First prototype guys!
Got to sort the seal and goretex valve install now and then smash it around a bit.
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...2017/07/37.jpgPrototype 1 by Ben Kincade,
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First prototype guys!
Got to sort the seal and goretex valve install now and then smash it around a bit.
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...2017/07/37.jpgPrototype 1 by Ben Kincade,
Woohoo! Well done & it looks just as good as the virtual ones! Quite an achievement. Fingers crossed that testing goes well.
That looks awesome! I hope it works and lasts as good as it looks.
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I'll tell you I have been looking at space cases to fit one or 2 to the roof rack because they are a good size. I don't want something too tall. I think your sizing is bang on. Will wait to see you product before making a purchase. Nice work.
Got to do some real torture testing first and then refine a little more I suspect. Coming together though.
Thanks for the support guys.
have you got a pic of the underside? is it smooth so it can be dragged across surfaces or ribbed and must be lifted?
Underside will fit the lid ridges to assist with stacking. There are some vague sketches around here somewhere to later play with a wheeled version but at this stage it looks like the below.
If you mean for dragging it across the top of another box, then we've put in two lengthways ribs to help that go smoothly.
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...2017/07/60.jpgUnderside by Ben Kincade,
Thanks mate. Yeah I have found with the cheap tubs that the ribs can catch and grab in carpet and rough surfaces and break off. The cheap ones with wheels also don't last well with wheels ripping off.
Surfaces that it might get dragged across would be checkerplate in the bottoms of the camper trailer, carpet on top of the rear drawers in the GU, carpet on the floor at home, concrete driveway. Roof rack mesh.
Well, day one of torture testing and we busted a hinge-pin! Back to the drawing board on the hinge for a bit then try again.
Still, happy with a lot of the other features and it is a nice smooth interior like we wanted. The grips also are nice and comfortable and the latches work great, so not all bad news. Just a bit more work to do yet.
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...017/07/129.jpgExpedition Box 2 by Ben Kincade,
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...017/07/130.jpgExpedition Box 1 by Ben Kincade,
Looks great.
2 questions.
1. Is the lid strong enough to sit on or stand on?
2. Are the latches or the lid lockable with a padlock or something?
Yes and yes.
The parameters we designed into it are to hold at least 120Kg, which in the computer modeling it did easily. During the rest of the torture testing I'll find out just what sort of real-life weight it will hold, right up until we bust it altogether, so it will probably be the last test.
On the front of the box, to the right and left of the centre latch you can see some holes. This is where you can make use of either one or two various standard sized padlocks which come up from underneath to prevent tampering.
Today we are testing the goretex valve and seal.
So far we've noticed a bit of flex in the side walls, but nothing concerning given that this prototype is only ABS plastic and not the final glass reinforced Polypropylene that should be much stronger.
Will keep the updates going as we progress.
Short video look at the box for perspective. The Cape Flattery trip was great fun with the kids and gave me the opportunity to get a real feel for the box at the same time. Now we are working towards the second prototype after some improvements to design.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOR6FwJ6G1Y
Brilliant stuff mate. We're currently using 3 of below, 65l wheeled jobbies. 2 are black with different coloured lids, the 3rd is red with a blue lid. So it's easy for us to know what's in each box. And as Winnie already said, we also keep them stockvsnd packed for quick getaways.
Not sure if you're able to add wheels as an accessory, but we've found them very useful when storing these under the camp table, lift up one end and pull out etc....Kids can sit on them but definitely no where near as tough as yours, so no good for a fat twat like me. Not dust or water tight either, so not able to chuck them on the roof.
Definitely looking forward to seeing how yours go and eventual purchase price. Hope it all goes well.
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...2017/08/47.jpg
Cheers mate. We are looking at an option to attach wheels but don't want to build them into the box as it takes up too much room. I just carried the thing from Cairns to Brisbane via the airport system and it is also pretty handy as a Patrol Box, but would really benefit from a screw on handle/frame/wheels arrangement. Getting there slowly...
Perfect, hence why I asked about them as an accessory. The wheels do take up a bit of space and handles can get in the way a little as they are.Quote:
Originally Posted by FNQGU
FNQGU for the wheels maybe solid wheels on a axlesetup like the old sack trollie and the back or handle could consentenor the sections being the same size as your boxes so as to use the holes at the corners or the boxes to lock the cart against upside down to get the wheels out of the way . Pretty hard to explain on paper I'm more hands on sort of bloke .
Design a 'clip on' Wheel and Handle accessory that can be purchased separately sama sama tie downs, racks, joining clamps etc. as prev mentioned on other pages.
More money in it for you and you don't have to have different boxes IE one with wheels and one without
yep if you are going fopr an interlocking system like a sea container where the only one secured is the base box...you could make clip on wheels that fit in the interlock bit easy accessory and build into designQuote:
Originally Posted by the evil twin
Um.....this sort ofhttp://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...2017/08/63.jpg
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Plenty of food for thought there. There are a number of design limitations when using injection moulds (due to the way the moulds work) but if wheels and handle things are important enough then no doubt there is a way.
We've just started some interesting production discussions too. If everything falls into place we might be able to have these available around Feb/March next year. Yes, it does take that long...apparently! The moulds themselves take about 3 months to build and prove and we really need to do another prototype before that. Once we have the moulds we will punch about about twenty boxes in probably three different materials and flog them to death before settling on a final material choice. Unfortunately that means more time in the bush I guess....
Well, a few final last tweaks are underway to the design prior to ordering the expensive injection moulds.
Yesterday we got it into a boardroom of a major company where much was discussed regarding distribution with our intent of keeping the price as low as we can.
Seems like we can go via the BCF/SuperCheap Auto/Rays Outdoors/Anaconda etc. or try and hit up the big boys like ARB or Bunnings, or we can do it ourselves with like an online thing off our website. Or perhaps both!
We can also do a super duty version that would be tough as nails. Probably made with something like the reinforced nylon in MaxTrax, which of course would be more expensive to make, but might be wanted by a lot of people too.
Still yet to finalise pricing, but more and more certain we can do them around the $120-$140 mark, but a lot of the cost is freight or retail markups.
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...017/09/191.jpgExpedition Box by Ben Kincade,
Keep at it, Cobber... hoping it will be a roaring success for you and you can sell the Tojo and get a decent truck
Duramax if I do!
Well that answered my ? re distribution. Was giving some thought to a coupla pallets of to move to my trade/retail clients. Cést la vie!
no worries. Am working out just how many will fit on a pallet. Lids off they nest inside each other to about the half way mark. 4 stacks will fit, just not sure of height as it depends where we put all the lids. Might be able to just stack them on top of each pillar. Will let you know if you are keen.
looks very similar to an ammo box I just brought, Ill put up a pic latterQuote:
Originally Posted by FNQGU
Probably going to offer foam inserts now too. Two layers. A couple of drone photographers with their larger Phantom types and extra gear are very keen for this.
Well done, Ben.
I can't believe I missed this thread!
I'm really keen on the final product.
I've got a pod on the back of my ute and store all my stuff in stacked plastic boxes and use the provided tie down points to secure them, whilst travelling.
On most occasions when I get to my destination, I store the boxes in a 4 man tent, so I can sleep in the pod, watch a DVD, cook a meal in my oven and boil the kettle, for coffee. lol.
I store everything in plastic boxes because it's organized and I can individualize what and where I pack it.
Contents labelling on box: I also label 'what's in the box' by writing the contents' name on each side of the (black) boxes with a yellow paint pen and each yellow lid with a black permanent marker. That way, if I have to turn the box around, I still know what's in it.
You might want to consider how people are going to label the boxs' content/s, before you go into final production - and be able to change the labelling, if they decide to put something else different in it at a later date.
When I need to move camp in a hurry, I just 'chuck' them in the back, and go.
When I get home, I can unpack one box at a time. No rush and my stuff isn't left in piles, all over the garage floor.
At the moment, I secure the lid to the box via 'Leckie ties', as each end has matching holes on the lid and the box itself.
Hope this helps.
Take care over there.
Rossco
Edit: I'd love to see what a WA 'Red Dirt' coloured box would look like. lol
One thing I also have, is a plastic box which contains all my food preparation and dish washing equipment. I had the idea years ago to design and market the kit, but had no idea how to go about it. The kit contains plastic and melamine crockery, stainless steal cutlery ( for six people ), cooking utensils, fry pan, tea towels and a bottle of dish washing liquid. We use a plastic kitty litter box for a sink. I also use a collapsible crate that is used as a dish rack. There is very little wasted space, but there is room for improvement, and the plastic box is deteriorating.
It would be fantastic if you could design a sink, dish rack, cutlery tray and bottle for the dish washing liquid to fit snugly in your expedition box.
Yeah, all options I guess. Definitely thought about the kitchen box as I currently do similar in my Nally bins. Different colour for different contents etc. I drag them out of the truck into the camp as the drawer system craps me off having to go back to the car all the time.
Re the washing up dish, I've gone back to one of those flexi type plastic buckets lately myself, but still have the standard rectangular plastic washing up dish somewhere in the shed. Could easily design one to fit as an upper level in the box to replace the current lift-out tray option.
Just throwing this out there, but anyone reckon there would be a market for a really tough version of this box? Same features, but heavier stronger build again?
Guessing about a $200 price tag though.
That is expensive, but after continually buying replacement bins over the years, it would be worth it, especially if you could guarantee it wouldn't shed glass fibre as it ages.
thinking a nylon additive at the moment. Going to get twenty odd done in various materials, including a bullet proof one of the heaviest grade and then see what we think. If nothing else, I'll use it in my own truck.
If your marketing against a Space Case then i think your price point is bang on. Happy to buy it cheap too ;P but i think its pretty good value for a tough as nails box that will last my lifetime.
Hey look, if it all works as we hope, and we do the torture tests and are satisfied it is worthwhile, then there will be a deal for the NissanPatrol mob for sure!
But yes, our standard level box will hopefully compete with SpaceCase and TuffBox and those big boys but at a price where we can all afford it. Just now that I have learned a little about materials, there is room to do something stronger again but out of the same mould. One of the benefits of injection moulds and some newer materials I guess. I'll get some done and go from there. Just an idea at this stage.
Sorry Ben and Nic,
It's not got a name
https://openskytouring.com/4wd-touri...34-brand-born/
G'day mate - we've branded it the X-134 series.
Going to get a batch made up as soon as the injection moulds arrive, and then try and destroy them to select the final material we want to use.
Waiting on others at the moment, but early First Quarter we should have something to play with. Trying to get them out for Easter.
Here is the link to the update for anyone else who might be interested.
or copy and paste: https://openskytouring.com/4wd-touri...34-brand-born/
Best of luck mate. Really respect people extending themselves and developing quality gear over quick-cash disposables. Guys like yourself, @oncedisturbed and @PeeBee really putting out quality products that might not sell a million but will just last. Hope it's a goer for you.
Cheers mate, I'll be washing dishes for a long time now if it doesn't work...
Balls on the line. Utmost respect. Unions check this guy and call him a rich capatalist if he succeeds. Do it yourself.Quote:
Originally Posted by FNQGU