AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: sz on December 18, 2025, 04:22:14 PM
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Hello
I am trying to reestablish contact with all my outstanding customers and get back on track before I am too old, or I die before I can complete all business I need to fulfill.
A very quick update as to the last 2-1/2 years here:
1st I had a total computer crash
and 2nd the roof and wall on one side of my shop caved in to a point I had run-off from melting snow coming into the shop like a running water faucet . A few years back we had a small earth quake and the damage was done but it took a few years to have the earth wall collapse and start to flood the shop
The back wall is where the old phone line was as well as several electrical connections . I don't believe the computer crash was related, but I don't really know.
I was forced to clear out the shop and all storage of all parts that was under the roof and against the wall in that back room down to bare walls and floor (the shop is semi-subterranean)
The whole rear of the house and shop was unearthed by a contractor and the damage found. It was repaired and the dirt on the roof and wall replaced but in the mess and also the computer crash, I have lost most of my records and 100% of all notes I made on the computer files. Most of the records and files I had on computer are now gone.
I had 2 computer experts come out to try and recover them, but so far we have not been able, other then a few from the computer I had before the newer one crashed and was corrupted.
My shop is still not 100% up to snuff, but I AM now able to work now. So I am working my way through the back log and doing the jobs I still have information for.
But I have learned my lesson about placing any trust in computers and I am using it only for a few e-mail now. I have had troubles with them in the past, but thought it was just my lack of expertise in how to use them. I thought with some more time I'd learn but as it turned out that was a mistake.
So as of now, I am going back to pencils and paper (which always worked for me before I got the idea to use a computer) and I never had any problems with them. I am giving up on keeping records on computer 100% from now on.
But for the purpose of reestablishing contact I am using the e-mail and hopefully this forum here.
I have made 3 rifles sine the roof and wall repair, but in the case of those 3 I had all the building notes on a clip board, but no contact information for the customers because such info was all in the computer, so those 3 rifles are leaning up against the wall in the upper room and I simply have to wait until those customers call me or write me a letter because I have lost 100% of my ability to contact them.
I have about 7 other sets of parts here too, all waiting on me to make rifles from them---- but I have no records about who I was going to make those rifles for. From 2 computers ago I still have a few old e-mails, but 100% of the newer notes and information is now dead and gone.
So anyone with outstanding orders who reads this, please contact me, and help me get back in touch. PM me here
Thanks
Steve Zihn
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Wow. Lots of moving parts there. Welcome back. I hope your contacts will re establish soon and get things back to normal.
Dave
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I do Both. On Paper in notebook. Also in a computer that has a 5 Teribyte backup I swap every
6 mo. Computer is a a 1500 watt UPS Backup .
Also, every rifle has a file with Every detail of the build.
Every rifle has a Signed Spec Sheet the customer must fill out & sign. This eliminates all the I
Thought, You thought, he said, she said, we saids. Saves allot of confusion & questions. It is
there in black & white & in a file safe for future ref.
Even tho it is a hobby for me, I run it like a business. I have every cost of every build & etc.
You can call me 5 yrs later & I can build you a new ramrod proper length, tips, stain, finish.
Had many repeat customers, want same rifle with dif caliber. I have photos & all notes to do it.
I hope you are up & going soon. You do some beautiful work. ;)
Keith
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I don't build rifles for other people but I do carve for other people. I have a queue but I just keep it in my head. It was 7 items for different people before Christmas.
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MANY years ago in NJ I had a gun shop in which I sold and worked on firearms. After a few years I found that it was just too demanding for me as it was my side job. not my main income. I gave up the business and never regretted it.