Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/02/22

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Subject: RE: [Leica] BD and the M7
From: grduprey@rockwellcollins.com
Date: Sat, 22 Feb 2003 08:51:15 -0600

Yes there will always be machine shops , but the small shops that are
willing to do one and two part jobs are going away.  the large shops will
last, but they will only be willing to make the parts in large quantities
and charge high set up fees - We have seen this when we have had mechanical
parts made for radios and for auto parts which are no longer available.  As
for tubes for radios etc., yes they are still available for the most part,
but those required for transmitting are becoming very rare, and some
required for stereos and receiving are so low in availability that the
prices are 30 times the original price and those that have them horde them.
Gear sets for a 50's vintage Collins receiver dial were currently
commissioned to have a quantity of 50 sets made, the cost was $450 per set
(the set was 3 gears)plus $400 setup fee.  A typical set up charge these
days is $100 or more depending on the piece to be made, plus the cost of
the materials and labor etc.  Our experience in it is not that easy to get
enough people to put up the money to have the parts made.  People will say
they would pay the money, but when it comes to putting the money on the
table it is another matter.  This is all from experience not just
conjecture.

Anyway enough said on this

Gene



                                                                                                                                                  
                      "Austin Franklin"                                                                                                           
                      <darkroom@ix.netcom.com>            To:       <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>                                           
                      Sent by:                            cc:                                                                                     
                      owner-leica-users@mejac.palo        Subject:  RE: [Leica] BD and the M7                                                     
                      -alto.ca.us                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                  
                      02/21/2003 04:45 PM                                                                                                         
                      Please respond to                                                                                                           
                      leica-users                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                  




Gene,

Mechanical parts are far far easier and cheaper to reproduce than
electrical
parts.  There will always be machine shops.

Also, tubes ARE available, readily available.  Not ALL tubes are available,
but if you want to design something with tubes, they are available.  There
is also the ability to substitute tubes.  I know this does not work for all
instances, but for most it should.

Regards,

Austin

> So it is not just bunk...
>
> Gene
>
> At 02:07 PM 2/21/03 -0600, grduprey@rockwellcollins.com wrote:
> >My point (if I have one) is that as nice as the old stuff is it will
> indeed
> >become unrepairable (yes I know that is heresy to you M-3 users) as
there
> >will be no one who can make new gears etc, at some time in the not so
> >distant future.
>
> This is so much bunk, sir.  I can make the gears, if push comes to shove,
> as can my son.  Anyone with access to a minimal amount of machine
> tools can
> do so.
>
> Marc

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Replies: Reply from "\(SonC\) Sonny Carter" <sonc@sonc.com> (Re: [Leica] BD and the M7)
Reply from Dennis Painter <dennis@hale-pohaku.com> (Re: [Leica] BD and the M7)