The Real Reason Project Cars Take Forever
- Thread starter FishFry
- Start date
OMG! that sounds so darn FAMILIAR! 
I could not help laughing almost to tears, thinking about past projects
the only parts he ignored is the need to BUY at least three new tools
(usually at least two are expensive, not available locally, and on back order)
(and learn how to use them correctly with instructions printed in) (GERMAN OR CHINESE)
need to refill the welders gas tanks, and find you have $500 dollars in welding wire and rods for your mig and tig welders,
but your out of the correct size and type you need to fix this project.
then youll make a few trips to the local machine shop to ask them,
if they can modify a part you don't currently have the tools for!
giving them detailed exact measurements and a clear diagram
(which they misplace within seconds of you leaving the part with them,)
(make 5 photo copies minimum)
then make at least 5 trips to various suppliers, and wait three weeks for the supplies you ordered online to arrive,
and the week wasted trying to find something locally that was needed to replace some part,
they shipped that was crap quality or your told is no longer made!
of course the drill bit you need breaks on the first use and someone borrowed the drill press chuck key.. never to return it as promised
have you ever noticed there seems to be an unbreakable unwritten law at machine shops,
that the guy at the machine shop you talk to, that seems fully competent and knowledgeable,
just never seems to be the one who does that actual machine work, welding or has a clue what's required.
nor is the guy doing the physical work in any hurry or familiar with the concept of measuring, or blueprints
I swear many of them avoid looking at blueprints, reading instructions or asking questions if they need instructions,
or use of a CALIPER or micrometer like a vampire avoids a crucifix in bright day light.
I think that's a huge contributing factor in why many of us are forced to buy and learn how to use expensive tools
most machine shops personnel are either incompetent , or they think they should charge $70 an hour and take weeks to finish a project they quoted you as ( we should get too it tomorrow, that should take an hour at most)
I could not help laughing almost to tears, thinking about past projects
the only parts he ignored is the need to BUY at least three new tools
(usually at least two are expensive, not available locally, and on back order)
(and learn how to use them correctly with instructions printed in) (GERMAN OR CHINESE)
need to refill the welders gas tanks, and find you have $500 dollars in welding wire and rods for your mig and tig welders,
but your out of the correct size and type you need to fix this project.
then youll make a few trips to the local machine shop to ask them,
if they can modify a part you don't currently have the tools for!
giving them detailed exact measurements and a clear diagram
(which they misplace within seconds of you leaving the part with them,)
(make 5 photo copies minimum)
then make at least 5 trips to various suppliers, and wait three weeks for the supplies you ordered online to arrive,
and the week wasted trying to find something locally that was needed to replace some part,
they shipped that was crap quality or your told is no longer made!
of course the drill bit you need breaks on the first use and someone borrowed the drill press chuck key.. never to return it as promised
have you ever noticed there seems to be an unbreakable unwritten law at machine shops,
that the guy at the machine shop you talk to, that seems fully competent and knowledgeable,
just never seems to be the one who does that actual machine work, welding or has a clue what's required.
nor is the guy doing the physical work in any hurry or familiar with the concept of measuring, or blueprints
I swear many of them avoid looking at blueprints, reading instructions or asking questions if they need instructions,
or use of a CALIPER or micrometer like a vampire avoids a crucifix in bright day light.
I think that's a huge contributing factor in why many of us are forced to buy and learn how to use expensive tools
most machine shops personnel are either incompetent , or they think they should charge $70 an hour and take weeks to finish a project they quoted you as ( we should get too it tomorrow, that should take an hour at most)
Last edited:
loosely related threads and info
related threads (READ THE SUB LINKS ALSO)
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/finding-a-machine-shop.321/#post-81042
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/think-thru-your-goals.10606/#post-73288
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/machine-shop-sequencing.4460/#post-11720
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...f-how-not-too-deal-with-a-machine-shop.14454/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...g-with-a-local-machine-shop.14419/#post-74397
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...on-picking-a-shop-to-do-work.5053/#post-14313
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/parts-prep-cleaning.6255/#post-51146
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/keep-tabs-on-your-machine-shop.15289/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...-potential-dream-bbc-combos.14607/#post-93690
getting started in the car hobby
Im 75 and look it!, I remember ALMOST all the mistakes I and FRIENDS MADE and what WORKED TOO! (plus I cheat I keep notes and records on ALMOST all of the engines and cars Ive built, or worked on! over 45 plus years.) Ive come bye most of the scars and info by experience and watching closely...
garage.grumpysperformance.com
finding a machine shop
HOW to find a decent machine shop THATS SIMPLE, IN CONCEPT (but can be a P.I.T.A. in some locals) GO TO THE LOCAL DRAG STRIP with a PAD and pen,ask several obviously experienced race car owners,about the machine shops they avoid and those they recommend I don,t know about all areas but here in...
garage.grumpysperformance.com
Machine Shop Sequencing
I have a new block from Dart. I have cleaned it with solvent, brushes, hot soapy water and more brushing. Now I'm ready to take it to the machine shop for line honing the mains, torque plate honing the cylinders to size, etc. At this point do I have them install cam bearings or do I need to do...
garage.grumpysperformance.com
parts prep cleaning
" hey grumpyvette? I have a new Melling oil pump for my engine rebuild. All other new parts I have installed, I washed first - pistons, cam, pushrods, rockers - with some pretty dirty looking crud coming off most of it. I wash things in clean mineral turps in 1 half of a 20 litre plastic...
garage.grumpysperformance.com
Precision measuring tools
I’m looking for the best quality precision tools on a limited budget (i.e. I don't want to pay $300 for one mic). I plan on building the occasional small- & big-block Chevy (more than one, less than 1000). Names that come up on the limited results I’ve found on the web include Starrett...
garage.grumpysperformance.com
IT durability thats KEY in building a good engine
when ever I get into a discussion with many of the guys I build engines for, the younger guys especially seem to be captivated or primarily focused on the concept of having " a RADICAL CAM, that rumbles at idle, or the new brand X heads that some magazine is pushing in the latest engine build...
garage.grumpysperformance.com
building a dream or wasting cash?
we all are forced to work with a realistic budget, but at times I see guys plan and select parts not so much working too build for the ideal,combo or to build what they really want, but so that they can speed up the process or get SOMETHING RUNNING......... now theres always something to be...
garage.grumpysperformance.com
matching parts and a logical plan
I just had a rather long and detailed discussion with a guy who it was all too obvious ,was basically just, trying to get me to give him a detailed list of engine components to build his engine. one of the main secrets , too building a really effective combo is to match the engine and drive...
garage.grumpysperformance.com
related threads (READ THE SUB LINKS ALSO)
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/finding-a-machine-shop.321/#post-81042
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/think-thru-your-goals.10606/#post-73288
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/machine-shop-sequencing.4460/#post-11720
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...f-how-not-too-deal-with-a-machine-shop.14454/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...g-with-a-local-machine-shop.14419/#post-74397
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...on-picking-a-shop-to-do-work.5053/#post-14313
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/parts-prep-cleaning.6255/#post-51146
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/keep-tabs-on-your-machine-shop.15289/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...-potential-dream-bbc-combos.14607/#post-93690
I take all my machine shop stuff to Gerald Brand Racing now. He is the only person working there. Every time I have gone there, he has stopped working and came to the front to wait on me. I have never seen another person behind the counter.
.
.
you have a rather unique situation, (someone knowledgeable/ skilled) who cares and does the machine work
in most of the machine shops I've dealt with there's 1-2 counter guys (probably minimum wage parts movers)
who either just don't care or are clueless and 1 or two machinists,who know what they are doing, but are generally back logged for 3 weeks
who at times get called up front to discuss work the clueless counter guys , don't understand, when you use terms they don't understand or they don't know what your talking about, like hardened valve seats or angle milling or 5 angle valve jobs with a 30 degree valve edge back cut,
and you damn sure need to be specific or those idiots will dump your $4000 aluminum heads in caustic soda bath along with the aluminum valve covers like they did to me once, after sitting over night in hot caustic soda those aluminum heads were absolutely trashed
and you better stamp parts with a unique number like your phone number and take clear before and after pictures from several angles, I've had totally different parts returned that they swore were mine, that were not even from the same engine, that were trash, only because I had clear detailed pictures with the id numbers on them was I able to force them to find and return the parts I delivered to them to have work done, and paid for.
in most of the machine shops I've dealt with there's 1-2 counter guys (probably minimum wage parts movers)
who either just don't care or are clueless and 1 or two machinists,who know what they are doing, but are generally back logged for 3 weeks
who at times get called up front to discuss work the clueless counter guys , don't understand, when you use terms they don't understand or they don't know what your talking about, like hardened valve seats or angle milling or 5 angle valve jobs with a 30 degree valve edge back cut,
and you damn sure need to be specific or those idiots will dump your $4000 aluminum heads in caustic soda bath along with the aluminum valve covers like they did to me once, after sitting over night in hot caustic soda those aluminum heads were absolutely trashed
and you better stamp parts with a unique number like your phone number and take clear before and after pictures from several angles, I've had totally different parts returned that they swore were mine, that were not even from the same engine, that were trash, only because I had clear detailed pictures with the id numbers on them was I able to force them to find and return the parts I delivered to them to have work done, and paid for.
Last edited: