[JuddS]

I'm from Chicago.

Rscab since you asked, I'll comply about being nice to vendors. None of us want this to turn into another situation where I have to give you a 24 hour notice before banning you. Also, I've started to respect all the vendors. They seem to work hard and offer a valuable service. And in retrospect, I've been too rude.


And this thread is not a snipe hunt. I've paid them and they said 4 to 6 weeks. Although I'd not reccomend anyone buy from alibaba without using the alibaba payment system as it does give you slightly more security.

I dont know if I'll break it to see quality. It just grinds me to waste stuff. But I don't understand why people care if it's got another material inside of it as long as it looks good.

Now if you will excuse me, I'm in nasheville and tomorrow taking the r8 on some truly excellent roads for a few days of hard driving. All you guys should seriously consider taking some time in the smokies mountains with your car. It's the best driving I know of. The 228a I think it's called is my favorite road in the usa.

 

[skar829]

But I don't understand why people care if it's got another material inside of it as long as it looks good.

If you just care about the look of carbon fiber, you can simply find someone to wrap your current trim or hydrodip and be done with it.

Now if you're paying for something that claims to be fully made of carbon fiber and then find out that it's not, well that's just false advertising and wouldn't you feel bad when you find out a product you paid for wasn't really what you expected?

 

[JuddS]

I don't really look at it that way. I dont expect it to be perfect real OEM carbon fiber and really don't care what's inside it as long as it looks OK. Now, if carbon dip is cheaper than my landed cost, then I'd just say I made a mistake and it wasn't worth it.

I dont expect these guys to be honest but if they give me a good product at a good price then I'm happy. But I see your point.

 

[JuddS]

And here is my screenshot of my payment to them for proof this is not a joke this time.

 

[Jeremy B]

If Judd has limited himself to 20 words or less, then certainly I should limit myself to 20 pictures or less!

So, I figured the recipient of Judd’s test carbon should weigh in… a little.
A picture is worth a thousand words.

Here is my experimental “wrap” carbon. This is the door elbow piece that I just fixed the back of.
What do you guys think of the color?

 

[Jeremy B]

I know that whether or not we are enamored with carbon fiber doesn’t matter, but the simplicity of its manufacturing is no mystery. I think we pay so much for it for the same reason that some would rather have a Gallardo over an R8: name and bling.

Example:

Above is a picture of some of my wife’s “artwork”. It is a trivet for our table for hot dishes. It is epoxy, molded in a Jello mold; with some nice effects. There are sea shells, really neat metal chips from a local machine shop, and a few other minerals. If you are really scientific, you can put it in the freezer under a container of water, and after some time, note the force-field being created in the ice. Oooooo. I know, you are impressed.

Is carbon fiber much different then?

Epoxy and carbon mat, reflecting the mold that it was laid into. The part that Judd has purchased is aesthetic only. The reason it is so pleasing to the eye is because of its many facets of warp and woof. I think the McLaren has some of its chassis made of carbon fiber. THAT, is where the tensile strength tests come in handy. So, Judd’s point of, “You can trust China to make carbon fiber,” may have limits, like NYG stated.

Great discussion!

 

[Jeremy B]

More artwork

When and if I finish my project R8 (or if I get in a lull, like at the moment; waiting on parts, tools, etc.) I plan on making a similar metal-chip filled shift knob as a nice finishing touch. I will have to lathe up something to create a negative (mold it), pour in the epoxy, and decorations, drill and tap it and voila, a custom shift knob. Not sure if there is a market for it, but if I mention it, then maybe alibaba will create it themselves and I won’t have to do the work.

What do you say?

As for Chinese people and culture, I don’t live there, so I don’t know. But most of us use (as has been pointed out) electronic devices of one sort or another that are from China, without quality issues. I even think there is an Audi factory there. Someone correct me if I am wrong. The problem most people have with China (suddenly the Big White Elephant in the room just got bigger) is that of conscience. Just how do they make things so cheap…? Hmm.

JB

 

[JuddS]

The Chinese, and many other nations, would argue that American foreign policy has caused more war and death than anything else. And that they are doing the best they can for the greatest good even if that involves some short term suffering. I mean, they have had a pretty spectacular 40 plus year run in terms of improvements in living conditions. It's remarkable actually.

As a proud American, this is something I struggle with. 34 of the 46 current world conflicts have arms made in the usa fueling the killing. The world is a rough place and I'm comfortable with the notion that some people need to be eliminated. I do wonder though how much of the supply of arms is based on a few men making an enormous profit or garnering more power.

We, meaning Americans, are certainly not blameless for contributing to global suffering through the natural process of protecting our self interests. I just wish there was some more clarity as to who is making off with all that cash from selling arms. How much of our military budget comes from arms sales? I highly doubt these questions are answerable but im sure there is some think tank someplace that's got at least an understanding of the basics. A lifetime ago I had several offers to go be a junior peon at a few policy think tanks. But I was greedy and wanted to pay off my student loans by working for the banks. Can't say I regret it either.

 

[NYG]

The Chinese, and many other nations, would argue that American foreign policy has caused more war and death than anything else. And that they are doing the best they can for the greatest good even if that involves some short term suffering. I mean, they have had a pretty spectacular 40 plus year run in terms of improvements in living conditions. It's remarkable actually.

As a proud American, this is something I struggle with. 34 of the 46 current world conflicts have arms made in the usa fueling the killing. The world is a rough place and I'm comfortable with the notion that some people need to be eliminated. I do wonder though how much of the supply of arms is based on a few men making an enormous profit or garnering more power.

We, meaning Americans, are certainly not blameless for contributing to global suffering through the natural process of protecting our self interests. I just wish there was some more clarity as to who is making off with all that cash from selling arms. How much of our military budget comes from arms sales? I highly doubt these questions are answerable but im sure there is some think tank someplace that's got at least an understanding of the basics. A lifetime ago I had several offers to go be a junior peon at a few policy think tanks. But I was greedy and wanted to pay off my student loans by working for the banks. Can't say I regret it either.

Did you miss all the ghost cities they've been building to manipulate economic indexes and what has been happening in China during the lockdowns? Much like the country I was born in, communists have mastered the art of painting a beautiful facade that conceals rust and rot.

Also when you say Americans, relative to the context of your post, you might as well say Democrats. The same Democrats who have their hand in China's pocket.

 

[Blu Bull]

Is carbon fiber much different then?

Yes, no offence to your wife but I don't want that on my dash. I don't believe in covering parts with carbon fiber but I
do like parts made of CF

 

[torqueit]

I’m actually pretty interested in how this CF adventure unfolds. Not so much the rest of this potential dumpster fire.

 

[Jeremy B]

Yes, no offence to your wife but I don't want that on my dash. I don't believe in covering parts with carbon fiber but I
do like parts made of CF

Agreed. It is the principle. Epoxy resin, and carbon. Maybe I will take a pic of it on the dash someday... Yes that would be quite hideous.

 

[Jeremy B]

I’m actually pretty interested in how this CF adventure unfolds. Not so much the rest of this potential dumpster fire.

Yes. Me too. Sorry for putting a quarter in the Judd machine. It is just so fun.

 

[JuddS]

All you guys enjoy the back and forth. Why would you read this crap otherwise? And I've just had the most amazing 4 days if driving. Tail of the dragon, route 80 to the blue ride, up to mount mitchell, 226a, shooting range, golf and a game at Duke today. I mean, come on, what could be better?

 

[JuddS]

And I had so much fun in the r8 I decided to garage it down here and fly to my next work assignement so thst I can do it all over again in a few weeks.

 

[cmonbmw]

also, this site would be better if the mods limited all my posts to 20 words.

 

[fastspek]

And what about the number of posts per day?😂

 

[torqueit]

All you guys enjoy the back and forth. Why would you read this crap otherwise? And I've just had the most amazing 4 days if driving. Tail of the dragon, route 80 to the blue ride, up to mount mitchell, 226a, shooting range, golf and a game at Duke today. I mean, come on, what could be better?

True that. Like a good friend said about our dogs - the entertainment factor is worth the price of feed!

 

[bavarianstance]

that's a good price for that piece of CF trim. on ebay it's going for 3-4X the price, likely same made in China

2014 2015 Audi R8 Engine Top Cover Panel Plate Fairing Cowling 100% Carbon Fiber | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 2014 2015 Audi R8 Engine Top Cover Panel Plate Fairing Cowling 100% Carbon Fiber at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[Nagengast]

Has anyone checked in on Judd? No posts in a week. Very sus!