D Chapman said:
I started off making D2 drag links. RTE did not make those then. No one did.
Then I started making the 1.5" 4140 tie rods because we were bending the RTE links.
The D1 drag links were not part of the original plan, but I bent mine, and made me a new one plus a few others. I sold just enough to make mine free. In fact, there were very few stainless drag links. I can't remember how many as it was what, 4-years ago? The ones I was turning out were 4140. I wanted 4140 because it had more memory to it and would flex back into shape if hit a little better than the soft stainless rods.
But it was not long after that we figured out it was not the size of your shaft or what it was made of. It was the location. The Rockware off-set tie rods were the ultimate fix. No sense in making something you do not believe in yourself, so I stopped making tie roads and drag links.
The only Royalties paid were what I paid to Dweb for the use of the For Sale section. I actually followed the rules and paid my part, unlike others........
I understand now, thanks it makes more sense. You can change the design to suit your needs. It's trial and error and that's the way it should be, you run something and find flaws and hopefully keep evolving the product. RTE did not produce DII bars and started after you and I'm sure there were no ill feelings for Steve expanding his product line and for the most part that product line hasn't changed except for the addition of some NEW products.
Larry has taken a design that has not changed or evolved and made something similar that fits in his product line and obviuosly people other than yourself can appreciate. Larry's sliders are very similar to ours, and I do not know who made there's first I do believe it is a very solid design and we will keep updating our products as time goes on.
I personally do not get butt hurt over the drivel you post up about HLC Fab products. It actually keeps the thread at the top of the page most times, so Thank You Dan! Who knows Dan, we may actually meet some day and you might be as cool as everyone that know's you personally says you are.
Almost forgot, the folks that have or have not donated to Dweb after selling stuff know who they are and may feel compelled to let everyone know and some do not. The couple of items I actually sold thru Dweb did actually produce money that I gladly donated to the cause, actually more than requested. You may be in the know who has made such donations and maybe not, but I personally do not feel the need to announce this for recognition. JMTC
