Wood Burning Patio Heater Idea..... Opinions Needed

[1192simon]

Hello Fellow Metalheads,
Been wanting to make a wood burning patio heater for ages now but i just never seem to get any time. I have my vented gas bottle sitting there and keep looking at it and trying to think up something really different. I am a bit of a Futurama fan and have been studying Bender for a while ( no puns please lol ) And reckon the shape of his body is ideal to turn a gas bottle into a life size wood burning patio heater. I have access to all sorts of metal bits and bobs and can source all the components i need to complete it. I was just wondering what you guys think of this. I wouldnt mind being in the position to do this sort of thing for a living and make some money out of it. I am so fed up driving to London every day for the past 20 years and putting up with all the crap that goes with modern site work. Please guys, dont hold back and say what you think cos i really appreciate opinions from like minded people... Thanks for listening ... Si

 

[the snooper]

it doesnt matter what it looks like as long as it works how it should so crack on and get some pictures posted

 

[Dev]

Could be good. You could have the flue coming out of his shiny metal...

 

[Shox Dr]

Been on my "Round tuit" list for sometime now

 

[the snooper]

Been on my "Round tuit" list for sometime now

here you go shox

 

[Shox Dr]

That reminds me I've one of those

 

[the snooper]

That reminds me I've one of those

so have i a driver brought me it in at work but i bust it a few weeks ago

 

[Dev]

Looks like the sort of thing that should be made from WWII era enamelware. I like it.

When I was looking for burner ideas I found a couple of people selling them. Some were incredibly expensive but I don't know if those guys make a living from that alone.

 

[cumbriasteve]

I can appreciate the sentiments of making a living out of it, unfortunately reality is a different thing.

Unless you venture into fast production methods and then receive the mass sales to survive, you have to hope for the individual style and high price to match, there are still customers willing to pay big wads for 'one offs' but they are not going to be knocking on your door every day.

It could be a decent earner if coupled with another revenue earner, perhaps ornamental steelwork or similar.

I would hate the daily treadmill of the big city but if you have reasonable job security and a decent wage it takes a very decent income when self employed to beat it.

Wish you loads of luck if you decide to go for it.

 

[Shox Dr]

I have a bunch of designs for patio heaters, from Trains to Rockets and UXB's and Daleks to Benders.

As Steve says, it's OK making this stuff, it's finding people that are willing to pay what you have in one. Very much like Chunkolini et al find with there work