09 MAJOR DESIGN PROJECT-CUSTOM F/G DASH

[CMF_Marshal]

Hey guys
well its HSC time and for design and tech I have to do a major project that will last 3 terms. I go to Scots school in Albury. I had originally decided on doing a sub enclosure but I got bored e hols and kind of already did it, so it was back to the drawing board, I was tossing between a body kit and a dash, I went for the dash cuz the body kit will take forever. So did up all the planning drawing designing etc and now it’s ready to be built.
This thread will be going into my portfolio as evidence of evaluation (so you must all say nice f about me so I get extra marks lol), as a log book for me and the markers and to show you all what im doing. So all comments are greatly appreciated as it goes toward getting me more marks.
I went and got 5 sqm matting, 50 mm catlyst, 4 ltr resin, 3x speco gauges(tacho, oil pressure and amp), mdf, safety equip, the list goes on so does the price, I have a $600 budget for this project half me and half my parents.
Any way onto pics
I chopped up the matting into squares, measured up brackets for switches, a/c controls, headunit and then started cutting out.
thanks for reading and watch out for updates

 

[CMF_Marshal]

fiberglass matting

 

[CMF_Marshal]

measuring up

 

[CMF_Marshal]

a/c controls bracket

 

[CMF_Marshal]

speco gauges

 

[CMF_Marshal]

picof the plan well its really just a drawing as i cose a computer program to design it cuz i cracked the ****s with it

 

[smidge]

Nice work mate. My year 12 DT project was an mp3 player in my car... got nominated for that art express thingo!

mp3 in a car? so what?... well, back then (man i sound old now) Mp3's players didn't exist yet so it was a whole PC chopped down wired into the boot with a hand controller and it routed through the stereo

anyways, seen your glass work so far and its pretty impressive especially for your age so all the best with it happy to help answering any questions you have but it looks like you have it under control!

 

[CMF_Marshal]

cheers smidge
well only really got all the brackets cut out today, im finding it hard cuz i only get an hour for a period so it flys!!!
but here is some pics
my dust blower i was having trouble seeing the line cuz it was covered in dust so i got the compressor hooked up the hose, but it in the vice and help the handle in with tape, genius!!!

 

[CMF_Marshal]

brackets

 

[CMF_deNs]

Good to see you're using appropriate safety equipment (presuming you do wear those earmuffs and glasses in the last pic).

Is all the construction just going to be MDF?

---dens

 

[CMF_Marshal]

deNs WROTE:

"Good to see you're using appropriate safety equipment (presuming you do wear those earmuffs and glasses in the last pic). <BR><BR>Is all the construction just going to be MDF?<BR><BR>---dens

hell yeah saftey first its to dangerous to risk, the skelton/frmaework is going to be out of mdf and dowel, mdf for brackets and the side walls and dowel for the curves and stuff

 

[CMF_fred]

what about surfboard type foam?

 

[CMF_Marshal]

fred WROTE:

"what about surfboard type foam?

for the skelton????
i am using some foam in the production its soft and easy to cut and shape

 

[CMF_fred]

why not? the glass will be self supporting? but you've got a plan so ignore me

 

[CMF_Marshal]

nah mate all comments and opinions are greatly appreciated, i will take it into consideration cuz you never know it may turn out easier

 

[CMF_Marshal]

sorry about the lack of replying ive been sick
but im good now so its on witht the project, went to benalla this morning and pulled a dash out of a wreck and various other bits, 2 garbage bags full lol the car is compleatly stripped with everything i thought mite be usefull taken.
anywho played around with gauge placment and trimmed the dash to make way for the skelton.

 

[CMF_Marshal]

it got pooned

 

[CMF_Marshal]

bit dirty but has been sitting in the elements for a while, the windscreen was smashed

 

[CMF_Marshal]

the other stuff i collected

 

[CMF_Marshal]

cut to make way skelton

 

[CMF_fred]

just be careful... might check adr's to see if its legal to take the bump your head bit away..... whats going in to the right steering wheel there?

 

[CMF_Marshal]

its going to be glassed back over just didnt like the shape it had already there

 

[CMF_fred]

okey....can't wait for more progress...

 

[CMF_Marshal]

hey guys i started on the skelton only one side atm i ran out of both time and clamps

 

[CMF_Marshal]

one side

 

[CMF_Marshal]

gauges

 

[CMF_fred]

double check that you can actually see the far right hand gauge, steering wheel might be in the way????

 

[CMF_Marshal]

GOT MOST OF THE SKELTON DONE TODAY WOOOOO

 

[CMF_Marshal]

 

[CMF_Marshal]

llll

 

[CMF_Marshal]

FGJ

 

[CMF_Marshal]

last one

 

[smidge]

great work mate! how do you plan to giv eit some strength? just lots more glass?

where'd you learn the glassing skills anyway?

 

[CMF_Marshal]

there is a **** load of brasings there, that will support the material when i streach it over the give it the strength, and then the glass will be the main form of strength, i just learnt if from watching online forums and just giving it a go
this is a good one!!!
www.mobileelectronics.com.au
or www.fiberglassforums.com

 

[CMF_daily_ricer]

This looks pretty impressive. I love the look of the sketch!

But I'm nervous for you, and this is probably an obvious thing, but have you checked the clearance between the centre console and the gear shift? It looks like the centre console is going to end up sitting pretty far back from the original position and encroach on the cabin space...

 

[CMF_Marshal]

nah i havent done that yet cuz i havent had a chance to put it in the car, but by my measurments it should be ok!
time will tell

 

[CMF_Marshal]

hey well i got material streahed over the bttom half of the dash as i will be doing it in two parts to make it easier and to prevent warping

 

[CMF_Marshal]

sf

 

[CMF_Marshal]

cd

 

[CMF_Marshal]

zbfxdhv

 

[CMF_Sean]

Dude..

Your gearstick?

Sean

 

[CMF_Marshal]

what about it???
if your concerned about it clearing dont worrie i drove around with like this today and it clears fine!!

 

[CMF_turbo march-rolling shell]

mmm. i like the effort.. will probably look cool/goodness.. but not something i'd be into.. i reckon that'd make the already tiny cabin space feel even crampier.. but that's just me.

 

[CMF_Marshal]

hey got a layer of glass on today
cheers

 

[CMF_Marshal]

a

 

[CMF_Marshal]

fds

 

[CMF_turbo march-rolling shell]

so are you going fibreglass the entire again? (sorry if you've already answered that ) what finish? you going to wrap it/paint it?

 

[CMF_Marshal]

yeah fiberglass over the entire dash, i had to do it in 2 sections the top and the bottom which you see above because it would be easier this way and prevent warping. for the finish i wanted to wrap it but now im thinking a satin paint a tan colour,

 

[CMF_Marshal]

got a it of work done over the weekend, streached material for my shape layed some glass and started work on mounting the dash cluster and the a/c controls and headunit.
took me hours to mount those gauges lol
enjoy

 

[CMF_Marshal]

fdsa