WARNING....BILLET

[Jethro]

Ok so I said a bad word ,but I made a neat steering shaft boot replacement for the 60.The old rubber boot that sealed the column from the outside was looking real tired , and frankly it's a bit ugly. It serves a purpose and is needed but not very nice.I had to keep the oblong shape so the shift arm can fit through the firewall.
I started with a piece of 5/8ths aluminum that I found at the recyclers and carved the shape using my tablesaw, holesaw,router and beltsander.Then I polished it with red compound.I put a stud on the backside so you don't see any bolts going through it.I'll make up a rubber gasket to seal everything out.
Anyone know where I can get a blister pack machine? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Jethro]

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

[AnimalAin]

In the days before billet got a bad name, that was called fine workmanship. Still is in my book. Nice work, thanks for taking time to show us.

[KIRK!]

There's a difference between billet for functionality and speed and billet for pretty fluffy accessories.

Nice job.

[cleatus]

Ah...table saw and router...the poor man's CNC macine.

That damn fine work there - looks right spiffy on that rusty firewall!

[OGNC]

Man, that's trick. Who cares what kind of material that you made it out of...

[burger]

Damn. I'd need a CNC to make that shape.




Ed

[dondanno]

That doesnt look like Billet to me but a nice and polished piece of workmanship...Danny

[Andy]

Outstanding, Great job, At least you didn't use some of that rare cast billet??? I would have never thought to try that! Congratulations http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Tudor]

now just get it chromed and you won't have to keep polishing it - nice work man.

I had no idea you could round that off with a router? was it a scecial bit or did you just use a wood one?

[Fastsporty]

Somebody was quoted on the hamb once saying,
"It ain't billet if ya make it yourself."
I agree with that 100%

[Hackerbilt]

Jethro...Thats some of the most impressive "Woodworking" I've ever seen.
You should get some metalworking tools and let loose!

That isn't BILLET.

Bill

[Rocket88]

Damn Jethro, looking good!!
Table saw and a router, gotta like it!

[Fraz]

Not billet-y. No ball-milled "fins" and no wierd satin finish. And no CNC-made look to it either.

[Jethro]

Thanks guys! I didn't think I'd get fried for that one. I brought it into the house to show the wife and she liked it too.After all it's for her car.
Tudor...I used a 3/8"roundover ball bearing ,carbide router bit.It's a good brand but I've had it for years and used it for all sorts of "billet" projects. If you do try it though just take small cuts and feed the material slow and steady. It throws alot of chips so use a shield or you get little silver darts in your face.

[C9]

Very, very nice Jethro.
Truly, artistry in metal.

And an excellent example of what I've been saying for a while.
Lathes and mills are nice things to have, but a determined and thinking guy - like yourself - can make stuff with fairly common tools.
All it takes is some time and some imagination.

Like I've said before, "it ain't billet if you make it yourself...."

[flatheadpete]

Looks like it belongs there. Very well done.

[quickrod]

GOLDCHAINER! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gifreally man,nice job,koolest part is you made it yourself,when you can say that,what it's made of becomes irrelivant in my opinion http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Mojo]

Beautiful metal work! That's real hand-crafted customizing there.

I never got the billet thing. I mean, CNC is great for making custom parts... but it all seemed unfinished. Sharp edges, basic shapes, hell even machine marks. I always thought it would be interesting to get older billet parts and round them off a bit to make some good looking, "shapely" parts...

[Muttley]

Dont let anyone give you any shit about the piece you made. There is a big difference between that and some store bought POS. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Flatdog]

A carbide bit in a wood router also works fine when relieveing a flattie.Nice work guy.I have known to call alumium parts you made yourselve antibillit billit.

[Skate Fink]

Hell of a job Jethro! Fine hot rodding craftsmanship. The only thing "billit" about it is the material used.....

.........since we're on the topic of "billit" (I never would have brought this up, but did you see the SoCal version of the SSR at the Detriot Auto Show??
http://www.weirdtrip.com/shots/socalssr.jpg

[choprods]

Good looking peice Jeffro!that aint billit- -thats aluuumieeem http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif/you made it......billit is the same alloy as "boughtit"