted it here just to get some initial feedback. I understand there are other options for standing desks that are both less expensive and more functional. The value proposition isn’t a "better" standing desk, or a "cheaper" standing desk, it is a standing desk that is built by hand from reclaimed, quality materials, sourced from the communit…

> It allows me to continue to support the deconstruction of abandoned homes and buildings in the Detroit area, which is one of my main focuses.

This is a good bit of the story, and the value proposition I think, as are the things on the About Us page. I’d suggest you get at least one more of those bullet points on the homepage. I’d go with something that hits: Reclaimed, Recycled and Biodegradable, as those seemed like strong points to me.

Re: Show HN: Handcrafted standing desks from reclaimed materials

#23

Post by speeder »

fitztrev wrote: post #2

OP here. I've been a developer for 10 years and have used a standing desk for the last 2. When I started, I just used whatever materials I could to prop my computer up higher. Once I was sold on the idea and benefits of standing, I started looking for a more permanent solution. I wasn't really happy with the options. I wanted something very high quality and unique. So I decided to start building my own using reclaime…

Why you ended with that price?

I am asking because I am considering building one myself, I don't have money to buy one, but I have time to build one (also I cannot buy yours anyway, the shipping alone would cost more than the desk), so I am wondering if I DO manage to build one, if it will end costing a lot too.

Re: Show HN: Handcrafted standing desks from reclaimed materials

#24

Post by yaddayadda »

gk1 wrote: post #17

I've paid some high prices for reclaimed wood furniture, and when I move to a larger place (in several months) I will likely do it again. Here's my feedback: The first comparison I started making in my mind is with the counter tables from Restoration Hardware. They are nearly half the price ($635+), and in my opinion look more the "reclaimed" part. I also don't see the height dimension on your page, so I can't compar…

I don't know if the following were on the front page when you visited or if fitztrev has added them based on comments, but the front page now addresses height and shipping costs (which probably bring the cost more into the range that you're used to). There are also small cubes of the different finishes. I agree that it would be nice if the photos indicated which finishes were shown.

- "To ensure the proper height, we will contact you after your order to get your height."

- "We are currently offering FREE SHIPPING to the lower 48 states."

Re: Show HN: Handcrafted standing desks from reclaimed materials

#26

Post by gk1 »

yaddayadda wrote: post #24
gk1 wrote: post #17

I've paid some high prices for reclaimed wood furniture, and when I move to a larger place (in several months) I will likely do it again. Here's my feedback: The first comparison I started making in my mind is with the counter tables from Restoration Hardware. They are nearly half the price ($635+), and in my opinion look more the "reclaimed" part. I also don't see the height dimension on your page, so I can't compar…

I don't know if the following were on the front page when you visited or if fitztrev has added them based on comments, but the front page now addresses height and shipping costs (which probably bring the cost more into the range that you're used to). There are also small cubes of the different finishes. I agree that it would be nice if the photos indicated which finishes were shown. - "To ensure the proper height, we…

I don't know if they were there before. In any case, those things should be front and center, especially the free shipping. Those are great selling points.

Re: Show HN: Handcrafted standing desks from reclaimed materials

#27

Post by deerpig »

US$1500 for something that we cobble together here in Cambodia from rubbish because we don't have any money?

You have rubbish from an industrial collapse? We have rubbish from a fucking genocide! Now THAT is furniture with a story!

We are happy to sell you standup desks built from wood from french colonial Indochina for US$1500. Our new office is being renovated from such a building.

But if you want a REAL story, we have a premium standup desk made from reclaimed wood from work camps run by the Khmer Rouge for US$3000.

For US$5000 you get bullet holes.

Re: Show HN: Handcrafted standing desks from reclaimed materials

#29

Post by mhurron »

deerpig wrote: post #27

US$1500 for something that we cobble together here in Cambodia from rubbish because we don't have any money? You have rubbish from an industrial collapse? We have rubbish from a fucking genocide! Now THAT is furniture with a story! We are happy to sell you standup desks built from wood from french colonial Indochina for US$1500. Our new office is being renovated from such a building. But if you want a REAL story, we…

Now this is funny, mainly because $1500 for the simplest of desks made from garbage! What on earth is in the water in Detroit?

> wood from french colonial Indochina

This sounds very nice.

Re: Show HN: Handcrafted standing desks from reclaimed materials

#30

Post by cpwright »

fitztrev wrote: post #11
epenn wrote: post #7

I like the idea of using salvaged materials, but the price seems way off the mark, even for something custom made.

I understand totally. Unfortunately steel and reclaimed lumber is not cheap. Each desk is made entirely by hand, so there’s a lot of labor that goes into each one. There are others out there that do offer a more affordable solution. I even started out just modifying my existing desk to accommodate a standing position. But I wanted something that was much more durable and didn’t look like it necessarily came from Ikea…

I can't speak to the steel aspect of it, but for the top; it looks like it should be about 25 board feet, which should be about $250 for good quality wood. Add in some labor and consumables for surfacing and finishing, I would guess that a fair price for the top is $500-750.

Assuming the legs come out similarly, I can see how the whole desk comes out to $1500.

I'm still too cheap to spend that much on a desk. I'm sure if I were to build one myself, I'd end up spending more on the wood than $250 and use it as an excuse to collect more tools.

Also, to add, I think a lot of the cost could be eliminated with the reclaimed wood by going more direct to the source. Lots of beautiful furniture can be made out of discarded pallets. If building these kind of desks is a full-time business, it seems like the material cost at least for the top could be driven down (at the expense of more legwork and setting up an infrastructure).

Post reply on HN