OK, here is what I have done with www.brassfetcher.com

[Brass Fetcher]

Hi All. After 2+ years of posting the results of my ballistic gelatin tests to the internet, and recieving countless requests to test different caliber/bullet/gun combinations, I have posted a donation button on my website. So, the question always seemed to be : 'What is fair way to allow people to request and pay for the ballistic gelatin tests'?

At least once a week I get an email asking : "You know what would be a cool test?" and the writer then proceeds to surreptitiously hint that I should test their favorite carry load; unless they are a close friend, I really can't afford to do that and any email that I send back to them explaining my custom testing fee schedule doesn't seem to get many replies.

So, I am thinking that just accepting whatever amount you would like to donate, if you find the website useful, would work out best for everyone - and will keep the new tests coming. Like the FBI Test # 3 that I have posted here: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=229946 . For the longest time, and continuing today, gelatin tests of commonly available pistol and rifle cartridges have been generally unavailable to the public. It was and it my hope that my website has given some insight into the performance of these munitions. The 'donate button' is on the start page of my website.

Please let me know what you think of this method.

Thank you,

JE223

 

[gp911]

I think it's an excellent idea.

This way people can buy the ammo or make a general donation to keep the site updated with fresh information.


gp911

 

[denfoote]

How much is a block of Jello??

I understand it is quite expensive or is that just particulate vapor emitting from someone's rearward facing smokestack??

 

[Brass Fetcher]

Here is a breakdown of my cost to make one pistol-sized block :

"Gelatin powder : 160 $/25lbf. 2.2lbf in the kg needed for each block = $14.55

Refrigerator wear : One mini fridge makes 20 blocks usually before the refrigeration machinery breaks. (I don't use my food fridge because gelatin is a sanctuary for bacterial growth). The one I have now cost $150. = $7.50

Ice for the ice chest : $3.00

Gasoline : the range is 25 miles round trip from my house. I finally ditched my 'car' and got a 4x4. Of course, I now get 12 miles/gallon. At 2.50 $/gal, = $5.00 for the gas.

I'm excluding the costs of the private range I shoot at (local public range is now a gangsta training area), the Ohler chrono, mold, triple-beam balance and test fixtures.

The total, then, for each block will have to be at least $30.00. My feeling is, based on that poll that I did where people could choose what they wanted to see tested in gelatin, is that there is more than enough people wanting to see one particular caliber/brand tested to be able to split the bill. Something like 14 people responded to this poll in favor of the 45-70. The total cost to them, then, would be $2 each. There is about a $500 startup fee to get all of the equipment to properly make gelatin... So this seems the cheap way to go, to me."

And, without looking too much like a prick, I will have to mention the time required to make a block. While I think it would be poor form to charge for my time, most people offering a service do it... so, a lab technician makes say $20 and hour. It takes me the better part of two hours to get everything weighed out and mixed. So, I can make one block for $70.

denfoote - It is alot like race cars , a person can make the process very expensive, but with gelatin it is not necessary to do anything other than good scientific/laboratory procedure.