Vixus
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| posted on 20/12/05 at 04:34 PM |
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Kit or Scratch?
I am, as you may know, contemplating a project of my own. The book has infected me with the bug. I was wondering though, would it be better to build
from scratch or use a kit? I have been weighing out the pros and cons, but there are probably other factors to contemplate.
Scratch
PRO: Satisfaction upon completion.
PRO: Car can be tweaked to own specs.
CON: More time needed.
CON: More expensive (?)
CON: Finding a suitable donor car.
Kit
PRO: Faster to build.
PRO: Cheaper (?)
CON: Can't say you built it all yourself. 
CON: Won't be unique as such.
So, I don't really know. I'm looking at a time frame of around 4 years (uni!). I'll probably be funding the project with a part time
job and/or my web design services.
Actually, the most I'm worrying about is getting a donor car and parts. The Escorts etc are rare now and I haven't heard of an autojumble
recently (they probably do occur, I just haven't heard of them.) I'll also need to get some welding lessons and glassfibre lessons...
Anyway, while I'm thinking about it, I'm gonna start sketching my car's design, so that I can figure out all the trimmings it needs.
Best way to dream, in my opinion. 
Thanks again!
PS: What's the time frame and cost range I'll be looking at for each of these methods?
[Edited on 20/12/05 by Vixus]
{ e = mc something ~ processed meat ~ dA }
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Wadders
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| posted on 20/12/05 at 04:43 PM |
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i'd have to say that most kits will cost you more to build than doing it yourself from scratch, and you have to lay out large sums up front
rather than bit by bit, either route you will have to source a donor, or certainly parts from several doners. If time is not an issue, go with the
self build, or alternatively keep an eye out for an unfinished project, there are some good bargains to be had.
Good luck
Al.
]Originally posted by Vixus
I am, as you may know, contemplating a project of my own. The book has infected me with the bug. I was wondering though, would it be better to build
from scratch or use a kit? I have been weighing out the pros and cons, but there are probably other factors to contemplate.
Scratch
PRO: Satisfaction upon completion.
PRO: Car can be tweaked to own specs.
CON: More time needed.
CON: More expensive (?)
CON: Finding a suitable donor car.
Kit
PRO: Faster to build.
PRO: Cheaper (?)
CON: Can't say you built it all yourself.
CON: Won't be unique as such.
So, I don't really know. I'm looking at a time frame of around 4 years (uni!). I'll probably be funding the project with a part time
job and/or my web design services.
Actually, the most I'm worrying about is getting a donor car and parts. The Escorts etc are rare now and I haven't heard of an autojumble
recently (they probably do occur, I just haven't heard of them.) I'll also need to get some welding lessons and glassfibre lessons...
Anyway, while I'm thinking about it, I'm gonna start sketching my car's design, so that I can figure out all the trimmings it needs.
Best way to dream, in my opinion.
Thanks again!
PS: What's the time frame and cost range I'll be looking at for each of these methods?
[Edited on 20/12/05 by Vixus]
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DarrenW
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| posted on 20/12/05 at 05:32 PM |
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You could put ypur pros and cons into a hat, pull them out and reapply to your list. It is that variable. Kits are every bit as unique as scratch
builds, take a look at m1moc.co.uk. What you havent factored in is the amount of times you will change your mind throughout and the
'bagains' you will come across that you just have to have.
Ive enjoyed building my kit, gone together very well indeed in a short time. Highly recommend.
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big_wasa
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| posted on 20/12/05 at 06:01 PM |
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wouldnt say a kit was cheaper 
Scratch building is a balance of pain and pleasure If you think you can scratch build your own car ? Do so, or you will never know .
My 2p worth is to start collecting donor parts NOW.
That way if you scratch build youve got them ,if you kit build youve got them or if you decide not to bother you can always sell them .
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Jon Ison
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| posted on 20/12/05 at 06:20 PM |
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there's a couple of abandoned projects on ebay at mo, may be a cheap option ?
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 20/12/05 at 06:23 PM |
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If you count in the cost of the welder and other tools, and you won't use them again after building the chassis, then buying a kit makes
economic sense. In my case, I wanted a welder anyway so I didn't factor it into the final cost.
For me, building the chassis was part of the enjoyment of the thing, so it suited me - if you want to build a car to drive, and building is just a
means to an end, then buy a kit. You'll finish it far quicker and you'll be out on the road as soon as possible.
Either way, you have heaps of 'challenges' and loads of fun!
rgds,
David
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smart51
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| posted on 20/12/05 at 06:47 PM |
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It doesn't have to be kit OR scratch, you can do a bit of both.
Buy the chassis ready welded and powder coated and build everything else from scratch. The chassis takes a lot of work and are not expensive to
buy.
Add a few welded aluminium parts, like a fuel tank. Ali welding is quite tricky.
Also perhaps some GRP. Made at home stuff won't eb as good as parts made by a time served craftsman...
But then why is a kit not unique. Which two people have identical kits? Few people but an every-last-nut-and-bolt kit and so each one is different,
from seat choice to body work to engine...
If you want the cheapest and fastest build then I would say buy some and make some, or buy an abandoned project.
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chrisg
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| posted on 20/12/05 at 07:25 PM |
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Those that can, do.
You can't buy a Locost, you have to earn it.
and other such bollox.
I think it's all down to your skill with a mig, there's not much better than saying "I made that" Rather than "I
assembled that"
**Engage smug mode**
Cheers
Chris
[Edited on 20/12/05 by chrisg]
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Gav
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| posted on 20/12/05 at 08:09 PM |
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Im building from scratch but next time id buy one, its a pain in the ass but ive learnt a lot on the way and the more its comes along the more
enjoyment im getting out of it.
One thing t ofactor in as well, all the small problems that you have to think how to solve yourself, has already been done for you in a kit.
I guess it all depends on how much of a challenge you want.
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fesycresy
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| posted on 20/12/05 at 09:00 PM |
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I'm a decent welder and my mates a welder in the nuclear industry, so making a chassis shouldn't be too much hassle. This all counts for
shit when you come to sell the car.
What's a well spec'd home made locost worth ? And yes I know there are plenty of extremely well made locosts.
I'd suggest contacting someone like MAC#1 and possibly buying a chassis. It'll be jigged correctly and as smart51 said maybe make the
other components.
The only drawback I can see is the fact you can't say you "made" the car.
One last thing, get a bigger student loan and put a bike engine in it
[Edited on 20/12/05 by fesycresy]
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The sooner you fall behind, the more time you'll have to catch up.
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Jasper
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| posted on 21/12/05 at 02:48 PM |
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And you WILL always use the Mig again. I'm on my second build (first was a scratch built) and this time I wanted more of a 'car' so
went with a part factory built Stylus.
But I've still had to mod the chassis to fit the new engine, and weld up new engine mounts, so it's still a very handy thing to have.
I wouldn't scratch build again, but I would recommend it to anybody as a first time thing to do, you learn loads an it's really
satisfying.
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Marcus
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| posted on 22/12/05 at 12:44 PM |
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I'd scratch build again without hesitation, the thinking side of problem solving is one of the most enjoyable stages and you come up with unique
solutions - no 2 Locosts are the same. At one of the shows this year, there was a row of yellow Westfields - all identical (can't see the
point).
As for resale value, ARSE! I'm in this for life and my baby aint for sale!
Marcus
Marcus
Because kits are for girls!!
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02GF74
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| posted on 22/12/05 at 02:06 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Jon Ison
there's a couple of abandoned projects on ebay at mo, may be a cheap option ?
that's what mine is.
be prepared to uncover horrors!!! .. but with a locust you can always modify it to you desires. Downside is you may not like the donor parts nor
know what they are - makes life interesting when you need to get a replacement bit.
If I wanted to spend more money, I would have gone with a ready made chassis.
I bought the book and for a while considered making from scratch but decided I did not want to dedicate that time nor was confident that everything
will be aligned.
^^^^ like wot he said above; don't expect to make money on it when you sell it - you are paying for an experience & fun.
[Edited on 22/12/05 by 02GF74]
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