| but so far the only thing I've used my off time for is... uhh... well, I took the pics at home. :-) I have the luxury of being able to do this at work which I realize is rare, but that's just me I guess. If I had a tig welder or access to one I'd do that too. At work. But as an aircraft tech I have access to anything I need and no one frowns on the homeprojects at work as long as you keep it simple and quick. ..and clean up when you're done. I have yet to see a set of decent smic's go for a decent price. I've looked at several sets for even $100 less than new and they always have some sort of flaw, be it bent cores, fins, or necks when advertised as "just like new".
I'm sure there's the occasional deal if you wait long enough but I thought it would be fun and satisfying to make my own set. Plus regardless of which set you get a custom duct would be required and the only one available is the stillen for $200+ a set! I can whip out a set of ducts made from several different grades of aircraft aluminum in 20 minutes once I get a cardboard template made of the 4 sides and a couple angles. So do you see where I'm going? To put it another way,
One set of smic from ebay... $100
Ducts ............................. $free
Welding fee? High end......... $100
Two connectors and clamps. $50
Total.................................$250 max!
I'm not even going to figure in my wage while I'm doing this at work because.. that's not fair ;-) Buy a set from Stillen..used..lets say $700
Plus one set of ducts new................$200
Total............................................$900 wishful thinking Difference $650
That's a bunch of other stuff for the car, ..or about this time of year thats a couple weeks in Puerto Rico surfing, pays for the rental car, food, tips etc. No lodging, I stay at a friends. So you see my motivation factor? .....and sorry about the lame reply, that's not normally me.
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