Build School

[azbruin]

Wondering if the Build School is really beneficial? I have limited recent mechanical experience and will have to relearn much! I'm a few months away from ordering and feeling a bit overwhelmed.

[Joe]

Wondering if the Build School is really beneficial? I have limited recent mechanical experience and will have to relearn much! I'm a few months away from ordering and feeling a bit overwhelmed.

ABSOLUTELY! It's also FUN! Nothing can replace the hands-on experience you get from the school. Also, unless you're really familar with FFR cars, it gives you the chance to see the big picture as far as how everything goes together.

Just go to the other forum and search on Build School! Almost everyone who has ever gone highly recommends it. Todd and the other instructors do a great job.

[Someday I Suppose]

If you're feeling over-whelmed, then I think for sure build school is a great idea. I had a blast, but most importanly it gave me the confidence to believe I could indeed build a car.

-Scott

[Hockey Town]

I highly recommend build school. Take a notebook and a camera. The photos and notes have helped tremendously! It is a fun environment and the instructors are great resources for time (and money) saving tips.

[Mark Dougherty]

the build school is awsome.
it will give you a great appreciation for what is involved in building a car. by covering all the systems. you will never regret it.
Later
mark D

[Bob Russel]

Your timing with this question is perfect in that I just posted this thread on another forum yesterday afternoon.http://www.ffcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=267031
As you can see I am a big advocate of the build school, the hands on experience along with the Q&A is a great learning experience. I highly recommend it and hope that you sign up for a class as I don't think you will be disappointed.

Good luck, Bob

[riptide motorsport]

Yes.

[steno]

DO IT! Even though I could have sooner or later gotten the car done, the build school is the BEST! The information and practical tricks really helped me get through the build. The familiarity you'll gain with the kit will you much more comfortable!
Good luck, Sten

[al r]

YES!
It's the best investment I made in being able to build my beast and to enjoy it
A

[Greg1209]

Absolutely! Don't think of it as an expense of your build - it is an investment that pays dividends; you will save $$ doing things right the first time = sooner on the road, frustration factor goes way down, reliability of the car goes way up. As others have said the instructors are great and make it a really enjoyable experience.

Greg

[trublue]

Given your own stated qualifications, I would say that the Mott College Build School is a must. I went in April 2006 and completely agree with Joe, above. Good luck, you are in for a great time both building and driving your own car.
Art

[RoyBoy]

Absolutely do it. It will save you hours of frustration. Attended last May, received kit in June, I'm at the go kart stage right now. Best money and time I spent.

[Todd Baumann]

AZBruin,
Like the others stated, we will take care of you and hopefully get you over that hump.
It is very common and you will be with others like yourself.
We really take pride in the class, and like you most of us have built our own, including many other cars.
Bring your camera, list of your questions, and a desire to work on the car and we will see you there.
Todd

By the way everyone, thanks for the great kudos. Here's hoping to see you all again soon.

[Pierre B]

All of the posts I have ever read from builders who attended a school have given the process rave reviews. I myself did not attend build school, but after having built one of these cars, I can see why that experience is so highly praised. It certainly gives actual and prospective FF builders a broad exposure to the entire process, start to finish. That can be very helpful to any of us as we plan our builds, especially when it comes to locating components where they won't interfere with anything else later. Also, in building, we do well to anticipate later maintenance access: something at times made more complicated once the body is in place. Finally, build school can answer many questions that a novice builder may not have thought to ask yet. And so a build school experience will fast-track later decision-making and thus shorten build time, assuming finances can keep up with that more rapid progress!

[LuckyWinner]

so do you each get to drive the roadster when your done?

[Todd Baumann]

No unfortunately you don't get to drive the car, but a ride in one of the personal rides can be arranged:D:D

[Joe]

Driving back up there in the Roadster for the build school show and tell hour is one of my "I want to do's" one of these days. It would just feel like I came full circle and there IS a free lunch involved after all! :)

Standing proudly in the red jacket in front of the first FFR I had a part in building! Dang it was COLD that day! I know Al R is here on the forum. Is there anybody else from the class here on the forum? It was one of the smaller, if not smallest classes. 5 of us, plus Todd and Jim built that car during the class.

http://www.ffcars.com/photopost/data/551/IMG_01851.JPG

[duzie]

The build school is great. I use the pictures and notes I took during the class and refer to them each time I start the next part of the assembly. The instructors are super and will provide you with information that will help you build your car that is NOT in the manual. You also get to see completed FFR on Saturday or Sunday about lunch time. The school provides a great lunch for the class and visitors that arrive with their cars.
Chuck....Guthrie Oklahoma MK4 in work.

[Mustang Man]

Look at it this way. I'm a past ASE Master Auto Tech (didn't bother to renew when I changed careers), worked as a driveability and electrical tech for seven years, built countless classic Mustangs, Fox Mustangs, and other projects, yada, yada, and I went to the school and STILL learned some stuff. The FFR Roadster is a new experience, even for the seasoned wrench, and they give you some great build tips, logical shortcuts, and other notes (you get a nice binder full of info) that you would have had to figure out on your own.

The instructors are top notch, except for that Todd guy, he really got on my nerves... :p

KIDDING!!!!!!!!!!!

Todd even drove his car in for us to see a more finished product too, now that was a real project starter right there seeing that!

Mark

[NYC_John]

All the above, but also just hanging with a group of car guys for 3 days is a real vacation.

John

[RGHarvey]

I attended the school last September, ordered a kit in January. I agree with all the positive comments above! But what hasn't been mentioned, and has been very helpful for me, is the help with questions you can get from the instructors after the class! I've been struggling with whether or not to build the IRS option. I'm not a "car guy" by experience, but the school gave me the confidence to try this project. However, the IRS option seemed a stretch. I exchanged e-messages with the instructors and, because I live in the area, went back to the school to look at the mock-up of the IRS and talk further with the instructors about the pro's and con's of the IRS. I really appreciated the help.

Bob

[tzink]

Mark -- I would appreciate your email and/or phone number. where are your located? timz

[cozmacozmy]

Who's car do you build during the "Build School"? Can you bring your own kit along and have the class build yours?

[Joe]

Who's car do you build during the "Build School"? Can you bring your own kit along and have the class build yours?

The Build School has a car they put together and take apart for the next class. No you can't bring your own..

[cozmacozmy]

The Build School has a car they put together and take apart for the next class. No you can't bring your own..

Thank you.

[Wrenchette]

Definitely do it! I went in 2007 and it was a ton of fun. Plus, being able to ask questions in-person to the instructors (vs a forum like this) was very helpful. There's a lot you pick up in a physical class that you can't get from reading online or a manual. I left the class with the confidence that I could definitely build the kit. So go for it!

[crjohn]

Definitely worth your time. I did it about 5 years ago. Had a great time. My car got set aside for about the last 4 years. I am actually considering going again for a refresher... The best time and $$$ you can spend. Take a camera and snap a picture of EVERYTHING you /they do. I took loads of pictures and still wish I had more from time to time. Be especially careful to take photo's of the wiring and plumbing they can't spend a lot of time on those. These are the places I wish I had more...

[Steak]

Without the build school, I'd still be on the front suspension. And my kit arrived three years ago. It's in the paint shop now and should be on the road shortly.

[gtcobra]

X100 on definitely attending.... I had pretty significant experience in the automotive field, and was not sure how much I would get out of it. That being said I learned a lot of what not to do, what order to do things and many many, MANY timesavers that are extremely valuable. I had to undo a few things, but not even close to the amount that I would have had to do without the build school.... PLUS you will get a $500.00 credit on your kit if you attend.... absolute no brainer in my opinion.....take hundreds of pictures you will refer to them often.....
Good Luck......HTH

[c6_rob]

what is the nearest airport?

where did you guys fly in to?

I see two hotels they recommend nearby, which one did you choose?

Thanks

[FritoBandito]

Are they teaching on MkIVs now?

[Mustang Man]

I flew into Flint, MI when I went, just a bit closer and don't have to deal with the big airport lines. They have rental cars there too and everything. I don't remember the name of the hotel I stayed at, but it's darn near walking distance! Yes, they're teaching on Mk 4s now...

Mark

[Todd Baumann]

You can fly into either Flint like Mark stated, or you can come into Detroit Metro like most others do.
Both are about the same distance.
Flint is definitely less congested.
The better of the hotels is the Holiday Inn, but the Baymont is not bad either.
Both are a stones throw from the school.
As for the car we are now on our 2nd version of the MKIV.
Any other questions you can PM me directly if you like.
Thanks,
Todd

[jabm]

I recognize that you can't bring in your own kit to have your build class put together, but I'm curious if the build school would ever consider offering the option of selling the kit each class assembles (likely to one of the class participants, but maybe not). In that vein, a participant could buy the kit the build class will be working on, and pay an additional amount to the build school for the opportunity of their kit being the one that gets assembled. My thought is that this method would avoid the inherent unfairness issues of someone getting their kit built for free during the school.
It just seems like a waste for the build school to build a kit and then tear it down for the next school when I imagine some people would love to be involved in building their own kit, but would also appreciate the speed and help inherent in the school format.

[Someday I Suppose]

In the litigious society we live in, I don't see that happening anytime soon. Part of if not the sole reason students cant drive the finished car is because of liability should something go wrong. Taking home a kit built by the class, what happens should a drive shaft come free, who is to blame, the instructors, the students, the car owner???

That is avoided by it being a project / demo car only and getting torn back down. It also allows a lot of small stuff to be already done, drill holes as an example, when we went through we all done already and you didn't spend class drilling 1000 holes. Wiring as well, the harness and dash were done to speed the build along.

-Scott


I recognize that you can't bring in your own kit to have your build class put together, but I'm curious if the build school would ever consider offering the option of selling the kit each class assembles (likely to one of the class participants, but maybe not). In that vein, a participant could buy the kit the build class will be working on, and pay an additional amount to the build school for the opportunity of their kit being the one that gets assembled. My thought is that this method would avoid the inherent unfairness issues of someone getting their kit built for free during the school.
It just seems like a waste for the build school to build a kit and then tear it down for the next school when I imagine some people would love to be involved in building their own kit, but would also appreciate the speed and help inherent in the school format.

[FritoBandito]

I recognize that you can't bring in your own kit to have your build class put together, but I'm curious if the build school would ever consider offering the option of selling the kit each class assembles (likely to one of the class participants, but maybe not). In that vein, a participant could buy the kit the build class will be working on, and pay an additional amount to the build school for the opportunity of their kit being the one that gets assembled. My thought is that this method would avoid the inherent unfairness issues of someone getting their kit built for free during the school.
It just seems like a waste for the build school to build a kit and then tear it down for the next school when I imagine some people would love to be involved in building their own kit, but would also appreciate the speed and help inherent in the school format.

I like the idea but it seems like there would be some liability issues for the school and students. Maybe I've been in CA too long but I'd hate to have ever worked on something that someone got hurt in. Doesn't matter that he was doing 110 in a 35 zone before the steering linkage broke on a pothole, you just end up being another rung in the settlement ladder.

[JimRags]

I'm looking at the build school later this year, likely October. For those who have already attended, did you take your own copy of the build manual? I ordered the complete kit manual and have already downloaded and printed it (all 553 pages). Do you get a copy of the build manual there? I think having my own copy during the school for notes, etc. would be helpful later when I order my kit and begin my build.

[FritoBandito]

Yep. You get your own copy of the build manual. I have notes from class written all through mine. Very handy.

Mario

[Lynnhowlyn]

I highly recommend build school. Take a notebook and a camera. The photos and notes have helped tremendously! It is a fun environment and the instructors are great resources for time (and money) saving tips.

Absolutely agree.

Go
Take notes
Take picfures

You'll NOT regret it!


Lynn
Build School "graduate" - Feb 2011

[Lynnhowlyn]

I'm looking at the build school later this year, likely October. For those who have already attended, did you take your own copy of the build manual? I ordered the complete kit manual and have already downloaded and printed it (all 553 pages). Do you get a copy of the build manual there? I think having my own copy during the school for notes, etc. would be helpful later when I order my kit and begin my build.


And you'll get another manual with your kit!

Lynn

[JimRags]

Lynn,

Thanks. The pics of your car are awesome!

[JimRags]

Thanks! Rags

[Les Edwards]

The build school is a MUST go if you're going to build one of these cars (Roadster) Take a camera and make notes in the manual you,ll get. Also there is a great website for this car.
Go to MK3build.com, it's great!

[bbatts]

Think they will do a build school for the 818?

[Todd Baumann]

Hopefully, that is the plan. We are gearing up for it now and trying to get all of our ducks in a row.

[jlfernan]

Absolutely a great investment. I learned alot more than I thought I would in that weekend!


http://img851.imageshack.us/img851/9124/jorge.jpg (http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/private.php?do=newpm&u=111)

[Neptune's Snorkel]

I look forward to the build school. If Michigan wasn't so far away....

[emac]

I did not do the build school. I just couldnt get to one before I got my kit. Once the kit arrived, I couldnt stop putting it together! I didnt find the build very difficult, more assembly than building. However, in retrospect, I think seeing the different components going together would have been very helpful. It may have prompted me to buy the base kit instead of the complete kit. Even though I didnt attend a build school, I would encourage others to do so, as I think it may have saved me time and money.

[FritoBandito]

I did not do the build school. I just couldnt get to one before I got my kit. Once the kit arrived, I couldnt stop putting it together! I didnt find the build very difficult, more assembly than building. However, in retrospect, I think seeing the different components going together would have been very helpful. It may have prompted me to buy the base kit instead of the complete kit. Even though I didnt attend a build school, I would encourage others to do so, as I think it may have saved me time and money.
Not sure it would have saved you much. They do go over a few things that absolutely have to be swapped out but for the most part the build is just a straight up bone stock complete kit. Really if you already have the mechanical background build school isn't gonna teach you much but it's nice seeing the car go together. Helps build confidence when you're alone in the dark with your kit. ;)

Mario

[JeepFlyer]

+1 do the build school. Pictures an videos in addition to the manual are worth 1,000 posts on here.


I recognize that you can't bring in your own kit to have your build class put together, but I'm curious if the build school would ever consider offering the option of selling the kit each class assembles (likely to one of the class participants, but maybe not). In that vein, a participant could buy the kit the build class will be working on, and pay an additional amount to the build school for the opportunity of their kit being the one that gets assembled. My thought is that this method would avoid the inherent unfairness issues of someone getting their kit built for free during the school.
It just seems like a waste for the build school to build a kit and then tear it down for the next school when I imagine some people would love to be involved in building their own kit, but would also appreciate the speed and help inherent in the school format.

You don't want that car... and I personally wouldn't want something put together by people who I don't know, and without any knowledge of their level of expertise. If you can keep an eye on 15 people at one time so you trust every ounce of work that is done, then maybe, but it is by no means a complete car after 3 days. It's basically a go-kart... and I think ours still had a cleco or two attached during the demo drive on the last afternoon. Many of the parts are beat up pretty bad from being put on and taken off multiple times.

In the end, no one is going to care about your car and how well (or poorly) it goes together as you do. If you want help, beer is a good method of payment :p

[hrosenthal]

I just went last weekend. Necessary - no. Incredibly helpful - yes. Several tips are discussed that are not in the manual or on the forums.

[QSL]

we did not go. I think it would have been fun, but I really dont see it as something that needs to be done. I will admit, its very overwhelming when you get your kit and there are a ton of boxes. But once you sit down and open the manual, it all goes together VERY easy. One huge benifit i can see going to the school is seeing how all the parts interact with each other and the final outcome. It will help when you need to modify or skip steps. But like i said, if you cant go, it can be done without.

Good luck!

[azbruin]

When I started this thread a year and a half ago, I really expected to go. Like one of the other posts, the timing did not work out for me. My kit arrived in late Feb. and there wasn't a class I could go to until May. By then, I was so far into it that I figured I had made most of the mistakes already. I think the experience would have been great but stuff happens...

Steve,

[JMiller]

I just attended build school, and have nothing but good things to say. I, like many prospective builders, consider myself high in mechanical aptitude, and and absolute novice at working on cars. The course does an amazing job at connecting the two. Before the course I read the first few hundred pages of the build manual, and couldn't understand half the automotive jargon. Building one of these, and learning the specific, and general automotive tips and tricks from the instructors definitely gave me the confidence to undertake this project.

I would suggest this as the first step to anyone who is on the fence about their ability to complete one of these kits.

Cheers,

Josh

[wesmantoothAZ]

Do they teach, talk about, or reply to questions about modifications such as power steering and brake upgrades?

[FritoBandito]

Do they teach, talk about, or reply to questions about modifications such as power steering and brake upgrades?

All of the above especially where the kit is a little weak. Like the single reservoir for two master cylinders. Some of their recommendations are a bit on the subjective side (sorry teach, a 302 isn't enough for me) but it's all good info and lots of fun. Pic for reference.

15339


Mario