paulbeyer
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 posted on 4/4/02 at 09:27 PM |
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2B or not 2B MK is the question
Howdy all,
This is probably gonna be one of those "how long's a piece of string" questions but bugger it , here goes.
I've had the book for years and have been a lurker on this list since the beginning and the "other" Locost list for 2 years at least, but I am
still as unsure which way to go as I was when I first read the book. I don't know what donor to use, make my own chassis, go the MK Indy route or buy
a Robinhood 2B kit.
I own a mig welder and my Dad is a welder by trade (I'd even wager he could show Mr MK a thing or 2) but if I go diy book chassis then wouldn't I
need a rare and elusive MK2 escort.
Part of me says do it all myself ('cos of dad and welding set) but I like the idea of using a Sierra donor so the MK Indy is also appealing.
I s'pose this question is aimed at all you experienced builders out there. With what you know / have learnt during your builds what would you do
second time around?
Also how easy would it be to change an original book chassis to a sierra IRS chassis (like the Indy)?
So many choices, so little time.
Paul 
Does anyone out there have a web site based on a MK Indy build?
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chrisg
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| posted on 4/4/02 at 09:44 PM |
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Hi Paul,
If I was starting building now I would go with the MK Indy, as the price is so good, it's not worth doing it yourself as I did.
With the advantages of the sierra donor, and some"Quality" issues with the Robin Hood kit and the problems with ST that you can read about elsewhere
on this site, i think the MK is the smart choice.
Just my opinion
Cheers
Chris 
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bob
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 posted on 4/4/02 at 09:52 PM |
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I hung about for 3 years before i weighed it all up,but i'd have the indy again for sure.
Its good that you can get hold of MK on the phone for help/advice,and if he's busy someone else is always at hand.
The only thing i would change is the powdercoating,it looks great but i'm always bashing it and scratching it.
If you paint it youself you dont get so upset when you scratch it because its just a quick brush on with the old liquid.
At £100 its £80 i could have spent elsewhere.
Have a look around the shows at finished cars as this is the best way to see what can be done wether its bought or welded yourself 
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paulbeyer
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| posted on 4/4/02 at 09:58 PM |
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Hi Chris
Thanks for the advice mate. I must admit the MK Indy seems to be the most sensible option.
Bye the way Chris I'm with you, Wally is a complete and utter MR W. Anchor 
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paulbeyer
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| posted on 4/4/02 at 10:03 PM |
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Hey Bob
Thanks for the info and good advice, much appreciated.
On the subject of Shows, I'm thinking of going to the show in Warwick? on the 5th May. Have you been before, if so is it worth it?
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paulbeyer
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| posted on 4/4/02 at 10:05 PM |
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Bob,
Forgot to ask. If you've built a MK Indy do you have a web site full of useful info and piccies?
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stephen_gusterson
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| posted on 4/4/02 at 10:17 PM |
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Hi Paul.
There is also a yahoo groups list for the 2b if you havnt found it.
Looking on there is a good indication of how the kit goes together.
Essentially, it looks like the 2b is cheap cos it has a lot of bits that need encouraging to fit, but then most people are well happy with the car
once its together.
From what i have seen / heard, the indy looks well made.
As far as building from a semikit or doing it all yourself is concened, what do you want?
I had 3k to hand when I started, that was before MK - but I rejected getting a cheap kit cos I wanted to be able to say I had done it all myself.
Long route though - and still not cheap.
ATB
Steve
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paulbeyer
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| posted on 5/4/02 at 10:49 AM |
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Hi Steve,
I'm on the Yahoo groups 2B list (joined 2 weeks ago) so I've been trawling through the archives to try and get a better picture.
There is a local Robin Hood meet here in Bristol once a month so I'll go to the next and have a chat with the guys over a pint or two.
I must admit though I have just seen 2 MK indies for sale on findit.co.uk and they definately look the business. Not so square and better
proportioned.
I plan to get up to Stoneleigh on the 5th May and see whats on display.
Cheers,
Paul
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bob
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| posted on 5/4/02 at 05:24 PM |
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paul
I'm building the MK now,and the show in stoneleigh is probably the best so get youself up there.
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chrisg
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| posted on 5/4/02 at 06:22 PM |
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Thanks for the support Paul,
I don't know anyone with a more apt name than"Wally"!!!
Cheers
Chris
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Marcus
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| posted on 7/4/02 at 07:35 PM |
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Paul, you asked wether anyone would build a chassis twice... Well yes that's what we've done. If you want a quick and quality fix, go MK - can't
recommend highly enough, but if you're a bit of a masochist, BUILD 2!!
To me, the chassis is the heart of the car, and if I can stand up and say I've built 2, I get a warm feeling all over!
Previous to these cars, we (Myself and Roland, my co builder) had never welded anything, but half the fun was learning. After 2 chassis, the quality
of welding is looking rather good! (Don't call me MK yet though). I'd say weld
Marcus
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alexroebuck
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| posted on 15/4/02 at 03:53 PM |
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quote:
Hi Paul,
If I was starting building now I would go with the MK Indy, as the price is so good, it's not worth doing it yourself as I did.
With the advantages of the sierra donor, and some"Quality" issues with the Robin Hood kit and the problems with ST that you can read about elsewhere
on this site, i think the MK is the smart choice.
Just my opinion
Cheers
Chris
I've searched everywhere for 'the problems with ST'. Can someone point me in the right direction? Cheers.
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 15/4/02 at 07:56 PM |
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quote:
I've searched everywhere for 'the problems with ST'. Can someone point me in the right direction? Cheers.
The 'problems' I have encountered are with the attitude of the people you talk to on the phone... basically, rude. Their products may be good, but
I couldn't be bothered to deal with them.
This is my own experience, other people have reported similar encounters.
Your mileage may vary...
good luck!
David
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andyd
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| posted on 15/4/02 at 08:09 PM |
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quote:
I've searched everywhere for 'the problems with ST'.
Hi Alex,
If you mean "What's wrong with Stuart Taylor?", look at http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/xmb/viewthread.php?tid=308
The only dealing I've had with them is the email I sent on the 27th March asking for a quote for some steering rack brackets and the fact that the
reply came yesterday 14th April. Fast response, no. You can make your own mind up after reading the last few posts in the above thread.
Hope that helps.
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