well after too many months of trying to get this done i finally did. i made a stainless steel replacement for one of my broken door handles. it was not that hard but just trying to find time to do it was. been working 14 hr. shifts 7 days a week since Jan. 1. hopefully it will be ending soon. i did take some pics w/my new phone but for some reason i can't get them on my PC. i will get some w/my camera this week and post them. i also have been working on a new badge for the front grill, it is the round AMC logo that was used on a kamback grill that i found in a salvage yard. i just liked the way it looks. i made one out of aluminium to get the bugs worked out of the programming and i plan to make one out of stainless also. it will be a little different though, instead of engraving the logo into it i will be making the design out of colored glass and putting that in instead. i will post pics as soon as i get it done. LAZ
sounds cool can't wait to see it.
If you send the pictures as a picture message but type in your email address instead of a phone number they should go to your email. It will use a message so if you don't have unlimited or pay per message or something you might not want to do it that way. It works with Verizon at least.
I cant wait to see that...Sounds awesome!
sorry i have been out of commission with the crud this weekend. i will try sending the pics to my e-mail and see if that works LAZ
ok, i got the pics on photobucket. tell me what you think, good or bad. LAZ
(http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad358/twoslowinwyo/handle3.jpg)
(http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad358/twoslowinwyo/handle4.jpg)
(http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad358/twoslowinwyo/handle1.jpg)
(http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad358/twoslowinwyo/handle2.jpg)
here is the round AMC emblem i was talking about, it is not right since i messed on a few radius cuts but i got it fixed so the next one should be better. LAZ
(http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad358/twoslowinwyo/album1/logo.jpg)
HEY ! that's really good, now polish it up and it would be fantastic for sure. Good work ! :hello2:
Could you make more for some of us who need them ? What would cost be for such ?
I'd say "WOW", but "WOW" just ain't enough...
It looks really really good, and it's quite unique. What's more, I bet it will surely last longer than the original one, looks tough !
I really like it.
i have not tried to install it on my car yet, no time. i would have liked to polish it up but that is one thing i just can't get the hang of. :banghead: as for making more of them, yes i would like to do that but i won't be able to make some up for a few months. a few changes i would like to do are (let me know if you like these), engrave AMC or the AMC triad :amc: on the handle. we are going to be getting some engraving software for the CNC mill so i should be able to put names or other designs on the handles. maybe even this :eagle: i am pretty excited about these since we all know how great the originals were ::), as for cost it will probably be around 25 ea. engraving extra. i will try and keep the price low since we all don't have a lot of money to spend these days. will keep you all posted of my progress. LAZ
OK, all sounds good, no hurry here. Personally I think I would like them to look original but the AMC logo or Eagle head would also look real smart. I would be happy to have any one of them or even all ! :)
You're right on about the money thing, $25 for plain ones sounds good considering that they wouldn't break again like the originals.
Look forward to hearing more, keep up the excellent work ! 8)
That is sharp!!! That emblem is amazing...I think it actually looks better than an origional. And the door handles are awesome. I would totally pay that for them. Thats some fine metal work!!
So what's the latest news on these? Did you make any more?
I would take a pair ASAP.
Let's here about it.
g-man
They both look good.
Looks like they are ready for the forum store.
I think that's pretty awesome. Nice work. Egg to you for the effort!
Now THAT's the proper use of a CNC mill. Eggcelent! I'll be watching and waiting for you to be ready to sell some. I've been keeping broken handles waiting for the day someone does this kind of thing. What spring are you planning on using? The factory spring, or have you found a decent replacement?
I love that grille badge. it would be awesome if you could make some that have www.amceaglenest.com across the bottom and allow them to be bolted on the stock grille kinda like what the Cadillac and Mercedes clubs do
twoslow- you have us all drooling over these handles and badges! An update would be great!
well work has just let up a little bit, I'm only working 6 days a week now. I've actually had off 2 sundays now! i have a fixture made up for the door handles and hope to have 10 sets made up by the end of Sept. or sooner. (hopfully sooner) right now the welding bay is full of cadaver tables. (we make fun stuff here) i am looking into having them laser engraved also. don't know what logo yet. as for the grill badge, i have a s.s. blank all ready to go into the CNC mill. it will be a little different than the original but i hope it turns out OK. will keep everyone updated on my progress. LAZ
Quote from: twoslowinwyo on August 25, 2011, 10:26:20 AM
(hopfully sooner) right now the welding bay is full of cadaver tables. (we make fun stuff here)
I worked for a company for many years that makes postmortem equipment. I ran the shop, and then made road trips all over the U S delivering and installing equipment. Yes, fun stuff. I often said that our equipment is so good, people were "dying to use it"!
well an update, our new mechanical engineer who use to work in Lincoln, NE has a friend who does laser engraving. now i need to send him about 100 door handles as this brings the cost down. but my question for you guys (and gals) is what should i put on them? the eagle, the triad, AMC forever, or would you just want one design? also does anyone have any of them in PDF form? i will be ordering material for them next week, and when i figure out what design (or designs) you want on them i will get a quote on the engraving. i am also looking into getting some chrome plated to see how they look. let me know what you think. see you all on Tues. LAZ
For the restoration purist, do you think the engraver could duplicate the texture of the original handles? Might be too much area to cover. My vote is for the AMC symbol(triad?), that way they can be used on anything AMC.
Any updates? Are you planning to replicate the entire thing, or just the piece shown to use in the old handle? This would be great, especially if you figured out a way to improve the rod and clips that go in there. My Eagle's too far gone to make all original anyway, and I'd rather have parts that don't break as often. Lookin' good!
Any more on this?
hello all! sorry i have been absent but with some family problems (nothing serious) but more noteworthy were the work issues. we had a MAJOR shakeup here at work, it seems that out of the 7 that worked there are only 2 left. not because of no work but because they were doing things they should not have been doing. but that's a story for another beer. the good news is that we were just able to do some personal work at the shop again. so i am glad to say that i have some door handles for sale. :blob1: i will be selling them in pairs. (L.H.-R.H) for now, i only have 5 pairs to sell right now. the price is 60.00 per pair. this includes shipping and a lifetime warranty on the handle. (so if you sell your eagle and it breaks i fix or replace it, so don't sell your eagle) but the one thing i need from those that decide to get some is some brutally honest feedback. i.e.-how does it fit? does it need anything else to make it better? did it go together OK, how does it look installed etc. so if you are interested send me a shout, i do not take paypal, but i take checks, money order or chickens, maybe even some rabbits. :rotfl: thanks LAZ
Any chance of a pic for the finished ones?
i will try and get some pics of the handles today, all i have is my camera phone so i hope they will be ok. LAZ
i think maybe 8 chickens per pair would be good. :rotfl:
Not to be rude, but $60 for a pair seems a bit much, especially if your using your employers resources to make them. I would think that if you sold them for $30 a pair, that may be more palatable.
They look sturdy enough alright, but very plain. I would want to have them painted or powder coated for the price. I know they are stainless, but a flat piece of metal is just that, a flat piece of metal.
Anyway, good luck with these and thanks for taking a stab at making them! Never stop realizing your goals!
Quote from: twoslowinwyo on May 16, 2012, 09:52:27 AM
i will try and get some pics of the handles today, all i have is my camera phone so i hope they will be ok. LAZ
i think maybe 8 chickens per pair would be good. :rotfl:
live or frozen (I have noticed good deals on frozen whole chickens at sams club) ;D
i hope these help, the one on the left is the original.
(http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad358/twoslowinwyo/doorhandles/4.jpg)
(http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad358/twoslowinwyo/doorhandles/3.jpg)
(http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad358/twoslowinwyo/doorhandles/2.jpg)
(http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad358/twoslowinwyo/doorhandles/1.jpg)
well rohnk, it does seem a little high but let me explain. first i need to buy the material, (100.00=5pairs) then i need to cut all the parts up, machine the angle on the levers. drill 2 different size holes in them, machine the handles down to size, w/radius corners and champher the sides, then weld them together in a fixture. and check every one for fit in the door handle bases that i have, if they don't quite fit right or open all the way i need to make sure they do. and yes i use the equip. here at work but it costs me 20.00 per hr. it takes me about 45 min. to make each one,(7.5 hrs.machine time @20.00=150) not including final fitting which i do at home. and about 3-5 bucks for shipping. i make a grand total of about 35 dollar profit on all 5. an no rohnk, you are not being rude just asking for more info. which i hope i just explained so you could understand, i hope i did sometimes my brain don't work right. :) and remember i always will barter. CHICKENS! or mabye some wabbit. have a good day. LAZ :rotfl:
Quote from: twoslowinwyo on May 16, 2012, 12:01:00 PM
well rohnk, it does seem a little high but let me explain. first i need to buy the material, (100.00=5pairs) then i need to cut all the parts up, machine the angle on the levers. drill 2 different size holes in them, machine the handles down to size, w/radius corners and champher the sides, then weld them together in a fixture. and check every one for fit in the door handle bases that i have, if they don't quite fit right or open all the way i need to make sure they do. and yes i use the equip. here at work but it costs me 20.00 per hr. it takes me about 45 min. to make each one,(7.5 hrs.machine time @20.00=150) not including final fitting which i do at home. and about 3-5 bucks for shipping. i make a grand total of about 35 dollar profit on all 5. an no rohnk, you are not being rude just asking for more info. which i hope i just explained so you could understand, i hope i did sometimes my brain don't work right. :) and remember i always will barter. CHICKENS! or mabye some wabbit. have a good day. LAZ :rotfl:
I think it is a bargain considering the cost of materials and the steps involved. Also think about this: This is the last handle(s) you will buy for your Eagle.
thanks for the kind words, i would like to get the price down but since i have to pay for machine time it's a little higher. but i do have my eye on an old bridgeport boss/xt that i am trying to talk the owner out of. it's in great shape and with low hours, and the guy who bought it last year just can't get to run right. fortunately that's what i learned on it the 80's and i saw how bad of a problem he was having so i hope i can talk him out of it. 8) i should know in a few weeks either way. then i can really have some fun! have a good day, LAZ
I'm surprised by the price. I honestly expected them to be sold for $100 to $120 a pair. If they cost $53 dollars of your own money to make them then that's $7 for 45 min of your time. That comes out to $9.33 an hour in labor. That also does not include compensation for the time and cost for the development of the product or the minutes lost in quality control.
I also consider these to be a specialty item intended for those who want the best for their car, even if there is a cheaper option readily available. The Jeep half door handles are immediately available, twice as strong as OEM handles and half as expensive as these stainless handles. The professionals who make such elite products usually demand 30 to 60 dollars an hour in labor compensation. You're making these at or below minimum wage! That's remarkable considering the machinery and welding involved. Thank you for giving us the family and friends discount!
Are you still producing these handles? i am interested in buying a pair. i sent you a pm please let me know.
tooslowinwyo: I'd love to get at least a couple pairs of these also. (2x RH, 2x LH) if you're still making them.
ya, what kind of a deal can you give for a 4 door set?
they are 60.00 per pair. this includes shipping and a free box! :rotfl: i have some more material coming this week, looks like i have to make some more. pm or call if you have any questions. LAZ 307-640-2400
Handles fit great. No more worrying about crappy pot metal handles breaking for me!
Even a 3/8 x 4" Stainless bolt cost me over $3 a piece. Stainless is very expensive. Even galvanized will make your eyes pop. When I got my two door the left side was crooked like is was broken so when I stripped her for paint I was pleasantly surprised that the pin had just slipped out of one of the holes. Can pot metal be re chromed by the way?