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So after building a second vacuum-forming machine, and while we’re all stuck at home, I decided to tackle making instrument panels... the first one i made from 1/16” ABS and it came out just dandy.... fit perfectly without the need of that rubber grommet.
The second pull was from 3/32” ABS... it felt twice as sturdy... however after installing the 1/16” in my own truck, i think either will be fine. The advantage to the 1/16” ABS is cutting the turn signal directional holes was much easier than the thicker ABS not to mention 1/2 the cost of plastic.
i will brag about one thing i noticed... in there is a company that makes these for our trucks but you cannot place the gauge holes they way you want.. also they lose much detail especially around the lower edge where the screw holes are... if you look close at the other brand X, the holes are right next to the lower edge. I made sure i kept the integrity of the original stamped steel dash by making the tool that would produce an exact reproduction in 1/16 abs including the right revel from the mounting hole to the lower edge... things like that bother me.. Also the turn signal indicator lamps needed to be better than simply dropping in the typical radio shack round LED bulb... so i cut the arrows and glued a receptacle on the back to accept the green lens, LED tube and bulb.
Not sure which I’m gonna make available, maybe both if I can find someone who can make me a steel punch that will die-cut the directional arrow out of the 3/32” plastic (anyone feel free to refer someone to make this).
The competition is selling similar bezel for 150.00 and that doesn’t include the cheap radio shack type drop in LED bulbs and holders... and you cannot drill your own gauge holes where you want.
I probably could charge what they are charging... but then again, I’m not doing this to make a living... I’m doing this because I love do to this... What might y’all think is a fair price?
That looks great, I will be in the market for 2 once I get back to working on mine. I added the section on the passenger side because I can't seemed to keep things simple.
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.
