Engine Turning, A new Spin (Waa Waaahh)

I am going to keep this short because I can't seem to write a tech thread without erasing it all before I get a chance to post it.

I want to do a dash insert for my truck project and love the way engine turning looks. I've seen many different methods, but this weekend an idea hit... Elevator bolts!

To be honest, I'm not completely sure of their application (something to do with sticking elevators together I guess ) but for this, they fit the bill perfectly.

They are available in different sizes at every hardware store I've ever been to. These are 7/8" - 1-1/8". The tape is foam tape (3M). The sandpaper is 220 for my DA. Use a slow speed and easy on the pressure. Take it easy because as the adhesive warms up it will want to move around on you. Readjust and change paper as necessary.
The material is aluminum.

See pics below...

 

Excellent!

 

Ol Ken would be proud.....Love the look...... you use a drill press??

 

Now that is one simple and to the point Tech Threa ! Great job. Now show us the finished project . . . . . .

 

great idea

 

Interesting. I have used 3m Roll-lok disks and scotchbrite to do the same, wasnt as shiny though looks good!

 

Ironic, I was looking at elevator bolts the other day at teh hardware store thinking of other uses for them?!

 

Did you need to use any kind of lube (soap,WD40?) on the ally?

Barry

 

I guess I've been in the city too long, didn't even think of a grain elevator.

 

This is as far as I've gotten so far ,and thanks!

Drill press, Yes. Who's Ken?

 

Good tech tip.

 

Nice Tech thanks, just the idea i was looking for.

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That's the same method (only different ) I used to do this gauge panel. I wanted a smaller pattern, and used a 5/16" bolt, trim tape, and 320 gr. DA paper. The panel I did was stainless, but I've done lots of aluminum as well. Looks very cool, the evelator bolt thing is a great idea.

Thanks for the tip, it beats brazing a fender washer to a bolt...

 

nice work ! being a farm kid theres all kinds of those laying under the bench ! looks very nice , we actually just bought a stick of cretex and did a dash insert in my friends mill , your pattern looks every bit as nice !

 

all of the bolts I need the hardware store doesn't have but its good to know if I'm gonna fix my grain elevator they have me covered lol

 

Nice job!
Did mine with a wire brush in the drill press and lots of lube.Very messy!
Mark.

 

Good tech! I like that. I wonder if an engine valve could be used for the same purpose.

Anyone have tips for aligning / spacing the turns?

 

"Who's Ken?"

uh, Ken Howard...
r

 

Thanks for the tip. I just so happen to be getting ready to engine turn some stuff. Good thing I work at a grain elevator.

PS My boss used the corners of some grain buckets to french in a bumper.

 

The latest Good Guys magazine has an ad from FPM Metals that sells engine turned sheets. This would save a ton of time making dash inserts and such.
WWW.FPMMETALS.COM 402-729-2264.

 

looks awesome.. how do you keep them all lined up? that would be my problem.

 

Nice tech... "looks" easy too. I could use this to make some of my junk look better...
Thanks for the post

 

I saw a guy doing this when I was a kid - he had a small sheet of pegboard clamped down, and some wooden pegs to locate the metal sheet (actual holding was just his hand). Just move the pegs to the next hole (down and/or over) and repeat, repeat, repeat.

 

Great Tech! I was thinking about the pegboard for line up also.

 

Great tech!