Rebuilding original, rebuildable parts

[California 72]

On a couple things I've rebuilt them, out of need since something was unavailable and a couple things, I purchased new but saved the part for possibly rebuilding it at some point.

Well? The project is reaching a standstill because I can't stand still. Actually, standing at the bench is the problem since I took a rather nasty header yesterday while trying to install the tractor shovel on our X720. I have a "drop-leg" from time to time and it's usually the right side although, very rarely, it's the left and yesterday I went left. It also led to my best fall in decades. It was either land full on the front blade or try and lunge forward hoping to clear most of the nasty bits sticking up and it actually worked. Unfortunately, I also have a spinal injury and a few other nervous system malfunctions so it was everything I could do to not kiss the driveway, literally. For the record, I don't care what shape anyone is in, when you're over 60 and fall, it really hurts. Anyhow, enough of that.

I have a few parts I'm currently working on and wondered if the market supports rebuilding something to like-new both operationally and cosmetically. I ask because some of the parts aren't as inexpensive as they once were. Now I have thought about rebuilding them as spare parts for the very and believe that is a good way to go. Unfortunately, while part of our current delay is injury related, it's also budget too. Selling some of these parts would really help to fund more work.

Any thoughts on this? I'm also rather certain there are those of you who have actually done this so it would be great to hear the thoughts.

 

[MikeGriese]

It depends on what you expect out of the parts and how far you are going to go for finishes. Some original plating can't be done anymore and a lot of parts have date codes associated with them - would you be reproducing those? If you are restoring them to sell, poke around the web and see if others are already providing similar services. Most of the major stuff is covered - engines, steering, harnesses, window motors, suspensions, gearboxes, gauges, rear ends, interiors - it's pretty comprehensive already. You would need to be able to do as good of work at competitive prices.

I restore some of my parts, farm out the rest of the work for others. What goes where depends on how soon I need the part, what skills it requires for restoration, how much time I have available and it it is an interesting project. All can change at any time for any reason, so that's probably not much help to you.

 

[Steve McMahan]

I think it’s great you’re restoring parts. Great advice so far. To add, just my opinion, I would add a list to this site of stuff you’re willing to restore. Maybe a parts listing with the price to restore it. Sure, there are others who might do the same, but we’re not getting any younger and having more folks provide a service couldn’t hurt. God luck to you.

 

[California 72]

Thanks guys. Appreciate the info. Much to consider however, there is one of the suggestive questions I could answer fairly easily and upfront; it's my post is really limited to the parts I've pulled off my vehicle.
While it does cover a couple other things, something I'll address in a sentence or three, trying to fund additional parts and their restoration is very cost prohibitive, especially when it's becoming difficult to fund my project alone.
This doesn't mean I would abandon the car and just start restoring things to make cash, that can only work if you're able to go deep into the things that weren't mentioned in a post earlier. For me personally, going that deep would be impossible.
While there is a scenario where it could be a decent venture, to come out ahead enough to keep my project going would help me hit the top of the "stoopidest things I've ever done list" mentioned somewhere else.
If I find it's easier to replace something that can be rebuilt, and by "easier" I mean more to it that simply the time and energy to clean and repaint, or maybe a couple of inexpensive seals and the clean and paint, it gets boxed and shelved.
That's what brought about this topic, the items on the shelf and only because I'm running out of room at the moment and some of the stuff will also degrade or oxidize if forced to move things to outside storage like a shed. The garage isn't perfect with climate control but having a large fan on a timer, cycling on and off throughout the 24hr. day, does wonders at reducing oxidation. Admittedly, there are a couple things I've purchased that were replaced by what I had hoped to find originally so, I followed the above mentioned clean and repaint.
I'd like to apologize if my question was misleading and signaled something like a restoration business. Please know that's some very sage advice and much appreciated since some of it can be applied to my current efforts.

 

[MikeGriese]

That's where a web search would be helpful. Even if you have one part, you need to know what the market is supporting before you can figure out any margins.

 

[Hemikiller]

I prefer to rebuild or restore original parts over buying replacements - where warranted. Some things just do not make economic sense to rebuild.

As far as a market for refurbished or rebuilt items? Yes, there is a market. There are people that sell simple items on eBay that seem to do well. Brackets, pullies, stuff like that. They blast and repaint them and seem to get good money for thing that others might find "stoopid".