[6pack] Problem.

[Rick Patton]

Hello Joe,

I thought it time for me to put in my two cents worth as I've been 
mentioned several times in this thread. Many of you know I have been 
making Triumph and other parts for a number of years. It's a very small 
cottage industry type business that I operate part time without any 
employees. It does throw off a little money from time to time and that 
is usually just used to support my tool or LBC habit. One of the major 
benefits is that it keeps me from watching TV all night.

Joe, you asked what is wrong with making your own parts? Absolutely 
nothing and I realize it gives a sense of pride to have those parts on 
your car. I get the same feeling at a car show when I see my parts on 
somebody's pride and joy. That's how I started out, making parts for my 
own TR6. Making parts for your car is to admired and I know that you 
have made many.

What does piss me off is to find someone making nearly exact copies of 
my parts and COMPETING against me.  It may not be politically correct to 
admit, but it's the truth. It matters little if it's a List member or a 
big company.

Tonight I finished up a batch of six TR6 trailing arm jig kits at a low 
introductory price. They are finally ready to ship and after adding up 
just materials and shipping It figures out to $9.66 an hour but that's 
before any shop costs. No electricity, no tooling costs, no recovery for 
the $14K CNC mill or the lathe, nothing for jig making, drawings, 
programming, prototyping, etc. 

Maybe  you've got a point Joe, I should let someone else make these 
parts. Or better yet wait till someone else comes up with a design and 
just copy them. Think of the time and money saved and I could sell them 
cheaper. No that won't happen. Besides if we all sit around waiting 
there won't be any new designs.

I can't speak for the other little guys but you can bet they take pride 
in their designs and parts even if they choose to stay out of this fray. 
In the meantime I'm going to continue looking for new and innovative 
designs for these LBC's and there are a few new things coming soon. OK, 
down of the soapbox.

So who's got some garage pictures?

Rick Patton
rick at pattonmachine.com



Joseph Grant wrote:
>>>  You apparently have time to make copies of other people's part,
>>>       
> including Art Lipp's and Patton Machine 
>   
>>>  products. What the sense and where's the ethics of THAT? Before you
>>>       
> decide to "create" an item, check to see >>  if anyone's already making it.
> If there is, don't copy it! Simple, no?
>
> What is wrong with "making" parts, perhaps a copy of someone else's part
> while improving it or making it suit your specific needs?  You mean to tell
> me that one must 'check around' and see if a part is already being made and
> if so then be forced to buy that part rather than making your own?  No
> offense but the way I see things, if one has the equipment, ingenuity,
> creativity and intelligence to make your own then there is no 'ethics' to
> worry about!  I'll make my own part, no questions asked!
>
> Joe