3 ms·

You could probably still do it. It'd just have to be a distillation system that's not explicitly branded as a countertop water distiller but still describes its

by bryant 2y ago

You could probably still do it. It'd just have to be a distillation system that's not explicitly branded as a countertop water distiller but still describes its function and effects as such. You see plenty of examples of this on the market already as-is in different sectors. A part for a Ford GT could cost 500 bucks where the same part for a Ford Fiesta could cost 50.

toss1 2y ago
Good point but not such a great great exsmple of spurious cost differences. The Ford GT is a top race-spec car putting out 660 horsepower and capable of speeds around 220 mph, while the econocar Fiesta tops out at 112 HP and would be lucky to see 100mph with a tailwind. Unless the part is something like a window-opener switch, yoi WANT that part to have all the extra engineering, higher spec materials, tighter-tolerance machining, and higher-level finishing that goes into making a high-performance machine actually perform at such high levels. Moreover, even if the parts weren't fundamentally different despite occupying similar roles in the car, the mere difference in volume of production will dictate a far higher cost for the "same" part in a car made only in quantities of only a few hundred per year vs thousands per month ...
- bryant 2y ago
  I was referring to common elements like window switches, yes. I figured it would've gone without saying since the other components are binned based on manufacturing quality.
  - toss1 2y ago
    Yes, while some components are binned based on mfg quality, most key components of race or supercars are not merely differentially binned from the econocars. This is especially true for critical components like the drivetrain, suspension, chassis, etc. Race and supercar components will have entirely different design, engineering, materials specification, manufacturing, testinng, assembly, and QA processes. Just a gear in the transmission, a piston, body panel, or even the bolts and fasteners will often be as alien from an econocar part as are jet engine parts (in fact, it is not uncommon for racecars to borrow tech from aviation & space technology). A specific example that I work on is body panels and suspension components, which are just stamped steel for econo-cars, but for race and supercars are highly designed carbon fiber panels or components. They have literally zero in common except for ending up on the same general area of the car. Even when converting an econo-car to a low-level race spec, the new part will be entirely different. E.g., I've made parts for championship-winning pro rally and pro road racing cars. Every single component is stripped off the original frame, and then new parts are designed and built. E.g., when I build a carbon fiber hood, it will look a lot like the original, but in fact, not a single molecule or process will be the same as the original hood, but they might use an original hinge bracket to mount it to the frame. Source: Worked on racecars, drove several championship wins, own high-performance composites design & fabrication biz that does work for race teams, among other customers.
gumby 2y ago
Just relabel some cheap white-label distillation units by putting them in a pretty metal housing, with "100% natural rubber" hoses (sell a subscription to hose replacements too!) then mark up 600%. My problem is I am uncomfortable bilking the uneducated. There's enough of that going on already.

by bryant 2y ago

toss1 2y ago

Good point but not such a great great exsmple of spurious cost differences. The Ford GT is a top race-spec car putting out 660 horsepower and capable of speeds around 220 mph, while the econocar Fiesta tops out at 112 HP and would be lucky to see 100mph with a tailwind. Unless the part is something like a window-opener switch, yoi WANT that part to have all the extra engineering, higher spec materials, tighter-tolerance machining, and higher-level finishing that goes into making a high-performance machine actually perform at such high levels. Moreover, even if the parts weren't fundamentally different despite occupying similar roles in the car, the mere difference in volume of production will dictate a far higher cost for the "same" part in a car made only in quantities of only a few hundred per year vs thousands per month ...

bryant 2y ago
I was referring to common elements like window switches, yes. I figured it would've gone without saying since the other components are binned based on manufacturing quality.
- toss1 2y ago
  Yes, while some components are binned based on mfg quality, most key components of race or supercars are not merely differentially binned from the econocars. This is especially true for critical components like the drivetrain, suspension, chassis, etc. Race and supercar components will have entirely different design, engineering, materials specification, manufacturing, testinng, assembly, and QA processes. Just a gear in the transmission, a piston, body panel, or even the bolts and fasteners will often be as alien from an econocar part as are jet engine parts (in fact, it is not uncommon for racecars to borrow tech from aviation & space technology). A specific example that I work on is body panels and suspension components, which are just stamped steel for econo-cars, but for race and supercars are highly designed carbon fiber panels or components. They have literally zero in common except for ending up on the same general area of the car. Even when converting an econo-car to a low-level race spec, the new part will be entirely different. E.g., I've made parts for championship-winning pro rally and pro road racing cars. Every single component is stripped off the original frame, and then new parts are designed and built. E.g., when I build a carbon fiber hood, it will look a lot like the original, but in fact, not a single molecule or process will be the same as the original hood, but they might use an original hinge bracket to mount it to the frame. Source: Worked on racecars, drove several championship wins, own high-performance composites design & fabrication biz that does work for race teams, among other customers.

gumby 2y ago

Just relabel some cheap white-label distillation units by putting them in a pretty metal housing, with "100% natural rubber" hoses (sell a subscription to hose replacements too!) then mark up 600%. My problem is I am uncomfortable bilking the uneducated. There's enough of that going on already.