Pre-Made Satoshi Grille Piece Group Buy

Thanks Dean. Homer take care of them youngsters.

 

Maybe being in PA help anyways homer the man ..

 

I have a "reduced depth" question for those that have experience with the Satoshis. Does anyone know if the reduced depth is a NECESSITY to run lights behind, or does it just mean that we'll have to run slimmer lights if I decide to get the regular depth?

Second...more of an opinion question for everyone...I'm looking at mesh #1. There SHOULD be enough space to get sufficient lighting through that...correct? Opinions? Comments?

 

***Update***
came home to find that the Mesh was delivered today...
I'll post pics later when I have time.

 

^^AWESOMENESS! cant wait for some pics!

oh and a general question for anyone that can answer about "reduced depth"? is that basically what it sounds like? the mesh wont be as deep as it normally would be right? ...just curious

 

yes. That is correct.

 

Hey homertaco . I want to change my mesh to #1 list # is 102 thanks man

 

Done.

 

Nope. Nothing like that, because I'm shipping the end user a replacement piece to work with their original.
What would I do with 100 stock inner inserts? Except to provide the 2011 models to those who would want to change to that style...
Thanks,

 

#106....damn i knew i should have jumped on this when i first saw it.

Props to Homer for juggling personal life and a successful group buy!!!

Any instructions on how to mend the plastic if we don't have a soldering iron. i went through the threads but couldn't find anything but a coming soon.

 

*** IMPORTANT UPDATE***
For those of you who are closely following the GB thread you know that I had a meeting with the manufacturer (Manufactured Plastics Corporation or MPC) late this afternoon. I was under the impression that I would be reviewing the design and initial mock-up, also expecting to sign a contract for the work and provide a check for 50% of the total.

Before I get ahead of myself, here is how I worked out the numbers so you all know the whole picture:

Cost to TW Members: $95.00 + shipping

Cost to me from the manufacturer: $75.00

Cost to me for packaging: about $1 or so ( I have a customer that is a packaging manufacturer and they would provide boxes and packing material at a great price!)

Basically it comes down to that I would make a little under $20 per piece or $2000 for the first run.

I am comfortable with putting up $7500 for the inserts. I have refused to take any cash up front simply because I could not show anyone a finished product. It does not seem right to me to do this any other way.
There have been a lot of you that have asked how/where/when to pay & my message has been the same: Not until I can show you what you are buying.

I was very disappointed at the meeting today for several reasons:

1. The management at MPC informed me that in order to stick to their price of $75 per piece that they would need to use “Utility Grade Re-Grind” ABS Plastic as opposed to the original material selected which was “Virgin” ABS Plastic. They explained that the Utility grade was of similar strength but did not have a complete uniform appearance, unlike the virgin product which is completely smooth.

2. The Mock up of the piece looked very much like the satoshi insert off of my truck that I provided them, however there were key differences that in my opinion are not acceptable. First, the actual parts where the insert would mount to the truck were separate pieces that would attach to the insert. This is not only for the 4 top mounting points but the 3 lower ones as well. Alone this is not a big deal but there is more to it… Second, the piece had none of the slots for the tabs to fit from the outer grill piece or the holes to attach the top gasket, rather it had indents indicating where they should be.

3. I was planning on the cost of the insert to be for a complete part. MPC wants an additional $20-$30 per piece to fasten the mounts and drill out all of the holes/slots and those numbers were not final.

It was at this point that I ended the meeting and politely left with my prototype.

I refuse to up the price on this insert and I frankly can’t afford to pay $95 - $105 for the inserts up front. I was prepared to invest $7500-$8000 in making this satoshi insert part a reality. I just got 4 sheets of the mesh delivered to my house yesterday. But I just can’t front $9500 + to make these pieces and have to take on additional labor to make them correct.

To be specific:
There are 14 holes for the top gasket and 33 slots for the mounting tabs to attach the front piece to the insert. To keep the cost to my original $75 per piece I would need to drill 1400 holes and cut out 3300 slots for tabs and attach 700 mounting points by either screws or rivets myself for the first 100 pieces. I’m just not set up to do that in my home garage.

The whole point of having this part manufactured was to take the aggravation and difficulty out of doing the Satoshi Mod. I envisioned a complete Satoshi Mod that could be done start to finish in an hour or less. Having to do additional construction/fabrication on the piece - either by myself or the end user - to me is unacceptable - especially after you already shelled out better than $95 for the part.

MPC is not the only game in town when it comes to Plastics.
I am going to pursue this with another local Manufacturer here in the Philadelphia area – Tubro Company Inc. I have a contact there from my initial research into the project & plan on meeting with them ASAP next week.

I’m asking you all to hang in with me. I’m not giving up on this.

I’m putting this GB on HOLD until I can come up with a satisfactory answer for all of you.

You have my commitment that you will have one in less than a week.
I have no desire to string anyone along.
I would also not hold it against anyone if they wanted to drop out.
Thank you,

Craig (aka HomerTaco)

[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]

 

No worries mate....Great initiative!!! I will be here till the end!!!

 

That's terrible that they did that to you buddy. They knew exactly what you wanted and basically didn't do anything you asked. That's good you walked out. And thank you for being honest and explaining the whole situation. And THANKS for not giving up on us man. Nice work

 

Thanks for the update!! keep us posted! I will follow this till the bitter end my friend

 

they basicly dicked you from day one. good job walking away they dont deserve the business after that bs. plus we have all waited this long a few more weeks wont kill anyone.

 

Damn craig sorry the company is dicking you around all, maybe all 106 members should have came to the meeting for support

 

Man that stanks .. There a place in my home town called mcclarinplastics it's Lil out ur way but they do all the JLG stuff if anything check with them if come down to it.

 

Thank you for your work on this! Take your time, and I certainly am not worried about a bit extra time.