It's been raining and I've kept busy in the shop whittling some "traditional" billet pedals. I made a similar set last year but my aluminum stock was only 3/8 inch and I had to drill a hole for a countersunk bolt to hold it to the pedal arm. I found some 3/4 stock at the s**** yard and milled some diamonds in the face then I cut them in circles and tapped the back for a 3/8 stud. They might be a little small only 2-3/4"diameter but they should work good.I've got a nice set of 39 pedals for them to go on.
Lookin' good! I wonder how they'd look if you relieved teh edge making them appear thinner on the outside but leaving the center thick for the stud.
For those who missed how you do the pattern: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=61920
Sweet! How did you make the diamond shaped pattern? I saw the other post for the gas pedal and they pattern was different.
I've upgraded to a bridgeport mill. I set the quill at 45 degrees and run a bunch of cuts then I turn the piece 90 degrees and cut some more...works a lot better...but a table saw makes a cheap milling machine for aluminum too.
You could just buy a 2 flute cutter already cut into (or sharpened into) a 45 degree cutter. That way you can leave the head dialed in.
This mill I have has a horizontal cutter on it too. I was wondering if there was a multi cutter like a gear hob that would cut several grooves at the same time so it would go quicker....You ever heard of or seen such a beast?
I learned machining with aluminum before anything else. We didn't know enough to call it billet. That makes it traditional for me!
Thanks. I had a guy get on me about using Billet at the Hop Up Magazine 100mph club hot dog roast for using billet. What else I could have used is beyond me.
Jethro ispired me to try some homemade billet too. The diamond pattern can also be done on the table saw, just like the waffle pattern. Just set the blade at a 45 degree angle and just barely bring it up through the table. I did several test cuts to get the height right. Lacking an Incra jig, I just used the fence and moved it over 1/8" between cuts. It is nice to have a good saw with a good fence I also cheated, and hole sawed my blanks out of 3/8" thick 6061. I'll run a countersunk stainless allen bolt through the center to fill the hole........................ Jethro's "Beverly Hillbillet" always makes me chuckle.......I don't know who Beverly is though, so I guess mine would be Ghetto Hillbillet. Thanks for the inspiration, Jethro! Tim D.
Me too. Oh wait. I already did that. this one is on a '32 Plymouth. For my next act I think I'll do a '26 Dodge.
The Jalopy Journal
