My dad is on to something. The Glock Clock

[SnikPlosskin]

As you know my dad is getting up in years and is a master woodworking craftsman, designing and building custom kitchens. As he gets older (he is 75) and sicker (heart, diabetes, high BP) he needs to find a smaller product he can build and sell online.

He showed me a prototype of what I'm calling the Glock Clock. A fully functional mantle Clock with a hidden compartment.

There are concealment clocks available online for $50 or so but they are cheap junk. I think he can emphasize the heirloom quality hardwood and finish plus the Made in the USA by disabled veteran angle and have a nice little business.

This is a fairly rough prototype. Doesn't have the finish and style quite refined. But I think he can get $250 (red oak) to $350 (Black Walnut) for these.

Cliffs: Heirloom quality and meticulous hand finished solid hardwood Glock Clock concealment mantle clock. Handmade by disabled vet in America. Super nice hidden hinge with recessed magnetic latch. 12" X 12". Quartz movement Clock - AA batteries.

I think it would work. Thoughts?

[Bill]

Very cool. The only drawback is, it's so nice and portable, a thief might be tempted to steal it. Nice to have a handgun easily accessible if one is at home, though. I guess it depends on how much other swag the homeowner has lying out.

[simpleman68]

I could work with that in my house. :dance:
Scott

[99 pewtercoupe]

Would be OK for keeping a piece nearby but hidden while you are there (and not sleeping in another room). Wouldn't work well for when you are in another room or not home

[DAB]

I wish him luck, but very few can turn a profit doing woodworking.

[markids77]

Looks like a Springfield XD clock from this angle. :) Nice idea though... would need an angled rod in the bottom corner to retain the piece by the barrel so it will not fall out if the clock is opened in a hurry.

[JRD77VET]

Friend of mine has something similar to this at his place. Right off the kitchen and a simple push in the correct spot opens it to two AR-15 ( his and hers ) :seasix:

[SnikPlosskin]

Very cool. The only drawback is, it's so nice and portable, a thief might be tempted to steal it. Nice to have a handgun easily accessible if one is at home, though. I guess it depends on how much other swag the homeowner has lying out.

Dad says it is designed to be screwed to the wall. I thought it was a stand alone.

Definitely some security concerns. Probably not great for homes with kids. It
Needs a bit more engineering.

[SnikPlosskin]

I wish him luck, but very few can turn a profit doing woodworking.

Don't we know it. But at the price point above he makes a small profit. The idea is more to keep him working. Probably nets about $75 each.

He is very production minded. He would create jigs and build them in batches. He has a full shop and heated airless sprayers for finishing. Part about of the challenge is the clock parts (face and mechanism) are pretty decent quality thus adds costs.

He is also talking about a premium coffee table with a drop down panel for a shotgun or rifle.

He has built a number of secret rooms too - very cool with electronic actuators. One secret room opens to a secret theater.

[DAB]

The one thing I've learned is to first sell the project, then build it. Otherwise you end up with a pile of projects no one wants.

[SQUIRMIN VERMIN 84]

Dad says it is designed to be screwed to the wall. I thought it was a stand alone.

Definitely some security concerns. Probably not great for homes with kids. It
Needs a bit more engineering.

Very nice work!
I agree, mount it firmly to a wall. Add a button release maybe on the top( a very thin spring loaded rod would work), so it can't open with just a casual pull.

[SnikPlosskin]

The one thing I've learned is to first sell the project, then build it. Otherwise you end up with a pile of projects no one wants.

I told him to build a couple really nice ones - one in red oak, one in black walnut, photograph then and put them on Etsy.

Then see what happens.

[erickpl]

You might find a few buyers here...

[DAB]

You might find a few buyers here...

"Anyone here own any guns?"

"No sir."

:dance:

[SteelCityBlue]

Friend of mine has something similar to this at his place. Right off the kitchen and a simple push in the correct spot opens it to two AR-15 ( his and hers ) :seasix:

where to buy and how much?

[JRD77VET]

where to buy and how much?

He made it himself.

You need to take your time for a perfect fit. The push "locks" are similar to what you may have in a bathroom vanity. ( they hold it flush until pushed in, then spring out just far enough to grab with fingertips. A gentle pull pulls it off the magnets )

[Kerrmudgeon]

I'm wondering if he shouldn't market it as just "hidden compartment" instead of giving thieves a heads up as to where the glock is hidden? If it's well known as a place you hide weapons it may become a target for break in artists if they see it through the windows.....:bilmem:

[SnikPlosskin]

where to buy and how much?

Not out yet. Still working out some of the engineering.

He made it himself.

You need to take your time for a perfect fit. The push "locks" are similar to what you may have in a bathroom vanity. ( they hold it flush until pushed in, then spring out just far enough to grab with fingertips. A gentle pull pulls it off the magnets )

I was thinking using a couple rare earth super Magnets would hold the door tight. But that is one of the challenges is getting an invisible seam. He made one that is grain matched (cut from one piece of wood) but too much labor.

I'm wondering if he shouldn't market it as just "hidden compartment" instead of giving thieves a heads up as to where the glock is hidden? If it's well knoplace you hide weapons it may become a target for break in artists if they see it through the windows.....:bilmem:

Good point. Although GlockClock is memorable.

I'll keep you guys posted. We have five in the works to iron out some production issues. His process has a lot of hand work. Need to build jigs to save time.

The hinges are almost $20 alone. He doesn't like to skimp. Right now the cost is high. Mostly clock parts, hardware and finishing labor.

I'm helping him adopt some Lean principles where he maintains the quality.

[DAB]

There is a long history of hidden compartments in furniture.

[WalkerInTN]

There is a long history of hidden compartments in furniture.

With this crowd I'm surprised you're not selling hidden compartment cutting boards for members to hide their guns in. :yesnod:

[DAB]

With this crowd I'm surprised you're not selling hidden compartment cutting boards for members to hide their guns in. :yesnod:

how do you know i'm not?

:dance::DAB:

i've made several "IDPA" boxes for my own use and donated to the ranges i shoot at. they are used to make sure your gun fits in the box (and is therefore legal to shoot in the match) as well as some stages start with your gun in the box. not complicated to make, dimension (internal) are set by rule, and most common pistols will fit in the box easily. i made a really nice one from walnut a bit ago, gave it to a friend as a 'thank you' gift for showing me the shooting ropes over time, and he's retiring and moving away. the others were made of either oak scraps (pretty nice), or just some spare plywood (very utilitarian). you could certainly dress one up to be very nice and leave it on your nightstand with your gun inside.

but i'm a fan of either keeping my pistol on my hip (as it is presently), or keeping the others in the safe. no loose guns rattling around the house. i'm a big fan of gun control: if there's a gun around, i want to be in control of it. :dance:

i wish Pete and his dad much success, but making money in woodworking is tough. people don't want to pay for real handmade items.

on a wood forum a few days ago, someone was looking for someone else to bid on a project, as they didn't have time to do it. a table, 48" long, 20" deep, 36" high, with a glass hinged top (so they could put display items in the cavity, and 2 drawers under that, with a bottom shelf.

it's very similar to the coffee table i made for us last year, about $400 worth of lumber (white oak), so with the glass (tempered) and hardware, you're looking at about $600 worth of materials before you make any sawdust. i said if i was going to make it, i'd bid it at $4000, as it would take me about 10 days-2 weeks to make and finish. how many peeps you know want to spend that kind of money for a table? i see no point in working for free all day, no one else does (not even Spence :smash: ).

Merry Christmas all. :DAB::DAB:

[SnikPlosskin]

how do you know i'm not?

:dance::DAB:

i've made several "IDPA" boxes for my own use and donated to the ranges i shoot at. they are used to make sure your gun fits in the box (and is therefore legal to shoot in the match) as well as some stages start with your gun in the box. not complicated to make, dimension (internal) are set by rule, and most common pistols will fit in the box easily. i made a really nice one from walnut a bit ago, gave it to a friend as a 'thank you' gift for showing me the shooting ropes over time, and he's retiring and moving away. the others were made of either oak scraps (pretty nice), or just some spare plywood (very utilitarian). you could certainly dress one up to be very nice and leave it on your nightstand with your gun inside.

but i'm a fan of either keeping my pistol on my hip (as it is presently), or keeping the others in the safe. no loose guns rattling around the house. i'm a big fan of gun control: if there's a gun around, i want to be in control of it. :dance:

i wish Pete and his dad much success, but making money in woodworking is tough. people don't want to pay for real handmade items.

on a wood forum a few days ago, someone was looking for someone else to bid on a project, as they didn't have time to do it. a table, 48" long, 20" deep, 36" high, with a glass hinged top (so they could put display items in the cavity, and 2 drawers under that, with a bottom shelf.

it's very similar to the coffee table i made for us last year, about $400 worth of lumber (white oak), so with the glass (tempered) and hardware, you're looking at about $600 worth of materials before you make any sawdust. i said if i was going to make it, i'd bid it at $4000, as it would take me about 10 days-2 weeks to make and finish. how many peeps you know want to spend that kind of money for a table? i see no point in working for free all day, no one else does (not even Spence :smash: ).

Merry Christmas all. :DAB::DAB:

Much depends on marketing and who the target audience is. But agreed. Hard to make real money. He is in an unusual position where he has become the go to guy for high end custom cabinets. His customers are wealthy doctors,
Ranchers, oil men. They don't even ask "how much".

He builds grandfather clocks that sell for $15-$30k and violins that go for about $45k.

Mostly he likes to keep busy. Not really in it for the money although his margins are ridiculous for the custom work.

His real claim to fame is his finishing process. Really deep and glossy. Lots
Of hand sanding.

He is retired.