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Parts fab Latest - new pics

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RickB

RickB

Yoda
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Parts fab up-date - new pics

I finally got back to the fiberglass parts fabrication after spending significant time in the dentist chair and dealing with the bad wheel bearing on the wife's Kia van (thanks to BillM) and so I thought I'd update the progress with a couple pictures.

Here's the metal piece cut from a rusty fender:
tailpiece01.jpg


Here's the piece I'm making in the plaster mold:

fiberglass1.jpg


Here it is with two carriage bolts in epoxy, I spread the epoxy around the edges to add a little strength to the piece.

fiberglass3.jpg


Side view:

fiberglass2.jpg


Once things have set up good I'll fill it and then attach to the car. I'll use stop nuts so they can only be tightened up so far then I'll smooth it up with bondo glazing, sand and paint.
At least that's the plan.
 
Re: Parts fab up-date - new pics

Love it when someone has a plan, good luck.
 
Re: Parts fab up-date - new pics

Your dentist doesn wheel bearings? No wonder why it took so long. Next time go to TR6Bill.
 
Re: Parts fab up-date - new pics

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]spending significant time in the dentist chair and dealing with the bad wheel bearing on the wife's Kia van[/QUOTE]

Should be:

1. spending significant time in the dentist chair

and

2. dealing with the bad wheel bearing on the wife's Kia van

At the rates my dentist charges he might have beat the quote from the car repair place.

Which is why DIY guys like us can make out like bandits!
 
Re: Parts fab up-date - new pics

Filling with expanding foam = BAD MOJO
Don't do it.
 
Re: Parts fab up-date - new pics

RickB said:
Filling with expanding foam = BAD MOJO
Don't do it.
Click to expand...

Oh no, please tell me you didn't do that!

They don't call it expanding foam for no reason.

Disolve it w/ acetone or something and you still might be able to save them.
 
Re: Parts fab up-date - new pics

Thanks, really dumb move but that's how you learn right?
 
Re: Parts fab up-date - new pics

Here's the rest, as usual the attachment and finishing took more time and effort than expected. They turned out OK, not perfect but acceptable for now.

Attached and bondo globbed on:
underlights1.jpg


Sanded, glazed, primered and painted:
underlights.jpg
 
Re: Parts fab up-date - new pics

that's impressive!!!!
 
Re: Parts fab up-date - new pics

Thanks JP, believe me it's less than perfect in real life.
It does look nice from about 10 feet however!
 
Re: Parts fab up-date - new pics

RickB said:
Thanks JP, believe me it's less than perfect in real life.
It does look nice from about 10 feet however!
Click to expand...

still, for a first try, I think you've really accomplished something.
 
Re: Parts fab up-date - new pics

Looks pretty darn good Rick! WAY better than it was before.
BillM
 
Re: Parts fab up-date - new pics

unbealivable.
 
Re: Parts fab up-date - new pics

Ok, now for the reality check.
It took hours to make the mold, hours to get the fiberglass pieces made, hours to mount them to the car, hours to bondo them into shape and then sand off the bondo then glaze them then sand them smooth then primer and paint them.
That's to get them to the 20 - 20 stage.
20 feet or 20 mph that is.

So I believe it's about 12 hours work as a conservative estimate.
Add about $50 worth of materials.

It would probably be better to cut off a pair from a donor and have someone weld them on.
It is what it is, and I agree it looks a lot better now.

Thanks for the comments, very encouraging!
 
Re: Parts fab up-date - new pics

yeah but don't forget prototype always takes the longest
 
Re: Parts fab up-date - new pics

Too true JP, too true.
Just making the fiberglass parts and adding bolts and nuts and washers to pack up and ship wouldn't be too bad.
Anyone getting them would have to be able to attach them and add bondo...
 
Re: Parts fab up-date - new pics

Nice job, Rick! I'm really impressed. I'm liking your car more and more!

Phil
 
Re: Parts fab up-date - new pics

Looks good! I would shave the side markers for an even smoother look!
 
Re: Parts fab up-date - new pics

KSIS said:
Looks good! I would shave the side markers for an even smoother look!
Click to expand...

They are operational, I know what you mean about the look but then it would be even harder to get people to not run into me on the dark winter mornings here.
 
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