The BAD AST Project - Faze II

[FoxGranadaChuck]

What is the status of BAD AST as of now?! Merely curious.

[astroracer]

On the back burner, Bud, WAAYY back... If you have seen any of my other threads here you know I was laid off in early December. I have been spending my time looking for a new job and developing some "other" prospects.
I have spent a lot of time in front of my computer developing 3D pieces/parts and doing some chassis design work for a customer in NJ. It would be nice to get a couple of these projects to the point where I can make a living off them. That is the goal. Even when I get another job I will be working toward being my own boss after a fashion. It may take a year or two but I am going to push to make it happen.
Thanks for asking about Bad Ast. When I get back to it I am thinking I may just finish up the rear tubs and suspension, drop the front and slide a small block into it. That would make it drivable and fun and won't take a lot of money. Being laid off sucks big time!
Mark

[novanutcase]

I was wondering that myself. Obviously you are a talented suspension designer, I mean, hell, you actually got me to listen when you were helping me with some suspension questions!

[trackrat79]

Sorry to hear about your loss. From what I have seen of your designs abilities you should have no problem getting started working for yourself. I feel your pain about being in this hobby without the propper financing. I have not worked a day in my life because of health issues, so you can amagin how long it is going to take me to finish my projects.

[FoxGranadaChuck]

On the back burner, Bud, WAAYY back... If you have seen any of my other threads here you know I was laid off in early December. I have been spending my time looking for a new job and developing some "other" prospects.
I have spent a lot of time in front of my computer developing 3D pieces/parts and doing some chassis design work for a customer in NJ. It would be nice to get a couple of these projects to the point where I can make a living off them. That is the goal. Even when I get another job I will be working toward being my own boss after a fashion. It may take a year or two but I am going to push to make it happen.
Thanks for asking about Bad Ast. When I get back to it I am thinking I may just finish up the rear tubs and suspension, drop the front and slide a small block into it. That would make it drivable and fun and won't take a lot of money. Being laid off sucks big time!
Mark

Mark, I just wanted to let you know that I feel your pain to a great extent. I still have my present job, but I lost my Dad to pneumonia and Alzheimer's this past September. Consequently, I have had to put my '82 Cougar on ice temporarily. After I move out from my Mom's, I plan on working on Tha Coug' again.

It's a bummer when you have to put your plans on hold, but this does happen.

[astroracer]

I would gladly lose my job then go through that, any day... I send my sympathies to you and your family.
My dad is getting up there and he has a few health issues but he is still pretty active so we are thankful for that.
Life happens, we do what we have to do and we continue on. The job situation is looking up. I have done well on the drawing tests I have been taking (duh) and I expect to get some real offers here in the next week or so. Everyone is gragging their feet though so it is taking a while.
It has been WAY to cold here to work in the shop anyway. Even with the heat the cold just soaks through the concrete floor and I can only work out there for a half hour or so before it starts to bother my feet and knees.
Mark

[FoxGranadaChuck]

Mark:

How are your job prospects turning out?! Are you working on Bad Ast again?! Merely curious.

[astroracer]

Hey FGC...
I thought I had responded to your post before but I guess it didn't take.
The job situation is going well! I am actually at work this morning. 64 hour work weeks are common around here. I will jump on the bandwagon and ride it till they kick me off!
Obviously this won't leave much time to work in the shop but I have to get caught back up after the layoff fiasco and the over time will help immensly.
I got picked up by AM General if you haven't seen my other posts. I am working on Humvees now. I am on the military side but I do a lot of the commercial stuff also which is where the O.T. is at...
It is a good place to work. Everybody is great and I am fitting right in. Most of these guys are car nuts also so we have a lot in common. My engineer is a Corvette guru so we have lots to talk about besides work.
Mark

[FoxGranadaChuck]

Hey FGC...
I thought I had responded to your post before but I guess it didn't take.
The job situation is going well! I am actually at work this morning. 64 hour work weeks are common around here. I will jump on the bandwagon and ride it till they kick me off!
Obviously this won't leave much time to work in the shop but I have to get caught back up after the layoff fiasco and the over time will help immensly.
I got picked up by AM General if you haven't seen my other posts. I am working on Humvees now. I am on the military side but I do a lot of the commercial stuff also which is where the O.T. is at...
It is a good place to work. Everybody is great and I am fitting right in. Most of these guys are car nuts also so we have a lot in common. My engineer is a Corvette guru so we have lots to talk about besides work.
Mark

Cool!!!

It's nice that you are going to be able to hang out with fellow car nuts, like ourselves!!!

[FoxGranadaChuck]

Bump.

[FoxGranadaChuck]

Bump again.

[SatisTraction]

any updates?

[astroracer]

No updates on Bad Ast... It's sitting in the shop on car dollies patiently waiting.
Since I last posted in this thread I have:
Started a new job.
Lost my brother-in-law to a car accident on Easter weekend. This one is tough. My family is still in shreds over this and my sister will never be over it. We deal with it every day.
Bought a '49 Ford F-1 pickup project.
Stripped a donor truck for the '49. (Need a 351 Cleveland 2V?)
Built a chassis rotissirie for the truck project.
Hired direct to AM General. I am no longer a contract puke.
Lost my brother-in-laws Dad to throat cancer.
My cousin committed suicide last weekend along with his wife and youngest son...
With all of this "stuff" going on and working up to 64 hours a week; the last six months have been hell. There just hasn't been a lot of time to put toward projects.
I am starting a basic Tig welding class tonight. It's just a couple of nights for 3 hours or so but it should get me pointed in the right direction. I have been using my PT185 for a year or so now and can pull a "decent" weld but, I want to get better, and this class will force me to take the time to learn.
Thanks for asking. I have decided to make Bad Ast a full frame project so a little redesign will happen over the winter but this is a simple change to make the chassis a lot better.
Mark

[SatisTraction]

My cousin committed suicide last weekend along with his wife and youngest son...

not sure how that happened but it sounds like you have been having a rough go at it.

[John Monnin]

Mark:

You working in South Bend now or does AM General have facilites elsewhere?

[astroracer]

not sure how that happened but it sounds like you have been having a rough go at it.

Yea, a rough go is putting it nicely... My cousin had lots of issues with previous wifes, kids and in-laws and I guess he got tired of all the B.S. I don't understand it all so I can't really comment, I just know this year has been one of those years where you just want it all to go away...

John,
AM Generals Design & Engineering Center is in Livonia, Mi. I live 65 miles north of there, near Flint. The drive is okay most of the time. When it isn't is when I would like to test out some of the weapon systems I am working on...

[trapin]

Mark, sorry to hear about all the news. That is just devastating.

If you're working for AM General now in Livonia...I think you might be working with my friend Fred Meldrum.

[Tiger]

Mark, just to pop in and let you know that you are in my thoughts after reading about all the bad stuff.

[astroracer]

Thanks Andre, I appreciate the thought. This is the kind of stuff that you READ about... It never happens to YOU or your FAMILY... It is devastating beyond description and there is nothing anyone can do or say to make it better... It just takes time.

Hey Tony, Fred sits a couple of "cells" away. I haven't worked with him directly but I'll make a point to drop your name the next time we are talking.

[FoxGranadaChuck]

Bump for Astroracer.....