New Grower Need input on custom grow cabinets

[jhnfrmrby420]

Don't Know if Im in The right Category Or Not, If I am I appoligise, just thought it goes being its auto related. I was thinking of building custom cabinets/cabs. Im a contractor and can pretty much build anything. Was thinking I'll build custom to specs of customer, and have a few standard ones at a fixed price, the few standards would be from everyones suggestions here. Both can have options and add ons at an extra cost. Give me some ideas of standard setups, sizes, average costs of these units. Now remember you wont be able to compare to the other factory made units, these are all solid wood. I can even do stealths, dressers, etc. All will be constructed to put together very easily. This way it cuts down on shipping costs. Please give me some feedback. Will only do wood style. I can even insulate with the 1 1/2 inch foam board you use on houses before you put siding up. They insulate very well. Would work out good for people who Have to put boxes in cooler than desired areas, would hold warmth in for longer after your lights go out, would also cut down on noise from fans and stuff. THESE WILL BE AUTO CABINETS IM LOOKING FOR INPUT ON. Was thinking maybe standard units would have everything complete, fans, paint, mylar, etc. This is what I want to hear suggestions on, standard sizes with what fans, suggestions on a 4 plant to 6 plant boxes, etc, double tier or side by sides for top or bottom or side can be for seedlings, and the other grow area, etc. I dont know, just throwing some ideas out there. Or I can do just plain boxes, customer adds lights fans etc....Let me know

 

[gearbear]

Maybe 2 different forms of the model. Stealth and non-stealth. and offer at least 2 size variations. maybe a dresser size and a wardrobe or storage shelf type size. Maybe even offer a night stand model with a working top drawer and faux drawer/drawers bottom that only release/open from a back lockable latch?

to me the 2 most important factors when I have considered these is light proofing and sound proofing. When you walk into a room, you should not be able to hear the fan. Maybe only be able to hear the fan if you actually only have your ear to the cabinet itself. To do that would take some engineering but I believe can be done with proper muffling and sound insulation. I have yet to see a unit that can properly vent a stealth unit without a distinctive fan/air sound. You may really consider LED lighting or induction options or CFL. Or come up with a unique solution to vent a HPS light without all the fan noise.

 

[gearbear]

 

[gearbear]

i WOuldn't worry about trying to add compartments. We're talking autos here. Def. take into consideration running higher humidity inside the wood cab. How do you get around the problem? How do you offer a good solution to control humidity on a small scale? (I would think some kind of custom fill-able from the back type of sonic humidifier with some kind of adjustable humidity setting that kicks on/off the power to the device.

 

[gearbear]

If I were to run seedlings in it, I def. wouldn't want another "only" specified compartment for them. I'll run them in a different area or set in a humidity dome or what not next to my other plants inside the grow space.

 

[gearbear]

if you were to make an all in one item please include a complete shutdown type switch for excessive heat. and maybe an auto-extinguisher option?

 

[gearbear]

Just trying to help ya find the niche market that has not been capitolized and help you offer something a bit more unique and is wanted.

 

[gearbear]

Now price, what can you make for $1000 or under and what can you make for $3000 and under. Doubt you'll have many spending over that, but offer a possible custom make type deal for those that would be willing to fork over the cash or at least just in options on a more standardized unit.

good light $300ish (150 HPS and supplement Florescent could lower price)
humidifier option $100ish
heat switch $20+
you probably would want to find a way to make you own or find a company that would special design you carbon filters for application (?)
Fans (?)
Sound, proofing and reflective material (?)
glass if making a separated HPS light compartment (?)
power cords (?)
Building materials for cabinet (?)
Labor and time (?)

 

[gearbear]

If you can even offer a cheap option. Like something called stealth grow buddy. and maybe package it like an infrared heater, then the fan sound wouldn't matter and the heat would appear to be normal and operating like it should. I bet something like that would sell like tarter sauce at a fish fry.

 

[jhnfrmrby420]

Those are some awesome features there gear bear, but before I went and invested that expense into it, I would like to see what people are willing to pay for them. Just cant go and invest a bunch of money into a unit and hope it sells. The humidity I havent fooled around with much yet, will be doing that with my 3x3x6 cabinet shortly. I just through that together, not to stealthy looking outside, but its gonna be light tight, and The way Im settin mine up I have a 400watt hps and 6 40 watt cfls along the 2 sides. Im thinkin if I put a good binz type primer, sealer, before I paint it flat white it should cut it down a hell of alot. The binz primer seals out mold and moisture, and seals the wood. Just gonna have to ventalate it dryin with fans to make sure its totaly dry, no odor. Then I'll put a couple coats of flat white. I think anymore woodbased or flake board backed products like white ontop of flake board, the same stuff you go and get a do it yourself dresser, its that flake board crap. I think that would just absorb more if any if possible, over just sealing the wood properly. The styrafoam panels would be great insulation, especialy in bigger boxes that can be made of 2x3 frames, put your outside plywood up, put your foam boards inside and then put 1/4 hardwood inside walls properly sealed. As far as the noise goes, I would always double the walls and put some sort of insulation in the walls. That would cut it down for sure. Then theres a couple other tricks of cutting it down, little here, little there. I never seen anything for custom built boxes. I would realy like to build realy nice safe quality boxes. Nothing Getto, nice stylish units, or plain jane for those who dont want to spend alot on a custom. I can build anything if you show me a drawing. And anything added can be sent to me by the customer, or pay and have it shipped to me, then I just add the cost of time to install. No markup on lighting or any extra units, just labor costs. As far as standard boxes, build a small cheap unit for the beginner, fans and cfls included. Then a more elabret unit thats nicer that can hold up to 6 plants with LED or HPS option, or go with standard CFL lights. I realy think this would be a good thing. And being Im outta work with 6 kids, I can use the extra cash. Most construction shuts down when it gets cold here in these parts. I could even try lining the entire inside with aluminum sheets sprayed flat white inside for moisture. Keep The suggestions coming, They are all great points