Billet Aluminum Dash Bezel

pro70z28 · 04-16-2008, 11:07 PM

Got the gauges picked out I think for the dash project. . I downloaded the ones I want off the net, sized em' to the specs on the site & printed the faces out on the printer. Then I cut some PVC gauge housings on the CNC. They are a little deeper than the actual gauges but that'll insure I have ample room for the real deals down the road. Now I can make a bezel. That outta' keep me busy for awhile.

Cut the bezel out on the CNC. There's a bunch of steps to get this thing cut. I keep thinkin' one BooBoo & it's scrap. :shock:

Got the bezel off the table. Now comes the task of bending it in the right places & at the correct angles to fit the dash.

Got it roughed into the dash cover. Still rough but close enough that I know it will fit. The right wing is 1/2" longer than the left wing, so angles are different. I think I got it purdy' close though. Next is to cut the contour in the fiberglass for the oversized tach & speedo.
{that's a relief}

pro70z28 · 04-19-2008, 11:05 PM

Got a little further on the dash today. I made plugs out of PVC to form the gauge wells, since these gauges are too big for the original bezel opening.

I did the kitty hair "form the bezel to the dash deal" again. Used vinyl & spray Pam as a release agent.

One last big hurtle for me. TIG welding on the bezel w/o ruining it. I welded some strap aluminum to the top & bottom to stiffen up the bezel & to provide a place for rubber mounting grommets.

Got the bezel just setting in place. It's being held in by the dash bar. Close enough to see what it'll look like.

BIZMANRACING · 04-21-2008, 11:39 AM

very nice work...

go into business for yourself and sale one to me. i got a 79 camaro it would look great. the cost of gauges would be preety high to. but, hell if you had to ask how much you should not be here.

pro70z28 · 04-21-2008, 12:08 PM

If I told you how many hours I had in that thing you would laugh.....

Keith 944 · 04-21-2008, 05:12 PM

man, that does look good, nice to see someone take pride in their work.

pro70z28 · 04-23-2008, 10:44 PM

Thanks Keith

CPOlesen · 04-24-2008, 08:08 AM

That is a super job. I wish I had that talent. If I can't make it with Duct tape and J B Weld then I'mn toast.

pro70z28 · 04-25-2008, 10:14 PM

Thanks CPOlesen

pro70z28 · 05-04-2008, 11:17 PM

Got the bearing housing for the steering column (firewall) done this weekend. Now all I need are those back ordered steering column parts.

I got one last thing done this weekend. I pulled the old dash out & used the glove box as a plug to make this mold. Got a couple little places to touch up and then I can make up a couple fiberglass glove boxes to finish off around the intercooler. The door has that imitation leather pattern, & the Camaro logo. They came out O.K. so far.

pro70z28 · 05-05-2008, 09:56 PM

Little steering column mock-up tonight. The Mark Williams quick release hub came today.

04-16-2008, 11:07 PM	#1
pro70z28 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 73 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Billet Aluminum Dash Bezel Got the gauges picked out I think for the dash project. . I downloaded the ones I want off the net, sized em' to the specs on the site & printed the faces out on the printer. Then I cut some PVC gauge housings on the CNC. They are a little deeper than the actual gauges but that'll insure I have ample room for the real deals down the road. Now I can make a bezel. That outta' keep me busy for awhile. Cut the bezel out on the CNC. There's a bunch of steps to get this thing cut. I keep thinkin' one BooBoo & it's scrap. :shock: Got the bezel off the table. Now comes the task of bending it in the right places & at the correct angles to fit the dash. Got it roughed into the dash cover. Still rough but close enough that I know it will fit. The right wing is 1/2" longer than the left wing, so angles are different. I think I got it purdy' close though. Next is to cut the contour in the fiberglass for the oversized tach & speedo. {that's a relief}

04-19-2008, 11:05 PM	#2
pro70z28 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 73 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Billet Aluminum Dash Bezel Got a little further on the dash today. I made plugs out of PVC to form the gauge wells, since these gauges are too big for the original bezel opening. I did the kitty hair "form the bezel to the dash deal" again. Used vinyl & spray Pam as a release agent. One last big hurtle for me. TIG welding on the bezel w/o ruining it. I welded some strap aluminum to the top & bottom to stiffen up the bezel & to provide a place for rubber mounting grommets. Got the bezel just setting in place. It's being held in by the dash bar. Close enough to see what it'll look like.

04-21-2008, 11:39 AM	#3
BIZMANRACING Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: east brunswick, new jersey Posts: 62 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Billet Aluminum Dash Bezel very nice work... go into business for yourself and sale one to me. i got a 79 camaro it would look great. the cost of gauges would be preety high to. but, hell if you had to ask how much you should not be here. __________________ S/ST 1739 Carlos Mendes

04-21-2008, 12:08 PM	#4
pro70z28 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 73 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Billet Aluminum Dash Bezel If I told you how many hours I had in that thing you would laugh.....

04-21-2008, 05:12 PM	#5
Keith 944 VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Dela-where? Posts: 2,193 Likes: 1,160 Liked 1,874 Times in 576 Posts	Re: Billet Aluminum Dash Bezel man, that does look good, nice to see someone take pride in their work.

04-23-2008, 10:44 PM	#6
pro70z28 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 73 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Billet Aluminum Dash Bezel Thanks Keith

04-24-2008, 08:08 AM	#7
CPOlesen Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Chandler, Oklahoma Posts: 23 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Billet Aluminum Dash Bezel That is a super job. I wish I had that talent. If I can't make it with Duct tape and J B Weld then I'mn toast.

04-25-2008, 10:14 PM	#8
pro70z28 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 73 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Billet Aluminum Dash Bezel Thanks CPOlesen

05-04-2008, 11:17 PM	#9
pro70z28 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 73 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Billet Aluminum Dash Bezel Got the bearing housing for the steering column (firewall) done this weekend. Now all I need are those back ordered steering column parts. I got one last thing done this weekend. I pulled the old dash out & used the glove box as a plug to make this mold. Got a couple little places to touch up and then I can make up a couple fiberglass glove boxes to finish off around the intercooler. The door has that imitation leather pattern, & the Camaro logo. They came out O.K. so far.

05-05-2008, 09:56 PM	#10
pro70z28 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 73 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Billet Aluminum Dash Bezel Little steering column mock-up tonight. The Mark Williams quick release hub came today.