I figured on a triple gauge Take-2 see the end., trying it myself - again, sigh Options

[worn]

It seems that a lot of the triple gauge business involves making new holes in the back of the can. I figured I could do that. Especially after watching the threads here over and over. Thanks to all.

My problem was the gauge face. I di not want a simple cut out for the gauges. I wanted it embossed in like stock. So here is what I came up with.



The dies fit in my old cast iron hydraulic press. You can see the bottom plate in the photo. I am having some tears, but generally they are about at the cut out line (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) so maybe they are OK. I found that even with some silversmithing under my belt, I cannot do this by hand. The press makes it flat and even. A coat of high build primer, sanding for flat and trimming and a coat of satin black and I am done I think. Then I need to do some wiring.

BTW, I am looking for some balled up otherwise useless harness wires so I can match the wire colors.

[timothy_nd28]

Awesome, this is the exact way these should be done

[timothy_nd28]

Is there enough material to fold some tabs over?

[worn]

Is there enough material to fold some tabs over?

Not on those prototypes, but it can be tweaked. It takes about 10 minutes to make one, mostly cutting with snips. Fun to play with. Inspired by your efforts.

[billh1963]

Will these be available for purchase?

[Mark Henry]

Will these be available for purchase?

Yes, I was thinking of doing this as well, I was considering a piece of aluminium.
But I would be interested in a blank if the price is right and it saves me all the work.

[worn]

Will these be available for purchase?

I have to see if the quality is OK, etc. My initial idea was show and tell because this is within range for most of us with a little time provided you have a press.

Also I have been looking around for press-on letters. Once the staple of architecture and advertising, now very hard to find. I have a sort of OK font and size, but not a perfect match.

My design has larger holes for oil temp and pressure than fuel, but the largest spacing is actually at the top, where the oil gauges meet. The holes in the can are evenly spaced, but the sweeps are a bit different. E-bay donors.

[peteyd]

have you tried annealing the aluminum first? It should get rid of your taring. What type of aluminum are you using? If you use a 3003 or even an 1100 grade these should work as well.

Pete

[914forme]

Way to improve on our original design. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cheer.gif)
And yes its the way it should have been done. And I wish we did them.

Matter of fact, i'll take two, or three. Just need the face plate, I have all the backs I ever needed

Gladly pay for an improvement over an imitation any day. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)


If I where to do them again, I wanted to press them out just like your doing, Gives the proper shape and feel to the gauges. The legs don't need to be pressed, you can reuse the originals with the center cut out, or build tabs and have them bent into place. I tried to do the original style on the first kit, the machine work and cost of the stamping die where way out of the ball park for the 175 production run we ran. I lost my ass on them even with out the die costs. The rears to be more complete, with tubes set, welded or pressed like originals, and then silver cad plated, like we did our original run for Pelican. I latter switched the backs to use three latter style gauges as I hated dealing with the early gauge posts.

So again, way to go, subscribed to this thread, you have my 100% backing and approval for your efforts. Like you needed that anyway. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Information has always been free in the public domain.

If you need any advice on the production of these PM me, I'll gladly tell you how many ways to screw these up. LOL, still painful scares from the first production run of these.

[Mblizzard]

Are you using any lubricant while pressing. That can reduce tears also.

[914werke]

Ive got a big ole box of old hacked harnesses LMK if your after something specific.

[nsr-jamie]

We use very thin vinly plastic in the presses here at work to help with tearing and give them a good greasing and lower the cushion presure as well...

[John]

Those are interesting indeed. Once upon a time I had thought that would be the way to go, and it still might, but I found that the lettering was and is the real key to making these look nice.

I would think that they would almost need to be lettered while still in the flat, but how to keep the lettering nice?

The embossed look is nice.

[CptTripps]

GREAT project. Bravo.


...I have nothing to add past that. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[arcadeforever]

beautiful job!!

[r_towle]

quad gauge please

temp
pressure
fuel
volts

[worn]

quad gauge please

temp
pressure
fuel
volts

That is a combination I am interested in too. Actually I would like A/F on the dash too. I bought some cans from a 924 with a quad setup of two gauges flanked by lots of idiot lights, and have played with the quad idea. More later. The gauge cans need to spread out a bit, maybe a mm, to get all 4 in. Aftermarket voltage gauge OK? I am thinking of taking one apart.

My garage is getting colder every day. Also I am at the point where I am working underneath the tub. Pressing angle grinders like dumbbells, dirt in my face and dodging weld droplets, wrapped up like a mummy in fire-proof welding canvas (from HF, so how fireproof I am not sure) makes coming in to the basement shop appealing.

I will give it a shot.

[timothy_nd28]

I could order you a furnace, and then have you pick it up at your local Johnstone

[worn]

OK, triple gauge: take two for Warren

I decided to be more serious. Boy was that a long haul. Started with making real dies



Then there was some milling and shaping




Then it was time to press - 016 aluminum sheet. Similar to original thickness



Then it suddenly got very very difficult. I had the blanks and I found that I could perfectly duplicate the letters with the laser printer. It went onto stick on vinyl.


This was one of the better ones. Getting things to stick and align and not show shiny edges was a nightmare. I tried real paper too. Either wrinkles bubbles or the ink would scratch off. Still the VDO was right where I wanted it...

Onward anyhow

Lights with color anyway you like. I like plain blue-green white thank you. Sort of Stewart Warner look

Then the gauge cans and rubber lights.


Wish it wasn't a plastic lens for these gauges, but I did polish it.


So there you have it: Take-2

I have a silk screen with the emulsion ready to expose, so maybe there will be a take 3. Two months of fiddling because this is the oil pressure gauge and I want to install the 3.2. Yes, it is an odd approach now that you mention it. Anyone with wisdom about lettering would be welcome to chime in. I know it isn't quite the thing.

[914forme]

Oh nice and great job (IMG:style_emoticons/default/first.gif) I'll take one, I need it for my 914-6 restoration.

Now onto lettering.

Silkscreening, is the way to go. But the this is how New Vintage started their gauges.