Build me a monster of steel and wire

December 20, 2008 4:30 PM

Is there an engineering equivalent of RentACoder? I need a couple of testing devices built, and I want to put them out for bid.

I've used RentACoder for small programming jobs, and am looking for a site that works the same way: you write a description of a device that you want built, and people make bids to build it, then you pick one and the site escrows the money until you accept the device as being complete. Is there anything along these lines for devices?

posted by baggers to technology (6 comments total)

I was going to go and post a huge comment about how such a thing can't be done, but I decided to actually look around a bit and there are a few sites that seem to offer similar services to Rent a Coder but to hardware. I found this one for instance. Hope this gets you on the right path.
posted by Green With You at 5:18 PM on December 20, 2008

There is always the old-fashioned route — write up the description, shop it around to small consulting companies in that business (many are single engineers or very small groups anyway), pick one, and write the contract such that most of the money is paid only after it's done to specifications.
posted by hattifattener at 1:03 AM on December 21, 2008

just fyi...

software doesn't involve materials. just labor.

if I design something for you, depending on how complicated, i may have a few grand invested in materials before you decide that it meets or doesn't meet your criteria.

based on hard experience, unless you are one helluva product developer with a lot of experience, it's unlikely you will address everything that needs to be addressed in your "spec". do you think it is fair for me to invest a few grand in parts to realize your dream? who is going to be the judge of 'working'? how long should i have to wait for you to pass judgment on a random, non-essential or irrelevant characteristic of the work?

obviously, you have a limited idea of what goes into this type of work. development is a risky dance. if it were easy, any idiot with a checkbook would be an engineer.

ideas are a dime a dozen, like starry eyed dreamers. having one is like being an accomplished digester of food. color me unimpressed.

a prudent approach that i have taken over the years in designing stuff for people with a gleam in their eye and no tech skills is based on three phases of development:

concept demo - cheap, and illustrates the basic concept core issues (hi risk, low cost)
functional proto - implements all required functions (medium risk, medium cost)
pre-production - packages the final product (highest cost, lowest risk)

these processes each have certain characteristics and demands. i'm sure the web makes it possible to locate people to do this remotely, but really, do you think some hack in Bangladore or a first year RPI student is going to bring judgment to your effort? (no offense to RPI!)

there are "lone eagle" types in every locale. you CAN find someone to partner with you in development and build a relationship. have you given any thought to what happens when you get your shiny little toy in to production? even steel nails can't be produced without occasional problems, and having a consultant with ownership of your problems can be awfully handy when 75% of your units are failing because of a supplier error.

just saying.... it's not what you pay for something, it's how much it costs you.
posted by FauxScot at 5:21 AM on December 21, 2008

Wired had something in the latest issue for Ponoko.com. Granted this is more of a site for designers but you could give it a try. Depending on the amount you are willing to spend, you might prefer to go local so that the lines of communication are more open. If I was spending over a grand per unit, I would rather find someone nearby who i could more easily keep track of than someone across the country.
posted by JJ86 at 7:13 AM on December 21, 2008

Thanks for the info, all. FauxScot, I am aware of the differences between software and hardware when it comes to this; we have a pretty tightly written set of requirements and specs, and we've worked with consultants on stuff like this before. I'd definitely prefer someone local if possible.
posted by baggers at 6:29 AM on December 22, 2008

Sorrry baggers... raw nerve. There's more than one personal 'war story' behind this, including one involving me, anonymous Large Texas Consumer Electronics Company and an antenna controller design. After providing EXACTLY what they asked for and EXACTLY what I quoted, it took months of additional work for free to get paid the original amount. I have other examples. It's why I no longer work for neophytes and why my quotes contain payment strategies including 'deposit with order' and 'billing on milestones', plus clauses for who pays the lawyers.

There is no shortage of folks with great ideas who want technologists to work for free, and it is one of the frustrations of design/inventing as a line of work. IMO, the fairest and most productive way of obtaining support is sharing risk in situations like this. It IS risky for both sides when creativity is involved.

Otherwise, it's akin to creating sculpture with a command for the artist to 'create something and if we like it, we'll buy it.' Even Michaelangelo suffered that scam several times in his long life. Buying art is not making art. Ditto product design. I don't mean to be preachy, but as I said... raw nerve!
posted by FauxScot at 10:47 PM on December 22, 2008