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Rock Lizard News Letter http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=23225 |
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Author: | Rock Lizard [ Wed Aug 08, 2007 1:24 am ] |
Post subject: | Rock Lizard News Letter |
Don't know what else to call it, but here is an update what is going on here at the shop, and it's pretty exciting stuff. Things have been pretty busy around here this year, so keeping up with orders in a timely fashion has been pretty tough. As most of you know, I am a one man show doing all the design, fabrication, welding, grinding, packaging and shipping, webdesign, accounting, etc. It's been pretty tough and the body is starting to show it. However, because the LOST community has been giving me so much business lately (selling about 10 to 1 over my XJ stuff), that I have been able to make a few additions to the shop to make productivity more efficient. I get a lot of slider orders, and my current bandsaw takes about 3.5 hours to cut all the parts for one set of sliders. It was pretty expensive, which is why it has taken so long to get, but I will have the new bandsaw here in a few weeks. The new bandsaw is the same one my tube bender guy was using to cut my sliders for me for a little while. He was cutting seven full sets of sliders in 4 hours, so basically a 7 to 1 ratio to my old bandsaw productivity is pretty dang fast. So, I'm really looking forward to getting this thing in the shop so I can maybe start building an inventory and keeping up with orders with only a one or two week turn around (or less) instead of 6-8 weeks+. My other addition to the shop I am most happy with and really is much more helpful than even a faster bandsaw. I have hired my first official employee, who is working for me part time for now until he gets out of the Army in a few months, then he will be my full time shop foreman. Many of you know him from the board. He knows a lot more than I do about KJ's, is a very hard worker, and fun to be around. I don't have a mug shot to post up, but a rig shot will probably be easily recognizable. Welcome Troy, tjkj2002, to the Rock Lizard Family: With the current rate of business, I hope to be in a bigger shop the beginning of the new year, which means more room, bigger tools, more employees, and custom installs. Once we get all the current orders all caught up in the next couple weeks, the new front bumper designs will be top priority. I also have a few more new KJ products on the design board in the back of my mind that I plan to debut in Moab next year, so things are really starting to improve and grow. I have an order for another batch of rear bumpers currently at my manufacturer. I'm on the schedule, but they haven't started yet. As I mentioned in the Vendors Forum, this is most likely the last batch of rear bumpers for the year, so if you want one in this batch, there is about one more week left to get the order in before I can't change the quantity in the order. I know $775 is hard to come up with on short notice, so I'm in a better position now where a few others paid their amounts in full, and I can take a small deposit to get your order in the batch, and the balance can be paid in full when completed. I will need a $200 minimum deposit to add another bumper to the batch. I will need this deposit by Aug 16. I know not everyone is made of money or can come up with a lot at one time, but would like to get one of these for Christmas or whatnot, but don't want to wait until next year for one, so think of it as a layaway plan. If you pay the deposit, the bumper is yours, even if it takes you a little while to pay it off even when it is completely built. However, two catches: I can't do the $700 prepay deal unless you pay in full before August 16th, that wouldn't be fair for those that prepaid in full when the batch order was made. Second, if you cancel your order, $150 will be non refundable, which shouldn't be a big deal, because I'm basically offering an interest free payment plan (just don't take forever ![]() For the front bumpers, I already posted the plans for the new Convertible Monitor Lizard bumpers. Those that already preordered the Monitor Lizard original non winch bumper design, you will get the new design, but the winch mount is a seperate piece. Those that preordered already are saving some money from those that preorder the new design, because prices will go up for the new design. I know I'm running a little behind on some orders, and I apologize for that. Until the new bandsaw gets here, sliders are going pretty slow, but Troy's putting in some hours this week and next to help me get those all caught up. I have a few tire carriers and a rear bumper to finish, so I will be working on those while Troy is working on the sliders. So, everyone that currently is waiting on an order for something, I thank you for your patience. As I mentioned, just a few more weeks and all the orders currently on the board will be completely finished. I would like to thank all of my LOST KJ customers and friends for your support. I'm very happy that I acted on those constant emails about making stuff for KJ's a few years ago, where many companies just hit the delete button. |
Author: | 0311_DoC [ Wed Aug 08, 2007 1:31 am ] |
Post subject: | |
Well I know I certainly appreciate it ![]() |
Author: | tjkj2002 [ Wed Aug 08, 2007 1:43 am ] |
Post subject: | |
I feel so honored! Glad I can help,just started as helping out and now with a offer that's good I'm more than honored to work for Rock Lizard Fab! Like Marty said in a few month's I'll be out of the Army and can throw myself in headfirst,at least I'll still be able to do what I enjoy doing,working on vehicles(mostly Jeeps). Lots and lots of stuff in Marty's head that hopefully will be brought to light soon! |
Author: | riptricket [ Wed Aug 08, 2007 1:57 am ] |
Post subject: | |
congrats and i know that you'll do an amazing job with Marty! |
Author: | Rock Lizard [ Wed Aug 08, 2007 2:02 am ] |
Post subject: | |
riptricket wrote: congrats and i know that you'll do an amazing job with Marty!
Troy helped me jig up your very bumper and we test fit it on Troys jeep right before shipping it out to make sure it would fit just right and there weren't any problems. ![]() |
Author: | riptricket [ Wed Aug 08, 2007 2:04 am ] |
Post subject: | |
Sweet!!! i can't wait to put my bumper on!!! |
Author: | USPLibby [ Wed Aug 08, 2007 4:12 am ] |
Post subject: | |
Cool! I'm really thinking hard about that rear bumper. Do you have one that works with a stock hitch? Or can that built in hitch support 5000 lbs? |
Author: | USAFCOP [ Wed Aug 08, 2007 4:21 am ] |
Post subject: | |
stock hitch works with the new bumper. The hitch on the bumper is "for recovery purposes only" But I have towed a couple trailers to include my bohemouth trailmanor with the bumper's hitch. Again though from RL, the hitch is not rated and is a recovery point. |
Author: | USAFCOP [ Wed Aug 08, 2007 4:22 am ] |
Post subject: | |
So if Troy is the Foreman, what am I... Loiterer, or just Jeep donator? ![]() |
Author: | JJsTJ [ Wed Aug 08, 2007 7:51 am ] |
Post subject: | |
Good news Marty! Congrats Troy! Consider yourself lucky to be doing a job that involves Jeeps. I want to work on Jeeps when I grow up. |
Author: | DarbyWalters [ Wed Aug 08, 2007 8:25 am ] |
Post subject: | |
This is GREAT NEWS for all of us. I know that the guys over at www.JeepPatriot.com are going to be after you soon enough too... Now, when is a bolt in roll cage going to be ready? ![]() |
Author: | QuestMan [ Wed Aug 08, 2007 8:59 am ] |
Post subject: | |
So....................any pics of the new design, yet? ![]() |
Author: | Maximum Carnage [ Wed Aug 08, 2007 9:15 am ] |
Post subject: | |
Congratulation on your business expansion, hope to see many more quality products. |
Author: | FreeJeep [ Wed Aug 08, 2007 9:50 am ] |
Post subject: | |
DarbyWalters wrote: Now, when is a bolt in roll cage going to be ready?
![]() Bolt in roll cage (drooools) |
Author: | GoldCoastJeepers [ Wed Aug 08, 2007 10:08 am ] |
Post subject: | |
Any ideas on how I can get a rear bumper to Australia at a reasonable rate. How heavy are they? What are there dimensions? ![]() |
Author: | CaKJFreedom [ Wed Aug 08, 2007 11:52 am ] |
Post subject: | |
Woo hoo! Thanks for the update Marty. You make some excellent stuff. Troy, good to hear you'll be out soon and doing something you'll love. |
Author: | Rock Lizard [ Wed Aug 08, 2007 12:28 pm ] |
Post subject: | |
USAFCOP wrote: So if Troy is the Foreman, what am I... Loiterer, or just Jeep donator?
![]() Guinea Pig. Come on man, you knew that. You have the best job of all. Get the first of everything, beat the living crap out of it on the trail, get a new one. If the Air Force finally figures out how gimped up you are, maybe I'll give you a job too. ![]() Seriously, thanks to Ted for his time and vehicle donation, because without him, I wouldn't be this far into the KJ products, if at all. |
Author: | LiLredLibby [ Wed Aug 08, 2007 12:29 pm ] |
Post subject: | |
Congratulations on your new position tjkj2002.....Now,for the second time,we can say again..."It's not just a job...It's an adventure" ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Keep up the good work "RockLizard"....All of the kind words from L.O.S.T. members really reflects that you do great work,and now with Troy helping out, it can only get better. Ron |
Author: | Rock Lizard [ Wed Aug 08, 2007 12:32 pm ] |
Post subject: | |
USPLibby wrote: Cool! I'm really thinking hard about that rear bumper. Do you have one that works with a stock hitch? Or can that built in hitch support 5000 lbs?
Like Ted said, I designed the rear bumper to work with the stock hitch, since my hitch is not officially rated. It looks a little funny with two hitches, but as simple as it is to add or remove the stock hitch, you can throw it on when you need it, then take it right off when you don't. Stock hitch bolts up right under the bumper, so you don't even have to pull the bumper off at all, just the three bolts per side, slide the hitch up under the bumper, line up the holes, put the six bolts back in. |
Author: | Tokyojoe [ Wed Aug 08, 2007 2:49 pm ] |
Post subject: | |
GoldCoastJeepers wrote: Any ideas on how I can get a rear bumper to Australia at a reasonable rate. How heavy are they? What are there dimensions?
![]() The shuttle leaves tonight. If Marty hurrys up, he could Fed Ex one to the shuttle and they could drop it off as they orbit by Aussieland. Just make sure you let it cool off from re-entry before you grab it. ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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