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Here is my almost finished Autometer dash.All that's left is to drill the 4 holes for the turn indicators,brake warning and high beams indicator lamps.Then get it powdercoated, wire it up and install.What do you guys think so far?
The panel itself is made out of 1/8" flat aluminum sheet I got from my neighbor for free (score!!).In the pic with the gauges on the left side there looks to be no space between the speedo and vaccum gauge but there is about 3/16"..just in case anyone wonders about that:PThe speedo and tach are as noticed 5" monsters and the lil guages are 2 1/16" models.I then painted the outer ring of the monster gauges all silver to better match the other three small gauges.The hardest part was measuring it out so when the guages were in they looked evenly spaced.These dashes are not symmetrical which makes this a pain in the a$$.I thought about making up a few to sell but wasnt sure how well they would sell if made.I could always just fab up a few of just the basic blank dash and leave it so the buyer could put the gauges wherever?
Hey guys..email me if anyone is interested.With enough people I may look into making a small limited number of these (because they are hand made and time consuming).Just don't wanna piss off the mods since I am not a sponsor.
Originally posted by 85f-bird very professional and clean like it.
hey, r u missing a guage? didn't know which ones u have.
In dash I have speedo & tach in the monsters and the three smaller gauges are vacuum lower left,fuel level center , and volts lower right side.Under the center vents to the right of the dash I have fuel pressure,oil pressure, and water temp.Thats the main ones you may notice missing from the dash itself.I didnt wanna stuff all the gaues into the dash itself, it looked way to cluttered to me.
good idea on keeping things from being over cluttered. I've always perferred to keep essential engine managment guages centered and supplemental guages to the side...while that would normally place the speedo to the side, i consider not getting a ticket essential, lol, so i'd put it in front. Looks good though.
The 4 holes for the turn indicators,brake system warning and high beam indicator lamps have been drilled.I also made aluminum plates for the side pods of the dash.I did away with the cigarette lighter as I don't smoke nor is smoking allowed in the car at all.In it's place I am going to put my Autometer shift light.Hopefully this is the last place it will be in the car after 5 years of moving it all around the interior to find the perfect spot.I like the idea it will be concealed for the most part.Parts are being sent out in a week or two for powdercoating!Almost done...
I never thought about powdercoating it, just painted mine flat black. Be sure to show pics when it comes back. Love your idea for the side panels too, I have my boost retard knob on the right one.
I used 1/8" sheet aluminum.I used 2" hole saws for the small holes,drill bits for the really small ones,and a jig saw to cut the dash itself and the large holes out.I started the large holes with a 4 1/8" hole saw and then cut it to size (4 5/8") with the jig saw.Finsihed all the edges with hand and a DA sander.
Originally posted by onebad82z I used 1/8" sheet aluminum.I used 2" hole saws for the small holes,drill bits for the really small ones,and a jig saw to cut the dash itself and the large holes out.I started the large holes with a 4 1/8" hole saw and then cut it to size (4 5/8") with the jig saw.Finsihed all the edges with hand and a DA sander.
1/8"? Holy CRAP!! How many bits/blades did you go through? LOL
I started with 1/32, but it got way too flemsy. I am using 1/16 6061-T6 aircraft aluminum right now. So far I have the basic pattern on with marker. Have not cut the steering wheel hole or the gauge holes. I tried to use a dremel with cutting wheels, but I went through so many it wasn't funny.
What kind of blade did you use for your jigsaw? And what holesaws did you use?
Originally posted by kd5boc 1/8"? Holy CRAP!! How many bits/blades did you go through? LOL
I started with 1/32, but it got way too flemsy. I am using 1/16 6061-T6 aircraft aluminum right now. So far I have the basic pattern on with marker. Have not cut the steering wheel hole or the gauge holes. I tried to use a dremel with cutting wheels, but I went through so many it wasn't funny.
What kind of blade did you use for your jigsaw? And what holesaws did you use?
I used a 2" hole saw for the small gauges..I started the large holes with a 4 1/8" hole saw and then cut it to size (4 5/8") with the jig saw.I used a Bi Mteal blade on the jig saw.Didn't really chew any blades or bits up..it cut relatively easy even being 1/8" thick.I used my Dremel here and there for clean up..but no way could i have done it with that alone.Those cut off wheels break left and right.I like it because it is very sturdy..and looks wicked in the car even bare!!
Originally posted by onebad82z I used a 2" hole saw for the small gauges..I started the large holes with a 4 1/8" hole saw and then cut it to size (4 5/8") with the jig saw.I used a Bi Mteal blade on the jig saw.Didn't really chew any blades or bits up..it cut relatively easy even being 1/8" thick.I used my Dremel here and there for clean up..but no way could i have done it with that alone.Those cut off wheels break left and right.I like it because it is very sturdy..and looks wicked in the car even bare!!
OK...the hole saws, what kind were they? The only hle saws I have seen are for wood.
Originally posted by onebad82z Bi Metal Hole Saws..from Home Depot.
Well...didn't feel like driving 30 minutes to town. Went to the local shop and found regular wood holesaws for $2/ea and tried them...WORKS LIKE A CHAMP (as long as I go slow. ) Now I just need to get the rest of my gauges.
and install.What do you guys think so far? 
