Log Deck - Value/Usefulness/Pricing?

[DanielW]

I'm not sure if this is the right place or an appropriate question to ask on here, but I figured if anyone could help me, the folks on here could

A few years ago I built several modular log decks. I wanted two for myself, but I ended up making five; I had drawn up the parts in CAD and sent the templates for all plate parts off to the local shop where I get work done on a plasma table and CNC saw. Half of my cost for the parts is the initial setup, so it's much more cost-efficient to build several at the same time (ex. it might cost, say, $500 for the parts to build one deck, and only $800 for the parts to build 5 decks if done at the same time).

I welded them up, kept two for myself, and gave another to a friend to use with his bandmill. I still have two sitting unused in the barn. A local hobby sawyer recently saw mine and wants to buy my extra ones. My question to you folks: What do you think it's worth me charging? I know the 'proper' thing to do would be to figure out my material costs, approximate how much time I spent assembling them, and charge accordingly for what I feel is fair. But a few factors make this hard to do:

i) I bought the steel before the whole Covid thing, back before steel prices skyrocketed.
ii) My cost for the parts to build 5 was significantly less than it would be for me to build just one, as per above setup time discussion. So I'm not sure if my price should reflect the cost if I built just one, or my cost because I forked out the initial dough to build five at once.
iii) I'm not really in this to make money, and wouldn't mind freeing up the space in my barn.
iv) I've completely forgot how long I spent assembling them and only have a vague idea what I paid for the steel.

They're not fancy, but decently built. All heavy wall structural tubing and 1/2" plate. Arms are self locking when you pivot them up; you lift them to unlock them and pivot them down onto the mill - that way you don't accidentally have logs rolling into you when your back's to it. Adjustable legs for uneven ground with large, formed base-plates to prevent them sinking into loose soil, adjustable width (I usually set them so I can just drop my logging forks down between them). Any ideas on a very ballpark-ish price for me to charge would be greatly appreciated.

Unfortunately I don't have a great picture of them, just the two above. One is the CAD model of it, the other is one of the ones I use (with a crude Tremclad paint job) when I took it to a local antique show with one of my little Bellsaws.

[Wlmedley]

That's a really nice log deck which would be nice for someone who has a manual mill. I have one built similar that I built out of wood but mine never gets moved. I don't have any idea what you will able to sell them for but I'd imagine that they would work out pretty well. 

[doc henderson]

I would price the steel now and price it relative to what it would cost them now in materials and guess on the labor.

[Peter Drouin]

I asked WM about a 12' one, They wanted $12,500.

[beenthere]

Agree with Doc's suggestion. 
Estimate what it will cost someone else to make "one" as you know what the steel will cost today, and how much labor to assemble. Good luck, but in the end do what makes you feel good with whatever you may end up with. Let the buyer decide what they will feel good with. 

[Nebraska]

Well if I were closer I'd be interested in one. 

[NewYankeeSawmill]

I asked WM about a 12' one, They wanted $12,500.

That Orange paint is almost as expensive as the green that other company uses... 

[NewYankeeSawmill]

You honestly may have a viable product there.... If it was easy to setup/take down, I would love to have something like that on my larger jobs. It might even afford me more work opportunities (manual mill, no loader, costs me some potential customers).

[jpassardi]

One thing to bear in mind is that you still need equipment to get logs on the deck. The benefit being that you can load multiple at one time.

[WV Sawmiller]

   I'd also discuss this with Jeff, the grand poobah of the Forestry Forum if you plan to advertise and sell them through here. Ultimately once your comply with the rules here I'd suggest you market them in the "What are you selling" thread.

   Good luck with them.

[rusticretreater]

Price out the metal and machining costs-multiply x 1.5
Determine a labor rate-min $50 hr.  You are worth it!
Figure labor multiply x 2

If the fella don't like the price you can lower it.  Its kinda hard to raise it later.

Example:
$300 materials/machining x 1.5 = $450
$50 labor x 10 hrs x 2 = $1000
Cost $1450.  

I think most folks here would consider it at that price.

[DanielW]

Thanks to all for the responses. I was thinking in the $1200 range, so it sounds like I'm not out of line. Maybe someday when I have free time (hah!) I'll build more and sell them regularly, but that's probably not going to happen any time soon. I just want to sell the two I have kicking around in the barn.

You make a good point about still needing a way to load logs onto them. I had originally drawn it up originally with three bunks and hydraulic and pneumatic cylinder options for loading arms (similar to the hydraulic loading arms you see on most small bandmills). But ultimately I decided that anyone who mills even semi-regularly will already have some type of a loader/grapple. And one of the reasons I kept it simple and with only two bunks was because this way you can easily break it down and strap it to the bed of your mill when trailering to a new site. Once you add a hydraulic power pack or requirements for a decently-sized compressor and air tank, it's not nearly as portable/modular.

[Magicman]

Remember that rusticretreater's example above was hypothetical and he was describing the necessary steps to determine the value. 

I would expect the tally on the materials and consumables shown in the original picture to be much more than $300.  An actual visit to a metal supplier would need to be made before pricing, selling, or buying.

$1400 seems like a bargain basement cost for that log deck.

[Nebraska]

Like I mentioned above.  

[dogbo2013]

I agree with pricing it with the above stated formula, but also keep in mind that something is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. I have under priced things for many years and shot myself in the foot. If you are just wanting to get rid of it and make some space I understand, but don't make the mistake under valuing what you have created.

[SawyerTed]

As far as usefulness goes, a log deck is a big labor and time saver.  The ease of log loading from a deck to a mill undeniable.  

At the right price, you will make money and the purchasers will have less labor in log handling.  Productivity will increase or maybe somebody won't have to work as hard.  

[TreefarmerNN]

Well if I were closer I'd be interested in one. 

As would I.  Nice looking rig and would be very helpful on my manual mill.

[rusticretreater]

Sounds like a winning product.  Time to head to Shark Tank!

[Ventryjr]

Looks like a good log deck.  It might be worth considering making a "bolt" toghether version for shipping on a pallet. Then it could be delivered with a lift gate truck.  Good luck 👍