Need help with rear cup holder design

[bhicks]

I FINALLY got caught up and the waiting list of folks wanting the rear double has been completed. I can now breath. I just got another batch up on my website and I am pretty sure everyone who asked for one ahead of time has now got one. Sorry if I missed somebody, but at least this batch is ready to ship. This batch will be the last prints I can guarantee delivery before Christmas and that is only if they are ordered by tomorrow. Since this thread has now evolved into a product it will be continued in the classifieds under the small business section. Any future updates or questions will be posted there. Here's the link where I will continue to update my inventory and discuss any future changes or upgrades.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/80-series-cup-holders.810946/

 

[Mandito22]

Can u print me a set of the inserts for my front one (double) but with the opening between the two of em , I got one of the first ones , but really liked the rear setup ...

 

[bhicks]

I can do that. I will send you a pm and we can figure it out.

 

[bhicks]

Can u print me a set of the inserts for my front one (double) but with the opening between the two of em , I got one of the first ones , but really liked the rear setup ...

Your updated version of the double cup inserts came off the printer about 15 minutes ago. I will have it in the mail first thing Monday morning. For the impatient folks who keep asking; YES the rear double cup holder is now back in stock.

 

[bhicks]

I didn't plan to update this thread anymore but I have gotten quite a few of the same general question and it seems very few people actually read my for sale thread over in the small business forum so I figured I would post the answer/explanation here as well. I had to make some design/structural changes to the lower tray. I had a few issues with members who had their's crack for a couple different reasons. I had to add some structural ribs, archs, and increased the wall thickness by 40% to address the issue. It is definetely not a common issue but one I wanted to address asap. I have already replaced a few from members who purchased one. The one in my car is the oringinal design and my 2 and 4 year old have been horrible to it with no ill effects, BUT I made the cnanges anyways because the need presented itself. My pictures on my website show the older version which visually is 99% the same but some folks have noticed changes and they wanted an explanation. To keep it short, the changes are there for strenght. Hopefully that will clear everything up. I will get some updated pics posted here and on my website tomorrow when I have some good daylight.

 

[bhicks]

Here's a couple pics of the lower tray changes. You can see there is a rib around the outer edge of the lower tray that is much larger than the pervious versions. There is also a curvature added to the back corner near the lower screw holes. That seemed to strenghten up that area and prevent any cracking around the screw hole in the case that someone over tightens the srew. The walls are also thicker but you can't really see that in the pics. I am also adding ribs (just like the two on the inside bottom of the tray that run front to back) on the left and right side. That will give even more strength. That is probably way overkill at this point, but I want the piece of mind that these will last the test of time.

 

[bhicks]

I have a rather odd update. I had a valid complaint on my front double cup holder. The complaint would also apply to the rear double cup holder. Someone had purchased one who is an avid coffee drinker. I myself am not so I didn't put a lot of energy into the functionality of holding coffee mugs. I copied existing designs when it came to the dimensions so I figured those accounted for the coffee mug. Apparently my cup holders don't hold the narrow travel mug very well. They are quite loose and rattle around with the black insert. I made sure I had clearanced room for bottles, cans, fast food cups, and even the sports/nalgene bottle but I forgot about the narrow coffee travel mugs. I decided to go and look at Starbucks, Target, and Walmart and brought the dial calipers along with me. There is definetly a overall universal size. there is some variation but 80%ish of the cups fit within the same bottom diameter. So i made a coffee travel mug insert that fits into my existing front and rear double cup inserts but allows for the really narrow mugs to fit nice and snug. I will be shipping them out tomorrow to the original complainer. it was a legitimate complaint and something I should have considered. Not really sure if there is a lot of folks out there that would want these or if there is no demand. I may do a batch of these if the interest is there; so if anyone who has already purchased a front or rear double or who plans to in the future and would like the coffee cup insert then please let me know. You can just respond in this thread or start a conversation with me. I'm not really sure on cost right now. My cost to print, acetone, package, and ship is in the $10-12ish range. So my guess is that they will be in the $15ish range. For folks buying a double cup holder then I will probably just make it a $10 upgrade since the shipping cost would just be covered by the cup holder order. Here's some pics. I tried to keep it simple and clean yet as functional as possible. I have the generic size travel mug in it to show fitment. The pics would have been a lot cooler if the Chargers hadn't gone on a suckfest last week.

 

[starski]

thats very nice...

 

[80ways]

If you decide to make a batch I'd buy at least one, maybe 2.
Great idea.

 

[bhicks]

If you decide to make a batch I'd buy at least one, maybe 2.
Great idea.

Ok. Thanks. If i can get around 10 guys that would be interested in these then it would be worth my time to make a batch. I will give it a week and see where we are at next weekend. These would work in the single cup holder and for the few folks that got the single cup holder with cell tray.

 

[Stout Hond]

Double Rear Cup holder - amazing vendor support. Long story short - purchased the rear double cup holder with pocket to mount on center console. Have front double cup holder and princess is thrilled. Rear is for our 2 awesome kids to have an actual place to place their water bottles etc. Mounted rear cup holder to center console and ten year old was flipping out in a positive way - beyond thrilled to have his own cup holder. Used for about a week and kids broke somehow managed to put rear seat down and brake base plate and damage holder beyond repair.

I emailed Brad and let him know the bottom tray broke and the cups were damaged when kids put seat down. Brad offered to send replacement cup holder at no cost and also inquired on how he can improve design on bottom tray. I provided details and shared with Brad that I love his product and am happy to buy the replacement as my kids somehow broke the cup holder when putting the rear seat down. I never expected Brad to send a replacement for free. As fate would have it the replacement was shipped, yet never arrived as when family returned home from Christmas holiday - no cup holder at door. Brad had sent me an email indicating cup holder would arrive day before Christmas. Not sure what happened in transit or at my front door - yet no cup holder. Contacted Brad and he took it upon himself to again send rear cup holder at his cost. Never in my life would I have expected him to offer to ship again a rear replacement cup holder at no cost to me.

I have received my replacement cup holder with enhanced design on the bottom tray and once again have thrilled Kids!!!

You must buy these cup holders from Brad and support his business - a better product and better customer service you will not find.

Find Brad here:
http://www.bh3dprinting.com/

 

[NLXTACY]

Brad...I really really hope you are actually starting to profit and in a meaningful way. Although I have long had my cup holder solutions in place I've always appreciated what you are doing and your commitment.

 

[bhicks]

Double Rear Cup holder - amazing vendor support. Long story short - purchased the rear double cup holder with pocket to mount on center console. Have front double cup holder and princess is thrilled. Rear is for our 2 awesome kids to have an actual place to place their water bottles etc. Mounted rear cup holder to center console and ten year old was flipping out in a positive way - beyond thrilled to have his own cup holder. Used for about a week and kids broke somehow managed to put rear seat down and brake base plate and damage holder beyond repair.

I emailed Brad and let him know the bottom tray broke and the cups were damaged when kids put seat down. Brad offered to send replacement cup holder at no cost and also inquired on how he can improve design on bottom tray. I provided details and shared with Brad that I love his product and am happy to buy the replacement as my kids somehow broke the cup holder when putting the rear seat down. I never expected Brad to send a replacement for free. As fate would have it the replacement was shipped, yet never arrived as when family returned home from Christmas holiday - no cup holder at door. Brad had sent me an email indicating cup holder would arrive day before Christmas. Not sure what happened in transit or at my front door - yet no cup holder. Contacted Brad and he took it upon himself to again send rear cup holder at his cost. Never in my life would I have expected him to offer to ship again a rear replacement cup holder at no cost to me.

I have received my replacement cup holder with enhanced design on the bottom tray and once again have thrilled Kids!!!

You must buy these cup holders from Brad and support his business - a better product and better customer service you will not find.

Find Brad here:
http://www.bh3dprinting.com/

Thanks for the kind words. I was glad you were willing to get me quality feedback that allowed for some needed improvements. I was a little frusturated with USPS. They ended up loosing 4 of my packages over the holidays. They seem to be quite reliable all year but when the holidays come around they can't keep it together. Next year I will probably switch over to UPS during the holidays to see if they can do a better job.

 

[bhicks]

I forgot to mention. I DID get enough interest on the coffee cup/thermos inserts so I went ahead a made a small batch. They are up on my website and etsy as of today. I did my absolute best to keep the price down but ran into some issues. They are just too bulky to fit in a padded envelope (cheaper shipping) so I have to send them in the 6x6x7 priority mail box which is a tad over $5. With the $3-4 in plastic, packaging, wear and tear on my machine, and the acetone bath, I am just a bit over $12 to make each one. I placed them at $15 which in my mind was too much. I am the vendor and I wouldn't pay that much but I am also not a coffee drinker. I will be able to do $10 as an upgrade for a new purchase of a cup holder since the shipping is already covered in the purchase of the cup holder. I guess these will just be for the die hard coffee drinkers. I am sorry I couldn't get them cheaper, but that is really the best I can do. with the 10% mud discount (coupon code "mud10) that leaves me with about a $1.50 profit on each one.

 

[Dissent]

Hi bhicks, do you think the rear cup holders you sell would clear the side holders I've installed? I like your design and want to pick one up but I'm not sure if it will clear. Can yours be shifted to one side a smidge if needed?

 

[bhicks]

Because the rear double matches the curvature of the center console you don't have much wiggle room. The hook goes through the hinge up top as well. At most you could move it left or right about 3/8" each way. I think it will be really close. Since I don't have access to your console, my advice is to buy one and test fit. If it doesn't fit then ship it back for a full refund.

 

[Dissent]

That 3/8 will help. Thanks and I appreciate the offer. I'll be ordering one soon!