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Posted by: CptTripps Dec 12 2013, 12:15 PM

I've been thinking a lot about the gauges I'm going to be using, and wanting to do something special. I was just going to go with the stock gauges and use modern innards (search for the Sunpro Tach thread) but realized that I am putting a 8,000rpm motor in.

So I busted out my handy vinyl cutter and Adode Illustrator to see if I could make my own.

Posted by: CptTripps Dec 12 2013, 12:16 PM

First step was making the gauge template. This is JUST A TEST so I wasn't going for scale.


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Posted by: CptTripps Dec 12 2013, 12:16 PM

Then I transferred it to my Vinyl Cutting program and loaded it up.


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Posted by: CptTripps Dec 12 2013, 12:17 PM

Cut it on Silver vinyl. Not the best vinyl, but worked for the test.


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Posted by: CptTripps Dec 12 2013, 12:18 PM

Next I transferred it to some thick-ish Lexan.


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Posted by: CptTripps Dec 12 2013, 12:20 PM

Using my "RC Car Body" skills, I hit the redline with a sharpie real quick before the backing.


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Posted by: CptTripps Dec 12 2013, 12:21 PM

Next I painted over the back with a quick coat of white primer. I'll use proper Lexan paint later, but this would give me an idea.


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Posted by: CptTripps Dec 12 2013, 12:24 PM

Viola! After a second coat, I'm getting an idea of how it'll look.

I'm going to let it dry a little more and then cut it out. I can already tell that the red sharpie isn't going to cut it. I have some red vinyl that I'll eventually use on the back before paint. That should do the trick a little better.


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Posted by: CptTripps Dec 12 2013, 12:29 PM

I'm going to have to get rid of the bubbles before I put it through the laminator again. (Just a thought...it may not work at all.)

So...at the end of the day, I think it was worth 30min of time to see if I had a viable plan or not.

Some things I learned:

1: The lettering is a little TOO thin to do reverses on the PORSCHE and the RPM piece. Perhaps I'll do those in black vinyl and apply after the fact.

2: I need to pull the centers for the 4, 6, 8 so I can apply them afterwards. No biggie there.

3: Maybe a little thicker plastic with an additional black backer that's the reverse. That'll help focus the light on the numbers and I won't have any bleed for the light hitting the silver vinyl.

I'm going to thicken up the middle-ticks so they are a LITTLE thicker.


That's all I got for now...what do you think?

Posted by: nathansnathan Dec 12 2013, 12:48 PM

You should use this typeface to match the original gauges
http://fontzone.net/font-details/dinmittelschrift

Also, maybe do the "UPM/RPM" - it seems more euro and cool that way?

Posted by: zymurgist Dec 12 2013, 12:52 PM

Cool!

Posted by: CptTripps Dec 12 2013, 12:59 PM

My other thought was to use the font from the Boxster or new 911.

Another was to make the gauges look more like airplane gauges. I'm a watch guy and could make them out like a Bell & Ross or Panerai. Lots of fun ideas.

I just trimmed this one. Came out pretty bad, but now I know what I need to do. You never learn until you try!


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Posted by: ripper911 Dec 12 2013, 01:40 PM

Viola?

Posted by: euro911 Dec 12 2013, 08:04 PM

Looks nice. Practice makes perfect.

Posted by: r_towle Dec 12 2013, 08:14 PM

How did you cut the lexan without chipping it?

Posted by: mikesmith Dec 12 2013, 09:19 PM

Something like these?

http://www.newvintageusa.com/images/42346-01.jpg

Posted by: CptTripps Dec 12 2013, 09:31 PM

Lexan Scissors from any hobby store.



Those are bad-ass. Maybe I'll just bag the whole idea and buy those.

Posted by: CptTripps Dec 13 2013, 08:36 AM

Attempt #2: Much better.

Used a thicker vinyl and thin white plastic backing. Light comes through evenly and the red was a lot easier too.


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Posted by: Dave_Darling Dec 13 2013, 10:54 AM

The minor ticks still need to be fatter. Especially the red ones; the darker color (red vs. white) will look thinner so you need to thicken it up a bit to compensate.

(I used to do this stuff in software for a living. )

--DD