thanks manntis... its funny how you look back and see that allyou have accomplished is schooling though... then again I also have a 4 year old little boy. quite the character, and lots of fun to mold a life in your own likeness. j/k he's very independant and extra ordinarilly bright for his age.

updates are coming soon though on the a-pillar i emailed them yesterday and will post the results later this afternoon

Kyle

 

Hey kids has anyone that says they were going to order one done so???

From: <admin@gaugepods.com>
Subject: Re: 84-85 RX-7 A-pillar
Date: Fri, 23 May 2003 08:56:20 -0400
To: <kmattoon@charter.net>



Your order is on file. The project is still on hold waiting for the minimum
order quantity to be reached. Currently there are 9 orders. 20 is the
minimum to put the project in the production schedule. There seems to be a
lack of interest. You may want to spread the word .

----- Original Message -----
From: <kmattoon@charter.net>
To: <info@gaugepods.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 22, 2003 10:48 PM
Subject: 84-85 RX-7 A-pillar


> Dennis or Lyle,
>
> I just wanted to drop you a line to check the progress of
> the A-pillar for the 84-85 RX-7. My wife ordered me one
> for my birthday and we were given a shipping date of June
> 12. I was hoping to verify this as I have been sending
> others to you site for the same A-pillar based on the
> projected shipping date. I am aware that some have
> emailed you as well and hope that this has not created too
> much of an inconvenience.
>
> I know many more are interested but would like pictures...
> As soon as I receive my A-pillar I will be posting a
> picture at both the Mazspeed forum as well as the RX7club
> forum as both have multiple members that are interested.
> I know others are also awaiting the 79-83 a-pillar setup.
> It seems that I was told that you would be doing those as
> well. If you do so I am sure you will not be
> disappointed. I will post your response on the forum to
> let others no of the progress.
>
> Again thanks in advance for your time and effort in this
> project. I am anticipating your prompt response in this
> matter.
>
> Sincerly
> Kyle

 

no more interest???

 

Moses picked up an '81-83 A pillar trim for me so I can look into making a one-piece dual gauge pod for those years...

 

Ordered mine on 5/23 and send email today.

Hope it all goes thru.

Scott

 

manntis you mean you can fab these too out of abs plastic?

 

that's the plan...

not that I can fab them, but that a plastic fabricator can make them from a sample buck I provide

 

hmmm well these guy have had time to work on this but it never hurts to check all avenues...

I may pickup a few extra to sell on th side to make the required #, btw from the other forum we have another so that makes 13.

Kyle

 

bump any more of you guys pick up one of these yet? (by pick up I mean order...)

 

I'd order one... but I still haven't seen a picture of it....

 

they don't have pics to send or post yet... but as soon as I get mine there will be many posted. Here is the thing they want x ordered before they will start a production run. CAG80r from the other forum got this started and from what I hear will have to pickup the tab on the non ordered parts ie the left overs.

I have been thinking of helping with this. This would mean that I would buy about 4 more than I need just to pick them up sooner. Then I would hope after seeing pictures of the setup more would be interested, and I could sell the rest without issue.

How many would most likely be interested if they could see a pic?

The only thing that bothers me is that people can see the quality in the pics of other setups from the same company that posted earlier in the thread.

 

btw how many of you guys have an 84 or 85?

 

i cant do it right now. if they do make a production run, im 100% sure ill get one, but i need to get my motor actually in the car first before i start worrying about a-pillars and so on. if you do purchase extra, ill buy it from you probably mid summer, i just cant afford to do it now when i dont have the motor in my car yet.

 

Toxic.. I have an 84... I'll get one when you post a picture definately..

 

if I pick up extras let me kno wthe colors you guys want... that way I have a definite sale.

Kyle

 

If you would definately buy one once you see a pic. why wouldnt you just buy one now???

As for me, I dont have an interior so it wont do me any good

If Manntis doesnt get one put together, I will do it. I have a small vacuum forming machine that would easily make these, just not sure about colors???

 

Vacuum form tends to work with thinner plastics, and may or may not give the surface detail

I'm picking up some molding compound next week, and getting some pourable plastics shipped up from Georgia. It'll take a bit of experimentation, but I'll see what I can do. Once I have a few completed and looking good I'll post results.

Ideally I might be able to do them in black and burgundy, as those are the 2 most popular interior trim colours. If not, then they'll be black.

 

Vacuum forming is how all of the other manufactures do it. You would be suprised the detail that comes through even on 3/16" and 1/4" abs!!! I would use 1/8" abs on this, which is what I think the others use. When the plastic is heated and ready to be pulled down over the mold, it is almost at a liquid state therefor it forms very well! I helped a company here in Texas build the vacuum machines for a little company called Peterbuilt. They vacuum form all of there interior parts on the center console and dash areas.

 

Lemme re-phrase what I initially said before.. I'd like to see the FINISHED product before actually sending any type of payment. Seeing a pillar for a Civic and buying one for the Rex is like a car dealer selling me an '04 Honda while showing me a CVCC....

 

Most manufacturers I've dealt with use injection molding, but that's for larger production runs. Vecuum formed parts tend to crack quite easily in cold climates as the thinner plastic used to stretch over the form shatters like glass when frozen.

Whenever we made plastic components for the military vehicles I worked on, we used rotational molding or silicone cast. I'm going with silicone cast on this as you get a much nicer finish; RM is good for farm equipment, but our 7s aren't exactly tractors

 

lol

I know Autometers are vacuum formed, I have talked to them......not sure about others. I havent heard of any problems with them cracking though

 

So where are we on this group buy? Hadn't heard anything lately.

 

I'm looking at cost/quality benefits of silicone casting, injection moulding, etc.

 

You're waiting for us to beg....

 

we've hit the twenty mark just awaiting the reply on when the shipping will start... for those of you who haven't ordered cag8or from the other forum has approx 8 if I recall correctly.

I will post pics then those who are interested let me know