Starting Up Now?

[GlassStarz]

I have a friend who got let go from when his employer went out of business not a lot of jobs out there for guys in their 50,s so 2 weeks ago I showed him how to do headlights and sent him out he is already doing 300-400 a week I plan to teach him WR next
I think you can earn a living if you can sell yourself and figure out what market you can fit into

[screenman]

Sorry Davem but air pressured injectors have been around since at least 1985 and probably before that, most manufacturers moved on from there realising the problems they incurred. If you read my post on the GT forum you will see the problems I feel exist in an air sytem.

You have never used a screw type system I have used many air pressure systems, try one of ours.

In what way is your GT system computorised as they call it, surely it is justs atimer that does 2 minutes on and 2 odd or whatever, how does it decide against what sort of damage you are working on. I suggest it is just a timer, I have no problems adjusting the vaccuum or pressure cycles on my screw plunger type injector as and when the repair needs is. Not when the clock in the machine says so.

At the end of the day you do good quality repairs with a heavy piece of equipment I do mine with a nice light weight one that is not giving me back problems carrying it, so we are both doing something right.

I am sure Delta will be more than happy for you to comment upon the benefits of your system of which I personall cannot find any.

[gph66]

Thanks for the info Dave M and screenman. I doesn't sound like I can go wrong with either Delta or GT. I'll talk to both of them again and make a decision from there. GlassStarz, where is your friend doing most of his headlight restoration? At dealers, retail, fleets? I'm just curious because I've been doing it for a couple of months also for dealers, but that work has really slowed down. Having flyers made to check mall parking lots, large company lots, etc. for retail work. I'd like to know what his target market is right now. Thanks.

[adam@gtglass]

Sorry Davem but air pressured injectors have been around since at least 1985 and probably before that, most manufacturers moved on from there realising the problems they incurred. If you read my post on the GT forum you will see the problems I feel exist in an air sytem.

You have never used a screw type system I have used many air pressure systems, try one of ours.

In what way is your GT system computorised as they call it, surely it is justs atimer that does 2 minutes on and 2 odd or whatever, how does it decide against what sort of damage you are working on. I suggest it is just a timer, I have no problems adjusting the vaccuum or pressure cycles on my screw plunger type injector as and when the repair needs is. Not when the clock in the machine says so.

At the end of the day you do good quality repairs with a heavy piece of equipment I do mine with a nice light weight one that is not giving me back problems carrying it, so we are both doing something right.

I am sure Delta will be more than happy for you to comment upon the benefits of your system of which I personall cannot find any.

NOTE TO ADMINISTRATORS/MODERATORS: If this following response sounds too sales-pitchy for the forum, feel free to remove it in whole or parts of it, but I ask that if you remove this post to also remove the incorrect statements made about GT products found in the post this responds to.
Thank you, Adam.

Now, for the post...

Look, I want to be clear that this is not a sales pitch. I just need to dispel some of the incorrect statements from Screenman. I"m not trying to start an argument, as a tool should fit the demands you place on it--what works for some, may not be the best fit for others.
I just need to clarify some facts:

1. Yes, air-pressure systems have been around since 1985. GT was the first to develop machine-based vacuum and a computerized air-pressure system--this was in 1984, before most people could use a computer (outside of a calculator, of course).
2. The system that DaveM is referring to is NOT the computerized system. His is the machine based reciprocal pump that changes between vacuum and pressure with the flip of a toggle switch, and has a pressure gauge that monitors the air pressure and confirms the existence of a vacuum. The repair technician has full control over the cycles--he can just alternate between vacuum and pressure more quickly, with visible proof of pressure and vacuum (the gauge would let him or her know immediately whether or not leaks were present, as opposed to waiting to see if the break fills). Another thing possible with the pump is "pulsing" (quickly changing between vacuum and pressure), which helps remove stubborn air pockets quickly.
3. The computerized repair system, the Eliminator, does not simply run on a timer. Not only does it vary the cycles based on the type of break, but it also alters pressure and vacuum strength used in the process. In addition, it uses the pulsing technique on certain cycles. These cycles of course do not perfectly fit each individual repair, but with experience, one could learn which types of breaks require which cycle. The benefit of this is not speed necessarily, but rather allowing a technician to multi-task more easily. For example, a repair-only business would not require this machine, as they only have one task at hand. However, someone like a service center or lube shop might have good use for this machine, as they can set the machine on the hood, press a button, raise the car on a lift and do the oil change. Then, when it's done, bring the car back down. throw pit filler and a curing square down and set up the curing lamp while going over paperwork with the customer. Much more convenient than having to maintain a repair and change the oil separately. Just one example of how it can be useful, though admittedly, it's not for everyone.
4. As for weight... The new "Maxim," the mechanized but not computerized system weighs in at 11 and 3/4 lbs wet weight... I'm assuming that you aren't walking to all of your repairs, and are physically capable of hauling an extra 10-11 pounds from your work vehicle to the customer's hood. If it is too much, then yes, a hand-held system is a better option. If you primarily in-shop work, may I suggest a wheeled cart that you could probably find at Wal-mart? Again, everyone has a preference, and I believe a tool should be chosen based on an individual's needs.
5. One last thing to consider: I consider proper repair with a hand-held system to be artwork. A machine is quicker to train new employees on compared with proper use of a hand-held injector. You take out the "feel" that is required to know how much vacuum and pressure you are using, and can recommend pressure in psi measurements.

[Dave M]

Thank you for clearifying what machine I use! I think Screenman misread what I said about dry vacuum being arounf for 4-5 years. I never said air pressured injectors.

[Dave M]

Also, if I may. I stated that carrying the VP-5000 may not be the cause of my neck problems. I don't think the weight caused my two degenerative discs!

[screenman]

Adam you seem to have still missed out the replies to a couple of my queries. Also is leaving a machine in charge of something as unstable as windshield chip/crack a good idea.

[adam@gtglass]

I don't see what you are pointing out in regards to some of your replies. Do you mean here or elsewhere? I was simply correcting inaccurate generalizations made about machine operated systems. For the products that you criticized, the facts you used to make the criticisms were incorrect.

In response to whether or not I think it's okay to leave a machine to do the cycles of vacuum and pressure, yes, I believe it is more than safe. Taking away physical contact with the glass takes away risk of crack out. I have not heard of one instance where pressure or vacuum alone is responsible for increasing the damage in a chip or "cracking out" a star break. This is of course assuming that the WS tech knows to inspect the break before repairing it, which seems common sense to me. In fact, I think it's safer than screw injection or plunger type pressure/vacuum because the machine controlling the vacuum and pressure cannot apply direct force and "flex" the glass, as a tech has the ability to (either intentionally or by accident).

If the chip is inspected before repair, and flex-tested near the legs to make sure they won't run on their own, I think it would be impossible to get enough pressure to make the break "run" before the seal was blown.

Remember, I believe hand held repairs are an art form, but I think it's important to have the right tool for the job that you are providing. Whether that correct tool is hand-held, machine based, or disposable... It's based on the individual repair tech's needs, and I would not say that any system is worthless for a professional if it suits their needs.

If you have a family, buy a mini-van. If you need to haul large items, buy a truck. If you can afford it, want to go fast, and only need room for one passenger... buy a sports car.

[screenman]

Adam I take on board what you say. But I still cannot see any advantage in your system over the Delta sytem. Anyone wanting to add adry vac sytem to the Delta kits can do so for about $50 although I must say with experience it is certainly not required.

[adam@gtglass]

Fair enough, thanks for clarifying.

Cheers,

Adam