Another Katatak Fiero Adventure! (Page 36/72)
katatak APR 04, 08:22 PM
One more thing - something I have been thinking about. I want to keep the V8 theme going inside the car with some emblems or something. I have an idea for my shifter ball. It's an 8 Ball - pool ball that Carver1 made. I want to use my dremel with a fine carbide bit and form a "V" under the "8". I am thinking I can "router" out the shape of the V and then put red paint in the groove. I penciled in what I am thinking of. I have a couple of old pool balls I can practice on. I thnk it will look good if I can keep the lines straight. I may have to buy another one after I screw this one up?



I don't know?

Pat
Sofa King APR 04, 09:52 PM
Hey P,

The radio bezel looks great. Was it easier cutting the fiberglass during the curing process? It had made such a difference for me. When I tackle the glovebox I'll be using the same method. The ol X-Acto and straight edge will be getting another workout.

LOL - what better way to use the remainder of the resin than pour it into the bottom - genius!

It is fun stuff isn't it?
katatak APR 04, 11:13 PM

quote
Originally posted by Sofa King:

Hey P,

The radio bezel looks great. Was it easier cutting the fiberglass during the curing process? It had made such a difference for me. When I tackle the glovebox I'll be using the same method. The ol X-Acto and straight edge will be getting another workout.

LOL - what better way to use the remainder of the resin than pour it into the bottom - genius!

It is fun stuff isn't it?



Ha Greg! I really like your method! It makes things so easy. It will be the only way I build things from now on. I tried another little trick just for fun. Back when I made the gauge pod, I used PVC pipe, epoxy and then glass. Mainly cuase I was fighting making a "tupe" out of glass. When I trimmed off the excess, it was still a little sticky and flexible. I wrapped a piece of PVC with packing tape then took the scrap - still curing glass and wrapped it around the pipe. I use my exacto knife to trim it so the edges would butt up then took a little resin and some fiber and glassed the seam. It was a little tough to get it off but I figured it would be. Something colapseable or easy ti cut a slit in would be an easy way to make round tubes. Why is this important to me? ---- Not yet...it's something new I'm playing with but I'll give you a hint. Think (which I know you already are) about the instrument cluster. What is round and needs to fit in round holes?

I hate leaving resin in the cup!

Pat
katatak APR 05, 12:40 AM
Ok, I lied..... Here's some more.

I was trying to figure out how I was going to mount the el cheapo MP3 Amp. I thought I would build a platform inside the skeleton and then put a couple small screws through the unit to hold it in place. The thing does not weigh anything and I could not see building some elaborate thing just to hold it in place. While flipping back and forth between the Amazing Race and The Apprentice, I figured out how I was going to mount the little doodad.

I went out to the shop and scrounged up a piece of fiberglass then trimmed it to fit in the back of the AC suround face plate. Once I got it to fit the way I wanted it, I hot glued it to the back side.


Then I removed the face plate off the doodad and placed on the front side of the AC face plate. Then I traced the holes:


I was a little off but I could compensate once I went to the drill press:


Once it was drilled out, I test fit it with the doodad face plate to the doodad:


Then I set it in place on the AC face plate for a quick look:


Tomorrow I will sand and paint the new cover/filler/mount plate and then I will epoxy it to the AC face plate. There will be a small gap between the bottom of the doo dad and the top of the covey hole box I made earlier. I will make some "shims" and epxoy those to the top of the box for the doodad to set solid on. I have to do a little trimming of the skeleton but nothing the dremel can't take care of in a few minutes. With any luck, I should have the doodad all hooked up and working by tomoorw evening. I have to travel for work Tuesday so Maybe I'll take a half day off tomorrow.

Later!

Pat

[This message has been edited by katatak (edited 04-05-2010).]

Sofa King APR 05, 07:59 AM
P,

Question. Do you need to have the blue faceplate or can you use a new fiberglass panel? Might be something to think about it.

Also... check out the center console on the 89 Fiero Prototype - I've always seen the gauge cluster but never the console. What about something like this? Had I seen this, I probably would have gone for this design!

http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/078939.html

DANG!!! Now my creative juices are flowing again!
katatak APR 05, 10:19 PM
A little bit of progress this afternoon.

Sanded and painted then epoxied the plate and the AC face plate together:


Mounted the doodad:


Then set it in the car:



I just have to do some trimming of the skeleton and finis the covey hole box, fasten it in and hook up the power and speakers and it's done.

Later.

Pat

P.S.

Yes Greg, I plan n replacing the blue face plate with a brushed aluminum one that has the control labels engraved under each knob! I wish I had the rest of the week to just tinker with it.
katatak APR 06, 12:36 AM
Man, I just spent the last few hours going back through this thread - No wonder I am tired - there has been a lot of work done to this car since October! I can;t believe how many times I changed directions.

Just wanted to say thanks to all that have contributed so far.

Pat
Carver1 APR 06, 12:49 AM

quote
Originally posted by katatak:

One more thing - something I have been thinking about. I want to keep the V8 theme going inside the car with some emblems or something. I have an idea for my shifter ball. It's an 8 Ball - pool ball that Carver1 made. I want to use my dremel with a fine carbide bit and form a "V" under the "8". I am thinking I can "router" out the shape of the V and then put red paint in the groove. I penciled in what I am thinking of. I have a couple of old pool balls I can practice on. I thnk it will look good if I can keep the lines straight. I may have to buy another one after I screw this one up?



I don't know?

Pat




If you mess that one up, I got you covered.
How about this?

Also, when you make the cut, use something sharp and straight to score the V, or else you will slip off the ball. Scuffs don't come out very easy. I've got some ball experience....I mean I play with......nevermind. You know what I mean.

[This message has been edited by Carver1 (edited 04-06-2010).]

Sofa King APR 06, 08:08 AM

quote
Originally posted by katatak:


Ha Greg! I really like your method! It makes things so easy. It will be the only way I build things from now on. I tried another little trick just for fun. Back when I made the gauge pod, I used PVC pipe, epoxy and then glass. Mainly cuase I was fighting making a "tupe" out of glass. When I trimmed off the excess, it was still a little sticky and flexible. I wrapped a piece of PVC with packing tape then took the scrap - still curing glass and wrapped it around the pipe. I use my exacto knife to trim it so the edges would butt up then took a little resin and some fiber and glassed the seam. It was a little tough to get it off but I figured it would be. Something colapseable or easy ti cut a slit in would be an easy way to make round tubes. Why is this important to me? ---- Not yet...it's something new I'm playing with but I'll give you a hint. Think (which I know you already are) about the instrument cluster. What is round and needs to fit in round holes?

I hate leaving resin in the cup!

Pat



The process of cutting the glass as it cures makes all the difference in the world. There is so little cutting to do afterwards. I've been tinkering with ideas for making tubes - one of the ideas I had was using wrapping, toilet and paper towel rolls - of course you're limited by the size unless you cut them in half and rolled the edges into itself? I understand your dilemma with the PVC. I think you would have to create two halves and then join them together with glass and filler.

A riddle, huh? It is early in the morning. What's round and needs to fit in round holes? OMG... Since I can't say the obvious... LOL I'm braindead. My first guess would be the gauges themselves? But also the lip that goes around the dash cluster from top to bottom. You got me wondering now. OK... what's the plan? I've suffered long enough.

[This message has been edited by Sofa King (edited 04-06-2010).]

katatak APR 07, 01:24 AM

quote
Originally posted by Carver1:


If you mess that one up, I got you covered.
How about this?

Also, when you make the cut, use something sharp and straight to score the V, or else you will slip off the ball. Scuffs don't come out very easy. I've got some ball experience....I mean I play with......nevermind. You know what I mean.




TMI Phil..... I kinda like that "marbled" look.