Anyone having problems with camgrinder?
 

I ordered and paid a camshaft set from camgrinder (Doughery Racing Cams) and I was trying to contact him via phone and email and I dont find him. Anyone knows if something bad happened to him? because this is the first time this happened.

Don't know if John is sick or what, but he's a good guy and I don't stress when doing business with him.

He'll get back to you I"m sure.

I have had similar communication issues. No return email or phone calls. I am sure he will get back but I am about to start having build delays...

I've had no problems .

Sometimes hard to get a hold of .

But turn around has been very fast .

+1 on good guy .

SxS

I have been having problems getting hold of him, I've had a set of cams there for a regrind for around 6 weeks now and cannot get in touch with him. If anyone gets a hold of him and finds out what is happening, please let me know.

You can be the greatest guy in the world, but you quit communicating and your reputation can go down hill fast and, in my opinion, deservedly so.

Me too, I left a number of messages with him and didn't get a call back. Then just by luck I tried the other day and he answered. He mentioned he is swamped with work right now.

After waiting a lot of time, all of you get your camshafts back? This is my biggest concern.

I ordered mine Jan 28 and was promised Feb 15 shipment. I called and emailed almost everyday for 2 weeks before catching him briefly yesterday. He apologised and said mine would be in the mail today.

This is a huge problem for me as I am prepping my motor for Targa Tasmania and have run out ot time.

I do hope they arrive immediately. He's always been helpful and this is not my first purchase but it is causing me lots of stress as I am running out of time and i"m already out of pocket thousands in entry fees with less and less time available now for shakedown.

You will get them back. I think he is the only one doing the work, and probably got swamped. I found email was the best way to get in touch with him.

His work is worth the wait, but if you need cams asap, then you may have to send them to a larger outfit and risk the quality.

I've been trying to get ahold of him for months now to order a set of cams. I haven"t sent any $$$ yet tho.

Where else can I get some S cams - don't say MM...

Update, John sent me an email this morning with a UPS tracking number. I'd do business with him again but would ensure I'm not pressed for time next go-around.

Uncle you can try webcam or piper.

Camgrinder has a great rep for doing great work, thus my reason for going to him. Up until my cams landed at his shop about 6 weeks ago he would always get back to me by email. Since then nothing. This is the first time I have used him and considering I live on the other side of the Pacific, its a worry ! By writing here I am by no means trying to damage his rep but find out what the deal is !

I'm not pressed for time, like others, but it would be good to just get a reply back on an eta considering he told me it would take a couple of days back in mid January when my cams land at his shop.

I spoke with him today by phone. He said he is doing much more business than last year at this time. Hang in there he is just swamped.

A single person operation can easily get overwhelmed with work - especially when you have a spotless reputation like camgrinder. It may just be his busy season. I received excellent service from him, and would go out of my way to do business with him again. I think he has deserved the right to have everyone just wait for him to catch up with the backlog. I understand being on a tight time schedule, but you also have to understand that a single person has a business and a life that can be overwhelming sometimes. The work I recieved from John was 2nd to none. You just can't say that about everyone.

I emailed him this week and got a quick response.....


Cheers

He reground my SC cams to 964 a few years ago - great service. If you want to really experience delays, send your rockers to Comp. Engin. in Cali..:) The one "downside" of developing a good reputation is your work load increases, and the trick is to keep things rolling without a drop in quality...communication is key - better to respond that it will be 5 to 6 wks than not at all, as most folks only get really bent out of shape (and understandably so) when they get no response

It could be the time of year too? Its almost spring and we all want to get that job done this month. Its been busy here too but I guess you just work late into the night, Saturdays and Sundays, that gets real old quick too... I know.. Have had nothing but great work from John..

Can anyone on this board who has/is in contact with camgrinder, maybe ask him to contact the people on this thread who looking for him ????

John got back to me today - cams are done, just waiting on shipping price.

I sympathize for successful one man operations. No one makes better cams. I am happy to wait for Harvey Weidman, I am happy to wait for Harry Bieker and will be happy to wait any amount of time for John Dougherty.

I am waiting too for a set of DC60 cams. Paid the cams almost 3 weeks ago. No show, sent 3 e-mails, no answer.....

Is he in California?

I get an answer from camgrinder today. He told me that he shipped the camhshafts today and gave me the tracking number. I ordered my camshafts on Jan 10, so today is 3 month later.

I really dont know that he is the only man that work in his shop. I really understand why he is late on our orders. But, I'm sure that his works on the camshafts is a really nice one.

It's worth the wait I guess, impeccable reputation. I'll buy from him any day

I placed my order on december 3. 2007 and got a "confirmation" on december 10. 2007. :eek:

When I spoke with him last fall, he was having trouble getting blanks through customs. He got a bit behind while waiting for them. I couldn't be happier with the cams he ground for me, and would not hesitate to go back to him.

You guys need to remember that we are a very small part of what is a niche market anyway; the big cam companies don't even see us on their radar. Dealing with one man, or "ma and pa" operations is part and parcel to our place in the market. Guys like John are filling an "insignificant" (to the larger companies) niche, and doing us a big favor in doing so. If you want ready, off-the-shelf availability or exceedingly quick turn around, start building small block Chevys.

And for God's sake, don't call and/or email him everyday. No wonder he can't answer all of his correspondence if you guys are doing that. Remember, when he is on the phone or answering email, he is not making chips. Everyone gets delayed due to your constant pestering. There are guys in this business that will simply send you your money (or your parts) back and tell you to go find some one else. Be glad John is nice enough to not do that; there are not that many "some one elses".

:eek::eek::eek::eek:

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True :)

Yes he is. Would that make any difference? We don't have a great wall around us....yet. ;)

BTW, I ordered from John a couple of years ago and things were real smooth and timely then. Anyone can get off track or buried in work. Funny how that can work, too. If you're that good, you could fail due to improper expansion. There's a real art and science keeping a small business small and successful. Many a business has not seen that and gone over the edge never to be seen again unless they reappear small once again.

Thanks Milt, was wondering if anyine was going to answer. No, what I meant was the mechanic doing my top-end work sent mine out to California and they are very late getting back. But it sounds like he doesn't regrind so it's a moot point. Now how about those bumpers??? :D

John is a good guy. He did my cams for the rebuild of my 3.0 motor a couple years back. He's actually just down the road from my house so I was able to drop them off pick them up. I can verify that he really is a one man operation. I have no doubt that he'll make good and is just burried. But, I suppose if it's a necessity I could stop by on behalf specific folks if I had all the details.

Yes, he does do "regrinds." That's what he did for me.

Bumpers? I'll get back on track now that Daylight Savings in in force.

Thanks again, maybe mine are there. Sounds like I'm in for a treat. I'll have to ask the mechanic.
I meant the bumpers you fabricated for your car. They're gorgeous. When are you going to make a mold? ;)

Mine arrived Wednesday.

Don't worry about John, he is a good guy but a one man operation. Things happen to him like all of us and sets him behind. His shop is not far from me and every time I stop by he is grinding with a back log of cams. When you talk to him he gives you full service and full attention. He is similar to Al Reed who has a small shop, hates to be pushed but does outstanding work.

Bottom line.......Don't worry

John is the shizzzle!
 

John is a great guy.
He has been doing cams for me for many many years.
Even when he was with Elgin. When he left I went with him.
I have the up most respect for him and his work! :)
I understand getting swamped. It's a good bad thing.
Hang in their guys, he is the best guy out their. ;)

I know the feeling. Between running out of aluminum and having a bit more business than what is typical for this time of the year, I myself got a few weeks backed up on delivering cylinders. I finally can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but it's been a LONG Jan, Feb, and March thusfar! Just give John a chance to catch up. His work is second to none. I consider webcam a job shop, pumping out cams like chicken laying eggs. I'm sure they'll work, but quality is worth waiting for.

Thanks for all the kind words!
It is true I am a one man shop and I was absolutely swamped this first part of the year.
My wife is now working most mornings and we have changed around some stuff and its made life easier for me.

I received my camshafts from camgrinder like 3 weeks ago. The machining, quality and look are excellent. This is my 2nd set of camshafts that I brought from him. I ordered a DC-40 camshafts for to my 2.7 engine. Really nice work!! I'm in the process of getting replated my cylinders to finish the engine.

I am glad to hear that all is well with John. I know several very happy people that have dealt with camgrinder many times in the past. I was hoping that it was just being swamped, instead of the other...
Glad to hear ya' kickin' around John. Tony.