Brent: any chance?

BillLee/Chandler TX

BillLee/Chandler TX

Senior Member
Hi, Brent;

Several years ago as I was just getting into the Model A thing, I was fortunate to attend one of your seminars.

Is there any chance you might do one again in the future?

Regards,

Bill Lee
 
I dunno Bill. Not sure if there is even enough interest to do another meet like that now.

I think we did 3 of them total and we held them under the old auspices of Pete & Shelly's Fordbarn Workshop. The biggest reason we haven't done another one is I was out of room here to host them. I know that Will Cronkrite, my son and I traveled up to Rochester, Minnesota one year for one that was held in the community college there that was sponsored by one or more Model-A clubs. We had lots of room but much less specialty equipment to work with. Again, maybe this is something that we all should look into and see how much interest there is?

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Brent, perhaps we could put one together at the Model A Museum. We have access to the shop area with all the tools etc. We could do it in September during the Model A Extravaganza if you would be interested in discussing it.
 
John LaVoy said:
Brent, perhaps we could put one together at the Model A Museum. We have access to the shop area with all the tools etc. We could do it in September during the Model A Extravaganza if you would be interested in discussing it.
Click to expand...

That would be a winner all the way around!
 
That sure is a thought. Last time we held one here, we used a 3200 sq. ft building along with a 1200 sq. ft building and had several people working outside because we were cramped inside. I think that last one we had about 110 registered. The two things we learned is you need lots of air and plenty of electricity. We had two TIG welders and one MIG going pretty much simultaneously. Outside the shop we had a 40x60 commercial tent that was used to get away from the noise and to take a snack break. Depending on how many attendees were coming, I suppose we could rent a 40x80 or 50x100 commercial tent to work under.

If I were offering suggestions, I would also like to see a Model-A only swap meet held in conjunction AND I would like to see some other seminars for the ladies such as an era-fashion or newsletter seminar where they have something to get involved in. Thanks for the input thus far.
 
Good afternoon folks,

Brent will not point this out, but these events like he held at this place in Elizabethton are VERY expensive. He had to take off more than six days of income producing work to prepare, host and clean up for one of these events. Both he and his workers are not producing income during that eight day time (for a two day event). A huge amount of electricity and consumables are used as well.

I would volunteer to assist for the entire event and present a sheet metal seminar(s), assorted restoration tools and tooling, and anything else that Brent needed, but it would be terribly inconsiderate to expect anyone to host an event like this for free.

Just as an example, if the current restoration shop rate was $60 per hour (generally more) x (8) hours x (5) employees x (6) days = $14,400 in lost income, not including tent rental, food, consumables and assorted expense. He either has to send his employees home or absorb in the neighborhood of $4,000 in wages as well.

I have assisted in three of these type of 'seminars' and attended almost 15-20 of them, so I am not far off in my figures. (probably low!). None of the 'training' seminars have charged less than $250 per day for small groups. Charging a 'fee' for attendance alters the insurance concerns as well.

I 'bug' Brent 2-3 time a year to do one again because his was so enjoyable for me to attend, but it is easy to see that it is not an easy decision for him to commit to. Bill you and I met at Brent's for the first time, so I know that you liked it as well. It was a 'ball'.

Moving all that heavy equipment without a fork lift and/or a hoist is a back breaking endeavor and still consumes the same amount of shop time/income/ and required a large truck also equipped with a hoist, etc.
 
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I'd PAY for something like I went to at Brent's! In fact, I was amazed that he didn't charge for the one I attended.

Yes, Will, we met there at Brent's last one, and as you recall, I hovered around you a great deal. I took a lot of pictures and made a presentation to my club that I titled "Sow's Ear to Silk Purse". :D I learned a LOT at that meeting and only realize now that I had just started.

Bill
 
I could not agree more with you Bill, it was a great learning experience, and I had a ball. Few of the meets that I have paid to attend provided the info that I saw on display at that event.
 
The Model A museum would be a great place for seminars and a swap meet. This may be a little biased because I live an hour away, but I would also travel to 10-uh-C and pay money for admission, too. If I ever stop learning stuff, it's because I'm dead.
 
I was at the first and second seminar in TN. My favorite story was from the first seminar when one of Brent's employees asked me if I was really going to restore the fenders I brought with me. When I told him yes, his comment [with a smile] was "Wow! We have better fenders in the scrap pile". With Will C. working by my side, we did, in fact, bring those fenders back to life and I went home with a smile and a lot more Model A knowledge.

I was in China for the third seminar but will be returning to the U.S. next March. I would definitely attend again and would be the first in line to pay for that privilege.
 
September 19 - 21, 2014 -- Hickory Corners MI

Model A Extravaganza at the Model A Museum

We have the host hotel as the Four Points by Sheraton, 3600 E Cork St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001. There is a special Model A rate so you need to mention Model A to get the rate of $89 a night.
 
MARC is also having a National Tour from September 22-24, 2014 in Raleigh. NC.

Maybe those too far South from Michigan might consider attending.
 
I attended Brent's first seminar and with the help of every one got a lot of fender work repaired on my sedan. I said to myself I would never miss any more if he had them again but never did make it back there.

Thanks for puting on those seminars !!
 
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