Warbird Restoration 2

For those of you in the restoration world that use volunteers for a good portion of your work. I wonder if you allow volunteers to work on parts and pieces at home. Many of us have well tooled home shops that would seem logical to restore or create parts. Not to mention the fact that many volunteers simply cannot travel to the actual site of the restoration. I'm sure there are many items that can simply be made from home and many items that require repetition. I would think this would be a valuable asset to the overall restoration. Perhaps assign a project to a member to manufacture at home and leave that particular task to that individual. Does this happen?

And if this is the case, why not start a Forum here on WIX listing simple items that could easily be restored, created, manufactured at home for those interested in volunteering their services. I would assume there are many here who would be very happy to be a part of a restoration and would greatly volunteer their time and financial support to a neat project at home. Knowing where it will go when completed would probably be very attractive to most. And what would you have to lose? I see nothing to lose at all, if the part is not correct, no loss to the restorer. Just maybe some time...... Just a thought ....

Last edited by Hellcat on Fri Jan 11, 2008 8:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Nathan]

I think its a good idea. I thought about this before. But what if the person doesnt send the part back? Unless the museum/shop knows you I dought they will ship ya some rare parts to work on.

I think a level of trust would have to be created before the restorer would feel comfortable sending items to be restored that would be of great loss if not returned for some reason. Also maybe the restorer could ask for a "good faith" retainer from the individual volunteering, I know that suggestion sounds a little self absorbed on the restorers side, but the restorer has much more to lose if the item was not returned. I think most would understand this approach and be more than willing to comply. I wouldn't have a problem with a retainer at all and I think most would be very honored to know that they had a small, or even large part, in helping to bring a warbird back to life. The restorer could possibly start the volunteer out on small items and work a relationship with the volunteer over time and begin to understand the volunteers skill levels as well.

[bdk]

I've lost about 50% of the tools I've ever loaned out this way. I think this is a really bad idea! Wives throw things out, people get sick, change jobs, never get the "free" job done, etc. I typically only borrow stuff that I can return the same day. Unless it was a respected shop, I don't think I would let anyone take any of my stuff off of the airport. Too many bad experiences! Now who was it that borrowed my aileron trim tab?

[Hal B]

I think this is a really bad idea! Wives throw things out, people get sick, change jobs, never get the "free" job done, etc.

bdk sums it up pretty well. This was tried on a few parts of a resto. I worked on years ago, with the above results. After a lot of pleading and cajoling by the restoration co-ordinator everything eventually came back; with some work actually done on a few things. Wasn't worth the hassle involved, IMHO...

[262crew]

In theory its a great idea, however you have to take human nature into account. "OH YA I'LL FIX THIS UP GOOD AS NEW!" Honey is the game on oh I'll get to that part after the game. Next thing you know its two years and no progress later and one p%ssed off project leader. As the value of warbirds goes up the less likely an organization or individual will be willing to commit to such a risk even if the labor price is right. Unfortunately this is not the era of a hand shake and verbal agreement, you must guard anything and everything of value! In our shop nothing leaves not to say that we have shady individuals working with us but its a way to insure that nothing goes missing and ends up in a garage collecting dust.

[jamesintucson]

We tried it years ago with pretty much the same results as others have reported. The part either never came back or if it did was worthless because there was no one to check the work as it progressed. One of those ideas that sounds good in theory but rarely works in practice.

James

[The Inspector]

Back when the Museum of Flight was restoring the Boeing 247, someone who knew the guy, who lived just up the street from them volunteered to restore/remake the wicker seats for the cabin. (the restoration project itself is a whole 'nuther example of the Marx Brothers meet the 3 Stooges).
Eventually (like about 10 years later, the guy shows up with the seats, takes them out of the back of his truck, and drives off never uttering a single word to anyone there.

Well, the thought sounded nice, but I guess I'm still learning the harsh reality about the warbird restoration business. Personally, I myself or others that I know wouldn't dare screw with anyone who is restoring anything. If someone asked me to help restore a piece of anything for anyone from home, I would be honored and I would be extremely careful and precise. but I guess that's just me, I didn't realise that there were flakey people out there that would just drop a commitment like what some of you are explaining ... too bad, again sounded like an honorable idea.

Well, I guess carry on with the business as usual. ....

[Hal B]

Back when the Museum of Flight was restoring the Boeing 247, (the restoration project itself is a whole 'nuther example of the Marx Brothers meet the 3 Stooges).

I bet old George J. is rolling over in his grave about now

[gary1954]

As an outsider to restoration, I believe that while this thought of letting people do a project at home, depends a lot on the person wanting to do it.
If this is a person with an established background in the community of a dedicated volunteer asset, who, like previously said, has his own tools/shop, I imagine that a case by case basis isn't really out of the question, but for that to happen, that person would have to have had established a trusted name and reputation. But, this is merely my opinion.

The above post is exactly what I was assuming (or hoping) I just can't imagine that there are flakey people out there that would not honor their commitment to a restoration. I just would hate to think such things. My own approach would be to understand and get to know the volunteer and what his or her strengths are and then move on from there. I would have no problems with a volunteer taking work home as long as a measure of trust were developed. I have used this approach in my own business and I have really had no problems. I guess the warbird world is quite different, shame....

[gary1954]

Warning HellCat, There are a Lot and I do mean a Lot...Of Flakey People out there........you have now been warned

You don't say .... ... I live in SoCal, I know all too well about flakey people, but I still give people the benefit of the doubt. I have too, or the terrorists win .....

Last edited by Hellcat on Sun Jan 13, 2008 12:59 am, edited 1 time in total.

[gary1954]

Those are only the ones in California man...there are more that you can imagine on this side of the Rockies..giving too many the Benefit of the doubt is dangerous...never ever never Assume.