best cigar tube length and width

Hey guys, I recently made some titanium tubes and one of my buyers sugested I make them a little longer and wider to sell as cigar tubes. I was wondering what you guys would think is a good size to make these in. I wouldnt want to go too big because not everyone smokes really long and really wide cigars, but at the same time, I would like the cigar tube to fit the majority of cigar sizes. I would also like to know if most of you would prefer a "light as possible" cigar tube, or a "bomb proof" cigar tube. As of now, the tube's walls are 3mm thick. This is thick enough to withstand getting run over by a car. But, if I make the tubes 7" long, it may be a little heavy if the walls are left at 3mm. Let me know what you guys think, any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Here are some pics of what they would look like as well:

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...h_P1020903.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...h_P1020904.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...h_P1020905.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...h_P1020830.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...h_P1020831.jpg

those by the way, have these dimensions:

outside : 26mm x 145mm
inside: 20mm x 114mm
3mm thick walls
weight: 5.4 oz

Why not offer several sizes and let the customer decide which one they want? Ex. Churchill, robusto, toro, etc.

3mm seems excessive for a cigar tube. 1 or 2mm would be fine.

If you only want to make one size I would make it fairly large. Personally I like large ring guages, so it would be nice if the internal diameter was 1" that should fit all but the widest of cigars.

7" is also a good length. I don't own any cigars longer than 7" however the one's I smoke most often and would take with me are 6" or less. Thats just me though, it seems every cigar smoker is different in the sizes they prefer.

Can I ask what the tubes were originally designed for before you decided to also do cigar tubes? Also how much would these cost?

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Originally Posted by Eville

Why not offer several sizes and let the customer decide which one they want? Ex. Churchill, robusto, toro, etc.

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This sounds smart. Also, you could fuse two tube and make dual carriers. But if you want to make one tube, go 7 inchs and 54 ring gauge and it should handle most stiks.

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Originally Posted by Bluesmudge

3mm seems excessive for a cigar tube. 1 or 2mm would be fine.

~snip

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This sounds about right also, or offer a think and thin version.


I like the color also.

thanks for the feedback guys.

These tubes can really be used for anything. They are known as stash cans, pill fobs, survival capsules, and so on. I made these big enought to fit 2 AA, 2 AAA or 2 CR123 batteries, but you can stash bills in them, matches, or anything else you dont want to get wet. A lot of people who collect flashlight and EDC (every day carry) items love these. I just thought it would be a good idea making these larger to sella s cigar tubes.

The current pieces I make I sell for $160. I charge $20 extra for the heat anodized finish.

So does anyone else agree with Bluesmudge that 3mm is a little excessive? (I agree with you by the way). However, there will always be some that would like them as bomb proof as possible.

I can make them any length, the probelm with that is that I would prefer to make them all in one length because they would be easier to make and even to sell. I don't like to make each one as an order comes in, I prefer to make batches of 10 or so, sell, then when im gettin low make some more.

Thanks for the help guys and keep the suggetions coming.

If I ever find myself in a situation where 1-2mm of titanium is insufficient to protect my cigar, I will probably not be too worried about a cigar. Although, soldiers might have a use for 3mm.

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Originally Posted by Eville

If I ever find myself in a situation where 1-2mm of titanium is insufficient to protect my cigar, I will probably not be too worried about a cigar. Although, soldiers might have a use for 3mm.

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I agree, if 1mm of titanium isn't enough, I should probably go home.

Keith

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Originally Posted by Eville

If I ever find myself in a situation where 1-2mm of titanium is insufficient to protect my cigar, I will probably not be too worried about a cigar. Although, soldiers might have a use for 3mm.

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totaly agree with you, but some people do prefer bomb proof designs. That is why I decided to ask here what you guys as cigar smokers would prefer.

I am not too sure how strong a 1mm tube would be, (for example, if you sit on it, or drop it and then someone steps on it, would it get dented?). Last thing someone would want is to get a dent in a tube that cost them $160.

That is true, but then again, I would never spend $160 on a tube when I could buy a couple of boxes of cigars instead.

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Originally Posted by Eville

That is true, but then again, I would never spend $160 on a tube when I could buy a couple of boxes of cigars instead.

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yep, agreed.

some people like fancy things though. Its priced good for what it is, titanium.

Another option instead of multiple sizes would be a larger size with slide in adapter sleeves. Something that could hold say a 60gauge or you slide a 48 gauge choke in it and your good to go.

Wow. Prices must have really shot up recently. I have a device made out of Titanium that holds 6 rounds of .357 Magnum. Only cost me about $50 per "tube." :smiley36:

Yeah, at that price I would review what the other high end retailers are selling.

Don't get me wrong, it's cool looking. But I would probably just get an otterbox and a box of good cigars for that price.

See about adding a pocket clip, like on a pen, but make it fancy.

Seriously, $160 per tube ...... are you trying to keep safe so that the T-1000 can smoke them after the war?



Kris

I appreciate all the feedback. Maybe these pieces have a very small market. Maybe they would not make good cigar tubes due to the price, but they are not over priced. Its hard to find anyone else who makes something similar to these in titanium and even then, the containers are alot smaller (about 1/3 the length and 1/2 the diameter) and there priced for over $100.

I like Factored's idea about the inserts. I also agree with most everyone that I would prolly not spend 160 on a single cigar tube.

How about this: You prolly have all the tooling setup to pump those right out, why not just swap out some other materials, like Stainless or Aluminum, or even wood for that matter, and have an array of material configurations?

Will

Stainless Steel Cigar Tube - Retail $20.00

Black Leather Cigar Tube - Retail $25.00

Silver Plated Cigar Tube - Retail $25.00

Stainless Steel Cigar Tube and Drinking Flask Set - Retail $19.95

Black Snakeskin and Italian Leather Cigar Tube - Retail $19.10

Sorry, my friend. Your tubes look very nice and all - and I'm sure there may be two or three willing to purchase them... But reality is that the most expensive cigar tube I can find is in the $60 range. You have nice stuff, but it's hard to compete against a whole bunch of very nice cigar tubes in the $20.00 price range... :smiley40:

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Originally Posted by ggiese

Stainless Steel Cigar Tube - Retail $20.00

Black Leather Cigar Tube - Retail $25.00

Silver Plated Cigar Tube - Retail $25.00

Stainless Steel Cigar Tube and Drinking Flask Set - Retail $19.95

Black Snakeskin and Italian Leather Cigar Tube - Retail $19.10

Sorry, my friend. Your tubes look very nice and all - and I'm sure there may be two or three willing to purchase them... But reality is that the most expensive cigar tube I can find is in the $60 range. You have nice stuff, but it's hard to compete against a whole bunch of very nice cigar tubes in the $20.00 price range... :smiley40:

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Well, I didnt come in here to try to sell or try to justify the price on these things, I was merely looking for a suggestion on a length and width.

You are right, I can't compete with some mass produced (in most cases made overseas items). Even if I made mine out of aluminum or stainless steel, I wouldn't be able to compete.

doing a search for " titanium cigar tube" I found this:

http://www.absolutetitanium.com/orde...GARTUBE-OVALIA

price listes is $595.



I dont really want to start arguing here with anyone, like I said, I was merely looking for a good dimensions if I do decide to make these in a longer length. I do apprecaite all the comments and suggestions, even the "its too expensive" comments, unfortunately, I wouldnt be able to lower the price much if I wanted to make any kind of profit. Even if I did make the walls thinner, I would still end up using the same amount of material since these are machined from a soild piece of titanium.

Are they considered "heirloom quality" ?

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

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Originally Posted by ashauler

Are they considered "heirloom quality" ?

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Ouch! :smiley18:

yea, I guess you could say they are heirloom quality.

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Originally Posted by exodus125

doing a search for " titanium cigar tube" I found this:

http://www.absolutetitanium.com/orde...GARTUBE-OVALIA

price listes is $595.

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Unfortunately, the seller's don't determine a product's worth. The buyers usually do that. I'd be interested to find out how many of those he's sold at $600 a pop.

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unfortunately, I wouldnt be able to lower the price much if I wanted to make any kind of profit.

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It just sounds like this isn't the market for your product. Maybe if it had some other kind of feature (being waterproof, humidity-controlled, etc.), you would have some kind of appeal to the cigar smoker, but the price point is still difficult to overcome.

I used to coach lacrosse. I can't tell you how many times a defenseman would start out the season with the latest and greatest Titanium stick from STX or Warrior, only to wrap it around an attackman, and either bend it up beyond repair or snap it in half. You go through a couple of those, and those aluminum sticks start looking really good. I'm not necessarily sold on Titanium as an indestructable metal - yet.

Just out of curiousity -- what does the chunk of titanium cost, amd what goes into turning it into a cigar tube?

Titanium is a bitch to machine and its pretty pricey ,at least the military spec stuff I see at a plant we do work in. The rest is hush hush to the point of being arrested under federal law for thieving the smallest piece.

I don't think anyone is arguing here. You got your answer on size and valuable info on price. Let's face it, you don't want to go an make 1000 tubes and only move a 3 or 4.

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Originally Posted by mrtr33

I used to coach lacrosse. I can't tell you how many times a defenseman would start out the season with the latest and greatest Titanium stick from STX or Warrior, only to wrap it around an attackman, and either bend it up beyond repair or snap it in half. You go through a couple of those, and those aluminum sticks start looking really good. I'm not necessarily sold on Titanium as an indestructable metal - yet.

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thats the thing, titanium is not indestructible.

Something alot of people do not understand is that titanium is not some sort of magical material that will never break. Titanium has a very nice weight to strength ratio and its very rust resistant, but that doesn't mean its indestructible, all that means is that a 1 lb piece of titanium will be stronger than a 1 lb piece of aluminum.

In the case of the lacrosse sticks, the sticks may be made thinner than the aluminum sticks so they are lighter and just as strong. Same concept goes into titanium bike frames, its strength allows the frames to be made thinner and therefor lighter.

Anyways, thanks for all the feedback and suggestions guys. :smiley37:

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Originally Posted by exodus125

all that means is that a 1 lb piece of titanium will be stronger than a 1 lb piece of aluminum.

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Yeah... but which piece would be heavier??


Seriously, those are very nice looking, and I'm sure there's a small niche in the market for them.

I WOULD consdider marketing them as indestructable, and engineered waterproof. Possibly cedar lined, individually serial numbered and registered, maybe a lanyard?

For $160.00 American, That's the LEAST I would expect!

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Originally Posted by bigwhiteash

Yeah... but which piece would be heavier??


Seriously, those are very nice looking, and I'm sure there's a small niche in the market for them.

I WOULD consdider marketing them as indestructable, and engineered waterproof. Possibly cedar lined, individually serial numbered and registered, maybe a lanyard?

For $160.00 American, That's the LEAST I would expect!

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I would be looking for a happy ending at $160/pop.

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Originally Posted by ashauler

I would be looking for a happy ending at $160/pop.

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A "Hands-free mystery-batch"? :smiley36:

Well I dont understand how Snowpeak and other manafacturers sell titanium cookware so cheaply. If that's so costly, why is a coffee press like $50. I think I paid like $25 on ebay for one. Pretty neat tube for the wealthier, but taking 1 cigar is not much good unles I'm only heading to the back yard anyway. Good luck with the tube.

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Originally Posted by ashauler

I would be looking for a happy ending at $160/pop.

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And you could get one so long as it's a Petite Corona tube. :smiley3:

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Originally Posted by nhcigarfan

And you could get one so long as it's a Petite Corona tube. :smiley3:

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:smiley44: Bastid. :smiley36:

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Originally Posted by pub spears

Well I dont understand how Snowpeak and other manafacturers sell titanium cookware so cheaply. If that's so costly, why is a coffee press like $50. I think I paid like $25 on ebay for one. Pretty neat tube for the wealthier, but taking 1 cigar is not much good unles I'm only heading to the back yard anyway. Good luck with the tube.

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its very easy, for the most part those are made of titanium sheet and they are mass produced in a factory.Titanium sheet is shaped or welded together, very different than machining.

When you machine something out of a soild piece of titanium its more expensive to make. All the material you remove is wasted.

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Originally Posted by exodus125

its very easy, for the most part those are made of titanium sheet and they are mass produced in a factory.Titanium sheet is shaped or welded together, very different than machining.

When you machine something out of a soild piece of titanium its more expensive to make. All the material you remove is wasted.

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The scrap can't be melted down and recycled?

after all the buildings have been leveled, the zombies have taken over, and nuclear winter has set in, at least i can take comfort knowing that my last stogie is safe, and in a stylin' tube at that! :smiley20: