Shipping Floor Pedestals

[buck wild]

Well I can’t help you there but if you are interested in the ones I have, PM and we can work something out.

 

[gizmo]

Hello, we would love to help you. I build all of our bases in house, we do both wood and metal fab bases as well as combinations of both. I have built many bases for fellow AH'rs. Please feel free to reach out.

 

[AimSmall]

John Bridges builds quality pedestals at a fair price in South Carolina

 

[Jettech]

John Bridges builds quality pedestals at a fair price in South Carolina

I can second that. I have a base he built for my life size aoudad mount and his prices are very reasonable.

 

[migrabill]

So, most of you said it would be cheaper to buy them in the US. Based on my research…. Absolutely not true. Although I may go with custom bases purchased here in the US because the quality is better. It is absolutely cheaper to buy them in Africa and add them to your shipping container already coming here with your trophies. 3 bases like the ones I want will be 4000-5000 dollars here in the US custom made. Bases in RSA are about 300 each- so that’s 900 total plus about $1500 added to your shipping- so about $2400 total which is half the price. For you guys saying you get them made here for $200 _ trust me- the quality is not there. The wood I want is more than that.

 

[Woodcarver]

800 for a pedestal in the US is a complete and utter rip off! I have had pedestals for many animals built in the past for around 100-200.

How far in the past? When I was building bases for a local taxidermist, before the world went stupid, I had $150-$200+ in material for most of them, usually alder; typical base was an octagon. Add my day's labor in, and his price was between $450-$600, depending on the specific design and wood. He only added to that if he created habitat on the top. Simple routed bases for birds were $40-$80.
When I priced the same lumber this past summer, I would have close to $250-300 in material in a typical octagon (24"Wx30"Lx28"H). Obviously this changes a great deal depending on the size of the base, but hardwood lumber has truly gone stupid in price.

So, most of you said it would be cheaper to buy them in the US. Based on my research…. Absolutely not true. Although I may go with custom bases purchased here in the US because the quality is better. It is absolutely cheaper to buy them in Africa and add them to your shipping container already coming here with your trophies. 3 bases like the ones I want will be 4000-5000 dollars here in the US custom made. Bases in RSA are about 300 each- so that’s 900 total plus about $1500 added to your shipping- so about $2400 total which is half the price. For you guys saying you get them made here for $200 _ trust me- the quality is not there. The wood I want is more than that.

I've seen a few bases that originated in SA, I believe you will find having them built in the US a better option (can't speak to the shipping cost from SA). My bet is, you can find a good custom cabinet maker locally and get what you want for a lot less than the $4-5k you mentioned. While I haven't seen one in person, the pics I've seen of the bases @gizmo has made for others here on AH show quality work. Might be worth getting in touch with him if the MD cabinet makers are overpriced.

 

[Clark8907]

How far in the past? When I was building bases for a local taxidermist, before the world went stupid, I had $150-$200+ in material for most of them, usually alder; typical base was an octagon. Add my day's labor in, and his price was between $450-$600, depending on the specific design and wood. He only added to that if he created habitat on the top. Simple routed bases for birds were $40-$80.
When I priced the same lumber this past summer, I would have close to $250-300 in material in a typical octagon (24"Wx30"Lx28"H). Obviously this changes a great deal depending on the size of the base, but hardwood lumber has truly gone stupid in price.

I've seen a few bases that originated in SA, I believe you will find having them built in the US a better option (can't speak to the shipping cost from SA). My bet is, you can find a good custom cabinet maker locally and get what you want for a lot less than the $4-5k you mentioned. While I haven't seen one in person, the pics I've seen of the bases @gizmo has made for others here on AH show quality work. Might be worth getting in touch with him if the MD cabinet makers are overpriced.

The last one I had built was around 6 or 7 years ago. The ones I have built myself are cheaper as my wife's uncle owns a lumber yard and I can get materials next to nothing. I am having a couple built now, one for kudu and one for sable and will have 275 a piece in those. I just spoke to the guy this past weekend.