I typically don't sell parts from my inventory. I only stock enough for 10 to 20 typical repairs and if I sell from my inventory I run the risk of being low on parts when I need them. Some parts I have to get from SS and they are plagued with backorder problems so I especially am averse to selling those pieces. You should be able to get what you need from either your local bearing supplier, SS, some home centers or even new or used on ebay.

I do have some pieces left over from old outfits when I was buying and selling outfits. For things like that you can email me and ask. But it's been a year and a half since I was buying and selling outfits so there is not much left. Still, it doesn't hurt to ask.

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How does your service compare with factory service?

It costs about half as much to have me service your headstock compared with the factory. My typical turnaround time is 1 week where they quote 6 to 8 weeks turnaround.

My base labor rate is $125. They charge $75 an hour (repairs take 2 to 3 hours). Naturally, I have much lower overhead which keeps the cost way down.

I charge you the parts at their cost to me and I only replace what is needed. For instance, when drive sleeve bearings need replacing (they always do) I charge $40 for the bearings. They will sell you a whole new drive sleeve ($100 or so). When a quill bearing needs replacing, I charge just for the bearing ($15 or $30). They will sell you a whole new quill ($120 or so). If your motor bearings are bad, it will cost $80 from me ($50 labor, $30 for bearings) where they will sell you a whole new motor ($400 or so).

When appropriate, I supply good used parts at half the cost of the new part. Sometimes this is required because some parts are no longer made. Most parts are new, however, and bearings, belts always are new.

Generally the bearings I install are better than the ones I take out of machines. They use bearings from Taiwan, Korea, even Slovenia. I try to use only US made bearings.

I provide a 90 day parts and labor guarantee for the work I do and the parts I replace. I haven't heard what warrantee they have. I've only had 4 out of over 500 come back with a followup problem so I've got a great track record there as well.

I've now done over 500 Mark V headstocks so I've encountered all possible problems and situations. I encounter factory assembly errors often. I've had customers send their headstocks to me after a factory service, too!

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