Machine Turned Dashboard

MartinClan · #1 17th August 2007, 07:47

I have reached the stage where I need to organize the dashboad and I would like to use a machine turned finish as in these pictures http://www.msportster.co.uk/data/st06-015.jpg or http://www.msportster.co.uk/data/st06-021.jpg (courtesy of Patrick's website). Does anyone known the contact details for the owners of these cars or where I can get this type of material? Europa sell an machine turned alluminium dash but I can't help thinking alluminium is not the best material - it should be stainless steel.

Cheers

Robin

Patrick · #2 17th August 2007, 11:20

Could you buy a sheet of stainless and do the turning yourself maybe? Not sure what attachment on a drill would be right, maybe a small sanding disk.

MartinClan · #3 17th August 2007, 11:40

I think you can DIY if you have the right tool - I think they use some sort of special sanding drum. But - this is one job I don't want to try myself!

Robin

Patrick · #4 17th August 2007, 11:50

I got a big piece of ali from http://www.metalsupermarkets.com/ - their Southampton store. Perhaps they might have turned stuff on the shelf, if not they may know where to get it.

GreatOldOne · #5 18th August 2007, 08:33

I could of sworn I'd seen loads of places that do this. But as soon as you start looking, they all scuttle away! The only place I could find after an hour of googling was this:

http://www.jamespearce.uk.com/engine.html

Looks good though - I think you'd have to contact them for prices.

MartinClan · #6 18th August 2007, 18:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreatOldOne

I could of sworn I'd seen loads of places that do this. But as soon as you start looking, they all scuttle away! The only place I could find after an hour of googling was this:

http://www.jamespearce.uk.com/engine.html

Looks good though - I think you'd have to contact them for prices.

Looks just the job - I will contact them next week.

Cheers

Robin

jward · #7 19th August 2007, 09:15

There is a similar thread here with other suggestions!

http://www.pembleton.co.uk/bulletinb...69242dd03ce02e

Alfie · #8 19th August 2007, 10:15

I'm sure I've seen one advertised by Marlin somewhere. May be worth asking them.

Alfie.

MartinClan · #9 19th August 2007, 19:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by jward

There is a similar thread here with other suggestions!

http://www.pembleton.co.uk/bulletinb...69242dd03ce02e

Good information. I don't think that I will be going the jamespearce root then at £140....

Robin

MartinClan · #10 20th August 2007, 19:11

I had a chat with the guy at James Pearce. Interesting....

He doesn't recommend stainless for the dash as:
A. It is to bright (not good when the sun shines off it)
B. It is almost impossible to cut to shape unless you happen to have a laser cutter handy.

Ally is fine as long as:
A. You back it with some ply to give it a bit of strength
B. You wax it to stop it oxidising - apparently this is much better than laquer which tends to peel off

And finally - from him a turned alloy blank 36" by 8" is about £100 plus carriage plus VAT - not too bad I suppose. A lot nicer looking than the Europa offering - but then it is 3 times as expensive.

Robin