Hepar
New member
Lol. That would go against the very idea of it being a nice streamline rack.
Group Buy; Whitson Metalworks Full length rack!
- Thread starter Scat Adams
- Start date
Lol. That would go against the very idea of it being a nice streamline rack.
Whitson Metalworks
New member
I'm not a surfer, but i do kayak. Could you not just put a foam sleeve around the front and rear tubes and strap it down? Thats what i plan to do with the yak anyways, more or less.
Hepar
New member
That might work if it was one board, but I usually bring three for myself due to the varying conditions around here (ie, I suck and need all the help I can get) as well as other people's boards, so I'm usually 6-8 boards deep up top. That rack wouldn't allow two sets of boards to ride side by each and not to mention that it isn't ideal to put the tie down pressure at the nose and tail of a board.
Whitson Metalworks
New member
Ahh, I see. Sounds like you need a trailer lol
Whitson Metalworks
New member
If I'm reading cortectly there are 3 that are interested in a rack. I can take a few of my other racks to powdercoat and still keep them at 625 if only 3 people would like racks. If anyone's ready to pull the trigger I could photograph the build process to help answer anyones questions or concerns.
WastedAccount
New member
Im ready to order. Ill pm you about it.
Whitson Metalworks
New member
10-4 wastedaccount
WastedAccount
New member
I'm terrible at waiting for stuff...............
Can't wait.
Can't wait.
Whitson Metalworks
New member
Matt, your rack is done! I hate the wait too and having to work forced overtime at my "real" job kills productivity in the garage. I took some pictures during the process and have come to the conclusion that i have these under-priced, sorry if that sets anyone back but this is a lot of work, i've never inquired, but im sure no fab shop would build one of these for anywhere near what I sold this one at. Matt, i hope you like it, reworking the jig for more contour was just the ticket, i dare somebody to find a full length rack that fits the roof better lol! I added one more stanchion in the front to give two 13" wide openings for lights and have the light tabs welded in. Matt, if you hate the new front setup I'll cut it out and weld in the single stanchion (but i really hope you like it lol!) .
Starts with measurements from BendTech software (awesome stuff) which are then transferred to the 1 inch steel tube.
Loaded into the bender and lubed to protect the aluminum follower die
A desired 90 degree bend has to be bent to 93 degrees to account for springback, all steel has springback to figure in.
The kickup on the front is 10 degrees, bent to 11 degrees again for springback
Matts steel and another one still waiting to be built...
NOTCHING SUCKS!! i had to make the aluminum tool you see holding one of the short side stanchions, otherwise, i know of no way to notch such short pieces of tubing without risking serious hand injuries. Notching takes forever and is why you will see some big name companies pinch the ends of tube to weld to another.
After this step i just start welding it up, i quit taking pictures at this point since i have to space out to get through all of the welds! dang what a bunch of welds! Finished product:
Mounts:
Light tabs:
The fit:
:cheers:
Starts with measurements from BendTech software (awesome stuff) which are then transferred to the 1 inch steel tube.
Loaded into the bender and lubed to protect the aluminum follower die
A desired 90 degree bend has to be bent to 93 degrees to account for springback, all steel has springback to figure in.
The kickup on the front is 10 degrees, bent to 11 degrees again for springback
Matts steel and another one still waiting to be built...
NOTCHING SUCKS!! i had to make the aluminum tool you see holding one of the short side stanchions, otherwise, i know of no way to notch such short pieces of tubing without risking serious hand injuries. Notching takes forever and is why you will see some big name companies pinch the ends of tube to weld to another.
After this step i just start welding it up, i quit taking pictures at this point since i have to space out to get through all of the welds! dang what a bunch of welds! Finished product:
Mounts:
Light tabs:
The fit:
:cheers:
Whitson Metalworks
New member
I can break the payment up if that helps, half and half works well but I could somehow work out 3 payments... Maybe. I haven't firmly decided that I will change the price yet, I'd like for Matt to get his and give a review. In truth, there is nothing comparable anywhere near this price range on the market, even other full length racks, I feel, lack the fit that this one has. But like I said, a lot of work and time goes into these.
catalina34
New member
I love your rack and would like one. I just don't have the money now, so I hope hope hope you continue to build these in the future.
WastedAccount
New member
Sweet! Looks awesome. Don't worry, you don't have to change a thing. I sent you a PM about shipping. If it truly is easier to ship to a business I can you an address where a family member works. It's a bit far but I'll deal if I have too.
Thanks man!
WastedAccount
New member
Rack arrived today. I haven't seen it yet but im told it looks good. I can't wait to see it in person. Ill have more pics and info to share after this weekend. Here's the only pic I was sent so far......
ChildrenOfBodom
Moderator
Awesome. Can't wait to see the pics and review!
Whitson Metalworks, I still want one, though I have too many financial commitments for now. I may be able to do your payment method in the future, definitely would be easier if the cost was lower.
Should be easy once I sell my 87 4Runner Turbo. If after changing your price, you gain more SoCal customers, I'm still fine with being the drop off/pickup point for racks. (discount?
)
Haha, looks like all is great man, good luck and thanks for making such a cool product.
Whitson Metalworks, I still want one, though I have too many financial commitments for now. I may be able to do your payment method in the future, definitely would be easier if the cost was lower.
Should be easy once I sell my 87 4Runner Turbo. If after changing your price, you gain more SoCal customers, I'm still fine with being the drop off/pickup point for racks. (discount?
)Haha, looks like all is great man, good luck and thanks for making such a cool product.
Whitson Metalworks
New member
who doesnt have too many financial commitments? lol. I will keep the bare steel price as is since raising a price for any reason tends to rub the wrong way, and understandably so. powdercoating i think is out, unless potential buyers want to pay the short-run price, i would still need to bring him several to get the deal he was willing to offer. cant wait to see the rack painted up matt.
JasetheDamager
New member
Just want to say you have an awesome product! For now, I have other elements to my truck that I'm working on, but once I get to the rack stage, I would definitely be in favor of supporting someone like you who makes it himself. My craft is wood, not metal, but I have enough friends who weld, and you have the magic touch. I hope you're still creating these masterpieces in another year or so!
Powdercoated Rack
So are you saying that you are not going to be offering the wrinkle powder coating option anymore for the $625? I am a huge fan of this full length rack and expecially the stealth look of it. You do great work and I am ALL OVER supporting you as an individual as opposed to doing business with a large coorporation.
When you get time could you post some close up pics of the front mounts(in front of the sunroof) I am still just a little confused on how that part of the set up works.
Thanks and God Bless
Brian
So are you saying that you are not going to be offering the wrinkle powder coating option anymore for the $625? I am a huge fan of this full length rack and expecially the stealth look of it. You do great work and I am ALL OVER supporting you as an individual as opposed to doing business with a large coorporation.
When you get time could you post some close up pics of the front mounts(in front of the sunroof) I am still just a little confused on how that part of the set up works.
Thanks and God Bless
Brian
Whitson Metalworks
New member
front mounts are very simple and "work" the same way anyone elses would im sure. the rack is very very rigid and the front mounts are only there to provide support for the 24 inches or so that comes forward of the sunroof. the bolt/knob you see threads down onto the small plate (which would be attached to your roof with some 3M tape) and put pressure against the downward curve of the rack itself, the tighter you set it, the harder it "locks" into place. on the one i have on my truck i dont even use the front mounts unless i am carrying my kayak or lumber which would hang over the front. the rack is very rigid even without the front support.
as far as powder coating goes, i cant offer that for the 625 since that was a price he gave for a batch of racks being brought at once. otherwise he has to set up his equipment for a short run which understandably would cost more per unit. also, he was calling it "textured" black so i dont think its the same as the black wrinkle.
as far as powder coating goes, i cant offer that for the 625 since that was a price he gave for a batch of racks being brought at once. otherwise he has to set up his equipment for a short run which understandably would cost more per unit. also, he was calling it "textured" black so i dont think its the same as the black wrinkle.
WastedAccount
New member
Roof rack is on! Sliders too. More pics later.
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