dash panel

[trd77]

I wanted to know if anyone had any ideas on what to make a dash or gauge panel out of. I am looking for some material that is easy to cut and shape but strong enough. I think metal is hard to cut. What has everyone else used, and am I over looking something easy.

[Geo]

Try abs plastic.


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George Roffe
Houston, TX
84 944 ITS car under construction
92 ITS Sentra SE-R occasionally borrowed
http://www.nissport.com

[racer_tim]

or plexiglass, from your local hardware store.



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Tim Linerud
San Francisco Region SCCA
#95 GP Wabbit (Bent)
http://linerud.myvnc.com/racing/index.html

[JeffYoung]

Mr. Doyle! How are you? Still owe you some pictures of the MSD installation, I know.

On my 8, I have a three gauge (2 1/2 inch Stewart Warners) for oil temp, water temp and oil pressure in an fabricated alum panel that fits into the space where the vents used to be in the middle of the dash.

Seems to work really good. Aluminum wasn't that hard to bend on a good solid work table.

Hope you are well.

Jeff

[ITSRX7]

We love carbon fiber. Easy to cut with a cut-off wheel and will stay looking great year after year. I found an on-line compnay called Carbon Trix that we have been happy with.

AB

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Andy Bettencourt
06 ITS RX-7
FlatOut Motorsports
New England Region #188967
www.flatout-motorsports.com
http://www.flatout-motorsports.com/images/200_06_checkered.jpg

[trd77]

Hi Jeff how are things. On the plexiglass, what is the best way to cut it

[racer_tim]

Dremel tool works real good.



------------------
Tim Linerud
San Francisco Region SCCA
#95 GP Wabbit (Bent)
http://linerud.myvnc.com/racing/index.html

[Racy-Stacey]

I use Plexi-glass myself.. I really like how easy it is to work with. My idea being if it got to be too high on the dash I would be able to see through it.

here are some pics.

http://www.probetalk.com/forums/images/stacey/TachSmall_05.jpg

http://www.probetalk.com/forums/images/stacey/TachSmall_06.jpg

http://www.probetalk.com/forums/images/stacey/TachSmall_08.jpg


I used a table saw and a dremel and a hole saw. I then painted the brackets black.

Good luck with yours.


------------------
Toodles,
Stacey_B AOL IM: SCCAStaceyIB 1990PGL (http://www.scpoc.com/Car%20Profiles/stacey.htm) SCCA STSL "Girls Do It Better" Cal Club T&S, BWRP,WS,Lag,Hallett www.scpoc.com (http://www.SCPOC.com) : www.probetalk.com (http://www.probetalk.com) Racing is my life. Winner One Lap of America 2003- SSGT2 class 1996 Ford Probe GT.

[joeg]

Nice job!!!

[bodyshop]

Stacey,
WOW..nice job...do you have any pics of the unit installed in the car? My dash is done, but I'm sure others are like myself and interested in the complete installation.

Great looking dash unit..

[Greg Gauper]

One trick to cutting plexiglass is to use the slowest cutting speed possible to avoid melting the workpiece. A variable speed jigsaw works well. A bandsaw works great since the blade doesn't get as hot due to its length.

Ditto when drilling or using a hole saw. Use a slow dril speed.

A Dremel tool wil work but go slowly and pause often to let the bit cool down.

[Knestis]

It is also TOTALLY worth the $ to buy drill bits designed for plastic. They have a different point design that keep them from catching and crackng your nice work all to junk...

K

[trd77]

racey-stacy that looks great. Does any one know where the best place to buy that type of plexi-glass that stock

[Knestis]

Check the yellow pages of your city (or the closest real city) under "Plastic" - many suppliers have retail sales desks for small quantities.

K