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Making Custom (Very Close to Original) Faceplates for Gauges

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    #31
    Another update. Unproductive week. Some one who was unauthorized to run the machinery started a fire and ended up costing the shop their laser cutter. Repairs are under way. Sorry for the delay. Ball is in their court - they are actively seeking to help me find alternatives while they conduct repairs.

    In other news, I'm repainting the bike because this is taking so long. Very frustrating.

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      #32
      The headache continues. Been in touch with the owner of the shop; he insists a the machine will be online by the end of next week. Sorry guys, I was really hoping to hammer this out in a couple of days... not months. *sigh*

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        #33
        Not abandoned; health issues arose. Enforced medical leave of absence, no income presently. Will resume work on the project as soon as I can.

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          #34
          Originally posted by Call Me Ahab View Post
          Not abandoned; health issues arose. Enforced medical leave of absence, no income presently. Will resume work on the project as soon as I can.
          Sounds all to familiar,get better soon.

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            #35
            First step forward in a while - proof in the pudding, as they say. Working on revisions to the DWG files and preparing to send them back over to the Space. Acrylic baseplate, power on the laser was set just a little too high, or maybe my focal depth was off, so we had some re-deposition of material which caused some defects, but all in all not a bad first pass. Discussing ways to improve the final product with the specialist on staff, he seems quite optimistic. More updates soon.

            On a personal note - thank you SVSooke. Things are coming along nicely, the first round of testing threw up numerous alarms, all of which are now resolved and quieted. I will not be returning to my previous employer. Going into business for myself, effective immediately. Doctor throwing around words like 'hypertensive crisis' and 'imminent stroke' woke me up to how sh*tty my job was. Not killing myself over that godawful paycheck for those horrible people.

            On track to getting healthy again. Updates should roll out more often, I'm relocating my shop and all my equipment closer to home, no more worrying about time and fuel + operating expenses.

            NOTE: In the higher resolution image you can see where the laser overheated the material, causing that ghost effect. Also, note the distortion in the right bore.
            Last edited by Guest; 07-29-2017, 04:19 PM.

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              #36
              Second pass saw little improvement; suggestion was to step down to a thinner material or to make multiple passes. Have procured a .0625" sheet, will try that this coming week. We are also considering silkscreen as a viable possibility, but the laser cut version allows for unique customization options.

              Photo of 2nd and 3rd cuts to follow, as soon as my camera decides to Lazarus itself.

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                #37
                Link to Current photos and revisions

                Third pass offered improvements - looks like I have quite a few options available. Etching the clear plastic w/ a welded on black plate behind allows me to side-light the gauges and illuminate letters in an interesting manner. Alternatively, I can back light using translucent colored films.

                The creatorspace president also suggested remaking the indicator plates for oilpressure / neutral / brake light etc. that are clear plastic and etched with white ink / paint smeared in. Will be drafting one of these up as a trial, as these would be far more simplistic than the gauge indicator plates.

                Another 'Space member is going to assist me in setting up a small silk-screen operation, so it looks like we can quite easily make 100% authentic looking plates after all! I'll actually be scanning the original image rather than approximating it using AutoCad and measurements by hand. This is getting interesting.

                As soon as I have a finished product available I'd be curious to see how many people want OEM look vs a newer style. Nothing extravagant or flashy, just... different. Sorry for the slow progress up till now guys, life has been relentlessly punishing me these past few months.

                Link to album where you can see all available pictures of plates: http://s1355.photobucket.com/user/Ca...?sort=3&page=1

                Etched plate:
                [IMG][/IMG]
                Last edited by Guest; 08-06-2017, 02:44 PM.

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                  #38
                  No need to apologize, the fact that you're will to put all this time and effort in is amazing, thanks. Hope your life settles down a bit in the near future.
                  Rob
                  1983 1100ES, 98' ST1100, 02' DR-Z400E and a few other 'bits and pieces'
                  Are you on the GSR Google Earth Map yet? http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=170533

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                    #39
                    Hey everyone, sorry for the lack of updates.

                    I just wanted to poll general opinion real quick.
                    Presently, the design I am working with (for simplicity's sake, cost effectiveness, and to reduce potential for wear and fading) is as follows:

                    Transparent Acrylic Disc.
                    Reverse-side is rasterized (etched with laser) with all lettering, numbers, arcs, details, etc.
                    Reverse side lettering, numbers, lettering, numbers, arcs, details, etc. are filled in with UV-proof white pigment.
                    Reverse side is coated with UV-proof color matched brown paint.
                    Profile edge is coated with UV-Proof red pigment.
                    Lighting is achieved via side-light. Light is picked up by red-pigment edge and refracted through the plate, striking and illuminating white etching.
                    Effect achieved (prototype plate was destroyed by careless 'guest' at the workshop, new in is in the works) is excellent night-lighting, more consistent spread. Daylight still allows for visibility of white lettering.

                    I'm still toying with designs, and as things return to normal after hurricane harvey, I have more time to put back into this project. I just finished some TLC on the 850 this past week, engine and carbs took in water. I was fortunate enough to be able to rescue the bike and get to high ground, drain the water / oil / fuel and flush the system. Battery was cooked, but a small price to pay, knowing the entire vehicle was at risk. All in all, very fortunate. Runs like she just rolled off the assembly line.

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