Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2007 12:22:21 -0500
Reply-To: John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Subject: Re: Projekzwo Lower Grille Fog Lights - Kit Update
In-Reply-To: <4602CF64.4060105@charter.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Last year I asked Hella USA to try and locate the lamp that was in the
Projkzwo - even gave them the numbers off of one. - their own Hwlla
numbers. They were less than helpful. You would think that if they had
the numbers right from their own product they could find it somewhere,
even off shore. But didn't happen. So, the hunt is on for something
different but very close to same size.
Regards,
John Rodgers
88 GL Driver
John Rodgers wrote:
> Last year I undertook the task of trying to get replacements for these
> grilles since they went out of production. I was over taken by a bunch
> of health issues and the project got put on the back burner. Initially
> the plan was that I would build molds and run these on my vacuum forming
> machine. I cannot do that now because of the effects of eye surgery on
> my retinas. Simply can't see well enough to do that kind of work.
>
> SO! I took the two pieces I have been loaned to a company who does such
> things and they had a look. After a bit of study, they came up with an
> R&D cost of about $2000 to build the mold. After that front end cost,
> the grille pieces - 1 right and 1 left - could be produced for between
> $30 and $50 a pair, depending on how many pieces were made in a
> production run. No hardware cost - ie, lights, bulbs, screws, brackets,
> wire, connectors, etc - are included in those figures. From my own mold
> making experience, the mold cost is pretty much right on, as half of
> that cost is the mold-making material itself - a huge block of
> polyurethane rubber, and a big wad of epoxy. There is roughly $500 in a
> special jig for CNC trimming after each piece is made, and there is
> approximately $500 in labor.
>
> We would need a bunch of folks that wanted these in order to get the
> per-unit cost down. If we have enough, we can get the lower price of $30
> per pair, and we can spread the cost of the mold over how many pairs are
> bought. Like if 40 people bought in, that would be $50 per person for
> mold cost, plus $30 for the Grille pair - total $80 for the bare set.
> Hardware would have to be a separate issue. I don't know what these
> things cost initially from factory but it may be possible to get them
> way below that factory price, including hardware. Finding the right
> hardware source will take the effort of everyone.
>
> Please thrash this out, and speak your mind on this thread. It will come
> to a vote of yea or nay in the near future.
>
> BTW, there is nothing in this for me. I'm just doing it for funzzies!!
>
> Thanks,
>
> Regards,
>
> John Rodgers
> 88 GL Driver
>
>
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