Randy Mosier
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3,379 Posts
I think I dumped your mailing address from my e-mail inbox by accident. I'm cutting some out almost as we speak for another member. Send me your address.......again! Sorry about that!
Ok, well, I dont have your email anymore. So email me at [email protected], and I will send it to you AGAIN!!!!!!!
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Maybe I should just fly out there and get it...
Maybe I should just fly out there and get it...
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3,379 Posts
Actually, I found it! There was no user name on the e-mail, but the address you gave in your reply matched the one in my inbox. I thought it was long gone. Anyway, I've been under the weather for quite a while, but it looks like I've finally managed to shake that nasty bug that wouldn't get out of my system. It's in the envelope and will be on its way tomorrow.
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66 Posts
Hey Randy
Why not work with the site and post the template info somewhere here so anyone who might need it can download by himself??
Why not work with the site and post the template info somewhere here so anyone who might need it can download by himself??
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3,379 Posts
Actually Carlos, I wish it were that simple. I have to draw the pattern onto poster paper from an actual aluminum panel that was intended for use in my 71 once upon a time. Then, the pattern is cut out and traced to whatever material is being used for the gauge cluster. Either sheet aluminum or plexiglass can be used, but I don't know of a way to post the exact dimensions since it's not a perfect geometrical shape. Neither end is perfectly square to the bottom edge, and the top of the template is narrower on one end with a sloping curve across the top edge. Then there is the location of the gauges to be considered. I made this panel of mine with the intent of doing this conversion in my car, but I found a Monte dash for a reasonable price and went with that instead.
[This message has been edited by Randy Mosier (edited 01-31-2003).]
[This message has been edited by Randy Mosier (edited 01-31-2003).]
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3,379 Posts
Jon, let me know if you don't get the template in a few days. The last one I sent came back over a month later, with tire tracks on the outside of the package!!!
Alright, I just got home from work and guess what. Its here! Happy times are here at last. What would you recommend using to make it out of?
And why dont you just patent it, and start mass producing? Or, well not MASS produce, but you know what I mean. Im sure you could make quite a bit off this template.
Also, if I decided to go with bigger gauges, would I just fill in the little cut out parts on the bottom if I removed the idiot lights?
I know its been said before, by someone on here.... but just because theres idiot lights doesnt mean Ill stop being an idiot.
And why dont you just patent it, and start mass producing? Or, well not MASS produce, but you know what I mean. Im sure you could make quite a bit off this template.
Also, if I decided to go with bigger gauges, would I just fill in the little cut out parts on the bottom if I removed the idiot lights?
I know its been said before, by someone on here.... but just because theres idiot lights doesnt mean Ill stop being an idiot.
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3,379 Posts
You can use either aluminum or plexiglass. I used .072 aluminum for the template, which was originally going to be the panel. Aircraft grade aluminum is hard to come by in small quantities. Every metal supplier I went to would sell me no less than a full 4 x 8 sheet. I finally found a supplier who sold in small quantities, but he's since gone out of business. The original designer of this setup used .080 plexiglass on his and it came out looking great. He painted it with satin black lacquer paint before he set the gauges in and it looks like it was made that way at the factory. I wish that guy still had his website up. His user name was beavrab, but he's apparently cancelled his user name because I can't find any info on him.
If you want bigger gauges, you'll probably need to fabricate an entirely different template. This one is specifically made for Autometer Street Rod series gauges and is intended to replace the face of the sweep speedometer.
When you make the panel, you'll also have to fabricate some spacers to go between the back of the panel and the instrument housing. I used some small pieces of round plexiglass for Uncle's panel, and just epoxied them into place. When you take the speedo face off, you'll notice that the inside of the housing is uneven from where the speedometer mechanism used to rest, and will not let the panel sit level without the spacers. You can easily place the spacers so that they won't be visible when the panel is complete.
I wish this were my idea originally, but beavrab, wherever he's disappeared to, gets the credit for this one.
If you want bigger gauges, you'll probably need to fabricate an entirely different template. This one is specifically made for Autometer Street Rod series gauges and is intended to replace the face of the sweep speedometer.
When you make the panel, you'll also have to fabricate some spacers to go between the back of the panel and the instrument housing. I used some small pieces of round plexiglass for Uncle's panel, and just epoxied them into place. When you take the speedo face off, you'll notice that the inside of the housing is uneven from where the speedometer mechanism used to rest, and will not let the panel sit level without the spacers. You can easily place the spacers so that they won't be visible when the panel is complete.
I wish this were my idea originally, but beavrab, wherever he's disappeared to, gets the credit for this one.
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