Brass Parts Interest
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Topic author - Posts: 72
- Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2019 1:05 am
- First Name: Victor
- Last Name: Foster
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1910 Touring, 1915 Touring
- Location: Santa Maria, CA
- Board Member Since: 2002
Brass Parts Interest
I found a small shop making 1 off brass parts for an antique car, but the parts were expensive! The shop can make the brass gas generators and Holly G brass carburetor bowls. I have access to these 4 gas generators Victor, Cocran, E & J, and John Brown and a steel Holly G bowl that he could use as templates. I will have nothing to do with sales. What I would like to know is there enough interest in these parts to see if he will make them. If I go to the shop armed with replies that the parts are wanted, then who knows what he might do.
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- Posts: 5474
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:09 am
- First Name: Henry
- Last Name: Lee
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Many
- Location: South Pittsburg, TN
- MTFCA Life Member: YES
Re: Brass Parts Interest
I think from a craftsman's outlook, let him find his own market and clients. Why? because I have had everyone want something made, but when produced, no money and time and materials wasted. Just stating facts.
Hank
Hank
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- Posts: 6523
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:18 am
- First Name: Scott
- Last Name: Conger
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1919
- Location: not near anywhere, WY
- Board Member Since: 2005
Re: Brass Parts Interest
True words, Hank
I make multiples of things I need and offer them for sale until they're gone. I've found it pretty pointless to "make to order" a one-off part of any real complexity, because rarely is that one part worth what it would take to make without giving away the ranch in the process.
It's noble to seek a market for someone else's work for the betterment of the hobby but I think it could lead to some false hope on both the supplier and potential customer. Not a position I'd want to put myself into but, hey, I'm not everybody, and maybe it does appeal to someone...more power to them!
I make multiples of things I need and offer them for sale until they're gone. I've found it pretty pointless to "make to order" a one-off part of any real complexity, because rarely is that one part worth what it would take to make without giving away the ranch in the process.
It's noble to seek a market for someone else's work for the betterment of the hobby but I think it could lead to some false hope on both the supplier and potential customer. Not a position I'd want to put myself into but, hey, I'm not everybody, and maybe it does appeal to someone...more power to them!

Scott Conger
Tyranny under the guise of law is still Tyranny
NH Full Flow Float Valves™
Obsolete carburetor parts manufactured
Tyranny under the guise of law is still Tyranny
NH Full Flow Float Valves™
Obsolete carburetor parts manufactured
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- Posts: 4433
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 8:00 pm
- First Name: John
- Last Name: Kuehn
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 19 Roadster, 21 Touring, 24 Coupe
- Location: Texas
Re: Brass Parts Interest
If he’s really interested in trying to market them give him Lang’s and Snyder’s addresses and that would be enough. Gearing up to produce a bunch of parts isn’t cheap. He might create interest if he advertised in the classifieds or suppliers section. But that’s his business if would want to.
Most of the suppliers who make parts for old cars don’t make a lot of money doing it and do it to make supplemental income if that much.
Most of the suppliers who make parts for old cars don’t make a lot of money doing it and do it to make supplemental income if that much.
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- Posts: 7238
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:37 pm
- First Name: Steve
- Last Name: Jelf
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 touring and a few projects
- Location: Parkerfield, Kansas
- Board Member Since: 2007
- Contact:
Re: Brass Parts Interest
A word of caution: There's a reason Holley dropped the brass bowl for the G and went to steel, and it wasn't just cost.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
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- Posts: 637
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:46 am
- First Name: Corey
- Last Name: Walker
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 runabout, 1921 homemade truck, 1921 Speedster
- Location: Brownsboro, TX
- Board Member Since: 2007
Re: Brass Parts Interest
Holley G bowls world be nice in brass and could also be used for U&J bowls with slight modifications. The steel and brass bowls are the same but to go with the brass bowls there is a 1/8” pipe thread insert soldered in for the drain, which would have to be manufactured as well plus the drain plugs are all brass where the new ones are brass and steel.
A part that could probably be relatively easy to make and often needed is the little wire clip that holds in the venturi. They are often rusted and not readily removed without damage. Steel Holley G bowls aren’t the easiest to find either.
A part that could probably be relatively easy to make and often needed is the little wire clip that holds in the venturi. They are often rusted and not readily removed without damage. Steel Holley G bowls aren’t the easiest to find either.
Corey Walker, Brownsboro, Texas
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- Posts: 5474
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:09 am
- First Name: Henry
- Last Name: Lee
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Many
- Location: South Pittsburg, TN
- MTFCA Life Member: YES
Re: Brass Parts Interest
Corey 20 years ago I was making bowls for others in need not just Model T's. Then , $100.00 for a bowl and they all bitched and complained insulting the man that made it. USA prices with quality is one price, third world country exploited labor is another with no quality. So on today's money scale the same would in the USA be around $250.00 each. Setting up different dimensions is expensive from a business perspective. The demand is low, cost is high, and a craftsman does not want to be insulted and kicked. Think about how many years it really takes to perfect craftsmanship with not being intimidated by anything..., YEARS! and that comes with a price.
My Peace Spoken in the defense of others,
Hank
My Peace Spoken in the defense of others,
Hank
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- Posts: 6523
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:18 am
- First Name: Scott
- Last Name: Conger
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1919
- Location: not near anywhere, WY
- Board Member Since: 2005
Re: Brass Parts Interest
Hey there, Victor
ready to cry "UNCLE!!" ??
I'm glad these guys can do that level of work...seriously! But it's been a rough crowd so far, eh?
it's a nice thing you want to do...good luck to all involved.
ready to cry "UNCLE!!" ??

I'm glad these guys can do that level of work...seriously! But it's been a rough crowd so far, eh?
it's a nice thing you want to do...good luck to all involved.
Scott Conger
Tyranny under the guise of law is still Tyranny
NH Full Flow Float Valves™
Obsolete carburetor parts manufactured
Tyranny under the guise of law is still Tyranny
NH Full Flow Float Valves™
Obsolete carburetor parts manufactured