Restoration design Inc. sheet metal feedback - Page 2

RDInorm · 10-28-2011, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racerbvd

Very pleased with your work, we have used your early 911 panels, and most recently, some replacement panels for our 914-6.

right on!

Slugwerks · Slugwerks's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prairie Lizard

Norm,

This is my first post in this forum and I think it is awesome that you are asking for feedback. I've been lurking for awhile trying to learn as much as I can and it is obvious there are a lot of people here who care and are willing to help out newbies like me.

My garage contains my 1973.5 T which has been in my barn for 6 years and in another guys barn before that since 1989. Started tearing it down two weeks ago. So far most of the problems are in the front end and rockers. still have a lot to take to bare metal though.

I've had your site bookmarked for a couple years waiting to start the ordering process.

One comment I remember reading in one of the project posts was RD was inconsistent with delivery times. It may have been an old post, but it made me curious. Do you have typical delivery estimates for a 73 911 front suspension pan and outer rockers?

Again, awesome you are asking for feedback.

Welcome Prairie,

There used to be an issue with long shipping periods out of Restoration Design, but I believe that the company has changed ownership since then. I can tell you I ordered Rockers, door jams, and more from RD over the summer and had them in less than a week between ordering and arrival. I was impressed, and their customer support was always quick to reply via email.

Norm, when I get the nerve up to cut my rockers off and replace the inner & outer rockers I'll let you know how it goes for a rookie welder and body man. It is scary cutting up a 911.

Thanks for your interest in our opinions, and thanks for providing us with the opportunity to repair these cars! I think you guys should work on a dogleg kit for the lower portion of the fender's. If I were you I would also consider making metal extension pieces that would allow backdater's to convert short hood fenders into longhood fenders.

Thanks
Rich

Long Nose · 10-28-2011, 09:47 AM

I am gradually restoring a 1970 911T, and I have purchased a lot of your panels over the last few years. I have found most of them to fit excellently, dealing with your company is excellent, and you stand behind your product.

I ordered two door skins, and while the passenger side fit perfectly, the drivers side was a bit off. When I complained, you guys immediately sent out another skin no questions asked, before you even received the first skin back from me. That really impressed me.

The second drivers side skin fit a little better, but not as good as the passenger side. The bottom rear of the panel sat a bit high, and the roll at the back of the drivers side door was a bit more rounded than with the passenger side, so I thought maybe your pressing was getting a bit worn. Maybe you do more drivers doors than passengers doors. Overall though, everything went together and I would definitely recommend you to others. +1 on the VW stuff, as my next build is a 70 VW Bug, but I think there are already a lot of guys doing that stuff.

Thanks

1-ev.com · 1-ev.com's Garage

Hey Norm, Great Job!!!

Just want your comment on this thread, where John was straggling with floor parts to fit.

1 - http://forums.pelicanparts.com/5466851-post55.html

2 - http://forums.pelicanparts.com/5468477-post57.html

3 - http://forums.pelicanparts.com/paint-bodywork-discussion-forum/545166-restoration-my-69-911-a-3.html

Thank you.
-Youri.

RDInorm · 10-28-2011, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Long Nose

I am gradually restoring a 1970 911T, and I have purchased a lot of your panels over the last few years. I have found most of them to fit excellently, dealing with your company is excellent, and you stand behind your product.

I ordered two door skins, and while the passenger side fit perfectly, the drivers side was a bit off. When I complained, you guys immediately sent out another skin no questions asked, before you even received the first skin back from me. That really impressed me.

The second drivers side skin fit a little better, but not as good as the passenger side. The bottom rear of the panel sat a bit high, and the roll at the back of the drivers side door was a bit more rounded than with the passenger side, so I thought maybe your pressing was getting a bit worn. Maybe you do more drivers doors than passengers doors. Overall though, everything went together and I would definitely recommend you to others. +1 on the VW stuff, as my next build is a 70 VW Bug, but I think there are already a lot of guys doing that stuff.

Thanks

I only make the door skins for the 356. The door skins for the 911 are made by two other companies. We distribute some of there parts. Glad you are having good relations with our company. Good luck with your rustorations!

Prairie Lizard · 10-29-2011, 01:16 PM

Norm, thanks for the feedback on shipping. Also, thanks for the welcomes! Based on my findings so far (RUST and more RUST), I will get to know the Restoration guys right away.

Augustus · 10-29-2011, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RDInorm

hey guys/girls
My name is Norm and I currently make all the parts that Restoration Design Inc. produces. From the stamping process to trimming. I just wanted to know if you had and comments/questions about any of our parts for the 911/912/356/914. Maybe some input on how to make our parts install smoother into your cars. I care about my work as much you do about your cars!

Hi Norm
Can you post a link to your wbsite.
Thanks.

RDInorm · 10-29-2011, 10:13 PM

Restoration Design Porsche Parts

If you have any questions feel free to call or email us.

519-836-3555

Hcarraro · 10-31-2011, 07:03 AM

I would also like to throw in a "atta boy" to Norm. The fact that the question was asked on "how to make our parts fit better" shows volumes.

I have ordered and received several sheet metal pieces in the last few months and the total process from ordering to receipt of the parts was just about a week. Simply amazing actually.

Since the new owners purchased Restoration Design the customer service and the quality of the sheet metal stampings is spot on. I would urge those reading this that may have an original NOS sheet metal piece that is not representated on their web site, to contact the folks at RD to see if they need that part to digigitize. It will only help all of us in the future.

Good going Norm. Keep up the good work to you and the entire team at Restoration Design.

Cheers,

Henry

Joeaksa · 10-31-2011, 07:34 AM

Great thread!

barryr · 10-31-2011, 11:47 AM

Hi Norm
I've used a lot of your products
Progress
Over the 2 years it has taken I can say shipping was excellent. The people I spoke to on the phone were knowledgeable. As for the stampings the parts are of a good gage of metal and generally straight. They have a very tough e-cote / or primer on them. One of the rockers I received appeared to be galvanized and the e-cote came off. The front fenders are very nice but it is either the second or third clip from the front on both fenders that is reversed on my car or your fenders. The square for the clip and the hole for the bolt are reversed. On the driver’s side front fender when you line up the "corner where the fender meets the windshield support some of the stamped holes for the clip/bolt did not line up. They did at the front but when you went to the back they were gradually out by about 1/4 inch. On one of the outer rockers the stamped drains were not in the same place as my car. The match to the rocker and rocker support are a little rough.
But having said all that, all of the body parts I received were very good or in the worse case usable with a little effort. Also, I believe the early cars were handmade so extra fitting may be required.
For a point of reference this is the first time I have ever done any bodywork.
Barry
P.S. I will buy from RD without hesitation again.

RDInorm · 10-31-2011, 12:17 PM

Barry,

We do not make the fenders or the rockers for the 911 yet, we only distribute them. We do have the CAD for the rockers though and will be making them in the future. All our steal is galvanealed not galvanized. I will wikipedia explain the process...

Galvannealed or galvanneal is the result from the combined process of galvanizing and annealing to produce specialized sheets of steel. The galvanization is made through the hot-dipping (Hot-dip galvanizing) process and gives a very fine greyish matte finish. Galvanneal does not flake off its galvanized coating when formed, stamped, and bent. The very fine matte finish acts like a primer, allowing paint to adhere easily, and is very rust proof; only white to dark grey marks appear if it comes in contact with water. Galvanneal sheets offer good paintability, weldability, corrosion resistance, and formability. It is extensively used in the automotive, signage, electric equipment, and other industries requiring a metal with good paintability and long reliable service life. This steel process is produced by many steel mills and it is commonly referred by its trade name of Jet-Kote. Thnak you for your comments, they are appreciated.

Norm

Fishcop · Fishcop's Garage

Hi Norm

Good to have you here.

As others have mentioned, the available rocker panels out there need tweaking. Youri has mentioned my experience with the floor sections - overall though they turned out great. The truth is just about anything will still need a massage with a hammer and dolly to get just right

One other panel that "may" be worth the effort of reproducing is the RHD pedal box section which is grafted into a LHD floor at the factory. I know the RHD market is small, but I don't think it would be too difficult a part and priced right I reckon it would sell.

Cheers

Jeff Alton · 10-31-2011, 08:37 PM

Norm,

Nice to see you on here getting feedback. We will be in need of some panels over the next couple of years so it is good to see an attention to detail.

Cheers

RDInorm · 11-01-2011, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1-ev.com

Hey Norm, Great Job!!!

Just want your comment on this thread, where John was straggling with floor parts to fit.

1 - http://forums.pelicanparts.com/5466851-post55.html

2 - http://forums.pelicanparts.com/5468477-post57.html

3 - http://forums.pelicanparts.com/paint-bodywork-discussion-forum/545166-restoration-my-69-911-a-3.html

Thank you.
-Youri.

I built the same rotisserie for the 912 I will be restoring.

that distortion comes from when I trim it. Next time i do a run of the pans i will measure the pans as they come out of the press. Maybe I will start restamping to retain the shape. Thanks for the pics

1-ev.com · 1-ev.com's Garage

Norm,

Thank you for quick answer - you are the Best, will buy from you...

-Y

500_19B · 11-01-2011, 03:02 PM

It is great that you are actively seeking input on improving. It sounds like the customer service you provide is excellent. When I needed a suspension pan and associated bits a few years back I tried to contact RD when it was still under the OLD management and did not get a response to a phone call or email (which seemed at the time not entirely atypical). It sounds like you guys have a much different philosophy and I wish you the best.

Fleming · 11-02-2011, 02:26 PM

Thank you for asking about the products your making.

Can you make a front repair piece for 1965-1973 hoods.

For a recent project I passed on 6 different hoods because of obvious damage and rust issues and selected this one that looked to be a good start - only to find this....

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/paint-bodywork-discussion-forum/637878-long-hood-repair.html#post6346388

A repair piece for the hoods front 8 to 9 inches (to just below the hood badge) with a stepped 1/2" joint to hold the curve might be a product to repair the dismal hoods that I'm finding out here.

I'm hoping my recent experience is not the general state of supply or indicative of the dwindling reserve of pristine long hoods. The midwest has few to select from and the ones out there are poor at best.

Thanks.
Bob

1-ev.com · 1-ev.com's Garage

Norm,

I have a question.

What kind not expensive welder would you recommend?

Do i need TIG? I know it will make better weld on sheet metal.

Thank you again.
-Youri

RDInorm · 11-03-2011, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1-ev.com

Norm,

I have a question.

What kind not expensive welder would you recommend?

Do i need TIG? I know it will make better weld on sheet metal.

Thank you again.
-Youri

It depends on what panels you are welding. Exterior panels would benefit from the tig welder because it has a much nicer finish.

If you are welding panel such as a floor pan, then mig will be just fine. The welds will be covered up and the finish is not as critical.

Tig welding takes more time, and more skill to have a proper finish.

The tig welder is more expensive obviously. We predominantly use a mig welder for our cars, but we also have a tig that we will use occasionally for exterior panels for a better weld.

Norm