TheSamba.com :: View topic

Wed Feb 05, 2020 9:12 am

Hello, My name is Chris, I am on year 13 of ownership of my 1985 Wolfsburg Westy Weekender. I use it as a development rig for my company as I am the founder of uniwerksdesign.com.

I design and manufacture NLA and some innovative custom parts for Vanagons, Bay Window busses, etc... I spent 15 years as the Lead Designer for a Medical Device manufacturer where I was named on 5 US Patents for plastic part design. After a restructuring, I found myself on layoff, so I started making VW parts.

I've been doing it for over two years now and am looking to expand into other VW and Porsche vehicles. I also sponsor several Vanagon related shows/campouts every year. Vans on the Mountain, Syncrofest and Vanagons in the Valley, for this year (2020).

With Everett's blessing, I Just wanted to introduce myself as I spend a lot of time on the Vanagon groups on facebook and would like to get back to spending more time here. I'd love to answer any questions you have or to help you in developing parts for your vehicle. I will be using this thread to make new product announcements, to announce sales, and so forth. Please feel free to respond to this thread with reviews of my products and customer service. :-)

Cheers
Chris

Wed Feb 05, 2020 9:44 am

Having just made several purchases from Chris, I can attest he is top notch and his innovative products are very neat indeed! Does custom work and many requests for parts too.

Everyone needs a set of Cool-Stiks in their van for summertime at least! :D

Wed Feb 05, 2020 9:58 am

Chris just made a new version of a long NLA part for my '81 shifter box. It was a part that was made of plastic and it had disintegrated, so Chris had to reverse engineer it!

He's a genuine engineer, and a great communicator. He's already got lots of useful odds and ends for sale, but the fact that he can custom make a part is beyond cool! 3D printing is such a huge boon for keeping old Vanagons on the road.

Thanks for your help, Chris!

Wed Feb 05, 2020 10:10 am

I've bought several things from Chris and all was a perfect fit! Good job Chris!!

Andy

Wed Feb 05, 2020 10:10 am

Scottn59c wrote: Chris just made a new version of a long NLA part for my '81 shifter box. It was a part that was made of plastic and it had disintegrated, so Chris had to reverse engineer it!

He's a genuine engineer, and a great communicator. He's already got lots of useful odds and ends for sale, but the fact that he can custom make a part is beyond cool! 3D printing is such a huge boon for keeping old Vanagons on the road.

Thanks for your help, Chris!

How about the plastic "washers" between the tension nut and the spring in the swivel mount for the power window? I could use a couple of those puppies! :D

Wed Feb 05, 2020 10:19 am

khughes wrote: How about the plastic "washers" between the tension nut and the spring in the swivel mount for the power window? I could use a couple of those puppies! :D

email me: [email protected] to discuss. Would you have a part so I can reverse engineer it?

Cheers
Chris

Wed Feb 05, 2020 10:19 am

Wed Feb 05, 2020 10:57 am

Like!

:lol: Chris knows :wink:

Wed Feb 05, 2020 11:38 am

Nice to see all you have to offer. I'll be getting that Porsche gauge holder for my Boxster. I need to add a boost gauge and this will give it a nice factory look.

Wed Feb 05, 2020 11:48 am

xoo00oox wrote: Nice to see all you have to offer. I'll be getting that Porsche gauge holder for my Boxster. I need to add a boost gauge and this will give it a nice factory look.

I have a 98 Boxster too. ;-) I absolutely love driving it. Oh, and just looking at its curves....

Wed Feb 05, 2020 12:14 pm

Here's an idea. See the thread about dash mounted tweeters?
I see there are pods for tweeters on ebay...
Something that would mount on a Van dash, you know, custom like...

Wed Feb 05, 2020 12:30 pm

unibagel wrote: xoo00oox wrote: Nice to see all you have to offer. I'll be getting that Porsche gauge holder for my Boxster. I need to add a boost gauge and this will give it a nice factory look.

I have a 98 Boxster too. ;-) I absolutely love driving it. Oh, and just looking at its curves....

Absolutely love driving mine! Such a nice combination of good looks, good handling and good sounds. Glad to be rid of the stock 2.5, the 1.8t is a much better choice in my opinion.

Wed Feb 05, 2020 12:53 pm

I just placed and order with the automatic shifter center piece among some other items, and really looking forward to it's arrival!

Wed Feb 05, 2020 6:01 pm

hey - people with aircooled 911 are looking for rear deck speaker surrounds - 3D print some and stick grills in them

anything brown on the Vanagon is fair game - that stuff cracks and falls apart all the time...

Wed Feb 05, 2020 6:04 pm

corner mount pods for tweeters:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...p;start=20

Wed Feb 05, 2020 10:06 pm

You’ve got a ton of great stuff and I’m particularly amazed that you have this. It’s just what I need.

Thanks for helping us out.

Thu Feb 06, 2020 5:20 am

Merian wrote: corner mount pods for tweeters:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...p;start=20

I could make some pods for tweeters, message me and we can work on it. I'll need the dim's of the tweeters and such. [email protected]

Thu Feb 06, 2020 5:21 am

jimf909 wrote: You’ve got a ton of great stuff and I’m particularly amazed that you have this. It’s just what I need.

Thanks for helping us out.

A customer asked me to make one of those a while back, I thought it better to source a robust one. I bring those in from Germany. ;-)

Thu Feb 06, 2020 11:46 am

I've bought some items from Chris, good stuff.

Thu Feb 06, 2020 5:45 pm

I've bought some items from Chris also.

Below is his 3d printed blank vent color - modified for rocker switches to control exterior lights, and other goodies.

There are a number of 3d printed idea that I'd like to see. One being a solution for USB outlets for the people on the top westy bunk. I know you have vent solution, but I'd like a spice rack solution. I know this is harder because there are two different spice racks.