Removable dash?

[frank_a]

Just ordered a 1/2 inch stick in fine. No problem with my big drill press. Wasn't sure so checked, but that chuck will take more than 1/2".

Thanks again Winfield.

[winfield scott]

Yes I used cratex on mine, 1/2" stick for the dash and a 1" w mandrel for the fire wall.
Just cut the cratex stick to about 2" and don't let it stick out of the chuck too far, less than an 1".

[mike wade]

Frank, I can take a photo of a Blue 2" Roloc but that is just a medium Roloc that you can buy anywhere you can buy them. I have never used or even seen the stick Windy talked about..

Try both and see what you like. I kind of like your sample .....

[frank_a]

Thanks for the tips Winfield. Got the piece of 1/8 aluminum, need to make a jig for the drill press, but busy day, then gone tomorrow for 4 days. Cratex stick should be here a week from today.

Stay warm!

[frank_a]

Might not make a jig, unless over the next 4 days I can figure out how to do that with my big drill press. Will make light pencil lines on the aluminum to mark off a grid. First though, wouldn't I be better off with shiny aluminum? I could start with 400 on my DA to get out minor surface scratches, then go progressively to 2000 and polish. Or is that too much work for a dash? Here's some pics of the piece I got. It has some surface scratches on it, no gouges:

[mike wade]

Frank you will never see those minor scratches after the thing is turned. I did not want a shiny surface so I used the Alum just like you have right there....I think you are over thinking this think.....

[frank_a]

[frank_a]

Well, I couldn't live with my picky self if I didn't clean it up a bit. So I started with 120 on my DA, went to 280, then switched to sanding pad with 320 dry, then 320 wet. I eliminated any scratches. Took less than an hour to do.

Cratex stick should be here today. Gonna pencil line a grid (1/2 inch, 3/8 inch?) on this aluminum and get at it when I can. Still got a bunch of things to do around the house.

Will keep y'all posted.

[frank_a]

Grid lines drawn, 3/8 with #2 pencil...

[frank_a]

Gee, no comments? My Cratex 1/2 inch stick that was supposed to be here yesterday is now proposed to be here tomorrow. Sigh. No problem really, plenty of other stuff to do.

Frank