Update on 1931 Rootlieb Running Boards

[Ken Ehrenhofer]

Hi Everyone,
I recently talked to Tom at Rootlieb about making some more 1931 running boards. I need to give you an update. He is going to talk to the company that does the rubber molding for this project. This is the hard part of doing them. He will see if this guy will do some more. The difficulty is trying to get the rubber into the mold and not have any air bubbles or pockets in the finished product.
Because of this, the reject rate is very high and this is very costly as the entire board has to be discarded if it is defective.
The good news is he said he will try to make some more and he will let us know in early February.
The bad news is he said it will cost more than $410.00 for each set of boards.
He will let us know the cost (if they will do them) in early February.
I told him I have a list with 130 names on it and at the old price of $410.00 each that is an order for $53,300. I hope this number will help convince them to do some more boards for us.
I want to thank everyone for stepping up and putting their name on the list and thanks to the Ford Barn as the meeting place to make this type of group effort possible. A few years ago I do not know how we could have accomplished this. Imagine putting this list together via snail mail?
I will keep you updated,
Ken

[Kevin in NJ]

I would bet there are people that would be interested in flawed running boards.

Especially if the flaw could be covered with a step plate.

That might help offset the costs too.

[Ken Ehrenhofer]

Hi Kevin,
Yes I think "seconds" will have to be discussed depending on how bad and the location.
perhaps a little rubber repair could fix some of them. I guess I will ask the question next time I talk to him,
Ken

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Ken, I would still take 3 - 4 sets at a price up to $500 a set.

.

[mot]

ken
if the problem still exists with the vucanizing of the rubber
maybe they can just make the metal part,and let the restorer glue the rubber down
seems like a better alternative of no boards at all

[31Tudor]

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I don't believe the problem is in the "gluing down" of the rubber mat but the actual fabrication of the rubber mat. That is why the 31 boards are unique is because they have a "smooth edge" around them that is made part of the mat. I for one would like the boards made properly and own a nice complete set. Like Brent, I would pay upwards of $400 if need be.

[Malcolm Robertson]

Ken - Thanks for the updated information.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by mot

ken
if the problem still exists with the vucanizing of the rubber
maybe they can just make the metal part,and let the restorer glue the rubber down seems like a better alternative of no boards at all

The problem is not that there are not any '31 boards available because, there are,...it's that the available boards right now are thinner metal and not as accurately made than what the Rootlieb boards are. Sadly, people have chosen to buy the inferior quality board because of price which has made it difficult for the premium board to stay available.

Oh, and you ain't lived until you have glued down the rubber mat onto the boards and keep all the little "pyramids" in a row and not get any lumps or bubbles under the mat!!

.

[Rich in Tucson]

Ken, you and the Rootlieb fellas might check into these folks for advice or subcontracting or whatever - www.runningboardrubber.com/

As I recall, they mill rather than mold so no bubbles but maybe more cost$$$.

[Mitch]

Rich, I'll bet you did not look at their prices.

[1931 flamingo]

Pricey!!
Paul in CT