Art & Inspiration The Power of The HAMB

I've been trying to channel these same vibes!!
Hopefully with the same awesomeness as this!

 

Very cool story. The dash and gauges look amazing!

 

Beautiful! What do you use for a spindle and abrasive for the engine turning? I've done small aluminum pieces with a pencil eraser and lapping compound, but that setup doesn't scale up well for larger pieces.

 

Hello @Ebbsspeed and thank you. I use a product called Cratex. The specific stick I have is 1/2" diameter medium grit. The sticks are available in many sizes/diameters. I think the 1/2" diameter stick look the best.

You can get them here, the company is located in San Diego.
https://www.cratex.com/

Years ago I created a thread here covering the topic of engine turning. The art and history of engine turning.

 

Even though I’ve been aware of all the scattered details along the way, it’s nice to hear the saga from beginning to end, in one neat little package. Your story is kind of like watching a one hour car show where they build a car from a rusted, parts missing, hulk to a dream machine. It’s all a great fuzzy feeling sitting on the couch, but your story shows that there’s a lot of anguish & uncertainty that goes with it. But, where there’s a will, there’s a way. Great job, TJ.

 

So, your the rascal that picked up that tachometer...! I was moving forward on getting it, but you beat me to it. Went to the right home for sure. Thanks for sharing an incredible uplifting story!

 

Thank you for the very kind words, Greg! @fleetside66. Many of you HAMBers know that Greg is one of the in-house gauge gurus around here. I can't begin to tell you how much he has taught me over the years. We met on the HAMB years ago while discussing lake style hot rod headers. That conversation lead into vintage gauges and we've been texting and calling each other once every few days since then....pretty amazing. Yeah, we even send Christmas cards

Whenever we have a question about an obscure gauge or series, we're calling one-another.

 

Outstanding.

 

@big duece It's kinda crazy you mention that. I was thinking of you and I figured if you or Greg were to see it, it woukd be gone. I think I was fortunate that I happened to check the classifieds shorty after Terry made the listing. When I sent him my initial DM it was very short, it literally read, "I'LL TAKE IT!!'

I was so concerned that someone was going to beat me to it, that I typed as fast as I could and used the least amount of words possible. I waited with baited breath until Terry wrote, informing me it was mine. At the time he had no idea how thrilled I was.

I get it, to many its just another gauge...but to me, it was a must have. I went a little nuts on the restoration, but that gauge is so deserving. Its a piece of history that needed to be brought back to its former glory.

I know you really appreciate these old gauges and you certainly would have given it a great home. That's what makes the HAMB such a great place The people here really appreciate this stuff.

 

This is your old thread. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...ngine-turned-material-lets-see-yours.1062519/

 

I learn something new, fun and helpful everyday on this site! Incredible

 

Thank you, Bob. When engine-turning a piece with edges it can catch the cratex stick a little. Just proceed carefully when you approach those areas. What I do is once I've made the pass past the hole (sharp corner) I place my index finger across the bottom (contact area) of the sanding surface while its spinning. Just the contact of your finger against the bottom of the stick will clear any burrs off it and return the Cratex back to a nice flat surface.

I think this Spring I will make another How To video and post it here. The video I have on my HAMB thread was literally the very first time I ever attempted engine turning. I have by far perfected my technique and can offer better advice and tips.

It's funny you mention the "old HAMB". It sure was a lot different back then...definitely a lot more ball busting, event coverage, and tech threads, and people really willing to share their stories. Don't get me wrong, the HAMB still RULES and always will....just a different vibe back then But I hear ya.

 

Your adventure and story are uplifting and inspirational. You nailed it Spot-On!

 

I read the old turning thread and was enthralled. This is just great to see the effort, determination and final result. Kudos!