TheSamba.com :: View topic - Autocraft vs. Klassicfab vs. Wolfsburg West vs. BBT

Thu Aug 25, 2011 2:03 pm

Just painted my double cab after a long resto - used NOS where I could find it, and a mix of Auto Craft and Gerson - I've never had a problem with an Auto Craft panel. I've visited Karl at his workshop to pick bits up and really can't speak too highly of what he's done. I have no connection with them other than being a very happy customer - latest purchase from him was a new nose badge in plain steel which is a 100% perfect fit - not an easy piece to press cleanly.

The Gerson stuff is OK - not being critical of them, used them where Auto Craft didn't make what I needed - like drop gates.

Thu Aug 25, 2011 2:03 pm

bubba wrote: but.... do they make complete A pilers specific to your year bus?

Who does this!
Klassicfab refused to make me some pre53 A-pillars for my 52.

I agree that KF are lifesavers to many buses. Props for that.
But there is no question that their panels are like Marmite in the Uk and Europe. You either love them or hate them. And it is possible, at least this side of the pond, to do complete Restos of trashed buses and even barndoors without touching a green panel. One of the most famous barndoor restorers over here will do anything to avoid them. Autocraft also state that they can and will repo ANY panel as one offs as long as they have something to copy. They are doing me some pre53 rear corners with the correct early reflector pressings.
This is not a diss at KF. I like Marmite, just saying what I see/hear.

Fri Aug 26, 2011 9:55 am

I can't imagine venturing to re pop vintage sheet metal.
Wow.
Buut, hopefully those involved in this thread (or who's product is the subject of the thread) will see this as a valuable critique, not an assault, and venture to up the game if they are able.
These folks put a lot of time, money and effort out to make these products work....it's a bitch to be sure.
Hopefully, the market will be there for them, and they can evolve, and stay competitive...
Rough business.

Fri Aug 26, 2011 11:09 am

bubba wrote: VWsArent4Hippies wrote: widehatch wrote: oldskool69 wrote: bubba wrote: Autocraft is NOT sold in the USA...and also the price of parts is almost double the price of Klassicfab.

There is a US supplier now, all the parts ive looked at are cheaper than klassicfab.

if there is a supplier in the USA then who is it???

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/search.php?username=vintage-wagen

All of the prices look good too. Is this there total line of parts they make? Do they only make the outside skin of the dogleg? or do they make it complete? Don't get me wrong Autocraft makes great parts....for the pieces they make.. Shipping is the killer to the UK...

No clue Bubba, I was just answering the question of who's selling them here. The majority of prices listed are right in line with Gerson's parts, some a couple dollars more, some a couple dollars less.

Fri Aug 26, 2011 1:09 pm

How's the fit of the AutoCraft cargo rocker ? I'm getting ready to do this section on my '57deluxe, and I'd rather avoid having to completely re-work the KF piece. The first cargo rocker I received was almost flat; to their credit, they sent me a new one, which was marginally better, but still a long way off.

I've ranted about the KF metal before, but I was shouted down by the nutswingers. I have a good sized pile of rejects which I cannibalize for small bits of scrap when I need it.

Fri Aug 26, 2011 1:23 pm

I've had the same parts (long sill etc) side by side and would go with Autocraft, and not just because I'm in the UK. When I last spoke to them they were gearing up for a wider range pf production, and I understand they now have a full-time panel guy on new production/research. So more parts should follow.

Shape, pressings and metal quality and finish seemed very good to me (though I'm not a welder, yet).

I've found the service to be very good, no 'shelf-sitter' parts and properly freshly oiled and packed. Good price too, given the quality.

Ben

Fri Aug 26, 2011 2:19 pm

thom wrote: How's the fit of the AutoCraft cargo rocker ? I'm getting ready to do this section on my '57deluxe, and I'd rather avoid having to completely re-work the KF piece. The first cargo rocker I received was almost flat; to their credit, they sent me a new one, which was marginally better, but still a long way off.

I've ranted about the KF metal before, but I was shouted down by the nutswingers. I have a good sized pile of rejects which I cannibalize for small bits of scrap when I need it.

Yes, there seems to be many people worshipping the KF stuff, and I have seen many rejects myself. I think the reputation may precede the quality a bit, more apparent now that other options are becoming more available. Hats off to Gerson for identifying a needed market and making peices that cover most of a bus and aren't available elsewhere. However, this thread is about the quality and there is some great feedback coming through as I hoped...

Fri Aug 26, 2011 2:35 pm

thom wrote;
Quote: How's the fit of the AutoCraft cargo rocker ?

Yes, I would like to know this as well. It would also be helpfull to see the profile guage comparison against the original.

I have a ton of lower half KF metal almost ready to get welded up on my 53 Panel, but I would gladly toss it all aside for better, crisper closer to NOS metal. Maybe Autocraft fits that bill?

Also, does anyone know if Autocraft curently make parts that are specific to Barndoors, with all the proper pressings and details? it's not a one size/shape fits all......

Fri Aug 26, 2011 5:32 pm

thom wrote: I was shouted down by the nutswingers.. hehehe now thats funny

Fri Aug 26, 2011 6:05 pm

thom wrote: I was shouted down by the satisfied customers.

Makes more sense this way.

Sat Aug 27, 2011 1:28 pm

Hello,

here`s another manufacturer of cargo rockers and other stuff:

http://german-metal.net/english/index_eng.html

Regards,
Wolfgang

Sat Aug 27, 2011 1:59 pm

Even though their website is supposed to be in English it's all in German and Ich sprecht nich gutte deutch!!

They have pricing in euros, but no info on shipping.

Robert

Wolfgang1 wrote: Hello,

here`s another manufacturer of cargo rockers and other stuff:

http://german-metal.net/english/index_eng.html

Regards,
Wolfgang

Sat Aug 27, 2011 3:02 pm

See that little thing? It ain't on the KF I bought.

http://www.kieftenklok.net/index.php?option=com_vi...id=product

Sun Aug 28, 2011 7:57 am

Used KF and autocraft on mine. I was happier with the fit of autocraft panels which, with the exception of a rear corner, needed no messing with to get fitted. The rear corner though was wrong with too much bulge around the bottom, not enough at the top and lots of work to sort out. If I were to do another rear corner I would try getting a decent og cut panel. My only other moan about autocraft would be the lack of paint. I bought all panels in one go then had them lying about for a while as they were slowly used. I live by the sea, so they ended up with a thick layer of surface rust and pitting which took ages to remove and which had penetrated deep into the steel. I would now put some paint on them straight away if they were to be left for a while.
Kf panels did not rust but didnt fit as well, with some needing metal removing or adding to, as well as sometimes relocating holes and other minor details. Having said that though, differences between the two are relatively minor, especially if compared to other panels available and today I would still probably use both.

Sun Aug 28, 2011 11:23 am

Can I trouble someone to post up a pic of the WW passenger rocker install with the flaw in the middle???

Sun Aug 28, 2011 12:49 pm

mr white wrote: Can I trouble someone to post up a pic of the WW passenger rocker install with the flaw in the middle???

I would also like to see this, if someone has pics handy - of the piece if not the install. I'm assuming you're referring to the incorrect location of the latch piece in the middle of the rocker...I was under the impression that the flaw had been corrected with WW's latest improvements...?

Sun Aug 28, 2011 2:14 pm

too much bulge around the bottom, not enough at the top and lots of work to sort out.

Sounds like my ex.

I just placed an order for an AutoCraft rocker, cargo door sections, and wheel arch sections.

Sun Aug 28, 2011 2:47 pm

THOM: Did you order directly from Auto Craft, or from Vintage Wagen?

Sun Aug 28, 2011 4:06 pm

Robertjm wrote: THOM: Did you order directly from Auto Craft, or from Vintage Wagen?

VintageWagen.

Sun Aug 28, 2011 5:11 pm

Vintage Wagen has Ex's with no bulges on the bottom and plenty on top?
:lol: