Halibrand Magnesium 427 Wheels

[RodKnock]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[rodneym]

Originally Posted by Lew Ledyard

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

It's been noted many times that Fran uses M&A.
I'm gonna call Fran soon. I'll ask a bunch of questions and post what he is comfortable with being public.

[rodneym]

I just spoke with Fran Kress.

He uses Dow 7.
He will run the sets with or without powdercoated centers. The lips will be machined for the gold center/machined lip look. Or he can coat the whole wheel in powder.
Any backspacing.

So, Fran is very flexible with the wheels and has a loyal following of customers who speak his praises. And if you've been to some SAAC events, you've seen him.

Now for the pill.
The wheels are $1,100 OUCH. Whoops, I meant EACH.
Expensive? Yes. Reliable source? Yes.
Shipping is estimated at $30 EA, UPS.
Fran needs a 50% deposit to start.
He would like to run 50 sets.
If you want a set, call him. 412-441-5750.
He intends to collect deposits before having a firm manufacturing date. Just so you know.
3 month lead time.

Are we ANY better off than we were before this thread?
I'm willing to take my lumps if anyone feels like throwing stones.