triumphs
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Re: Body work

To: triumphs@autox.team.net, keithmcgahan@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: Body work
From: Malcolm Walker <walker05@islandnet.com>
Date: Sat, 06 May 2000 16:13:56 -0700
Organization: E-Scape Systems, Inc.
Thus Spake Keith McGahan:

> I need some help understanding the body work market. I am trying to have the 
> floorboard and rockers installed on my TR4 and some work done on the rear 
> where the fenders meet the tub. I have gotten several quotes ranging from 
> $2500 to $5000. These prices seem outrageous. I can buy another car for 
> those prices, but that would seem like such a waste since I just had the tub 
> blasted. Are these prices in line with the current market? How much does it 
> cost to buy a rust free tub? Thanks for all of your help

Hmm... Let's see here...priced in $CDN...

  Welding Tanks, B sized.................$350 (approx.)
  Victor Welding Torch...................$100 (+ regulators)
  #000 tip (necessary for sheet metal)...$ 35
  Craftsman 4-1/2" angle grinder.........$ 50
  DeWalt 4-1/2" angle grinder............$150
    (the Crafstman died)
  4" 20,000 RPM wire-wheel...............$ 20
  4x8 sheet of 20ga steel................$ 40

Add to this list assorted power tools and hand tools (especially blunt
hand tools, suitable for bashing sheet metal, welding rods and
expandables (goggles, skullcaps), paint, oil, Black Goo, grinder wheels
(lots of thin cutterwheels), a bench vise and some angle iron. 

You can do it yourself!  (I am!)

The price your shop quoted is fair (I think), for GOOD, QUALITY work. 
The shop that did my car for the DPO did POOR, SHODDY work.  Today I
carved off yet-another-quarter-inch of Bondo.  Ugh.  I am just now
getting psyched up to take the cutterwheel to the rear wing (on the tub
side), need to remove *three layers* of steel and start over. 
Double-ugh.  Wish me luck!

-- 
----
To know that which you do not know, is the best.
                                        --Confucious


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