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04-07-2011, 08:21 AM
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#1
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Galloway, NJ
Posts: 3,964
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Thinking about doing composite parts again...
I miss working with composites, so I'm looking to maybe get back into it. I'm thinking about starting out small, and work my way up to large body parts.
What do you guys think of carbon fiber valve covers? I was thinking maybe starting there. I can only be as one member put it here, a " parts jockey" for so long, the pay isn't good enough by any means, and my talent to work with these composites is going to waste.
I was thinking SBC valve covers to start with since they are the easiest, and most common of valve covers to produce for our engines. It would be a 3 layer design, 2X2 twill as the first layers, then a mid layer of Kevlar for strength and rigidity, and then a final layer of unidirectional carbon fiber for additional strength and help with the mating surface, and possibly an aluminumpiece that would run around the perimeter for gasket mating assistance, but I believe using some RTV would seal that right up.
So who would maybe be interested in looking into a set of these? I really want to bring my experience to our group, and to our chassis. I'm just looking to gain interest right now, see if it would be worth doing.
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1996 Camaro C/S - 2/3 Corvette Engine
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28
Uh yeah, after they surprized buttsecks us at Pearl Harbor?
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Last edited by Blacdout96; 04-07-2011 at 08:23 AM.
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04-07-2011, 10:01 AM
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#2
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Meet Coordinator
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: brick/pt. pleasant beach
Posts: 19,341
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I think they look really good when it goes with the rest of the motor.
Pending the price and how mine look after some time, I could be into it.
Nother shot
Last edited by sweetbmxrider; 04-07-2011 at 10:35 AM.
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04-07-2011, 10:46 AM
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#3
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Galloway, NJ
Posts: 3,964
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I see they're coming in at around 380 from that company, I think I'd be able to come in lesser on my price since I'm the only one doing the work.
FYI, I only vacuum bag, which saves weight, and evenly distributes the epoxy resin for a smoother finish.
__________________
1996 Camaro C/S - 2/3 Corvette Engine
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28
Uh yeah, after they surprized buttsecks us at Pearl Harbor?
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Last edited by Blacdout96; 04-07-2011 at 10:48 AM.
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04-07-2011, 10:56 AM
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#4
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Meet Coordinator
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: brick/pt. pleasant beach
Posts: 19,341
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I'd like to see what you come up with for sure.
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04-07-2011, 11:16 AM
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#5
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Stalker
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 12,077
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could you make other parts like rad covers and such? (mainly wondering about CTS one)
what about brackets and other one off items?
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04-07-2011, 11:33 AM
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#6
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Meet Coordinator
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: brick/pt. pleasant beach
Posts: 19,341
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Yeah I could be into 1 off's but I don't know how the pricing will be.
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04-07-2011, 11:52 AM
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#7
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Galloway, NJ
Posts: 3,964
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problem with one-offs is you have to pay for a one off, meaning you have to pay for the mold and the part since a mass produced part would usually help pay off the production of the mold.
Paul- That could be something I can do, but I would need a donor, and that would potentially get damaged from reinforcing it to make a mold since it flexes too much as is, which might make the finish product hard to install without minor modification if not reinforced. ( I.E. the end tabs.) Right now I could do simplified stuff like those.
Things like 3.8 valve covers, which use a rubber gasket that sits inside a track around the bottom, would require two molds bolted together to get that, and I'm not looking into getting that involved just yet...but just about anything is possible if the demand is high enough.
__________________
1996 Camaro C/S - 2/3 Corvette Engine
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28
Uh yeah, after they surprized buttsecks us at Pearl Harbor?
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04-07-2011, 11:53 AM
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#8
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Mongo the Meet Coordinator
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 16,900
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Carbon fiber dash pads.
Make mad monies.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by KirkEvil
repo bigals turd gen and part it out to a loving home
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04-07-2011, 11:54 AM
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#9
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Galloway, NJ
Posts: 3,964
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LTs1ow
Carbon fiber dash pads.
Make mad monies.
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Thought about it. Demand it enough, and it may come true.
__________________
1996 Camaro C/S - 2/3 Corvette Engine
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28
Uh yeah, after they surprized buttsecks us at Pearl Harbor?
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04-07-2011, 12:40 PM
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#10
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Meet Coordinator
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: brick/pt. pleasant beach
Posts: 19,341
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Full dash would be cool too. a pillars with the option of gauges!
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04-07-2011, 12:42 PM
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#11
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Mongo the Meet Coordinator
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 16,900
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Blacdout96
Thought about it. Demand it enough, and it may come true.
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GM sells em for ~300, and these cars are not getting any younger...
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by KirkEvil
repo bigals turd gen and part it out to a loving home
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04-07-2011, 12:52 PM
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#12
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Meet Coordinator
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: brick/pt. pleasant beach
Posts: 19,341
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6LE sells them for a little over $100 to around $150
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04-07-2011, 01:04 PM
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#13
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Mongo the Meet Coordinator
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 16,900
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sweetbmxrider
6LE sells them for a little over $100 to around $150
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F that guy.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by KirkEvil
repo bigals turd gen and part it out to a loving home
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04-07-2011, 01:06 PM
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#14
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Galloway, NJ
Posts: 3,964
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A-Pillar's? I'd have to take a look and see how complex they are, but they seem doable for the most part. I could do just about anything, but I would need enough people for the first batch to make it worth it, like 8-10 orders minimun. If the Jersey shore Pals (JSP) can get enough people interested, or even other places like LS1tech ro something, I can't see things not getting enough interest to produce.
__________________
1996 Camaro C/S - 2/3 Corvette Engine
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28
Uh yeah, after they surprized buttsecks us at Pearl Harbor?
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Last edited by Blacdout96; 04-07-2011 at 01:06 PM.
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04-07-2011, 01:09 PM
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#15
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Mongo the Meet Coordinator
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 16,900
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Any pics of your work ?
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by KirkEvil
repo bigals turd gen and part it out to a loving home
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04-07-2011, 01:17 PM
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#16
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Galloway, NJ
Posts: 3,964
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Haven't made a part since I left Viking, but basically look up their 46 and 82 yatchs, I either built or had a hand in just about all the parts from the hull, to the transom to the live wells and tuna tubes.
I'll make something now that I have a reason to get out of the house to show you guys my attention to detail and workmanship.
__________________
1996 Camaro C/S - 2/3 Corvette Engine
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28
Uh yeah, after they surprized buttsecks us at Pearl Harbor?
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04-07-2011, 01:18 PM
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#17
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Mongo the Meet Coordinator
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 16,900
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Bah, I know some crappy Viking glassing...
And cool, would be nice to see some A pillar pods for hard top cars.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by KirkEvil
repo bigals turd gen and part it out to a loving home
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04-07-2011, 01:27 PM
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#18
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Galloway, NJ
Posts: 3,964
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Absolutely, there's tons of parts on our cars that aren't too complex. I'd like to hear more interest from others, glad to see some interest in the first place.
__________________
1996 Camaro C/S - 2/3 Corvette Engine
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28
Uh yeah, after they surprized buttsecks us at Pearl Harbor?
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04-07-2011, 01:35 PM
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#19
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Mongo the Meet Coordinator
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 16,900
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And just simple stuff like radio/HVAC delete plates would prob sell.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by KirkEvil
repo bigals turd gen and part it out to a loving home
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04-07-2011, 01:40 PM
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#20
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Galloway, NJ
Posts: 3,964
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Ah! that's right, forgot about those, maybe I will start with those, since that is nothing more then a flat piece with possibly some bolt locations. I would only use either two pieces of carbon fiber ( 2x2 and unidrectional) or if there will be buttons and knobs, possibly one piece of carbon, and one piece of Kevlar to prevent flexing when you go to push a button or flick a switch.
I'll have to take a look at my price list at home, and do some quick math.
__________________
1996 Camaro C/S - 2/3 Corvette Engine
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28
Uh yeah, after they surprized buttsecks us at Pearl Harbor?
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04-07-2011, 01:40 PM
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#21
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Ayatollah of Rock N Rolla / Admin
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 12,573
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Blacdout96
Absolutely, there's tons of parts on our cars that aren't too complex. I'd like to hear more interest from others, glad to see some interest in the first place.
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Depending on your pricing I may ask you to do a 3 hole pillar gauge pod for my Nova. I have another guy doing it but his is a mashup of a stock pillar and a universal one. I'd have you use that as a base and make a one piece. I'll let you know.
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04-07-2011, 01:42 PM
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#22
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Galloway, NJ
Posts: 3,964
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WildBillyT
Depending on your pricing I may ask you to do a 3 hole pillar gauge pod for my Nova. I have another guy doing it but his is a mashup of a stock pillar and a universal one. I'd have you use that as a base and make a one piece. I'll let you know.
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send me some pics of the progress, Id like to see what he's got going on, see if I have to blend the guages into the pillar. is that pillar metal or plastic too?
__________________
1996 Camaro C/S - 2/3 Corvette Engine
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28
Uh yeah, after they surprized buttsecks us at Pearl Harbor?
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04-07-2011, 01:46 PM
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#23
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Ayatollah of Rock N Rolla / Admin
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 12,573
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Blacdout96
send me some pics of the progress, Id like to see what he's got going on, see if I have to blend the guages into the pillar. is that pillar metal or plastic too?
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He hasn't started- still in infancy.
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j7...illarcover.jpg
68s are different slightly though. Again, if pricing is not bad I'd consider buying a crappy stock pillar and sending it to you to play with.
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04-07-2011, 01:59 PM
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#24
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Galloway, NJ
Posts: 3,964
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Hmm, I might have to see a few other photos, but so far I see where he's going with it, and seems doable. I would have to sand it smooth because the epoxy gets distorted and bumpy and looks like **** if you leave the surface coarse like that ( damn ABS plastic lol). I might be able to make a cheaper mold then normal since all the curves give it strength and reduced flexing.
__________________
1996 Camaro C/S - 2/3 Corvette Engine
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28
Uh yeah, after they surprized buttsecks us at Pearl Harbor?
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04-07-2011, 02:52 PM
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#25
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 485
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if you could make this for less than $30 id buy it
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