73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Interior & Equipment => Topic started by: Kenan on February 13, 2012, 04:42:19 pm
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Hi dear friens,
I have to make my own billet cluster insert for my 1980 custom deluxe. It will be cutted from aluminium. When i order it from the states it cost me with shipping costs more then 250 $.
If someone give me the overlay dimensions ı can finish it for under 50 $. If some of you have the dimensions ı would be gratefulful if you can help me. Thank you and best wishes from Turkey -Istanbul to all of you..
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You do realize it is not flat all the way across, someone could give you measurements but without the angles being the right degree's you would not be able to make one from someone else's measurements.
Do you have the means to measure and make one in your truck, it would mean you could make a form from something else first and transfer to billet material for you to form there.
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Yes I understand. I have to make it from paper or somethlng what is easy to cut and than apply to billet. Thank you a lot for the good tip.
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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.964836,29.217734
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Personally I have made panels out of heavy duty construction paper, then transfered to light tin for fitment and corrections and then moved on to the final metal. In my case it was aluminum.
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Personally I have made panels out of heavy duty construction paper, then transfered to light tin for fitment and corrections and then moved on to the final metal. In my case it was aluminum.
Hi Bake,
How do you cut the alu. And how thin was it. Do you have any pictures. Wolud be happy if you share with me.
Regards and Thanks.
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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.954261,29.168184
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Personally I have made panels out of heavy duty construction paper, then transfered to light tin for fitment and corrections and then moved on to the final metal. In my case it was aluminum.
Hi Bake,
How do you cut the alu. And how thin was it. Do you have any pictures. Wolud be happy if you share with me.
Regards and Thanks.
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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.954261,29.168184
This was years ago and when I did not keep records of my builds, so I have no pics. Aluminum cutting in my opinion is best with a blade that is designed for aluminum and at a moderate speed. Too fast and it almost will melt it, too slow and it makes it ruff.
You need to gauge the material you want, I think I used 16 gauge, I wanted it light and it was not used for structural support, just to hold the instrument gauges. I actually used a brake press at a friends shop to get the angles I wanted, then trimmed up the sides to match the cluster opening.
Now on thicker aluminum, nothing beats a plasma torch, made a 4x4 trailer once to pull behind my jeep that way, light and mobile and very useful. Great trailer when I had it.
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I just want to add that when you purchase or use blades to cut aluminum be sure they are designed to cut aluminum otherwise they wont last long enough to make the cut.