Technical What have you used?

I was recently ask about what I used to replace the non reproduced green material that was used in the turn signal housing on my '54 Ranch Wagon and where I got it.



I used the plastic lid from a sliced turkey container and it worked perfectly.





That got me to thinking what other guys have used in building you cars & trucks.

Something you have used that is not necessarily a automotive piece that did the trick but possibly a house hold item that worked ideally for your project. HRP

 

Since we're on the subject of turkey, I've used turkey basters many times to evacuate fluids like from master cylinders, ps reservoirs, etc.

 

I used a small red plastic jewel out of a shit out stud finder in my high beam indicator on my cut down 40 dash in my T modified. Im going to do it again for my 32 sedan project.

 

Speaking of high beam indicator, on the wagon the small piece of red plastic was missing and I used a upholstery punch to get the red dot in needed from a red peanut butter lid. HRP

 

I've used a sprite bottle for the turn signal indicator before

 

You can get colored transparent plastic notebook dividers at office supply stores. That is what I used years ago for my 56 Ford dash.

 

Let us know how the Turkey is next week!

 

For a red indicator I used a piece of the prismatic part of a rear bicycle reflector, with the opaque backing stripped off.

 

Maybe not traditional but used red and green LED bulbs for the color.

 

Removed the unrepairable works from the clock and replaced it with the works from 2 (second hand and hr./min. hand ) battery operated $10 alarm clocks stuffed into the case. Batteries are hidden behind the case.

 

Hmmn! Sliced Turkey and Peanut Butter! You go HRP

 

Coffee cans (plastic) come in red and green. I've used cut out pieces of those for lenses.

 

Maybe it's the Canadian in me, but I've used a hockey puck (trimmed to fit) as my throttle pedal pivot/ bushing in my model A.

 

I used a pair of geo metro connecting rods for my tail pipe hangers on my T modified.

 

The floor board patches on my '55 driver are from sheet metal from my deceased microwave - nice and thick and already painted black

 

I stole my old lady's deep fry basket and use it in my parts cleaner tub- works pisser ( and it's healthier!)

 

I remember someone using aluminum frying pans for disc brake covers a while back. HRP

 

Didn't have any Lock Ring Plyers......so I used a kitchen fork.

 

Thanks for the cool tech! You might have an easier time cutting up a red solo cup than you did with the P.B. Lid. I would have probably busted a knuckle trying to cut that cover.

 

Just hold any plastic anything up to a light to see what the final piece will look like.

 

I use a wire screen colander (ask your wife/gf) in my parts washer. Works just like mike's deep fry basket and holds a lot of bolts or other small parts.

 

It really wasn't a problem,I used one of these. HRP

 

Just about any household appliance made out of steel has some large usable panels. I used pieces from a washer and dryer and a old stove to build my floor pans. The newer stuff , 80's or later, is usually painted enamel, not the ceramic coating like stuff from the 50's and 60's had. Small appliances like toaster ovens and toasters often have chrome panels, some are stainless steel. Great for small boxes like fuse box covers or battery boxes. The grills are handy, too. They make good shelves.
I have an old double door refrigerator in the carport/shop area, one side I keep my welding rods and wire in, it keeps it dry, the other side I keep paint and various small items in.

 

I've used those pop in hole covers you get at an Electrical supply house before...but I think thats pretty common.

Needed a steering wheel mount to fit the steering column I made last year.
Used a 3/4" keyed shaft "weld in hub" meant to be welded into a chain sprocket for agricultural use...which in itself puzzles me...but it worked slick. Welded a piece of exhaust tube (a touch bigger than the column tube) to the rear to hide the bearing and drilled/tapped 3 holes for the wheel to bolt up.
The key itself extends from the bearing retainer to the end of the shaft and I drilled and tapped the shaft for a 3/8th bolt and washer to make sure the assembly could never loosen and slide off.

 

Not discs but---Made the brake scoops from an old frying pan.

 

I use a yardstick for a gas gauge, like a dipstick.

 

Saw a guy use an old stove control panel backing plate for a dash insert, stamped aluminum polished up nice, knob holes were enlarged for guages.

Appliances are great, louvered panels, patch panels, I've been cutting a washer up for patches. I've got 2 washing machine outer shells that I'll eventually put together for a blast cabinet.

I use lots of tupper ware for bolts once they get beat up. Garage sale toaster oven for baking paint on bolts. Blower motor from old furnace for garage fan.

 

That's pretty slick! HRP

 

Recently in tech week Dave showed us how to make a column piece from a lamp shade. HRP

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Covered the side curtain mounting holes on my roadster with push -in stainless "plugs" I found in the plumbing section of the hardware store. Nice and neat.
(Hard to see- 2 on the door, 1 behind.)