Trying to *Follow* My Dream.

As a few of you know, I'm pretty deep in a lot of fabrication, machining and just generally trying to build stuff. Without the intent of being spammy, and since @mandown and @johnbryanpeters mentioned it, I figured I'd post up about what I've been up to lately and haven't been on as much. I have been working on a machined slim wallet. It started as something I wanted to make for myself and just went to town on my mill one night in the garage. I've had a few versions and had complaints about them for one reason or another, just wanted to give it a shot myself. My first couple were crude, but I liked it.

One of my buddies that I met through machining runs his own machine shop building some rad stuff. He left his day job about a year ago and been supporting himself and being his own boss. He has one CNC and build some bad ass custom knives. He's a 'job shop' but really does smaller runs of somewhat specific stuff. As he gains more capital he wants to do more of his own projects and less of other peoples, sans friends with cool stuff.

I've got pretty self-proficient with 3D CAD modeling and do all the designing myself. Ken helped me with some details to optimize for production. We built a run of 30 to start and test out. I've also come up with a version that holds a little knife called the TUKK from a dude on Instagram named Tactical Keychains. The TUKK is held magnetically in the wallet for a pretty sweet little combo IMO.

Somewhat self explanatory via the pics, but would love some monkey support via other websites or even Kickstarter if it is something that floats your boat. I think it's a solid product, it seems to be a game of social media promotion at this point. You can always check my IG @jkaslowski. My buddy is @zodiaceng and his website is www.zodiaceng.com. It has photos and a link to his account with pics. I know there are some guys on here that follow him already.

My brother is a professional product photographer and took all the pics for me. I can always work out something for Monkeys if there's interest (Green!). I'm pretty savvy with coating options, the main ones will be anodized, just like pretty much every bike part, but also have testing going on with cerakote and some other stuff. Hope you guys dig. These things are 100% made in the US, in southern Cali. USA aluminum from Kaiser, ano and all coatings done local and the bands are US made as well. Not the cheapest product out there, but reasonable for something that should outlast any leather wallet.

I'll try to keep from going on for a dissertation, but I love design and machining. I'd love to do this instead of my day job, but I have a mortgage to pay and a family to feed. It can hopefully become an awesome second income and a dream for more. I've been looking at getting a small dedicated shop and hopefully this puts me on that path with a small headstart. I love the feeling I get from looking at something and saying 'I made that.'

TLR pics. Way more on my IG. Thanks Monkies!

Untitled by Joseph Kaslowski, on Flickr

Untitled by Joseph Kaslowski, on Flickr

Untitled by Joseph Kaslowski, on Flickr

Untitled by Joseph Kaslowski, on Flickr

Untitled by Joseph Kaslowski, on Flickr

Untitled by Joseph Kaslowski, on Flickr

Untitled by Joseph Kaslowski, on Flickr

Here's a knife my buddy Ken just finished. Ti sides and a CTS-XHP blade.

Top right of the flat phone pic. Very close to rootbeer...

Shimz separate. Regular wallet will be $40 for the first 100, $45 after. $45 for the Tukk and $55 after I think. Then more for ti versions as well as some that have the knife included. Like I said, can work out monkey group buy with interest or just contact me directly and I'll take care of you.

Look below. Holds as many as you need.

CrabJoe StretchPants said:

Any thoughts of adding a bottle opener to it? Preferably a SS/carbide insert as to not chew up the pretty ano.

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I have thought about it. Want to keep it simple for now but is something I might work on. Some sort of insert would probably work.

canadmos said:

Where, when, how can I buy one? I haven't carried a wallet in years and need one.

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Goes live probably tomorrow night and I will push on Instagram Friday morning. It will be on Kickstarter. I will post the link in this thread. The first hundred will be listed at $40 for any of the anodized colors of the regular wallet. I've backed a few projects and enjoyed it. It's a great avenue to reduce risk and gauge interest. Pretty straightforward.

AngryMetalsmith said:

Pro images are a great step in the right direction.
Welcome to the club.

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Yup, images make a huge difference. My brother and dad are both good photographers. I got the 'build stuff' gene instead. Been building things for a while, just finally committing and trying to sell more than a few one offs.

canadmos said:

Cool stuff. How many cards does it hold?

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All the pictures have 8 cards. I may do different versions at some point either thicker or thinner if there's demand. It wouldn't make much difference in machining. These are machined from 1/2" stock at finished wallets are .400" thick. Pocket inside is .300" deep currently.

CrabJoe StretchPants said:

Very cool, curious to see what you come up with. Very awesome as-is to start though, I dig it. I love all things design/machining.

If you ever want/need a hand on the design end, feel free to shoot me a message. I love designing and machining odds and ends for personal use at work. Access to Solidworks/Inventor, Bridgeport and a lathe is arguably the best benefit that came with my job.

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For sure man. On the flip side if you ever have something you want built, hit me up. Anything gadgety or whatever. I have no problem cutting someone in on something they design. I know a lot of people have ideas for stuff but not the means to make it. I also really, really want to build a bike frame. So if you are interested in designing, I'd be down to build.

Pesqueeb said:

I'm curious how airport security would respond to this.

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They would probably have an issue with the knife version, but just a metal wallet, no big deal. I've carried different ones for years and been on dozens of flights. Never even been asked about them.

jimmydean said:

That's very cool.

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Thanks. It's by no means revolutionary, just a piece of myself that I wanted to do a certain way and hope it reflects that. Working on this recently has made me realize how life should be, getting excited about waking up and working on something, making calls, picking up finished parts...at least for me. The soul sucking job is getting old and doing it for another 20 years reeks of misery.

canadmos said:

I'd definitely be interested in a 4 card version. I travel lightly.

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In all seriousness, try it out. With some cash, it should still be super slim and with less cards, you can keep the cash and everything tucked in the frame. Even as is, it's barely noticeable in your pocket. If you don't like it, just send it back and I have no problem refunding money. Or, I could always send one out and you can try it out. If you like it, pay for it, if not, send it back. No harm, no foul. I realize they won't be for everyone.

jimmydean said:

I have never gotten a chance to play with CNC, but I hope to get there some day. The bulk of my fabrication is limited to what I can cut and weld together then grind to fit.

The reality is if you could support yourself with it, I am all for it.

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I'm 100% self taught. From welding to machining to wrenching on cars. I read a metric s ton on the internet when I want to learn something along with just doing it. I had never used a machine tool and saved $1500 and just found a lathe I wanted and bought it and watched youtube videos on how to use it. I had zero CNC experience when I decided to build my CNC plasma table, now it's all pretty straightforward, but there are always little tips and tricks to do things better/faster/neater. I love having my buddy run these wallets for me because he's helping me with the backside of everything as well. Learning CNC mill setups, fixturing, processes, programming, etc. I've started using Fusion360 and it's amazing for the motivated individual. I know have a full CAD/CAM package for free. My friend Ken does all his programming with it now and we can easily share files.

We are seriously considering getting a shop space together, even if we keep our perspective 'companies' separate, because having people to bounce ideas off of is huge, along with being able to have a bigger shop and share tools and common space. I have some unique connections that may give us an edge. As long as I can financially support shop costs, it's a no brainer for me. If I did nothing but break even, I would be happy.

Adventurous said:

First off, good luck with your venture! I can't speak from personal experience but self employment seems like the way to go, especially if you are passionate about it.

Perhaps it will be listed on the Kickstarter or I just missed it, but what is the band made of?

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Thanks. I've always had this picture in my head of being my own boss. Tired of the monotony and BS. I know running a business has it's own headaches, but the people I know that do it wouldn't trade those for the headaches of working for other people. This project has given me a taste of that and it tastes good.

The bands are EPDM rubber. They should be super durable and are about .050 thick. I get them from a guy in Los Angeles.

berkshire_rider said:

Good luck to you! Working in corporate America is pretty depressing.

Do you know if your buddy is going to sell those knives? His "store" isn't setup on the website.

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The knives are actually for someone else and Ken is building them. They are for www.boosblades.com. Ken will also be working on his own line of stuff. FWIW custom knives aren't cheap...

Here are two of his own. The Scout is his fixed blade. CTS-XHP blade, G10 handles and his inTIGgral folder. Ti handle and CTS-XHP blade.

StiHacka said:

What kind of lock do those folders use?

And how can I order one of them wallets?

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It's an integrated lock. Basically part of the handle. Blade flips up and lock is sprung towards handle. Push away from blade to release. Pic is pretty self explanatory.

The wallets will be available via Kickstarter tonight or tomorrow. I will post a link here.

EPDM rubber band, 'ranger band'.

canadmos said:

I call first dibs on one of the wallets!

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I would super appreciate some love going through Kickstarter. It's pretty easy to sign up and pledge and your card doesn't get charged until the campaign ends, which will be Jan. 1 @ 8pm PST. I will post the link here before general pop. The first 100 will be listed at $40. Color will be collected via a survey. Not *exactly* sure how the campaign works on my side since I've never done it before, but it seems to work for others.

StiHacka said:

If it's like a classic Kickstarter project, the wallets will be delivered in May 2017.

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I know a lot of people complain about that type of stuff. My buddy and I will all be personally making this stuff. Short of hitting some astronomical number, we got a handle on it pretty well. I have the delivery date marked for March 2016. Plan to start shipping Feb or sooner. I'd rather under promise. We have already ran a test batch of 30 (the ones in the pics). Once I see I'm going to hit the $4k minimum, I will just front the money for material and get started. Materials aren't super cheap, but if I know the project is going to be successful, I want to get ahead of it.

Also, any social media reposts (even if you don't want or have interest in the wallets) of the KS link, Facebook, Reddit, forums, blogs, etc., is much appreciado. I feel the products are solid, the challenge is getting eyes on the campaign. I do know that even though Kickstarter is pretty cool, percentage-wise very little traffic comes directly from there. Most traffic from successful campaigns are from direct links from other sites. I honestly would appreciate a repost somewhere just as much as a purchase.

Out of the forums I'm on, this is by far my home and I will make sure I take care of anyone on here like I would my personal friends, whether we know either other in person or not. I like being on here *cue sad background violin*.