Indicator lenses

[malc4d]

I see that Mr. Hart has some NOS indicator lenses for sale. Already over 60 squid and 6 days to go.........
I would like to know who signed off on the wrong new ones that every body sells and why haven't they been remade correctly.

[Mark Shutt]

why is aftermarket/repro stuff never as good as OEM/NOS? you'd think 30+ years later the quality of stuff would be far superior but a lot of the time it;s just garbage it's the same with just about any marque, VW scene is one of the worst, everything is just really bad quality!

[marshman]

Its usually down to a) the quality of the tooling(mould tools, press tools etc) or b) quality of the materials. The volume is not high enough for them to do a proper job most of the time or they are just trying to maximise their profit.

The problem with re-manufactured injection mould tooling is that it is highly unlikely that the original tool drawings exist so the tools are produced using an existing part as a pattern, this is either redrawn or more commonly these days 3D scanned. The tooling is then rushed out and it costs too much money for the highly skilled labour required to fettle and finish the tooling to produce really good quality parts. A lot of the time it is down to quantities - If you re- manufacture indicator lenses for the Stag how many are you going to sell? a few hundred may be? A few hundred mouldings is not really economic for an injection moulded part when decent tooling can cost several thousand pounds - I guess in the UK around £8 to £10K for a good quality tool to produce the indicator lens so if you produce 500 lenses that £20 per lens just for the tooling - no mark up, no profit, no material!! So makes HRS ones seem a bargain!

As I think most are aware there is a real problem with any rubber component - especially those originating in the Far East. The rubber degrades so quickly, its not a problem confined to classic car parts either. I don't know why as it has been the case for a number of years and I have complained numerous times to numerous suppliers but to no avail.

Roger

[Goldstar]

Hope this wasn't this the SOC fund ?

It wasn't - SOCTFL parts are listed in the SOC mag, this isn't one of them and it's a little disappointing that you even thought it might be.

[malc4d]

I thought it might be because every dealer sells them. But its seems that l am wrong and have been corrected ..........

Whoever had these made MUST have seen that they are wrong. I just want to know who to send them back to.

[DJT]

Its usually down to a) the quality of the tooling(mould tools, press tools etc) or b) quality of the materials. The volume is not high enough for them to do a proper job most of the time or they are just trying to maximise their profit.

The problem with re-manufactured injection mould tooling is that it is highly unlikely that the original tool drawings exist so the tools are produced using an existing part as a pattern, this is either redrawn or more commonly these days 3D scanned. The tooling is then rushed out and it costs too much money for the highly skilled labour required to fettle and finish the tooling to produce really good quality parts. A lot of the time it is down to quantities - If you re- manufacture indicator lenses for the Stag how many are you going to sell? a few hundred may be? A few hundred mouldings is not really economic for an injection moulded part when decent tooling can cost several thousand pounds - I guess in the UK around £8 to £10K for a good quality tool to produce the indicator lens so if you produce 500 lenses that £20 per lens just for the tooling - no mark up, no profit, no material!! So makes HRS ones seem a bargain!

As I think most are aware there is a real problem with any rubber component - especially those originating in the Far East. The rubber degrades so quickly, its not a problem confined to classic car parts either. I don't know why as it has been the case for a number of years and I have complained numerous times to numerous suppliers but to no avail.

Roger

Roger,

I don't think there was much wrong with the quality of the lenses referred to. It was just that they had been moulded upside down. The orange bit had the lens profile that should have been clear and vice versa. Just careless manufacturing, sadly.

[marshman]

Roger,

I don't think there was much wrong with the quality of the lenses referred to. It was just that they had been moulded upside down. The orange bit had the lens profile that should have been clear and vice versa. Just careless manufacturing, sadly.

Hi Dave, Ok sorry should have found out what the issue was first I guess, but in my defence the rest of what I said applies to a lot of the re-manufactured parts and the poor fit/qulity.

Thanks for the heads up though.

Roger

[malc4d]

wrong.jpg correct.jpg

[marshman]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]32012[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]32013[/ATTACH]

Now I understand, thanks. In this case I can't see why some can't be moulded the right way round.

[jleyton]

Not a perfect answer - and it shouldn't be necessary - but the 'wrong' lenses can be fitted, upside down, on the other side of the car, I believe. Although the lens function isn't identical, it'll do the job and the only sign will be the inverted lettering on the lens.

Cheers

Julian

[DJT]

These 'upside down' lenses have been around for many years, probably at least 10. But they are still for sale at full price because the suppliers won't take the hit. I unwittingly bought some years ago for my white Stag and sent them back to the supplier for a refund. I've got a good spare set of used originals in a box ready for that day when I get a stone through one on the car.

[malc4d]

Over 90 folding now...........WOW and 12 for a complete sh it one......Oh boy.

[edd]

I noticed this ages ago but at present I'm really not that bothered . having shelled out £90 for one nos tread plate it gets expensive going for total originality . It's a easy fix so will keep my eye out .
Edd

[edd]

Also why do people bid on ebay 5 days before the end of auction it's totally pointless and pushes the price up . It's like a competition who can be the top bidder and it's only you who actually lose .

[Jeff]

They may be placing their max bid Edd and may not be around at the end of the auction is one reason.