i have been aproached recently by several people stating they would be interested in "building their own chassis". they said i should charge a flat rate for either a mid-engine or 4/5 seat chassis with suspension. basically you would pay a certain amount to come to my shop, build one of my chassis for yourself (with my supervision/assistance), fully tab it out, build all suspension parts for it as well and take it home and put it together yourself....you could do any chassis i make-beam, 2 seat mid or rear engine, 4/5 seat rear engine, big or small car-mild steel or 4130.....would anyone be interested in this ? how much would you pay?........ BTW you would also get fab experience as well by using tubing benders, sanders, notchers, welders, etc........

what's the raw material cost?

I'd do raw+ class fees.

More "stuff" in a 4 seat than a 2.

Depending on cost, and timing I'd be up for it...
I think sat and sunday would be a good day...





EDITED TO ADD: I like how you think...

I think it's a great idea. You can probably figure a flat rate as a starting point, but some folks have more fab skills then others, and you have to accout for your time too.

There are MANY of us who would do this, "the home builder" crowd. A lot of us have some experience but no tools, this would be a win-win for those people. The cost ??? Your chassis are cheap allready starting at $3500 from what I've seen, I would think you could actually charge more for this service. You've all seen the shop signs $75 shop rate, $90 if you help... and that's more along the lines of how I think this would work.

#1 it will take more time, because your teaching and building. unless you are that "good" and can schedule an exact in/out time, if you don't finish then what?
#2 now you have to store the "class built" cars, or the owner have to take it home, deliver back every time they want to work on it

just a few things that came to mind, but I DO think its a great idea

I would think maybe just little cheap classes would be cool.
Welding 1 1 hour plus two hours of free lab time for set price (basic stuff like how to set up your mig, how to weld two pieces of steel together).
Welding 2 1/2 hour plus two hours of free lab time for set price (this would be natural progression of skill sets like welding 3 tubes together and such).
ETC.
Then another series
Building spindles ----
Building a-arms ----
Building chassis ----
Building trailing arms----
Building tabs -----
Etc -----

I like this idea. Keep this rolling.........

thats funny you say that because that is already in the works with times and prices being worked out (for a MAJOR automotive parts supplier)....

i would love to do something like this, so i could say i actually did build my chassis. i have nothing in terms of fabrication or welding skills though. think this would be a killer way for someone to get a first hand experience doing something like this.

In addition to other factors all ready posted you would have to figure in costs such as wasted materiel, tool replacement, and down time of those tools. How much of your time will you have to spend helping to keep those costs down? There is a learning curve to bending tubing and notching it so it all fit and lines up. Also an expensive tool in inexperienced hands can be destroyed in seconds. Are you going to have a bunch of self built car out there claiming to be Mosebilt and how will that effect your reputation as a builder? You would have guys that will be honest about their skill levels but your also going to have guys that can’t change a light bulb without causing serious injury to themselves. This bring up the question of liability, what if someone hurts themselves in your shop or worse hurts someone else? You can almost guarantee yourself a lawsuit if that happens. Can’t remember the name but it was a fab school for buggies and if I recall correctly they went under before the economy did.

We may have all strayed from you original question of how much to build your own chassis so here’s my answer; I would think you would have to charge more then you would if you built it.

"consumables" would be factored in of course, and quality control would be done by myself, ultimately you would have to finish your chassis in one month-which means i would end up doing a lot of the work, like welding the chassis, myself. you could possibly be right about it costing more, but dont think so....the most expensive part of these cars is the labor to build the chassis-particularly mine, and if you are doing even 50% yourself that would save a few thousand dollars at least. still working the #'s, but you definately have some valid points...

I think that with the 30% off, repeat customer program you have it would be a no brainer for me! Sign me up!,

I would say keep it in a class format, someone would be willing to drop 50 bucks for a beginners welding class. and keep paying to progress skills, but I don't have the dough to drop say 5 grand on a class right now....

Some good info here. Especially Sandphsyco's......

Sounds good

Hopefully better teaching than that Joke of a School Wizard

I would love to do this and I just don't have the cash right now.

but some day...

No offense to you at all Saychz, but I'm going to use you as a quick example. Some think it would be a great way to learn and save money. Although with no fab experience it is virtually impossible to learn the skill sets needed to build a chassis within...Hmmm lets say "a month". If you have not welded before, you would need to spend a significant amount of time; first learning how to run a bead on a flat piece of steel, next step to take 2 pieces of flat stock and weld them at a 90, welding both inside and outside. Welding around a tube, better yet, welding around a coped piece of tubing is NOT as easy as it may sound. Most guys at fab shops spend their first years welding nuts onto tabs and progress from there, if they are capable of progression.

Furthermore, as already said, what if someone gets hurt? Do they get the chassis for free? They will after the attorney's step in! Having the customer sign a waiver would probably prevent them from getting much, but wouldn't prevent the expense incurred to protect yourself in the event of.
Someone cuts off their thumb in your shop and cant work for a year. Do you think they will come after you and your company? You bet!! Even if they signed a waiver, you may win because you had them sign it, but it will cost ya....... OK that's my realistic side.

Here's me 20 years ago... He'll ya that would be cool. I just watch an episode of American Chopper where John from John and Kate helped Paul SR and the guys build his bike they went riding, shooting, had a blast. Looked awesome!!!! I could come over drink beers, smoke a fatty, hang out with a bunch of cool guys, learn some cool fab skills, build a bad a-s-s car & save thousands doing it!! Hells yeah! I'm in

I sometimes wish i could go back in time 20.

i think it would be a cool thing to be able to learn for someone the has the right tools and knowledge...i do minor fab myself,mainly do to lack of tools and the knowledge...but would really be interested..

Just sell the plans and let someone build it on there own. I built my own car frame suspension the whole thing just from measuring my old one. Was it hard yes at times but well worth it. I will have to say it is awsome to ride in something you built from the ground up. Any how i say just go build it. Get some tube bend it make the mistakes have a good time with it.

regardless of what you do with this "build your own" thing, this guy should be wearing wrist restraints...



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It would have to cost more, to show somebody how to use the shop equipment, and then have them in the way when it comes time to get it done. I'd bet that there is interest in this from the consumer, but my guess is that it would be hard to make profitable and cheaper at the same time. You might have to qualify the customer in the 'skills' area.

Interested - Let us know when you decide if you're going to do it or not.

Definitly a cool idea. I have to agree with the liability issues that have been brought up. Qualifying a persons skills another great sugestion. In some ways I wish things were like they use to be when it comes to showing another person how to lern a skill or just help them out with the tools required to get the job done right. In the end I think it will be very tough to do what your talking about and not be in the red or as least continue to enjoy what your doing.