Halibrand Magnesium 427 Wheels

rodneym · #1 (**permalink**) 02-03-2011, 10:25 AM

I called David Kirkham just now.
The Trigos on Kirkhams are standard backspacing per original 427's.

I'll call Richard at Halibrand and tell him how things are shaping up.
I think he deserves to know. Someday he'll run them and eventually sell them all. But it's not easy paying taxes on stock that's collecting dust

A. How many on our list will buy Fran's wheels?

B. How many will wait for Halibrand?

C. How many would buy from Fran now AND buy from Halibrand (eventually)?

Personally, I think I'm on the A list and heavily leaning towards C. Either way, mags are in my future.

Anyone else?

rodneym · #2 (**permalink**) 02-03-2011, 11:16 AM

Ok, I just got off the phone with Richard @ Halibrand. I told how things are shaping up. He has been emailed the link to this thread in the past and knows all this information is out in the open.
He understands that we are enthusiasts, first. He mentioned a bit of remorse for letting this go too long (not just this mag run, but mag runs in general).
He is confident that he will run them and will sell them all, no matter what happens to our/his list. I personally believe him on this. They'll get made eventually and he'll sell them all in time. This is speculation but the outlay of cash is more than likely his biggest hurdle (duh).
Richard and I will remain in contact and when he has news, I will update this thread and will do so until the end.
I also asked him about the finishing. Dow 7 is a temporary chemical 'pickling'. That's why they will eventually turn if left alone. So, the wheels get Dow 7 for (temporary treatment-the original way) pickling, then powdercoat the centers. This new chemical he has mentioned is in addition to all this. It stabilizes the magnesium and keeps the appearance of 'NEW' wheels, like it or not. And he'll certainly leave it off if you like.

Now, for the big question: Are you going with Fran, staying with Halibrand or both (there's been mention of multiple sets from people)?

I know this thread is getting TIRED (no pun intended)....but I'll put myself on the list for both. Anyone else on the list who wants to share publicly?

RodKnock · #3 (**permalink**) 02-03-2011, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodneym

A. They'll get made, eventually. Richard will remain in contact when he has news and I will update this thread to the end.

B. I know this thread is getting TIRED (no pun intended)....

A. When?

B. Well this thread is certainly not as entertaining as the "Let's kill the guy (or give him a limp by shooting him/her in the knee) who enters my garage uninvited" thread. That's a really good thread.

rodneym · #4 (**permalink**) 02-03-2011, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RodKnock

A. When?

Depends on who does the casting. If he goes with a new company, there will be an additional 6 weeks for tooling.

Don't ask me why. I don't know how this business works. In my business we use CFM tooling maybe 50% of the time.

Another couple weeks for pricing (maybe more), possibly 6 weeks for the new tooling, then his process.

Richard did say that Fran's run won't discourage him or delay his run. Before people start interpreting that statement, I just want to note that is what he said.

patrickt · #5 (**permalink**) 02-03-2011, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodneym

Depends on who does the casting. If he goes with a new company, there will be an additional 6 weeks for tooling.

Don't ask me why.

I'm feeling so sorry for you guys that I even quit throwing rocks at you in this thread.

rodneym · #6 (**permalink**) 02-03-2011, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

I'm feeling so sorry for you guys that I even quit throwing rocks at you in this thread.

I've been wondering where you've been. I felt like Batman when the Joker is in jail...

Someday, patrickt, SOMEDAY I'll be neck high in magnesium wheels !!!

patrickt · #7 (**permalink**) 02-03-2011, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodneym

Someday, patrickt, SOMEDAY I'll be neck high in magnesium wheels !!!

Yeah, yeah, yeah.... I fully expected to read a post saying "he says he just got the factory set up in Cairo last weekend, along with all the tools and machinery being delivered, and now this happens...."

Lew Ledyard · #8 (**permalink**) 02-03-2011, 12:07 PM

Would Fran's be made by M&A? If so, count me in for a set.

slider701 · #9 (**permalink**) 02-03-2011, 11:41 AM

Guys,

I don't have a dog in this hunt but wanted to throw out a suggestion/question.

Has anyone approached the Kirkhams about making these wheels with their connections over in Poland? Kirkham most certainty has the CAD expertise to draw up the wheels in SolidWorks and run a full FEA on them to make sure they are optimized for weight and strength. From there is is just a matter of sourcing a magnesium caster, or better yet forging place to make the wheels.

When I was with Ford's SVT group we were looking at some magnesium forged wheels from somewhere in the Soviet Union. The US government had a program where they were subsidizing the development and manufacturing costs in order to keep these magnesium forging plants in business making car parts instead of fighter plane and missile/rocket parts.

If anyone can pull this off, and improve on the design it would be the Kirkhams. With their Polish connections I'm sure they could find someone to make them.

Just a thought/suggestion.................always worth a call.

rodneym · #10 (**permalink**) 02-03-2011, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slider701

Has anyone approached the Kirkhams about making these wheels with their connections over in Poland? Just a thought/suggestion.................always worth a call.

Funny you should mention that...
When I talked to David about the backspacing he asked about the current price. I could only give him the last price and how they have been speculated to be more. I thought I could hear some gears turning

Maybe to buy some sets, maybe...

Who knows?

RodKnock · #11 (**permalink**) 02-07-2011, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodneym

I also asked him about the finishing. Dow 7 is a temporary chemical 'pickling'. That's why they will eventually turn if left alone. So, the wheels get Dow 7 for (temporary treatment-the original way) pickling, then powdercoat the centers. This new chemical he has mentioned is in addition to all this. It stabilizes the magnesium and keeps the appearance of 'NEW' wheels, like it or not. And he'll certainly leave it off if you like.

Hey Rodney, Lew, or anyone who has talked with Fran. In your conversations with Fran, do you have any idea if Fran uses both the "Dow 7 temporary pickling" AND then the powdercoating like Halibrand proposes? Also, is the powdercoat the same color as the temporary pickling or some other color?

rodneym · #12 (**permalink**) 02-07-2011, 12:25 PM

Rodknock and others,

Fran DID say he uses Dow 7.
'Pickling' is Richard's description, just so you know. It needs to be applied to the magnesium to make it somewhat stable, as it only lasts for a "while". I don't know if that means weeks, months or years.

I didn't get into specifics with Fran. He can also simply leave out the powdercoating altogether (nice choice I might be leaning towards). The 'gold' tone centers is part of the process of magnesium 'turning' over time.
Richard said he uses Dow 7, then powdercoating.

Fran is VERY flexible and will do what you like.
Richard intends to make them like last time (but he did mention that requests would be taken). I believe the pic you put in this forum was from that last Halibrand run, no?
The biggest choice will be if you want Halibrand's new coating process. Say YES if you want them to look new. Say NO if you want them to do what they've always done (turn over time and stay on top of them for maintenance).
Whew.