Where can I get a custom head plate?
05-02-2005, 09:18 AM
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Where can I get a custom head plate? I want one like this http://www.mbaproducts.com/images/LOBheadplate1.jpg
but changed up to say "Trans Am 1969-2002" with the Pontiac arrowhead and the bird on it. Anybody know who can make something like that? Dragon maybe?
but changed up to say "Trans Am 1969-2002" with the Pontiac arrowhead and the bird on it. Anybody know who can make something like that? Dragon maybe?
05-02-2005, 02:29 PM
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Yea, it's the same one. I just don't want it to have the Firebird 1967-2002 on it, I'd like one that has Trans Am 1969-2002 instead. I emailed MBA about 3 weeks ago about it and haven't heard from them yet.
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05-02-2005, 07:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Nine Ball
MBA made the custom one I had on my 35th SS, but be prepared for an expensive item. If I remember correctly, it would cost about $250 for a one-off custom plate.
wow, that's high! 
05-02-2005, 07:52 PM
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I'm trying to get dragonz28 to do some headplates
05-02-2005, 08:43 PM
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$250 is rediculous. If they use CNC. CNC time is right around $100 an hour. Our CNCs would rip those things out in less than 5 minutes... probably 3. Then I'm not sure how they do their logos, but I know plenty of places that could laser etch it for very cheap. Thats insane. If I get the itch I may just go outside and start measuring, draw it up in CAD, and convert it over and let the CNC make a few. I couldnt get myself to pay any more than $60 for one of those. 
05-02-2005, 10:16 PM
#12
$100/hr is about right, but you aren't thinking of the design and programming or setup time. Remember, this is a one-off item, not a mass produced item. The one I had them design is far different from their others. They started with a red anodized plate and actually milled away everything that you see that is silver, leaving the red areas as raised surfaces.
CAD design they made: https://ls1tech.com/02Camaro/pages/headplate1.htm
Actual item: https://ls1tech.com/02Camaro/pages/headplate2.htm
Installed: https://ls1tech.com/02Camaro/pages/headplate3.htm
CAD design they made: https://ls1tech.com/02Camaro/pages/headplate1.htm
Actual item: https://ls1tech.com/02Camaro/pages/headplate2.htm
Installed: https://ls1tech.com/02Camaro/pages/headplate3.htm
but when are you gong to update the sig pic tony?
05-03-2005, 01:12 AM
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Originally Posted by ynkssws6
See Matt, the demand is there....go for it!!!!!!!! 
Say this formula:
(price x quantity sold) - (labor hours(design) x hourly rate) = income
If they sell 500 for $50 each and spend 2 hours designing at $20 per labor hour,
(50 x 500) - (2 x 20) = 24960
If they sell 5 for $250 each and spend 2 hours designing at $20 per labor hour,
(250 x 5) - (2 x 20) = 1210
The profit just isn't there with custom work. They do the custom work only to help with specific customers for their specific needs. This formula does not include fixed costs such as rent, but that is the same regardless of production. Material cost also factors in, but the results are the same. Mass production yields better profits.
Their prices are great at $50 each. However, in all reality, it does not take a significant amount of time to program a custom cut like Tony has, but you have to pay to have a unique item. Because it is a one-off, it costs more. It is up to the customer to pay the price - if they don't want it, they won't pay it.
05-03-2005, 10:23 AM
#17
Originally Posted by dragonZ28
Yeah, the demand is there. However, there prices are actually very reasonable for the designs they already make. As Tony has already stated, yes, custom work is not cheap. It's not that it is expensive either. They are just compensating for the sales they will not receive. For example, if they cut a plate that says "2002 Z28", then they will sell very many, and can keep their prices low. If they create one that says "Jeff's 2002 Z28", then they are becoming more specific and custom at the same time. They will sell significantly less while they invested the same amount of design time, and effort. In order to make up for a smaller sales return, they need to raise their price to more suit them. They still are not making as much money proportionally to what they do for the lower price.
Say this formula:
(price x quantity sold) - (labor hours(design) x hourly rate) = income
If they sell 500 for $50 each and spend 2 hours designing at $20 per labor hour,
(50 x 500) - (2 x 20) = 24960
If they sell 5 for $250 each and spend 2 hours designing at $20 per labor hour,
(250 x 5) - (2 x 20) = 1210
The profit just isn't there with custom work. They do the custom work only to help with specific customers for their specific needs. This formula does not include fixed costs such as rent, but that is the same regardless of production. Material cost also factors in, but the results are the same. Mass production yields better profits.
Their prices are great at $50 each. However, in all reality, it does not take a significant amount of time to program a custom cut like Tony has, but you have to pay to have a unique item. Because it is a one-off, it costs more. It is up to the customer to pay the price - if they don't want it, they won't pay it.
Say this formula:
(price x quantity sold) - (labor hours(design) x hourly rate) = income
If they sell 500 for $50 each and spend 2 hours designing at $20 per labor hour,
(50 x 500) - (2 x 20) = 24960
If they sell 5 for $250 each and spend 2 hours designing at $20 per labor hour,
(250 x 5) - (2 x 20) = 1210
The profit just isn't there with custom work. They do the custom work only to help with specific customers for their specific needs. This formula does not include fixed costs such as rent, but that is the same regardless of production. Material cost also factors in, but the results are the same. Mass production yields better profits.
Their prices are great at $50 each. However, in all reality, it does not take a significant amount of time to program a custom cut like Tony has, but you have to pay to have a unique item. Because it is a one-off, it costs more. It is up to the customer to pay the price - if they don't want it, they won't pay it.
05-03-2005, 02:44 PM
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I agree with the supply/demand concept. The "Trans Am 1969-2002" like I want would be usable for all of us T/A owners, so if the price was right, there'd be a decent sized market. But I'm not going to pay $250, maybe if the car was going to be a showcar. Hell, if they were cheap enough, I'd get one for each of mine.