Remote Transmission Dip Stick Aftermarket Support?

[Fitzmotor]

Lets see how this looks, I started this project back in April, this is the first time I have condensed it all in one place to look at, my goal is to streamline things so I can actually make some money.

You guys are great and all, but work is work, and work is about getting rewarded for your efforts, you guys wouldn't want me to do this for free would you? (dont answer that)

I know it will probably be the 100th hose before I get any return on my investment, but that's what starting a business is about, lots of hard work and money initially, and hopefully stay in business.

I have to thank everybody here for all the input and support throughout this project, I can assuredly say I would have not taken on this project without your support.

So what does it take to make a dipstick??

Hoses:
Clean hose with bottle brush blow clean.
Measure size and mark hose for pad.
Position and attach pad.
Slide on heat shrink.
edit
edit
Position bracket, clamp to jig, then Loctite set screws, install, clamp to hose.
edit
Remove top jig fitting and bracket from jig.
Install top hose fitting, check installed dipstick length.
Adjust top fitting length or stick length to align stick to pointer on jig (very time consuming, sticks, hoses and fittings are a matched set after this step)
Remove lower jig fitting and bracket clamp, un-clamp from jig.
Mark bracket with serial#.

That's just the hose... and there is a proprietary shaping step omitted.

Dipsticks:
Inspect, measure length.
Straighten stick (usually shipped in smaller box)
Remove handle, position seal properly, reinstall handle.
Etch new fluid scale.
Etch additional text, these are two separate operations.
Curve tip.
Adjust stick waffle for hose fitment.
Mark serial# on stick, (I may skip this)
Clean off old print from handle.
Print new script on handle.
QC sticks to verify all steps completed and orientation is correct.

I'm sure there is something I missed.

There are also misc steps:

QC the brackets and top fittings (from China, so far all perfect)
Heat and straighten hose for pad, cut into 2" sections.
Cut 50Ft heat shrink rolls into measured sections.

Then there is the packing, I have yet to figure this one out, I have the boxes, but not sure how it will be packed yet, I'm thinking wired or zip tied to a center chunk of cardboard maybe.

Wow, I sure hope all that adds up to less than an hour per stick, maybe putting it all in one place to look at was a dumb idea

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[Grumpaw]

Don't forget the 47 page owners/install booklet, in 7 languages that you'll have to make up.
Advertising via magazines, billboards, bus benches, and flyers to truck owners.
Then personal interviews on GMA, Motor Trend TV.....

 

[Fitzmotor]

Oh crap, that's right, I'm hours into the installation instructions and they are not done yet.

Hey, those who bought a B&M stick, came rolled up in a box correct? not a 40" box?

 

[Grumpaw]

Oh crap, that's right, I'm hours into the installation instructions and they are not done yet.

Hey, those who bought a B&M stick, came rolled up in a box correct? not a 40" box?

It came "bent" in half like a "U" on a piece of cardboard backing with the heat shrink type clear wrap...wasn't rolled up.
I think your are going to be too stiff to bend....maybe a tube type shipping method...customers will just have to bite the bullet and pay for shipping and whatever that entails.
Yeah, your cost/price may have to go up, but considering what you producing as compared to the "other" its still a bargain.

 

[Blue Streak]

Lets see how this looks, I started this project back in April, this is the first time I have condensed it all in one place to look at, my goal is to streamline things so I can actually make some money.

You guys are great and all, but work is work, and work is about getting rewarded for your efforts, you guys wouldn't want me to do this for free would you? (dont answer that)

I know it will probably be the 100th hose before I get any return on my investment, but that's what starting a business is about, lots of hard work and money initially, and hopefully stay in business.

I have to thank everybody here for all the input and support throughout this project, I can assuredly say I would have not taken on this project without your support.

So what does it take to make a dipstick??

Hoses:
Clean hose with bottle brush blow clean.
Measure size and mark hose for pad.
Position and attach pad.
Slide on heat shrink.
Heat hose, shrink wrap.
Immediately clamp, install jig fittings.
Position bracket, clamp to jig, then Loctite set screws, install, clamp to hose.
Cool Hose.
Remove top jig fitting and bracket from jig.
Install top hose fitting, check installed dipstick length.
Adjust top fitting length or stick length to align stick to pointer on jig (very time consuming, sticks, hoses and fittings are a matched set after this step)
Remove lower jig fitting and bracket clamp, un-clamp from jig.
Mark bracket with serial#.

That's just the hose... and there is a proprietary shaping step omitted.

Dipsticks:
Inspect, measure length.
Straighten stick (usually shipped in smaller box)
Remove handle, position seal properly, reinstall handle.
Etch new fluid scale.
Etch additional text, these are two separate operations.
Curve tip.
Adjust stick waffle for hose fitment.
Mark serial# on stick, (I may skip this)
Clean off old print from handle.
Print new script on handle.
QC sticks to verify all steps completed and orientation is correct.

I'm sure there is something I missed.

There are also misc steps:

QC the brackets and top fittings (from China, so far all perfect)
Heat and straighten hose for pad, cut into 2" sections.
Cut 50Ft heat shrink rolls into measured sections.

Then there is the packing, I have yet to figure this one out, I have the boxes, but not sure how it will be packed yet, I'm thinking wired or zip tied to a center chunk of cardboard maybe.

Wow, I sure hope all that adds up to less than an hour per stick, maybe putting it all in one place to look at was a dumb idea

Don't forget our decal for our tool box or window. I think something like The Original Fitzstick. Come on guy's & gals help me out. ?

 

[TJC]

Don't forget the 47 page owners/install booklet, in 7 languages that you'll have to make up.
Advertising via magazines, billboards, bus benches, and flyers to truck owners.
Then personal interviews on GMA, Motor Trend TV.....

8 - if you count Klingon! (It's the fastest growing language in the world!)

 

[1pt21gw]

That is creative, I use one of these when doing heat shrink on wiring.

 

[Fitzmotor]

It came "bent" in half like a "U" on a piece of cardboard backing with the heat shrink type clear wrap...wasn't rolled up.
I think your are going to be too stiff to bend....

I was just curious, I figured they wouldn't have a full length box like mine.

My dipstick will not bend much if any, it stays in the shape you have seen, it's designed to stay in that shape, that is the ONLY way to have a pre-marked stick, as a example, the hose straight vs the shaped hose is over 1/4" difference in stick length.

Got ya on the sticker, not much of one, but a sticker never the less, one of the most important things is branding, without the branding, the advertising, the social media, all that stuff that goes with making a successful product, your product is nothing.

MBS...... Mike's Build Shop
I'll have better ones eventually, maybe next batch.

 

[Grumpaw]

I was just curious, I figured they wouldn't have a full length box like mine.

My dipstick will not bend much if any, it stays in the shape you have seen, it's designed to stay in that shape, that is the ONLY way to have a pre-marked stick, as a example, the hose straight vs the shaped hose is over 1/4" difference in stick length.

Got ya on the sticker, not much of one, but a sticker never the less, one of the most important things is branding, without the branding, the advertising, the social media, all that stuff that goes with making a successful product, your product is nothing.

MBS...... Mike's Build Shop
I'll have better ones eventually, maybe next batch.

Yeah...the only reason the B&M can be bent into a "U" is because they use a wire type affair for the "Stick".
Yours....I'd pay xtra for a rigid type mailing tube just to make sure it was not bent during shipping.

 

[tnewcomb6370]

Uline sells mailing tubes by the box of so many. We use them where I work to send out rolled flyers.
Kraft Heavy Duty Tubes in Stock - ULINE > However you ship them put me on the list for one.

 

[quangdog]

Uline sells mailing tubes by the box of so many. We use them where I work to send out rolled advertainments.
Kraft Heavy Duty Tubes in Stock - ULINE

We use these at work to send out posters as well. They work well, and are very durable.

 

[Racket]

Still faster than the Elliott Specialized Performance Intercooler sale and resolution.

So far.

 

[Fitzmotor]

Tubes wont work unless they are 6", that would probably add over 10$ to the cost of the part.

I have already purchased boxes, I will probably attach them to some stiff cardboard that should help hold the shape through rough shipping.

 

[Dr. Zaius]

Oh crap, that's right, I'm hours into the installation instructions and they are not done yet.
...

Don't forget to add the disclaimer that you shouldn't drink the transmission fluid, just in case a TikTokker or "Influencer" gets one.

 

[TJC]

That is creative, I use one of these when doing heat shrink on wiring.

I use them with a heat gun in conjunction with Solder Seal Wire connectors. Works great - solders, shrinkwraps, and seals without breaking out the soldering iron! I do flux my wires though.

I am in the process of adding a light bar to my new Cub Cadet lawn tractor - the stock lights aren't worth turning on! My 50 year old WheelHorse has better lights. I mow just at dusk to insure a dry lawn, and sometimes finish after dark. I'm using these connectors to wire it all up.

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