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Worlds most stupid recycled aluminum tech tip

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Traditions Racing, Jul 6, 2011.

  1. Today, I decided I wanted to make a heatshield to block the heat from the engine and intake from my Holley 750. Typical SBC, Performer RPM intake and said Holley 3310. So I wanted a piece of aluminum up to a 1/8' or .125" thick, no thinner than 1/16" or .0625", 7 1/2" wide and 12 1/2" long. I remembered some road signs a friend at the highway department had given me a few years ago, waiting for some kid and his r*t r*d to ask for them for his floors or doors or something. Lets see, .080" thick, nice, definately aluminum, O.K., nice and flat, beautiful, only what the %*&# do I do with the actual sign on the one side. I didnt want to use a flap wheel or even a wire wheel afraid because I didn't want any vacuum leaks to have to contend with, so no machining marks. So I decided to give the old aircraft paint remover a try, BINGO, slap some on, and 15 minutes later it came right off with a razor scraper. Rinced off with some H2O, and I have a really nice, easy to machine piece of material for my heat shield. DO NOT steal a sign off the road, ask at the highway department, they give the old ones away all the time. TR
     
  2. All that work and you can buy them for $35.00.
    I use a wood spacer under the carb to keep the heat away, been using them for about
    25 years.
     
  3. duke182
    Joined: Nov 27, 2005
    Posts: 562

    duke182
    Member

    so much more fun to make stuff than to just throw money at it.
    just my way of thinkin, i know it aint for everyone.
     
  4. RichFox
    Joined: Dec 3, 2006
    Posts: 10,020

    RichFox
    Member Emeritus

    BOO. Bad attitude.
     

  5. modeleh
    Joined: Oct 29, 2009
    Posts: 380

    modeleh
    Member

    I'd say he can now justify going down and buying $35 worth of beer and sit and admire his hard work and ingenuity, and you can look at your store bought stuff and go thirsty. Myself, I'm a beer man and take pride in making something useful out of otherwise junk.
     
  6. davidwilson
    Joined: Oct 8, 2008
    Posts: 595

    davidwilson
    Member
    from Tennessee

    take the hood off instead
     
  7. dirty4
    Joined: Mar 6, 2010
    Posts: 165

    dirty4
    Member



    I am thinking about a hundred louvers!:D
     
  8. zibo
    Joined: Mar 17, 2002
    Posts: 2,361

    zibo
    Member
    from dago ca

    looks like I better get to work.
    [​IMG]
    nah
    [​IMG]

    If you heat it lightly with propane torch,
    it gets gooey enough to take off the shiny layer.
    Than lacquer thinner or something similar works.

    TP
     
  9. pug man
    Joined: Apr 9, 2007
    Posts: 1,010

    pug man
    Member
    from louisiana

    I say go for it.......
     
  10. Still waiting for the "stupid" part ... :confused:
     
  11. flatheadpete
    Joined: Oct 29, 2003
    Posts: 10,479

    flatheadpete
    Member
    from Burton, MI

  12. BOWTIE BROWN
    Joined: Mar 30, 2010
    Posts: 3,252

    BOWTIE BROWN
    Member

    Me too . Way to use your head for something more then a hat rack
    "AND THE BOWTIE ROLLS ON"
     
  13. lucky ink
    Joined: Feb 18, 2011
    Posts: 358

    lucky ink
    Member

    i'm with the sign and beer idea lol 35.00 is alot of money when you can do it yourself...
     
  14. Dirty Dug
    Joined: Jan 11, 2003
    Posts: 3,712

    Dirty Dug
    Member

    QUOTE / DO NOT steal a sign off the road, ask at the highway department, they give the old ones away all the time. TR[/QUOTE]

    I'm pretty sure anyone showing up at a recycle yard with road signs is going to meet, before he leaves, a representative from the local law enforcement. Old road signs aren't give away, they're recycled or found on the side of the road, which is steeling. Plus, what a stupid idea for a heat shield, sorry but, you're either a thief or a friend of one.
     
  15. rainhater1
    Joined: Oct 5, 2009
    Posts: 1,147

    rainhater1
    BANNED
    from az

    beer is on sale for 16.00 a 30 pack thats 2 plus some, wow
     
  16. badshifter
    Joined: Apr 28, 2006
    Posts: 3,535

    badshifter
    Member

    What about Vodka? Trying to decide on crime, or alcohol.....
     
  17. Oddly, I was given some road signs years ago that were tossed in a big junk pile at a town highway garage.

    What I see here these days is they go in a big pile of metal which is then sold via auction as scrap, so if you know someone there or ask around, maybe you can toss a $20 their way and bring home a batch of them.

    Also, it's kind of ironic to typo "steeling" when discussing aluminum signs.
     
  18. shanesflames
    Joined: Dec 21, 2005
    Posts: 139

    shanesflames
    Member

    16.00$ for a 30 pack..?..yuck...I have a couple old imbosset road signs..i got from the salvage yard for free...u think i should give them back?..the heat shild sounds neat-O
     
  19. 39 Ford
    Joined: Jan 22, 2006
    Posts: 1,558

    39 Ford
    Member

    My dash insert is made from an old highway mile marker sign, priced right.
     
  20. SLCK64
    Joined: Oct 4, 2009
    Posts: 493

    SLCK64
    Member

    mmmm mmmm good!!!!! And its 5% alcohol.....

    [​IMG]
     
  21. RichG
    Joined: Dec 8, 2008
    Posts: 3,919

    RichG
    Member

    Stoli!

    EDIT: I almost forgot (and I can't believe it hasn't been said yet): We need pictures, or it didn't happen!:p
     
  22. Sheep Dip
    Joined: Dec 29, 2010
    Posts: 1,572

    Sheep Dip
    Member
    from Central Ca

    You can buy official road signs thru your construction safety supplier as they are required by OSHA on most projects dealing with traffic....so they are available legally.
     
  23. Dirty Dug
    Joined: Jan 11, 2003
    Posts: 3,712

    Dirty Dug
    Member

    Yeah, they're available new but I doubt anyone would buy new road signs when the raw aluminum material is much cheaper.
     
  24. I worked for our city sign department for many years and we threw out old signs in a dumpster which was picked up by the local recycled metal company. I seriously doubt any questions were asked when they arrived at the recycle yard...
    BUT..those aluminum signs are not just aluminum. They're an aluminum alloy that's tough as nails to bend....about impossible to weld.
     
  25. Dirty Dug"
    I'm pretty sure anyone showing up at a recycle yard with road signs is going to meet, before he leaves, a representative from the local law enforcement. Old road signs aren't give away, they're recycled or found on the side of the road, which is steeling. Plus, what a stupid idea for a heat shield, sorry but, you're either a thief or a friend of one.[/QUOTE]

    And Dirty Dug your either and idiot...or an idiot...
     
  26. DirtyEd
    Joined: May 16, 2009
    Posts: 362

    DirtyEd
    Member
    from Dallas Ga.

    I agree!Beer is good and home made parts are gooder
     
  27. RichFox
    Joined: Dec 3, 2006
    Posts: 10,020

    RichFox
    Member Emeritus

    Cal Trans left a smashed Wrong Way sign on my property for 3 days. I figger that in anybodys book that makes it mine. But I didn't have a good way to clean the sign part before.
     
  28. I'm pretty sure anyone showing up at a recycle yard with road signs is going to meet, before he leaves, a representative from the local law enforcement. Old road signs aren't give away, they're recycled or found on the side of the road, which is steeling. Plus, what a stupid idea for a heat shield, sorry but, you're either a thief or a friend of one.[/QUOTE]

    Rich ..what are you doing up at this hour???
     
  29. Deuces
    Joined: Nov 3, 2009
    Posts: 23,759

    Deuces

    I still have half a fifth of Seagram's that was given to me when grandpa passed away a few years ago... I've been slowly sippin' on it till it's all gone...
     
  30. Deuces
    Joined: Nov 3, 2009
    Posts: 23,759

    Deuces

    Ok, here's one for the model car guys... You can make Moon style wheel disks out of the bottoms of aluminum pop or beer cans... Just cut them to the diameter you need for the model car wheels... Got this idea from another modeler and member on this forum..
     

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