But hey!  you've learned a new skill.  And probably a whole new language
(&%)#(*). <g>

Karl Wolz

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeff Stewart" <Fonman4277@AOL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2000 11:48 AM
Subject: Re: rust pictures

> Chris,
>     FWIW, I took a class in welding, and bought a mig welder in order to
> restore my '76 Westfalia. I already "restored" it once, 3 yrs ago, using
> fiberglass filler in the rocker and dogleg areas. Right now it's in my
garage
> with both cab steps and doglegs cut out, the passengers side is already
> welded in and I'm working on the drivers side. *Most* folks would not have
> gone to the extreme that I have, with both the time and financial
investment
> I've made. The areas I fixed 3 yrs ago started to rust through again,as I
> knew they would, so then I was faced with the choice of selling it or
doing
> it all over again the right way, which I chose to do. Right before I
bought
> mine I had a chance to buy a pristine '79 Westy from Arizona, it was 100%
> complete and in excellent condition, but the guy wanted $4,500.00 for it,
> which I thought was kind of steep at the time. I ended up buying mine for
a
> lot less, but now 3 yrs later when I think of the time and money ( I'm
afraid
> to sit down and add up all the receipts I have from RMMW, Bus Depot, and
> Wolfsburg West) I've spent, I am probably far past the $4,500.00 for that
> '79. And If I factored in my labor, even at only $10.00/hr., I know I'm
WAY
> past  $4,500.00.  So, again, my intent was not to insult, but to encourage
> folks to look at the WHOLE picture before jumping into a project like
this.
> Enthusiasm can quickly turn into resentment and disgust.     Take care &
good
> luck,   Jeff S
>