Well finally had time to do some of my own projects lately. First thing I had to do is improve my TIG welding. So I went to the man who some people claim knows everything and for the price of some chicken wings he imparted some knowledge to me. After using his TIG for a few minutes I found that the arc was way more stable than mine. After watching him sharpen his tungsten rods on a diamond wheel to a very sharp point I figured I too must do this. I found an old electric motor out of a photocopier I scavenged years ago (It runs 4600RPM). I had a cheap diamond wheel I wasn't using. So with a quick trip to the lathe I made an arbor to put the 2 together. A left over cord from a lamp and presto, a dedicated tungsten sharpener.
Now that my TIG rods were properly sharp, the work could begin.
First thing I wanted to address was the dash of my 47 Mercury. When I built it I basically just hacked the cluster into the dash. Wasn't my finest work and I wasn't very happy with it.
The picture doesn't really show how ugly it was.
So I built a surround for it out 1/4" stainless round rod and stainless sheet. Welded and blended it into the dash.
First thing I wanted to address was the dash of my 47 Mercury. When I built it I basically just hacked the cluster into the dash. Wasn't my finest work and I wasn't very happy with it.
I have a dedicated wheel I sharpen my tungsten's on at work, all I use it for is tungsten's. I find that the longer they are and the more straight rather then swirled they are to the point the better they work. I do mostly stainless where i work. I think the cluster is rather good in your truck, pure function and form, not prettying it up for the masses. rat rods are the definition of making a bunch of unrelated and non compatible stuff work together.
I wanted a new stereo for the shop, found one at my local pawn shop. Now I need a shelf to put it on. When you have a CNC plasma cutter available you can make any brackets you like so I drew up some simple ones that I could use my dimple dies in and get some racing holes into. Threw some 20 gauge stainless on the table and2 minutes later I had this.
Over to the press for the dimple dies and the brake for flanges.
A piece of melamine for a shelf and mount it to the wall.
Another ugly piece I was tired of looking at was the fuel filler neck. It worked but I was sure I could do better.
I got a brass fuel cap from a friend of mine a little while ago. I don't know where he got it from but it looks like it came form an old transport truck diesel tank. A quick look on the Internet and I found nothing.
It was too neat looking not to use. The thread is 2" pipe thread, so don't the local plumbing supply and bought a 2" stainless coupler and cut in half on the lathe. A little bit of stainless tubing, some time with the TIG welder and presto. I much better looking fuel filler neck.
