The Ford Barn

H. L. Chauvin · 06-21-2013, 06:44 PM

Had to mention my original restored pop out switch arrived yesterday from Mr. Dick Crabtree in S.D.; 1- (605) 487-7229.

It was really an embarrassing mess when I sent it: Back cover beat up with a large hole in it; armored cable rusty & welded with intermittent shorts in wire where welded; key fitted loosely & key turned sloppily with no resistance; corroded side screws; connection at distributor looked like it was eaten up with pliers; etc., etc.

Came back looking great with "heat proof" insulated wire in new armored cable & all trimmings.

What a blessing to have such sincere, dedicated Model A people around that can help to keep our cars running.

Thanks to people on this Forum who took time to mentioned his good work & thanks to Mr. Dick Crabtree for his dedicated work.

700rpm · 06-21-2013, 06:52 PM

I second that. He's a great resource and very fairly priced.

peters180a/170b · 06-21-2013, 08:05 PM

Yes he is !

Joe K · 06-21-2013, 08:22 PM

I concur!

Switch rebuilding is one of those things that is probably best left to those who can do it right. And Mr. C is among those.

So many little details, the plating, the function, the life, the reliability.

While I enjoy many aspects of rebuilding my own Model A parts, the ignition switch is one that would require considerable investment in "process" to make it done right. And this is where Mr. C has it covered - hands down.

Thanks again!

Joe K

eystein · 06-22-2013, 07:29 PM

Got my popout and Cabriolet rumble handle from Dick. Good parts and a pleasure to deal with ! Definately recommended !

jim k · 06-22-2013, 09:21 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Got my switch from Dick excellent product and he makes sure it is correct for your car

Pinstripe · 06-22-2013, 11:26 PM

Just got back 2 that he restored for me. Very nice work and good pricing. Tom

dr.j · 06-23-2013, 04:37 AM

He is the best, a true gentleman.

HoarseWhisperer · 06-24-2013, 05:48 PM

It is always a pleasure to deal with Mr Crabtree.

A true gentleman and "good old fashioned" customer service.

Retiredeh · 09-29-2023, 09:21 PM

Dick just helped me out with a restored switch. He is amazing and the quality of his work glows. A real gentleman!!

nabboy · 10-01-2023, 11:07 AM

When I ask Mr. Crabtree how much money to send with the switch, he replied that was not how he worked. I would send him the switch. He would repair and send back. If I was please with the repair I could then send him the money.

I said that sounds like a verbal "hand shake". He said that's exactly what it is.

As others have commented, I was more than pleased with the repair and my interactions with Mr. Crabtree. A good man.

P.S. · 10-02-2023, 11:00 AM

Dick Crabtree has restored all the pop-outs I have ever used. I am sending 3 to him right now. Flawless work every time. An absolute treasure to our hobby.

Gene F · 10-02-2023, 12:21 PM

May I ask, what is a nice original pop-our assembly worth with a Ford key these days? The cable in mine is shorted. I suspect the wrong wire type was used, and I am pondering having it fixed.

gdmn852 · 10-02-2023, 04:10 PM

I paid $ 199.95 for a rebuild without an exchange from Mr.Crabtree EBay listing.

ldreeg · 10-02-2023, 04:21 PM

Can't say much that hasn't already been said about Dick Crabtree. He is a pleasure to deal with and a true benefit to our hobby.

06-21-2013, 06:44 PM	#1
H. L. Chauvin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,179	PoP Out Switch Restoration -- Mr. Crabtree Had to mention my original restored pop out switch arrived yesterday from Mr. Dick Crabtree in S.D.; 1- (605) 487-7229. It was really an embarrassing mess when I sent it: Back cover beat up with a large hole in it; armored cable rusty & welded with intermittent shorts in wire where welded; key fitted loosely & key turned sloppily with no resistance; corroded side screws; connection at distributor looked like it was eaten up with pliers; etc., etc. Came back looking great with "heat proof" insulated wire in new armored cable & all trimmings. What a blessing to have such sincere, dedicated Model A people around that can help to keep our cars running. Thanks to people on this Forum who took time to mentioned his good work & thanks to Mr. Dick Crabtree for his dedicated work.

06-21-2013, 06:52 PM	#2
700rpm Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 5,906	Re: PoP Out Switch Restoration -- Mr. Crabtree I second that. He's a great resource and very fairly priced. __________________ Ray Horton, Portland, OR As you go through life, keep your eye on the donut, not the hole.

06-21-2013, 08:05 PM	#3
peters180a/170b Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Putnam Valley N.Y. Posts: 2,151	Re: PoP Out Switch Restoration -- Mr. Crabtree Yes he is !

06-21-2013, 08:22 PM	#4
Joe K Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cow Hampshire Posts: 4,188	Re: PoP Out Switch Restoration -- Mr. Crabtree I concur! Switch rebuilding is one of those things that is probably best left to those who can do it right. And Mr. C is among those. So many little details, the plating, the function, the life, the reliability. While I enjoy many aspects of rebuilding my own Model A parts, the ignition switch is one that would require considerable investment in "process" to make it done right. And this is where Mr. C has it covered - hands down. Thanks again! Joe K __________________ Shudda kept the horse.

06-22-2013, 07:29 PM	#5
eystein Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 521	Re: PoP Out Switch Restoration -- Mr. Crabtree Got my popout and Cabriolet rumble handle from Dick. Good parts and a pleasure to deal with ! Definately recommended !

06-22-2013, 09:21 PM	#6
jim k Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: glenville pa Posts: 184	Re: PoP Out Switch Restoration -- Mr. Crabtree Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Got my switch from Dick excellent product and he makes sure it is correct for your car

06-22-2013, 11:26 PM	#7
Pinstripe Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: SW Wisconsin Posts: 192	Re: PoP Out Switch Restoration -- Mr. Crabtree Just got back 2 that he restored for me. Very nice work and good pricing. Tom

06-23-2013, 04:37 AM	#8
dr.j Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland, ON, Canada Posts: 315	Re: PoP Out Switch Restoration -- Mr. Crabtree He is the best, a true gentleman. __________________ Dave A Jamieson Portland, ON Canada 1928 Tudor

06-24-2013, 05:48 PM	#9
HoarseWhisperer Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,470	Re: PoP Out Switch Restoration -- Mr. Crabtree It is always a pleasure to deal with Mr Crabtree. A true gentleman and "good old fashioned" customer service. __________________ I know a lot of things; I just can't remember them all. 1928 CCPU 82-A 1931 Roadster 40-B Dlx (Canadian)

09-29-2023, 09:21 PM	#10
Retiredeh Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2023 Posts: 2	Re: PoP Out Switch Restoration -- Mr. Crabtree Dick just helped me out with a restored switch. He is amazing and the quality of his work glows. A real gentleman!!

10-01-2023, 11:07 AM	#11
nabboy Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Lexington, IN Posts: 3	Re: PoP Out Switch Restoration -- Mr. Crabtree When I ask Mr. Crabtree how much money to send with the switch, he replied that was not how he worked. I would send him the switch. He would repair and send back. If I was please with the repair I could then send him the money. I said that sounds like a verbal "hand shake". He said that's exactly what it is. As others have commented, I was more than pleased with the repair and my interactions with Mr. Crabtree. A good man.

10-02-2023, 11:00 AM	#12
P.S. Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: California Posts: 1,698	Re: PoP Out Switch Restoration -- Mr. Crabtree Dick Crabtree has restored all the pop-outs I have ever used. I am sending 3 to him right now. Flawless work every time. An absolute treasure to our hobby.

10-02-2023, 12:21 PM	#13
Gene F Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,975	Re: PoP Out Switch Restoration -- Mr. Crabtree May I ask, what is a nice original pop-our assembly worth with a Ford key these days? The cable in mine is shorted. I suspect the wrong wire type was used, and I am pondering having it fixed.

10-02-2023, 04:10 PM	#14
gdmn852 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Erie Pa Posts: 689	Re: PoP Out Switch Restoration -- Mr. Crabtree I paid $ 199.95 for a rebuild without an exchange from Mr.Crabtree EBay listing.

10-02-2023, 04:21 PM	#15
ldreeg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: McKinney, TX Posts: 522	Re: PoP Out Switch Restoration -- Mr. Crabtree Can't say much that hasn't already been said about Dick Crabtree. He is a pleasure to deal with and a true benefit to our hobby.