Thank you for your video. I’ve been wondering how you accomplished such a nice piece, since you’re first thread.
I came up with this, Swiss cheesed it. Sticks out like a sore thumb. I had to do something. I’m a fan of simple ignition as well. But it ain’t so simple buried behind a tunnel ram.
My favorite part of all this is something I mentioned on the other thread where I posted my prototype. I didn't seek permission from Tardel or even tell him about it at all. I just started texting him pictures of shit coming off the laser. He's too worn out from moving to give me much shit. He's just all, "What the fuck is going on here?"
Silly question. Did you go all the way through the chrome with the prep? Or just scuff? I guess I’m wondering if you had to put any clear over the finished product so the laser etched parts don’t rust?
No, I didn't sand all the way through... I just scuffed it. That said, I was still worried about rust, so I cleared it. Primer: https://amzn.to/4meALYX - Expensive, but pretty good and sands well Paint: SEM Ultra Trim: https://amzn.to/4ddHZs6 - I was introduced to this stuff from the Porsche world and it has quickly become my favorite spray bomb in black. It flows and levels better than any aerosol I've ever used and I really like the satin, not matte finish. Clear: https://amzn.to/4j63Yml - First time I've used it, so jury is still out. But, it dries absolutely clear and doesn't change the look of the Ultra Trim at all.
That is some great technology! What a bitchin’ piece on a very nice flattie. Thanks for the video and paint tips.
While the method of making it isn’t traditional in the sense that it’s a lazer and that a guy would have that tech in their home I would argue that the wrapping paper gingerbread of the overall produce is pretty correct. I mean we even see little v8 logo tin air filter covers. I’d say it fits the esthetic of the period
This one was just a fun little project—but man, the tech has real potential. Just being able to cut gaskets with precision is a game-changer. Rubber, cork, fiber… it slices through that stuff like butter and spits out dead-accurate results. I’ve got two new Strombergs on the coupe, and yesterday while tuning, something felt off—like the linkage was binding. Pulled it apart and found the front carb’s accelerator pump rod was hanging up. Took the lid off and sure enough, the gasket had fouled and jammed up the leather plunger. The plunger was fine, but the gasket was shredded. Instead of waiting a week for a replacement to show up, I traced the gasket in Illustrator, dropped it into the laser, cut a new one, and had it installed in about 15 minutes flat. That’s the real value, I think—quick, accurate problem solving without the downtime. This was done on a CO2 laser, which is perfect for wood, plexi, painted surfaces, rubber, cork, and all the softer stuff. What I really want now is a fiber laser. Bed size is smaller, but they’ll engrave and cut steel, aluminum, and other metals. The kind of stuff you could do with one of those… man...
Cool. Thanks for the answer and the links. I’ve always been a fan of Krylon Satin clear as it does similar and doesn’t change the look of the desired finish. I’ll look into that product you mentioned.
I use the shit out of Krylon clear as well... But I'm a stupid painter and didn't know if it would have bad chemistry with the SEM...
I don't know what is in SEM Trim Black but it's rad stuff, I've actually used their satin black on trim and it looks perfect.
He’d say “Bring that damn thing to Dearborn PRONTO!” Can you imagine the shit he would’ve done with that technology? Dan
Cool video !!! Looking forward to more updates. It is pretty cool that you can cut gaskets and such. I’ve mentioned before, my wife owns a Die Cutting business. You were doing 2 gaskets, we would be doing 250 to a few hundred thousand. After all these years, the process is still fascinating.
I think Henry's take would have been "What the fuck??" Cool technology Ryan, and good to see it can be used for so much of what we like to do!
Thanks to @J.Ukrop and especially @SAVAGE , a Harman Collins magneto has been secured… and I can’t fucking wait for the nightmare that is to come making it run right.
Anyone who’s jumped a K car over a culvert is a good guy to have on your side lol awesome score on the mag!
A couple of coils I did for @hrm2k He sent over a few pre-painted coils, fully aware that I’m still stumbling my way through the learning curve. The substrate on these was darker than the last one I worked on, so the engraving turned out a bit more subtle—but honestly, I dig it. I think I undershot the scale on the red one—could’ve gone bigger—but the green coil? That one hits just right.
The Jalopy Journal
