Heritage Woodworks

[Paddy_Crow]

Just got my woodset today from Heritage, I'm very pleased I went with them. I could have saved $150 or so by going the eBay route, but what would be the point in skimping? I highly recommend this vendor!

Old set:


New set:

[Paddy_Crow]

Now, does anyone know where I can get one more of those blue nuts?

[cth350]

Did you ask Drew for some?  Try MSC (see other thread)?

I've heard very mixed comments about the "new" wood on ebay.  Drew on the other hand does top quality work.  He's one of three vendors that can do give you and or your car great wood.

-CTH

[mdsalemi]

Heritage Woodworks is an interesting case, and vendor--particularly when there has been this bantering back and forth about, dare I say, "rip offs" and overpriced products and services for Mercedes owners.

Anyone can take a set of Mercedes wood, such as that here, to a number of different woodworkers and refinishers, and probably find what anyone might consider a reasonable price for refinishing.  The Heritage price will almost certainly be higher.

However--and here's where the "you get what you pay for" comes in.  Heritage has a long standing and well respected reputation amongst fine collectible Mercedes owners and restoration houses because they've made a specialty of dealing with this specific product (which is indeed different than furniture) and more importantly, satisfying the most discriminating of customers.

That kind of quality and service takes more time; more care; more expertise than "Joe's Dip n'Strip House of Refinishing" that will do a satisfactory job for half the price.  Paddy Crow's photos show a drastic improvement, but I think if you had a before and after piece in your hand, the results would be even more impressive.

Sadly, I'm in the latter category.  I have satisfactory wood.  I don't have wood the likes of which Heritage can provide.  I had mine done locally.  I did save money in a stroke of naivete some years ago.

Next time you might be sourcing a service for a Mercedes, ask yourself are you making a real comparison?  Just comparing prices isn't enough.

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
President, International Stars Section
Mercedes-Benz Club of America

[rwmastel]

Paddy Crow,

What made you choose the lighter tone wood finish?  Does it look better with your particular color interior?

Rodd
Pagoda Technical Manual
please contibute: http://www.sl113.org/wiki/pmwiki.php
1966 230SL
2006 C230 Sport Sedan

[Paddy_Crow]

It's actually not that light, the camera's flash just makes it look that way. The wood is French Walnut, which is what it should be. I'll snap a picture with available light to show you what I mean.

[seattle_Jerry]

So whats happening to the old set? I like the patina

1967 230SL Havana Brown Auto with A/C

[dseretakis]

Was the old set refinished or did he give you a new set?  I spoke with Drew a few years ago and it seems that he can repair and refinish the original pieces if they are salvageable but can also make new ones.

Dimiti

[zoegrlh]

As with Paddy_Crow I am also looking for two of the blue nuts, does anyone have any for sale?
Bob

Robert Hyatt
Williamsburg, VA.

1970 280SL, Red on Silver,4-speed, Euro spec; 1999 C230 Kompresser Sport, Black on Black; 1990 Miata, Black on Red, 5 Speed

[Paddy_Crow]

I bought a new set and he gave me $35 for the old set.

I tried shooting in available light, it photographed just as light. I'm thinking my camera just doesn't capture the color correctly.

[thelews]

Sometimes the best value is do it yourself.  Previous long time (37 years) owner of this car refinished the wood himself, the way he likes it (somewhat different than original).  I think it's quite nice.




John
1967 Early 250 SL Red/Caviar, Manual

[Paddy_Crow]

I believe someone tried to refinish my original set and discovered that the veneer is very thin. If you look at the right side of the passenger bow, the veneer is sanded through. There are also a few chunks of wood missing from both bows. Further, when I removed it I found two of the studs pulled out of the wood on the drivers' side bow.

Also, the spines on the speaker grille are badly warped.  I thought about just replacing that, but didn't want to struggle matching it all up.

Finally, the lid on my ash tray is gone. I balked at the going price for good ash trays, so I decided to make myself an "ash tray delete cover" out of walnut. As luck would have it, the match is very good to the freshly finished pieces. I'll snap a picture when I get it all installed...

[zoegrlh]

I am now down to missing one collar nut (blue nut 9mm).  Does anyone have one spare nut?
Thanks,
Bob

[Paddy_Crow]

I mentioned to Drew at Heritage that I needed one, he said he thought he had some and was going to drop one in the mail. I'm assuming because I spent $600+ on a woodset, he's willing to give me a freebie. But perhaps you could call him and ask if he'd be willing to sell one?