Date:         Wed, 6 Feb 2008 15:45:57 -0500
Reply-To:     Roger Sisler <rogersisler2000@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Roger Sisler <rogersisler2000@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: NEW TIE DOWN FOR THE VANAGON LUGGAGE RACK IS COMING

Thanks for the interest, everyone.

I need to say that I only recently came to the understanding that I would
have to do this myself. Estimates are knocked  waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay out of
the ball park, otherwise. Maybe now I know why no good tie down yet exists.

 The GW tie down is $5  with dinky bolts and even dinker washer.The OEM is
$3.50  without bolts.

 GW sells those M6 pop top bolts for $1.25 each. Those bolts are be a tiny
bit smaller than the 1/4-20 bolts I will supply( in bronze ) . I also will
supply  bronze  fender washers that are 1 inch in diameter with lock nuts of
some kind.  <aybe a plate that spans the two bolt holes for the reverse
side, instead of washers.So.... looks like the bolts and stuff alone will
cost $3-$4 per tie down. If  people are willing to buy the OEM tie down for
$3.50 and  compareable bolts for $4, that is $7.50 each. But, my tie down is
better than OEM( but is still only bronze)so even though it is not
considering that this is made one at a time , by hand, The cost is about $9
each so far. Maybe more. I need ob but foam, investment casting, bronze,
ect. If I pay myself $5 hour, I will still probably loose money. Hey, its a
hobby! Not competetive with GW, but so what!