SpeedHut gauge panel, possible limited run - Any interest? Options

[76-914]

A bit of stretching to get things to sit nicely against the dash frame.

One item I still have to work up is a stamp/punch to set the recesses in the mounting holes so those stock tapered back screws sit nicely.

Though I could opt to use a nicer looking fastener and change out the stock screw plates for something else... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/search/searc...e%20dies%203/16

[tygaboy]

A bit of stretching to get things to sit nicely against the dash frame.

One item I still have to work up is a stamp/punch to set the recesses in the mounting holes so those stock tapered back screws sit nicely.

Though I could opt to use a nicer looking fastener and change out the stock screw plates for something else... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/search/searc...e%20dies%203/16

@76-914 OK, that's what I'm talking about! Thanks for the lead!

[tygaboy]

Something I want to be sure and point out is that while the tach is essentially centered in the same place as the stock tach, I moved the outer gauges down and in a bit. This make it easier to see more of the gauges, especially for those of us with aftermarket steering wheels that have thicker rims and smaller diameters.
Here's a comparison with the stock panel set on top of mine.

[tygaboy]

Why, oh why do I seem unable to keep things simple? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

I figured I'd go for a few more style points and rather than raise a circle around the dimmer knob, I went with this.

[tygaboy]

I ended up with a small flaw in one of the dies so there's a hiccup at the 1:00-ish position of the stamped area. It's more visible in the next pic.

I may be able to address it with a bit of careful filing.

But I think I'll end up redoing the die set and making a whole new panel because:
Tygaboy...

The panel is totally serviceable so I'm happy to offer it to someone willing to live with this horror! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[tygaboy]

Then I gave it a squirt of SEM trim black and assembled everything.
I will say, I think it looks pretty good, that one flaw aside. That raised area is the sort of thing that most folks won't even notice and is the very reason I think it's such a neat little detail.

Note: Stamping the raised area for the dimmer is a real fiddly process. So unless the solution I use to make my personal panel turns out to be reliable and repeatable, it likely won't be practical for me to offer this feature.
Fingers crossed I can pull it off.

[dakotaewing]

Then I gave it a squirt of SEM trim black and assembled everything.
I will say, I think it looks pretty good, that one flaw aside. That raised area is the sort of thing that most folks won't even notice and is the very reason I think it's such a neat little detail.

Note: Stamping the raised area for the dimmer is a real fiddly process. So unless the solution I use to make my personal panel turns out to be reliable and repeatable, it likely won't be practical for me to offer this feature.
Fingers crossed I can pull it off.

DAMN!
I'm in -
Tell me where to send my money!

[pdlightning]

Then I gave it a squirt of SEM trim black and assembled everything.
I will say, I think it looks pretty good, that one flaw aside. That raised area is the sort of thing that most folks won't even notice and is the very reason I think it's such a neat little detail.

Note: Stamping the raised area for the dimmer is a real fiddly process. So unless the solution I use to make my personal panel turns out to be reliable and repeatable, it likely won't be practical for me to offer this feature.
Fingers crossed I can pull it off.

That looks great, those Are the same gauges I purchased and we appreciate you doing this! Thanks

[no1uno]

Please add me to the list.

[Cairo94507]

That gauge set and bezel look so good I want to get one and cut it into the top of my desk....and it ain't a cheap desk. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[kid914]

I've updated the outer panel shape and it now fits and looks better. I also moved the tach hole down a bit - I think it looks better with less space at the bottom.

I also remembered that the SpeedHut gauges offer a gauge lighting dimmer so I opted to add the dimmer knob to the front of the panel.
Others may want to mount it elsewhere so I can offer the panel with or without this hole.

Next, I'm going to stamp a small raised circular area around that knob, just to break up all the flatness of the panel. We'll see how I like that...

Anyway, here's a front and back shot as things stand now.

Where are those gauges from?

[Gearup]

I’m in. I have 2 speedhut 4 inch gauge and the center tach is 4.5 speedhut. If that’s your dimensions I definately want one. Brett

[tygaboy]

I've updated the outer panel shape and it now fits and looks better. I also moved the tach hole down a bit - I think it looks better with less space at the bottom.

I also remembered that the SpeedHut gauges offer a gauge lighting dimmer so I opted to add the dimmer knob to the front of the panel.
Others may want to mount it elsewhere so I can offer the panel with or without this hole.

Next, I'm going to stamp a small raised circular area around that knob, just to break up all the flatness of the panel. We'll see how I like that...

Anyway, here's a front and back shot as things stand now.

Where are those gauges from?

@kid914 @Gearup They are from SpeedHut. 4.5" tach, 4" speedo and quad. Check out their site - they offer a lot of great options.

[Chris H.]

DAMN!
I'm in -
Tell me where to send my money!

Yeah that looks GREAT! Excellent idea adding the dimmer. Just tell us when/where to send money!

[tygaboy]

So I went all in and made a stamping die set so I can reliably create the dimmer knob element. What can I say? I love you guys and want to provide a nice piece so what the heck...

Here's the die set and an earlier version panel I "repaired" with it. It's not perfect but you get the idea.

[tygaboy]

Each of these three panels have some sort of flaw so I'm willing to part with them for cost of shipping.

You can have one of these OR wait a bit and for $20 plus shipping, you can have a "good" one.

PM me and it'll be first come, first served for this lot.

#1, the black one with no gauges in it: the dimmer knob stamp isn't even around it's perimeter.

#2, the grey one with no gauges: you can see it's got a small crease above the dimmer area and the stamping itself isn't great. What do you expect for free? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

#3, the black one with gauges (no, they aren't included) has a hiccup at the 1:30-ish position of the dimmer knob area, called out by the red arrow.

[76-914]

Just curious. What stumbling blocks, if any, were incurred during the development phase Chris? e.g warpage, distortion, etc. What is used for pressing the dies together? Vise, hammer, press? Something tells me a few hours went into making the dies. Nice job. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[ValcoOscar]

@tygaboy

Sweet Chris (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer3.gif)

D'MAN OF THE DAY (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

Oscar

[tygaboy]

Just curious. What stumbling blocks, if any, were incurred during the development phase Chris? e.g warpage, distortion, etc. What is used for pressing the dies together? Vise, hammer, press? Something tells me a few hours went into making the dies. Nice job. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

@76-914 Kent - All three panels pictured were done with the "quick & dirty" die set pictured below. It's too small (which allowed its edges to damage the panel, as in #2, above). It required manual positioning of both pieces on either side of the panel so it was a total crap shoot that things would turn out well... hence the freebie panels with the various issues.

I should know better by now that, getting lucky aside, if I want a quality result, I need to do what I know works: build a die set that is the same size as the panel.

Note that on the male side of this "full size" die set, I welded the dimmer area stamp to its panel. With the die set and the panel all cut to the exact same shape, it's easy to be sure everything is aligned and I get the best result.

As to warpage or distortion, I get none! Why? I use a powered H press and a sizable set of aluminum plates on both sides of the dies. It stamps the shape and flattens any distortion as it completes it's cycle.

When I make the next panel, I'll video the whole process and post it so you can see how it all works.

[76-914]

Just curious. What stumbling blocks, if any, were incurred during the development phase Chris? e.g warpage, distortion, etc. What is used for pressing the dies together? Vise, hammer, press? Something tells me a few hours went into making the dies. Nice job. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

@76-914 Kent - All three panels pictured were done with the "quick & dirty" die set pictured below. It's too small (which allowed its edges to damage the panel, as in #2, above). It required manual positioning of both pieces on either side of the panel so it was a total crap shoot that things would turn out well... hence the freebie panels with the various issues.

I should know better by now that, getting lucky aside, if I want a quality result, I need to do what I know works: build a die set that is the same size as the panel.

Note that on the male side of this "full size" die set, I welded the dimmer area stamp to its panel. With the die set and the panel all cut to the exact same shape, it's easy to be sure everything is aligned and I get the best result.

As to warpage or distortion, I get none! Why? I use a powered H press and a sizable set of aluminum plates on both sides of the dies. It stamps the shape and flattens any distortion as it completes it's cycle.

When I make the next panel, I'll video the whole process and post it so you can see how it all works.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif) Interested in seeing that. Thx (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)