I've posted and looked for this Fordomatic shift indicator for a long, time..There seems to be no one who has one or at least no one who will answer my inquiries ...Mine is cracked and I've successfully epoxied it back together , but I'd like a better one...evidently I'm the only person on the planet needing one...It’s an early ‘50-‘51 two tube Fordomatic column So , 1. You got one you'll sell ? 2. I can easily make one out of flat plastic sheet. The problem is the lettering How /Where/Who could do that ?? Stan
You might get someone to 3D print one and recess the letters on the back side. Then you could easily fill in the letters with white paint.
Is there 3d printing media that can do crystal clear plastic? I'm honestly not sure. I'd probably try to carve that shape out of a piece of flat acrylic and just figure out how to get the lettering on the back.
Try a place that makes nametags, other laminated labels and trophies/awards. The better places will have a computer operated machine that will 'flip' the lettering if need be or just scan it. Worst case, buy some silicon rubber mold material, take a mold off that one, then resin cast a new one. Might even be a business opportunity!
A modern, well equipped sign shop should be able to reproduce this. Most of the good shop are busy though, so it might be tough to pry them away from the work they do all day to make a single piece like that. If you have a shop like that in your area, try to someone there and see what they can do.
acrylic is super easy to work with. there are places that sell small pcs so you won't need to buy a full sheet. cut it to shape, sand the edges smooth and polish the edges. then get some reverse cut vinyl letters cut and put them on the back side. Is this car a stocker? if not heres your chance to make something cool
Resin casting is pretty easy. Your part would be simple. Done a bit of it for my vintage bikes. Lots of videos on YouTube and cheap kits on Amazon.
Moriarity : Not a stocker..Actually its a very interesting column build I put together for my Model A Coupe project...' '51 Fordomatic column (first year with t/sigs in column ) to control a 2004R , '40 Ford stg. wheel ( To get horn in center of wheel , taper mount hollow shaft with Jeep horn contact in tube jacket )... As far as the indicator...Somewhere in boxes of build supplies Ive ac***ulated , there's a really nice unbroken original indicator...But dang if I can find it..So I'm stuck restoring the broken one I have til I stumble across the misplaced one.. Thnaks for your input Stan
Any computer controlled wood router should be able to cut the letters pretty easy with the right size bit. I see them on you tube all the time carving out out stuff.
Look for a laser etching or engraving shop in your area. Trophy shops, sign shops, or anyplace that makes personalized gift items. Like gl***ware or drink tumblers with engraved names. It looks like there might be a couple shops in your area. They might be better suited to doing one-offs or short runs. There's even some tabletop laser cutters offered online for surprisingly little money. Don't know how well they might work for your needs though.
I came here to suggest this. I 3D printed a 1/2 Scale Buick 401 piston and used it as a pattern to make a mold with food safe silicone. Now I enjoy old fashioneds with 1/2 scale nailhead ice cubes. If I can mold with water, I could use the same mold with acrylic resin.
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