New string alignment tooling; comments please
 

I've just developed a string alignment system that attaches to your car with a universal mounting concept. The tool requires the user to buy two, ten foot long pieces of 3/4" conduit which cost $7.31 today. The remainder of the tooling ships in a USPS Small Flat Rate box.

The concept is pretty simple, mount the conduit to your front & rear bumpers or similar using the special bipod brackets and turnbuckles. These allow for positioning on the car so that the conduit is level.

Also, the height of the conduit is adjusted so the string bars (mounted on each end of the conduit) can be rotated to adjust height of string.

The strings (mono-filament fish line) are kept taught by the o-rings that ate in compression under the heads of the studs in the string bars.

Softeners to protect paint are not used to details of mounting to be viewed. The bipod does have a plastic slipper to avoid hard spots on the painted surfaces.

Once installed, the conduit is quite rigidly attached to the car so bumping the installation will not ruin the setup.

Comments requested as to level of interest or design/application, etc.

Please forgive the photos in the shade, it is hot here today and I decided finished pictures were not necessary for a concept presentation.

Target price is $125 per set.

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That looks like the same concept as setting up four jackstands with string. It just takes longer to set the jackstands up so the string is parallel to the car. I don't change alignment enough to justify spending much money to set the strings up easier. If I need a really good alignment, I will take it to a shop for alignment and corner balance.

Yes, jack stands are most common method and very well documented for usage. However, with the strings attached, you can jack car up to make adjustments and then setup is ready to go for checking progress after setting the car back down.

My model for this is a similar system (I want but didn't want to afford) that attaches to the car and sells for $449 without shipping charges which must be pretty hefty considering the size of the package to house all the rods & brackets:

https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/productdetails.asp?RecId=3004&gclid=COni1Yf2iMcCFY 9hfgodXCAJww

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Looks pretty good. Very clever actually. As for commercial viability, I think the market may be small.

I have used jack stands many times. They can be a pain to get the height adjusted correctly and are easy to disturb.


I was around for the development of the SmartStrings system shown above. One of my local friends/fellow racers created it and still sells it. I have seen many pro teams use it. Even the Porsche factory team.

It works really well on many types of vehicles and comes with really detailed instructions, and spare parts are available.

Despite easy access to a Smartstrings system, I made my own system that mounts to my car in a unique way. Easy to install and adjust. Cost about $5. My system took at most 2 hours to make and perfect.

There are some threads in these forums that show similar approaches, and there are also plenty of other DIY and commercially available examples elsewhere on the internet.

Hi Mike,

Great feedback, Thank you. Seems that EVERYTHING I work on is for a small community, especially providing Weber service for the Porsche 911 world...a good definition of a small market.

I developed a low cost corner scale system that has the same design goal as the string alignment device, same function as more costly equivalents. Not much interest there although I have sold enough to cover my costs. Perhaps this string alignment system will go down the same path.

Beautiful car and very clever concept.

I like your setup ........well all but the OBAMA/BIDEN sign!

Yeah, saw the back drop but decided to go ahead anyhow...I do appreciate being on Obamacare, it reduced my monthly health insurance load by $1500/month.

Look past the Obama poster to see a couple of my factory 917 posters on the wall inside, certainly more agreeable to the Porsche audience.

i like the concept and dont mind the sign 1 bit. The idea that I could jack up the car make changes, set it down, roll it out and check the measurements is like a dream. I have spent hours with the jack stands. Maybe inn a few years when the kids are out and i have more time to play with cars again. Right now I would not use it much.

That car is breathtaking. Is that big aluminum tank the dry sump tank for oil? That must hold a few quarts.

18 qts oil, formed a wooden buck to fit around tire (did a little chain saw carving ;)) and then formed aluminum skin. Swirl tank and inner baffles too. Thanks for the comments!

About $20 in shelving hardware.

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Yes, however it looks a little sensitive to being bumped.

I have trouble looking past the Obama sign!!!!:D:D:D:D:D

Paul,

Looks like a nice easy to use design, I could see myself purchasing a set.

Rutager

Paul,
I'm in! Email sent.
Cheers,
Johan

Looks like I'll be getting the remaining pieces together for my 50 sets of "bipods". A little time before all together but I will provide a notice here when ready.

Thanks to all for your interest & sincere comments.

Cheers,

Paul Abbott