9 replies to this topic

[jack_marshall]

I've seen a few cool dash's around, but I cant justify the money that they cost!

Im refering to dash's like the Curley carbon fibre ones etc.

I like them because they're something different to the ordinary flat faced dashes. They also incorporate a centre consol and bring everything forward a touch. Which I like :grin:

Thing is, im not going to go out and spend several hundred pounds on one. So if I can, I'll make something like.

I was just wondering if any of you tech brains had any smart idea's how to get a base to start with. I was thinking maybe balsa wood as it is flexible and I could layer up fibreglass resin onto it and finish it with a skim of filler and paint it?

Anyway, may sound stupid or radical, but ah well.

Something like this...

Attached Files

•  dash_idea_1_jpg.JPG   34.91K   14 downloads

[jack_marshall]

Ok, So after several minutes of thinking (owch my head!) I thought maybe the balsa wood is abit far fetched.

Sooo, I had another idea. I drew up a quick pic on paint to help illustrate it.

Step 1) Use sheet steel strips to make a "frame" for the dash.

Step 2) Use cardboard to lay a bed and get the shape of the dash.

Step 3) Use fibreglass resin (Body bodging stuff, got plenty) to build up a strong wall.

Finish off with a filler or some kind and finish as I please.

I bet your all going to laugh.

Attached Files

•  step_1_2_3_dash.JPG   31.56K   5 downloads

[ed4ran]

balsa wood

lol, that is not the wood to use.

best bet would be to make a mould (if you want just GRP/CF dash) with MDF and smooth it with filler etc.
but if you dont mind having wood in it (covered with GRP or CF), then the way ill make mine (just wood, but method should work) is to make some ribs (like a boat) to give support and screw them in position, then get some thin flexable MDF and bend it around the ribs to form the shape you want.
Then you cover it with Fibreglass, (im gonna put vinyl over mine)

Alternatively have you seen the GRP dash that several people on here make?

[ed4ran]

lol, i took a while writing it, but your idea is pretty much the same as mine.

[jack_marshall]

I have seen some of those GRP dashes. I cant find them anywhere to look at though.

I know they wernt cheap!

I know what you mean with the ribbing, I was going to do that but thought this was gonna be easier!

[TJenkos]

£100 for dash and centre console....

Not cheap??? Guess you havent seen these ones lol!

Should be ordering mine as soon as i can get in contact with him.

Username is Smudger
www.smb-composites.co.uk

[jack_marshall]

Not cheap when your a 16 year old school kid doing a resto on a budget!

But yeah, those dashes are sexual.

[TJenkos]

Im 15 doing a mini project

[Jammy]

OMG, a guy did a massive guide on how to do fibre glassing like last week, do people not know where the search button is anymore, I mean really!! :tongue:


(sorry, was in work very early this morning, so still a little grumpy...wooossaaaaaa)

Anyway, heres the guide, its about making an install for some ICE, but the principle is the same.

[jack_marshall]

Yep, seen it, read it.

Was just asking for opinions on my idea!

Foo'!