Auction #17 for Freethoughtblogs Legal Defense Fund


This for the FtB legal defense fund. See [go fund me] for details. Rules are below:

Auction Closed at $31!

This is a winner’s choice pattern-welded steel “gooby” (also known as a doo dad) of 304 stainless steel and 1095 high carbon steel. There are some conditions, because this stuff is incredibly tough to drill or cut: it can have a hole (up to 1/4″ or 6mm round) if you want it. Otherwise, it should be an integral shape that is not too complicated, i.e.: a heart, or a thor’s hammer, or a tooth, or a runic letter (maybe) – it’ll be cut with a diamond wheel on an angle-grinder and that’s not exactly precise. Size must be under 1.5″ x 1.5″. Thickness will be what it is. I reserve the right to say “no” to any design proposal.

If you prefer it polished, let me know and I will mirror polish it at no additional charge.

Since it contains high carbon steel, it might rust if you let it. It’s not a bad idea to rub it down with olive oil or butchers’ wax if it’s going to sit somewhere for a long time.

Rules:

Bidding starts at: $1

You can bid in the comments, or bid by emailing me [link]. If you email, I will assume that you wish to remain anonymous and will post a comment in the bidding section that reads something like: “Anonymous bid in the amount of $___”

Whoever bids the most for the gooby wins it for $1 more than the second highest bidder bid. For example, if I bid $75 and Joe bids $5 and I’m the highest bidder, that makes Joe the second highest bidder, and I win the thing for $50 – the bidding start price. This is a variation of the Ebay bidding algorithm and, while it is less effective at milking money from the bidders, it discourages people from feeling that they need to log in at the last minute and try to bid over someone else. At the time when bidding closes, whichever bid is the highest, whether it’s email or a comment, wins.

The winner is expected to donate the agreed-upon amount to the defense fund and send me suitable proof (a screenshot or whatever) and give me a shipping address, at which point I’ll box it up and send it along!

Since we don’t have an automated bidding system like Ebay, I’d like to discourage “auction sniping.” If you want the thing, bid what you’re willing to pay for it and just see what happens. If you simply must have it, bid $1million for it and if the second highest bidder bids $50, it’s yours for $51.

If you do not win, you owe nothing!

AUCTION CLOSES Tuesday, June July 21 2020 AT 10:00AM EST

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My comment settings require manual approval for the first comment from a person. If you comment and don’t see it, I’ll get it, fear not. If you email me and do not get an acknowledgement, and you are gmail user, check your spam box. Google’s spam algorithms don’t like me for reasons I have never cared to figure out.

Comments

  1. says

    Otherwise, it should be an integral shape that is not too complicated, i.e.: a heart, or a thor’s hammer, or a tooth, or a runic letter (maybe)

    Would a simple tribal shape (for example, a very simple stylized flame) be possible? Here https://i0.wp.com/andreasavester.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/tiger-tribal-tattoo.jpg?fit=661%2C992&ssl=1 is an example of what I mean by a simple stylized flame, namely, I am talking about something like one of the simpler flame shapes that are drawn around the tiger.

    (If that’s possible and nobody else drives up the price a lot, I’ll bid, because I think that could look cool. And I like pretty stuff with my art in it.)

  2. says

    Would a simple tribal shape (for example, a very simple stylized flame) be possible?

    One of the tribal flames would be doable. I have an air-powered die grinder that, I believe, would let me get those kinds of shapes in steel. For the sake of interest, if you wanted to attempt scalable path file, I could see about getting the fabricators in Clearfield to cut it on their water-jet. That would cost me some, but it’d be interesting to see what came of it. Last time I gave them something to waterjet, they fucked it up…

    Remember, none of the money from these auctions goes to me; shipping and production costs/consumables/propane/steel/bog oak, etc, comes out of my pocket.

  3. TGAP Dad says

    @mjranum – I appear to be the lucky high bidder. I have a GoFundMe receipt, but no contact information for you. Send me an email, and I’ll forward it to you.

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