Would you like to see my etchings?

GreatOldOne · #1 21st December 2011, 14:09

I've been busy doing some design work for a new switch plate and vin plate for Vikki. It's all been done in some free software from a german company called Schaeffer:

http://www.schaeffer-ag.de/index.php?id=97&L=1

You design it in their CAD like program, send the file to them and once you've paid it arrives in the post a couple of days later.

Each plate i've designed is going to cost about 40-50 euros, but I don't think it's that expensive for bespoke engraving and drilling work for very low volumes (1 of each)

I need to print them out life size and make sure my measurements are correct - but what do you think? The VIN plate one could be very useful to those of you with the Marlin plate on the wrong side, so I could make the file available so you could modify it with your details. That's if you like it, of course...

oaktree11 · #2 21st December 2011, 16:57

They look great! I would like to have a go at the VIN plate one please!

Did you mean to spell axle like that?

John

GreatOldOne · #3 21st December 2011, 17:28

No, I didn't. Have already changed it.

I've attached the vin plate file - all you need to do is load it up in the design software, and then change the text in each of the boxes to your numbers etc. You should just be able to double click on the text (you may have to select which item you want from a list), and then change the text without knocking out the alignment of the text.

GreatOldOne · #4 22nd December 2011, 11:17

I've printed both of the plates out at actual size, and tried them on Vikki:

No pics of the switch plate, as the switches get in the way... And it's difficult to take a photo when your holding a piece of paper in both hand trying to line the holes up.

But, happy to report everything lines up, so I ordered them today. Should get them some time in the new year.

oaktree11 · #5 22nd December 2011, 15:45

Thanks very much for the link, the plate looks great! I will set about organising one over the holiday!

Patrick · #6 23rd December 2011, 13:35

Dats very nice

JG · #7 24th December 2011, 13:20

Very smart

GreatOldOne · #8 5th January 2012, 10:08

They've been milled and inked, and are now winging their way from Deutchland.

Pics when they arrive.

GreatOldOne · #9 10th January 2012, 16:03

Look what the UPS man brought today:

They're very nice. I could probably have got away with a thinner aluminium plate for the VIN, as both items are 3mm thick - but they're nice and solid. The inking is accurate and within all the engraving, stands out really well against the black anodised finish of the plates.

Well chuffed with how they've turned out.

oaktree11 · #10 11th January 2012, 12:06

They do look MIGHTY impressive...

GreatOldOne · #11 11th January 2012, 18:27

They look even better on the car!

I haven't mounted the switch plate yet, as I had to take the centre console out and cut some extra holes for the heater valve stem and the starter button - that and I want to recover it.

I have mounted my starter button on the panel just to see what it'd look like, after I polished the clamping ring on it up to match the valve knob I turned in engineering class last night:

BLING!

Patrick · #12 11th January 2012, 20:10

Very nice

Mike · #13 11th January 2012, 20:32

Very classy, it adds a nice finishing touch - definitely one to be saved for post IVA.
Mike

peterux · #14 11th January 2012, 22:26

very smart!

mashtun · #15 12th January 2012, 07:48

Very nice indeed. Idly curious: the figures for Axle 1 and Axle 2 are max permitted weights, yes? Where did the values come from?

GreatOldOne · #16 12th January 2012, 10:09

They where best guesses, from everyone else's figures. You have to declare the max permitable weights on the IVA form. As long as you're not over them when they weight the car, you could put anything down, I guess.

For reference, my car weighed (at the time - it's probably a little heavier now it's got the windscreen and spare tyre on) 891Kg

mashtun · #17 12th January 2012, 18:08

Interesting, thanks. ~900kg surprises me, I must say. Is that typical for a Sportster? I thought maybe 750 or so (but don't know why - must have read it somewhere...). Means I'm probably over-estimating the power-to-weight ratio my Cabrio'll have once it's back on the road

GreatOldOne · #18 12th January 2012, 20:53

Well, if you minus a full tank of fuel + the weight of the IVA inspector, your getting toward a dry weight of around 750kg ish

IVA records service weight if I recall correctly.

Chris Cussen · #19 13th January 2012, 06:30

My Cabrio weighed in at 450kg front 400kg back, full tank of fuel and examiner.

mashtun · #20 13th January 2012, 07:20

/googles relative density of petrol... So around 40kg for fuel and say 70kg for the examiner puts Chris's dry weight below 750kg and Jason's not much above (their cars, that is

). Thanks for the info.