[sdiy] Advice for someone entering the kit business?

[synth1 at airmail.net]

a) Don't talk about it, don't mention it and don't announce it until you
have a website with shopping cart set up (I use the free ZenCart) and have
*inventory* you can ship one *Day 1*.

b) spend as much time on documentation as design. Documentaion is as
boring a thing to do as humanly possible. But if the docs are not through
and *correct*, you are killing yourself.

c) to not build 1 perf board and assume you can go into production. YOu
can always get *1* of anything to work. Go to www.4pcb.com and order 5 pc
boards. Use a real CAD system and layout boards with decent power/grounds.
Use LPI solder mask so the silkscrenn loot decent. Do NOT cut cost on the
pc board. MOTM pc boards are about $8/ea in 100pcs. Big deal :)

Build *5* of every protype, give 4 to away to 4 different people to test.

d) use 2mm 6061T6 aluminum for front panels. Best compromise of
cost/weight/flexing/ease of finishing

e) buy decent pots and jacks as this is what people actually "use".

f) use Tl072ACP for general purpose op amps, LT1013 for summing amps and
OP275GPs for best audio. FOr transistors. use higher gain NPN/PNP and stay
away from crap-ola 2N3904/6 unless to are turning LEDs on and off.

g) think of a fair and decent price to sell your widget. Then *double it*.

Paul S.