Paintball

[jjron99]

I often wonder what happens when Gumby decides to retire. How will we preserve the knowledge base or skill set to diagnose complicated ATS issues? What about the parts like guide plate? Will those be continued after the Gumby Era? I guess I'm just curious if anyone has thought of or has any idea regarding the best way to ensure parts and talents are not going the way of the dodo bird.

[mpsd]

I'll speak in light of the Automag experience I have, even though the Automag "users base" is much bigger than ATS's.

The way to keep it going is to have as much information shared as possible. That includes not only how to handle and do propper maintenance and tuning on the markers but also blueprints and alternative parts sources (o-rings, for example). And the certain specific parts that are only made by ATS, well, you better stock them up in order to be safe. As the only real Automag fan in Brazil, I've done it for my Automags (26 of them) and have enough parts to rebuild them as needed for the next 5 to 10 years.

For other older or rarer markers, I managed to find two or three parts kit for each of them and just have it sitting at home, in case I need them.

I guess that's the way to go.

[Gumby]

I still have quite a few years left before I can retire, so that should not be a concern. It is true that the majority of the components are not off the shelf available, but the parts that would wear on the majority of the components can be sourced. Seals, clips and screws can be found. The machined parts and stamped parts would be the issue. A bright note is that those parts have rarely been the failure point. Guide plates are the big exception. I do not have a good answer for those if I was to just stop making them. I have several hundred in stock thou.

[Keys_JR]

Maybe Ty or Alpha or one of the machinists here could do it.

[mpsd]

They could but as Gumby said, he is still around and active and have plenty of parts available so we are good for now

[BEAKSBY]

I was thinking of buying a second AT-85 myself to cannabolize as needed.

What about the magazines and especially the chains? How difficult will these be to obtain post-Gumby?

[yetiking]

just curious gumby,
are you the only one running the ats side? do you make all the plastic parts?

what do you think your work split is? ie- how much time is spent on ats stuff vs normal... injection molding?

[RepomanGene]

Horde now

Play later.....and later....and later

[dan_w]

mmmm hoarding guidwe plates. Gotta convince the wife I need 20 of them. That conversation will start with flowers.

[semoakivla]

Originally Posted by dan_w

mmmm hoarding guidwe plates. Gotta convince the wife I need 20 of them. That conversation will start with flowers.

Dont forget the chocolate ! you say 20