So, I'm starting my own business

[CLdrinker]

Congrats

 

[lbhsbz]

I really look forward to your updates! I feel like there has been opportunity for me to do a couple things like this (NOT BRAKES!) in the past and I never had the balls to just jump off the cliff and do it...

You are an inspiration, Sir!

To be fair, I didn’t really jump…I was pushed. That made it easier. I never had the balls to jump.

 

[pronstar]

I’m so stoked that you’re killing it!!!

 

[RiverDave]

Well...today turned out well.

Started with a dude showing up with $700 for a 4 wheel set of calipers, pads, and hoses for an early Porsche 914...

Then got a call from the guy that I was originally gonna bring calipers in for from China, but ran out of patience with China...I found a new stateside supplier and their pricing was such where I can make about $20/caliper with zero effort x 400...he approved the samples so that $28K order got placed today. Also bringing in a couple pallets of master cylinders for him at the same profit rate.

The guy who's calipers I got from my old company last week emailed me today that he's sending a 1400lb (170 calipers) for the full treatment. His freight guy is a tool so using @shippingguy saved about $250.

Had a tech call last night from a customer in OC that didn't know I was gone from Centric and we got to chatting...he mentioned a buddy of his who owned a big porsche place local, then texted me when we hung up with the guys contact info...we spoke this morning and I've got at least 50 calipers he wants done now, and of course future business.

First pallet to big order guy number one will be ready to ship as soon as the rain stops and the crate dries out for a few days. All the parts are done.

This is really gonna cut into my beer drinking time.

This actually made my day! Congrats, I am happy to see things starting to take off!

Hopefully someday soon you will be pulling up to one of those giant buildings with your biz name on the side.

 

[lbhsbz]

This actually made my day! Congrats, I am happy to see things starting to take off!

Hopefully someday soon you will be pulling up to one of those giant buildings with your biz name on the side.

Thanks Dave...that's encouraging.

Maybe, we'll see...

Yesterday was a small milestone. Received a check for $5500...largest yet, lol....and got the product shipped out same day (after working on the order for 3 months). I think I'm gonna frame it.

My primary caliper component supplier is a pain in the ass....they moved a lot of their inventory to mexico since that's where most of the larger rebuilders relocated in the last few years, and getting orders filled here in the states is a chore. It takes them a month or more to even process/pull the order. On the last one, I asked for a stock check first...everything was good to go, so I fired off the PO. 6 weeks later half the order showed up, the rest was backordered. Now, I happen to have about 50 sets of the same part number caliper, tore down, cleaned, freshly plated with the bare castings lined up on the shelf waiting for the components to arrive (which were all in stock when I checked)...4 weeks later I send an inquiry and receive a response that the order was never entered, but they'll expedite it now and ship what they have, which is about 1/2 the parts. That does me no good, I need all or nothing. So I cancelled the whole order and opened an acct with another outfit (one of about 3 that do this kind of stuff) and received shipping confirmation within 2 days of placing the order....and pricing is about 20% better.

I needed pistons too, and I know the one outfit who makes phenolic calipers for just about everyone (OEMs, Aftermarket, etc...)...these guys ship millions and millions of pistons to OE manufacturers, but I said fuck it and made the call anyway....they had no problem supplying me a relatively small order (200 pieces) and had it shipped, with a savings to me of nearly 40%, the next day.

Just as I was ready to write my "cancel all orders and get fucked" email, I received notification that they finally have stock on a 7 month old backorder for one part number and they're shipping it this week. LOL. I don't know how they stay in business, it's impossible to operate with them as a supplier. New guys are doing great...got my first batch in from them last night and everything is correct.

Now, Centric...the company I used to work for, has discontinued their piston program. I know one of their distributors who fulfills most of the internet sales and they have been in talks with what used to be my primary supplier to step in and take over the piston program since Centric is out of the game. With my new phenolic piston supplier acct, I can definitely beat their lead time and most likely their pricing too while still keeping good margins, so I'm working on getting some usage data so I can quote. I figure since Centric isn't doing it anymore, there is no issue with using their part numbers and cataloging. This might turn out to be big...maybe.

Pallet of calipers (140+) should be here this week from big customer #2, so I'm hoping to have those into plating early next week. (EDIT: the customer with this next order of 140+ just approved the samples of straight zinc plating...which lowers my plating cost significantly, and also his cost by $5/caliper or so....and this plater has a 1-2 day turnaround, so this should be quick job!).
Also dropped another $2K on cores at a Porsche wrecking yard yesterday....I've tried about 5 different platers and the quality just isn't there, so for now I'm stuck with who I've been using, but their 4-5 week lead times frustrate me....the only way that works is with enough core inventory to keep stuff both on the shelf and in process....so we'll throw more money at it. It will be better in the end this way, but expensive now, oh well.

Bank acct is back up to within $5K of where it started, which I think is pretty good. I haven't taken out a loan, and I pay in advance on all my purchases so I don't owe any suppliers any money. I've amassed some decent inventory and some (relatively) expensive equipment, all paid for free and clear. Bank acct should be in the black once last months receivables come in (this month...I give my wholesale customers net 30 terms).

 

[lbhsbz]

Fuck me…busy week ahead

 

[t&y]

That's awesome dude. Keep hustling, it will pay off.

 

[lbhsbz]

That's awesome dude. Keep hustling, it will pay off.

yup...that's a $15,000 check when it's all done. Cost is around $1000 for parts and plating. By this friday is my goal....

 

[lbhsbz]

One of my component suppliers, who leaves a lot to be desired in the logistics dept, was in town yesterday and took me out to lunch at the Yard House....we got to talking and somehow the subject of hardware for the Ford Transit vans came up....they said they'd had no luck finding a source and weren't about to have it made in China. I offered that I currently have the rear bolts in stock, and can also supply the fronts (3 different bolts, 5/5/2 in a kit). I've been told to expect a formal RFQ shortly for bulk, 4 bolt part numbers...in quantities of 250K each, as well as the axle seal o-rings for 50K pieces.

Gotta figure out the logistics of this one. 20K of one bolt was 5 pallets. Quick math says this is about 200 pallets, 8-10 truck loads (53' trailers...depending on weight). Can't ship direct because that would reveal my source. Might have to try and rent some space short term in the midwest somewhere between my supplier and customer and spend a couple weeks de-branding/re-branding everything, then re-loading and shipping again so the BOL doesn't show my supplier information. Depending on shipping costs, it might make sense to bring them out to CA and then send them back. Either way....this shit ain't gonna happen in my driveway so I'll need to rent some warehouse space.

Good problem to have though...

 

[bilz]

Nice to hear you're doing well. Working in local gov't, we rarely worried and supplies. Nearly all our equipment wasn't of the off the shelf variety, so we typically had 90 to 180 days of stock, as that was typical lead times. This was easy to maintain since it was gov't funds.Glad it's over. Only tried an outside gig once, but the bail industry sort of dried up and now slot if released are OR.
Cool to hear of the new connections and reconnects in you r market. Lunch at the Yard House in never a bad thing

 

[JBS]

One of my component suppliers, who leaves a lot to be desired in the logistics dept, was in town yesterday and took me out to lunch at the Yard House....we got to talking and somehow the subject of hardware for the Ford Transit vans came up....they said they'd had no luck finding a source and weren't about to have it made in China. I offered that I currently have the rear bolts in stock, and can also supply the fronts (3 different bolts, 5/5/2 in a kit). I've been told to expect a formal RFQ shortly for bulk, 4 bolt part numbers...in quantities of 250K each, as well as the axle seal o-rings for 50K pieces.

Gotta figure out the logistics of this one. 20K of one bolt was 5 pallets. Quick math says this is about 200 pallets, 8-10 truck loads (53' trailers...depending on weight). Can't ship direct because that would reveal my source. Might have to try and rent some space short term in the midwest somewhere between my supplier and customer and spend a couple weeks de-branding/re-branding everything, then re-loading and shipping again so the BOL doesn't show my supplier information. Depending on shipping costs, it might make sense to bring them out to CA and then send them back. Either way....this shit ain't gonna happen in my driveway so I'll need to rent some warehouse space.

Good problem to have though...

At some point you will miss something and the buyer will figure out the source. I know contracts are hard to enforce but you may want to consider one in this case even if you do the rebranding.

Depending where you need this done I know of a good sheltered workshop in the Midwest with a couple of locations that could warehouse and repack for you.

 

[Waterjunky]

One of my component suppliers, who leaves a lot to be desired in the logistics dept, was in town yesterday and took me out to lunch at the Yard House....we got to talking and somehow the subject of hardware for the Ford Transit vans came up....they said they'd had no luck finding a source and weren't about to have it made in China. I offered that I currently have the rear bolts in stock, and can also supply the fronts (3 different bolts, 5/5/2 in a kit). I've been told to expect a formal RFQ shortly for bulk, 4 bolt part numbers...in quantities of 250K each, as well as the axle seal o-rings for 50K pieces.

Gotta figure out the logistics of this one. 20K of one bolt was 5 pallets. Quick math says this is about 200 pallets, 8-10 truck loads (53' trailers...depending on weight). Can't ship direct because that would reveal my source. Might have to try and rent some space short term in the midwest somewhere between my supplier and customer and spend a couple weeks de-branding/re-branding everything, then re-loading and shipping again so the BOL doesn't show my supplier information. Depending on shipping costs, it might make sense to bring them out to CA and then send them back. Either way....this shit ain't gonna happen in my driveway so I'll need to rent some warehouse space.

Good problem to have though...

With this size of an order, does in make sense to reach out to your supplier and see if they are willing to "rebrand" and produce under your label. This would be a huge savings for you. Even if it costs a little more in cash, your time and effort on all of this is worth something. This would also mean that every single one is labeled correctly and you don't have to worry about missing a label or two.

 

[lbhsbz]

At some point you will miss something and the buyer will figure out the source. I know contracts are hard to enforce but you may want to consider one in this case even if you do the rebranding.

Depending where you need this done I know of a good sheltered workshop in the Midwest with a couple of locations that could warehouse and repack for you.

With the kind of money involved here (north of 1/2 mil) I will most certainly have my attorney involved....and the bank lol.

I'll be contacting you about that warehouse service.

 

[lbhsbz]

With this size of an order, does in make sense to reach out to your supplier and see if they are willing to "rebrand" and produce under your label. This would be a huge savings for you. Even if it costs a little more in cash, your time and effort on all of this is worth something.

I'm sure they would package them however I want....the issue is the shipper info on the Bill of Lading. I'd rather it ship from a different state.

 

[rrrr]

Fuck me…busy week ahead View attachment 1081108

Does your mother-in-law know the rugs she gave you and your wife as a Christmas present two years ago are in the garage instead of the living room?



I'm enjoying the updates, keep up the good work.

 

[lbhsbz]

Does your mother-in-law know the rugs she gave you and your wife as a Christmas present two years ago are in the garage instead of the living room?



I'm enjoying the updates, keep up the good work.

yes...and she's learned not to bring us nice things.

The wife was sort of pissed off when I proposed cutting out 160 foam gaskets for a customer on her cricut....but when she realized she'd get $1.50 each for 'em and all she had to do was sit there with a glass of wine, she came around. Everything has a use here....if I can find where I put it.

 

[lbhsbz]

Might be doing my first repo tomorrow…local guys that asked for 1000 bolt kits haven’t paid me. First batch was due 8 days ago, second batch is due today. I let the first one go because I figured they’d combine and write one check…been on the phone a few times today with my contact and he says the acct. department hasn’t responded to any messages today.

So…

I don’t have time to play games.

 

[HNL2LHC]

Might be doing my first repo tomorrow…local guys that asked for 1000 bolt kits haven’t paid me. First batch was due 8 days ago, second batch is due today. I let the first one go because I figured they’d combine and write one check…been on the phone a few times today with my contact and he says the acct. department hasn’t responded to any messages today.

So…

View attachment 1083108

I don’t have time to play games.

Good on you to follow through on payment or the parts back. Better to cut them off now then they string you along. Everyone deserves to be paid for their services. If they didn’t like it them should not have placed the order.

 

[LuauLounge]

Good luck…..

 

[lbhsbz]

Don't need luck, I have tact. One of the old lead caliper builders from Centric works the 3AM to noon shift over there and wants to come work for me....he's good, he listens, and he's trainable. He's also the only one before the sun comes up who drives the forklift....and can load my truck.

I'll never hear the end of it from @lakemadness if I hire him lol

 

[4Waters]

Might be doing my first repo tomorrow…local guys that asked for 1000 bolt kits haven’t paid me. First batch was due 8 days ago, second batch is due today. I let the first one go because I figured they’d combine and write one check…been on the phone a few times today with my contact and he says the acct. department hasn’t responded to any messages today.

So…

View attachment 1083108

I don’t have time to play games.

Don't lose another toe. LOL

 

[lbhsbz]

Got paid

 

[boatnam2]

Hey LBHSBZ, did you see that guy that got capped chasing catalyst robbers, crazy!

 

[lbhsbz]

Hey LBHSBZ, did you see that guy that got capped chasing catalyst robbers, crazy!

yep...I'll shoot from the porch from now on.

 

[lbhsbz]

Also...just sent off the quote for the bolts...if I get this, I'll net north of 200K on this deal alone this year and I have to make 3 phone calls to make it happen....and then whatever is involved in actually getting paid. lol.


I'm not holding my breath.

 

[Willie B]

… When I was painting yachts with Nick Marshall …down in the LA Harbor..Marshall & Vermilia AA/FD)… Nick had a very unique way of getting paid …when the job was done and everything was cleaned up …if the boat owner said yeah I’ll pay you in a couple days… Nicks response was …no you will pay me now …I will sit on the steps of your boat until I have cash in hand… It worked every time…Only necessary if the boat owner seemed sketchy…

… I doubt if that method would work for you…

 

[boatnam2]

yep...I'll shoot from the porch from now on.

lol, or bedroom window is even better.

 

[lbhsbz]

bit of a milestone today...however insignificant. For the first time....the bank account has more money in it than I put there when I started. I've earned a whole $200 now! lol.

onward and upward.

 

[lbhsbz]

One of my customers unpacked last weeks order and sent me this pic…made me smile. Those are all Porsche 914 rear calipers. Along with the core value, there's about $20K in that picture

 

[rrrr]

Is that spring and lever assembly the connection for the e brake cable?

 

[lbhsbz]

Is that spring and lever assembly the connection for the e brake cable?

Yes

And no…the outboard piston is not mechanically actuated (that would be a good trick)…only the inboard piston. These require constant piston adjustment so as not to break or bend the rotor with the e-brake. Not a very good design IMO, but that’s not my problem.

 

[RiverDave]

I'm waiting to see how that monster order turns out and if ya get it. I'm hoping ya do!

RD

 

[Done-it-again]

One of my customers unpacked last weeks order and sent me this pic…made me smile. Those are all Porsche 914 rear calipers. Along with the core value, there's about $20K in that picture

View attachment 1088655

Does this customer inventory these to sell to the end user? or are they used for customer builds? Just seems like a lot of inventory to keep, but at the same time I don't know how popular this caliper is.

 

[lbhsbz]

Does this customer inventory these to sell to the end user? or are they used for customer builds? Just seems like a lot of inventory to keep, but at the same time I don't know how popular this caliper is.

Both...they do restorations and are also a very large supplier/producer of parts for these things. From what I hear, this should last him a few months. That pile (and another one about the same size) are all the easy ones out of the stuff I had laid out on the patio....the rest of them all have broken bleeders/other issues that make them a pain in the ass, so I told him I'd work on those when I have time unless he feels like paying me an hourly rate to sit there and fuck with them all day...he chose to wait.

 

[lbhsbz]

I'm waiting to see how that monster order turns out and if ya get it. I'm hoping ya do!

RD

Ya....me too. I just got a call from my contact over there that they're having a meeting this afternoon to make a decision....keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[Done-it-again]

Both...they do restorations and are also a very large supplier/producer of parts for these things. From what I hear, this should last him a few months. That pile (and another one about the same size) are all the easy ones out of the stuff I had laid out on the patio....the rest of them all have broken bleeders/other issues that make them a pain in the ass, so I told him I'd work on those when I have time unless he feels like paying me an hourly rate to sit there and fuck with them all day...he chose to wait.

Wow, they go pretty quick then. I was thinking that inventory would last 6 months or so, then I would say raise your price. lol

 

[lbhsbz]

Wow, they go pretty quick then. I was thinking that inventory would last 6 months or so, then I would say raise your price. lol

I'm making very good money on these (plating is between 10-13/caliper, zinc between $2.50-$4.00, rubber parts are under a buck/caliper…sometimes they need pistons at $1.50- $10, so all in…$35 worst case, and I Get $100 for it). .I'd rather keep the repeat business than get greedy.

The customer is a fanatic and wants to save every possible part he can, so that's why I'll bother with extracting broken shit when things slow down a bit. I'll still make good money, but it's just a pain in the ass.

 

[Done-it-again]

I'm making very good money on these....I'd rather keep the repeat business than get greedy.

The customer is a fanatic and wants to save every possible part he can, so that's why I'll bother with extracting broken shit when things slow down a bit. I'll still make good money, but it's just a pain in the ass.

I get it now, just never thought the demand for 1 type of caliper.

It's great following this journey with you...

 

[monkeyswrench]

I'm making very good money on these....I'd rather keep the repeat business than get greedy.

The customer is a fanatic and wants to save every possible part he can, so that's why I'll bother with extracting broken shit when things slow down a bit. I'll still make good money, but it's just a pain in the ass.

Broken bleeders and bolts on the work bench are so much better than in the car. Worse yet, when the customer is hounding you to get it done.

Very cool stuff though. Neat that it's not just Honda civic stuff and such.

 

[lbhsbz]

Broken bleeders and bolts on the work bench are so much better than in the car. Worse yet, when the customer is hounding you to get it done.

Very cool stuff though. Neat that it's not just Honda civic stuff and such.

I refuse to deal with calipers that autozone stocks…strictly vintage British, air cooled porsche, and the occasional pushrod Volvo.

 

[monkeyswrench]

I refuse to deal with calipers that autozone stocks…strictly vintage British, air cooled porsche, and the occasional pushrod Volvo.

Exactly...the more specific the niche, the more time can be used to do it "right". In your case, the end users want the correct part, not a part that kind of works.

 

[JBS]

I'm making very good money on these....I'd rather keep the repeat business than get greedy.

The customer is a fanatic and wants to save every possible part he can, so that's why I'll bother with extracting broken shit when things slow down a bit. I'll still make good money, but it's just a pain in the ass.

Might think about farming them out for the extractions. What we sometimes battle on the bench can be milled or removed with an EDM pretty cost effectively Especially if there are enough to develop fixtures to hold in position.

 

[lbhsbz]

Might think about farming them out for the extractions. What we sometimes battle on the bench can be milled or removed with an EDM pretty cost effectively Especially if there are enough to develop fixtures to hold in position.

The problem with letting anyone but me do it is that they fuck up the bleeder seat, which needs to stay perfectly concentric with the threads. If not, the whole thing is fucked. These are tough to insert as some have the holes canted on multiple axis and aren't square to anything. Even when they are square, it's tough to pick it up on the mill....I usually drill by hand to get a clean round hole following the hole in the bleeder screw, then put that bit in the mill chuck and walk things around until the quill comes down clean...then I go to a larger drill, peck at it until I get close, then advance .010" at a time with the quill stop so I can cut a clean seat once I get the last of the bleeder screw out, then in the same fixturing tap, counterbore, and install a time-sert....but it only takes a little bit of un-noticed flex in the drill used for fixturing to fuck everything up.

I usually grab the mig welder and start stacking tacks until I can grab it with vise grips...that works remarkably well most of the time...10 minutes or less.

Method depends on the situation, and the value of the core. $30 cores go in the scrap bin...$300 cores get my full attention.

 

[lbhsbz]

Shot blaster is getting a workout today….

 

[lbhsbz]

Back at it…trying to make it to the plater today by 10:00….

Best part about starting at 3:00AM…lunchtime (beer time) is 7:00AM

 

[t&y]

Back at it…trying to make it to the plater today by 10:00….

Best part about starting at 3:00AM…lunchtime (beer time) is 7:00AM

Hahahah.. you too huh. People look at me funny when I'm trying to get a double bacon cheese burger at 0800... I just call them slackers for not being up and working by 4

 

[lbhsbz]

Solid start this morning…8 successful extractions. Saving these 8 calipers means $800 more product shipped (and billed) next week.

 

[lbhsbz]

Oh…and I brought on a guy to try for a couple days…old lead caliper builder from my old company. Showed him the way I do things, told him that’s the way he will be doing it.

In one day, he lost a wrench, broke 4 punches, made a fucking mess, and destroyed a few Ribe bolt heads, rendering the calipers scrap (cannot source replacement hardware for these)…because he refuses to clamp the fucking thing in a vise after having been told 10 times, but would rather see it flop around on the bench with a Ribe driver attempting to hold one end of the bolt while banging on the nut with an impact.

He won’t be coming back…destroyed parts and tools cost me more than I paid him ($20/hr cash….$2/hr more than he makes on the books at his day job).

 

[HNL2LHC]

Oh…and I brought on a guy to try for a couple days…old lead caliper builder from my old company. Showed him the way I do things, told him that’s the way he will be doing it.

In one day, he lost a wrench, broke 4 punches, made a fucking mess, and destroyed a few Ribe bolt heads, rendering the calipers scrap (cannot source replacement hardware for these)…because he refuses to clamp the fucking thing in a vise after having been told 10 times, but would rather see it flop around on the bench with a Ribe driver attempting to hold one end of the bolt while banging on the nut with an impact.

He won’t be coming back…destroyed parts and tools cost me more than I paid him ($20/hr cash….$2/hr more than he makes on the books at his day job).

Not many get it that is why they are working for the man. Life goes on and perhaps you will find the skilled guy you are looking for. Keep on keeping on!!!!

 

[lbhsbz]

Deal with the big order doesn't look good. RFQ was for 4 bolt part numbers and one o-ring part number...my o-ring supplier was 6 months out on getting material. I had them quote anyway....my cost on 40K units if I commit now, is a few cents per piece more than my cost was on 4K units this time last year...due to material cost increases. I quoted the o-rings to my customer at pretty low margins and with free freight simply because it supports a much bigger deal, and they still bitched about the price...."can't believe what those things cost". Well, this isn't china garbage...so you have to pay for it.

We'll see what happens, not holding my breath.

Saw a customer yesterday morning who has about 20 milk crates full of calipers he wants done....so I'll go get started on that once I finish up the 50 or so I have left to put together and the pallet that's showing up on Thursday from a different customer. He's in no hurry. Should be a good next couple months.