Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2004 13:14:32 -0800
Reply-To: Garth Woolstenhulme <garth@RGLOBAL.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Garth Woolstenhulme <garth@RGLOBAL.NET>
Subject: Re: Berg Shift Kit Group Buy [read if interested!]
In-Reply-To: <Pine.SOL.4.58.0403050510130.21152@millipede.gpcc.itd.umich.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
I was thinking the same thing as I have access to a CNC milling machine
(my bro-in-law has one in his garage). The cost of me running it would
be small after he programs the machine. From the photos I've seen, the
GB spacer seem like a very simple part to make. If someone has one that
could give me some dimensions, I could get a pretty decent estimate of
what it would cost to make. I've seen my bro-in-law make much more
complex parts, sell them for about $25.00 and make money doing it. The
amount of aluminum in the spacer is small and an insignificant part of
the overall cost. Labor will be the biggest expense. Normal shop rate
around here is at least $55/hr, my bro-in-law is $25/hr, and I'm even
cheaper! If I couldn't make at least one of these in an hour I would be
pretty incompetent.
Someone out there with one of these that can give me the dimensions?
Garth
Jonathan Farrugia wrote:
>i was thinking that an aluminum casting is nice but the "cheap" way to
>produce these (riser plate only) would be to make them out of some
>dimensionally stable plastic sheets or bars. if berg can't come through
>with the parts i will look into this more closely. i have access to a
>mill, tooling and a band saw, so i would just need to figure the height
>dimension and find a suitable plastic stock. recommendations on plastic
>stock would be appreciated if you have any insight.
>
>jonathan
>
>On Thu, 4 Mar 2004, Buffalo 66 wrote:
>
>
>
>>Ok, I haven't read the whole thread, but I was
>>wondering.. how much would it cost to have the kits
>>made up by a machine shop?
>>all you need is a plate the right thickness, cut to
>>size, with 3 holes drilled. add a lever machined down
>>one end, drilled and tapped in another, a few off the
>>shelf bolts and nuts, and viola! one short shift kit
>>for a Vanagon!
>>ssems like if 20 or more kits were made, we could
>>probably get them done for about 30 bucks apiece..
>>
>> Just a thought...
>>
>> Percy.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>--- James V <tornadored@EARTHLINK.NET> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>OKAY,
>>>
>>>I think the first thing to keep in mind, as some
>>>have pointed out, is that
>>>the shift kits may not be back in production yet...
>>>So, there's no definite
>>>time frame at the moment.
>>>
>>>So far, I've counted about 25 potential units wanted
>>>(includes some p-mails
>>>that I've received). I will go to GB tomorrow and
>>>see if they're even open
>>>to the idea and what kind of discounts might be
>>>possible (w/ out revealing
>>>our numbers just yet). A couple of people have
>>>mentioned that they would
>>>pay $50 for the complete kit. 33% off seems really
>>>optimistic to me,
>>>without a huge qty, but we'll try.
>>>
>>>If this is a go, then I think the simplest/most
>>>efficient way to do this for
>>>ALL PARTIES is if I collected the money, picked them
>>>up, and shipped them
>>>out. And I think(?) that means we pay sales tax,
>>>even if they are paid for
>>>buy an out-of-stater. If they are first shipped
>>>out of state to avoid tax,
>>>that ads another [possibly inflated]
>>>shipping/packaging charge, wait time,
>>>and another party GB has to deal with. But if
>>>listers would rather do that,
>>>then that's OK too.
>>>
>>>I think if/when we get pricing, THEN people can
>>>start officially signing up
>>>for EXACTLY the parts they want (you also have to
>>>consider fitment to your
>>>van). Check http://www.geneberg.com/shftrspg18.htm
>>>for info.
>>>
>>>Until then, let's continue the rough head count. It
>>>has been well-suggested
>>>that we take this off-list to reduce the clutter.
>>>At the same, time, I'd
>>>like to keep the frenzy alive to keep attracting
>>>customers... And
>>>peer-pressuring the weak into submission ;) So, if
>>>you haven't already done
>>>so, post to the list or, if you prefer, p-mail me:
>>>
>>>tornadored@earthlink.net
>>>
>>>I will set up a web page at that will show the names
>>>(I'll leave out emails)
>>>of all parties interested:
>>>
>>>http://home.earthlink.net/~tornadored/berg/
>>>
>>>LASTLY, I'm getting a lot of kind offers to help
>>>organize/ship/collect
>>>names/take payments/etc. I'm very appreciative.
>>>But to keep it simple and
>>>prevent confusion, let's just hold off and I'll take
>>>care of things. If you
>>>have additional suggestions, by all means let me
>>>know.
>>>
>>>Thanks,
>>>
>>>James V
>>>90 Carat
>>>
>>>
>>__________________________________
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