As the topic states, I thought I'd revive it again, since it's been a good 3 months since it's discussion.

cheers,
Jabz

There was a short revival of a thread about custom fascias a couple of days ago. Unfortunately I just don't seem to be able to get the time to finish off my design and get a prototype made. CruzThs might be doing something but I'm not sure. Sorry .

CruzThs was trying to get some made at a local machine shop, but they dont have the time right now since they are busy making stuff for the war.

Sean

I'm currently also working on a alu fascia, but without the use of an advanced CNC-cutter. For the best results (details) you will need such a thing. The mine is based around a 4mm thick alu plate (because its alu, you can make it less thick). A friend of mine has roughly cut the big part and the next thing is finishing of. With what? With use of my Dremel equipment. This is a hell of lot work and is, of course, not that detailed as the original fascia. The lucky part is that alu is a 'soft' metal . But I'm realy looking forward at the end product.

One of the other forum members had a personal CNC, and he was talking about that it took in total 8 hours to finish a product (but what a beauty). This is just too much time.

But I'm sure that its finished before the next European Meeting (2003) starts...

Cheers & good luck if you start your own.

Eize

Did you get in contact with 303? His father has access to professional CNC-Machines. He likes your design, like i do, and with your CNC-Data he could probably give it a try...
btw, are your buttons real ones or just a design-idea?

cheers, Thomas

No, I haven't contacted 303 yet. There's still work to do on the handle and knob mountings so there didn't seem much point. Once I've actually got my original measured up on our CMM at work and found the time to get the design finished I'll get one made up on one of our CNC Machining Centres. Getting them machined isn't really a problem, it's me finding the time for getting the design finished that's the problem.

The buttons (like the rest of the design) only exists in CAD form at the moment. The buttons shouldn't be too difficult to make as long as you're using CNC machinery. The triangular holes would be pre-drilled, broached and then filled with coloured resin (well that's the idea).

btw, thanks, I'm glad you like the design.

I'm throwing my encouragement and support into the aluminum facia idea, if some are made I would be interested in a kit. My car has several aluminum appointments in the cockpit (vents, knobs, controls, handles), I think an aluminum-faced empeg would fit in quite nicely.

I'm going to talk to my roomate - he is an ME and works for a manufacturing company that has all the necessary equipment to do this job. However, I don't think he would have access to use his company's machines to make a part for a personal project. I'll ask him anyway.

My Dad has a CNC lathe with milling attachment. Also years of metal work experience. He's willing to give it a try. Will keep you updated on how it goes. Any advice before we start? Stick with same design, or modify/improve?

Also any plans (that an engineer would understand) would be appreciated.

If the aluminum facia looks good, can I buy one?

oh wow! I am a member at last
no more 'journeyman'
so happy..........

Yeah, sure. As it all CNC, once theres a good design loads can be churned out. I also want the Rio logo milled into the facia. I'll keep you posted on how it goes.

Excellent, just what I am looking for - ideally it would be aluminium with brass buttons to match the rest of the dash, but aluminium is a great start!!

Let me know when these are available, I DEFINITELY need one

Graham

I definitly hope someone does it one day. I've poked and prodded a friend who could do it repeaditly (and who wants one for his own empeg), but nothing has come of it yet. I'll try prodding him one more time...

All I need is a good set of CAD plans. I really like the design that Beaker has produced. I've asked if I could have a look at his plans, but he's still to get back to me.

My dad and myself have the time, materials, tools, knowledge and motive to do it. I'll design a new one if i have to, but I really really like beaker's design.

Honestly, I'm not so sure I'm interested in an aluminum fascia for my Rio Car. I never cared much for the chrome or aluminum look for stereo equipment. Just seems too "retro" to me. I don't want my 21st. centry stuff to look like it came from the 1970's ... even if it *is* the current trend.

Nonetheless, I'm always impressed at the custom modifications some of you people create, and I can appreciate the work that goes into something like this.

What I *am* interested in right now is a replacement factory fascia. I had to cut a couple notches into the top of mine so it would fit directly underneath a Clarion AutoPC installed in a double-DIN dash space in my car.

Someday, if I get rid of my current car (or change stereo configurations around), I'm going to want a notchless front bezel for my Rio!

Maybe someone who does one of these modifications would like to sell me their original front plastic bezel when they're done?

Wow yeah, that's indeed a very cool design. If you could pull that one of I'd be very interested in buying one!

Its all in Beaker's hands! If he's spent months on the plans then he may very well tell me to get lost!

All I can say is that if I have a piece of paper with dimensions etc, I can produce the product at a rate of about 30 a week. Of course that would only be with Beaker's approval and a share of any profit (if I take any profit that is).

Brass buttons are possible as we have the brass in the garage. I'd also look to anodize the fascia in blue, red, green etc if it was required.

Can you electroplate "in house?" It would be cool if you could polish up a facia to a mirror finish and follow with a chrome electroplate.

Stu

Not a thing I'd thought of doing due to the cost of the materials involved - its probably not easy to chrome plate aluminium due to the oxide layer. Anodizing is a more realistic approach for customising.

First things first - lets see if I can get those plans! Nothing will happen without them.

hey philip, i belive there is someone else breaker gave the plans to already, i belive it was cruzthis, but i havent seen him on the board forever, i dont tihnk it will be a problem getting them from him, just a matter of when he checks his messages

I'm sure this wioll be a no-go.

Why?
Since the fascia mold-sources are worn-out (so not possible to make more) and the very small amount of remaining fascia's are now reserved for garantee/repair purposes.

Your request has been several times somewhere in the BBS, just hunt for it.

Cheers,

EiSl

No, chrome plating aluminum is neither a simple, nor cheap process. Although there are many commercially available means of plating nickel to aluminum (what goes underneath chrome), the actual chrome plating process generally requires the use of high levels of controlled DC current, special attention to temperatures of the plating baths, and corrosive chromic acid.

But then I don't consider CNC lathes and milling machine equipment simple or cheap either, so I thought I'd ask. Annodizing just doesn't give the same effect.

Stu