New Products - Embossed Sheetmetal - Need some input . . .

EDIT (2-5-11): The showcase thread with all future prototype pics can be found HERE.

Hey guys, I hope that 2011 finds you better than 2010.

I am going to be offering some new embossed sheetmetal products in the coming weeks, and I'd like to have some input from the target audience.

My first two items are going to be formed frenching buckets for my Lincoln ****ons to live in, and various sizes of gauge panel recesses (or bosses, if you turn them upside down) for DIY guys to use in their builds.

Those are my kickoff ideas, now, what would you all like to see? What kinds of small embossed panels or pieces could you guys use?

Think small though. I'm not equipped to stamp new window surrounds or quarter panels, etc. Small patches may be possible, but the amount of draw will determine the feasibility.

So that's it, tell me what you'd like to see or what you need to finish your project.

[standard disclaimer] As always, I don't want any lectures about how to run a business, how to manufacture the parts, or about how belligerent I am (that has been duly noted on many occasions before ). [/standard disclaimer]

 

I don't care how you run your business.

So when you say imbossed you mean a pattern stamped on the metal?

I like stainless with little raised diamonds. I have some but there will never be enough.

 

I mean small panels with a shape stamped into them, yes.

Not continuous patterns though, I'm not set up to do that kind of thing. I don't own a rolling mill.

What I'm thinking is small stuff where an embossed or stamped piece would really set the installation off, but the part is hard to make by hand.

My first idea was for the round depressions that gauges normally set down in on an instrument cluster. If you don't have a press, making those shapes yourself will be difficult, but I could make them by the stack and sell them worth the money (like $10-$15 a piece), and you just weld them into the dash where ever you like,

Another instance would be to trim around a seat belt bracket penetration through the floor pan. A nice raised lip or bead around and oval shaped hole would look real nice, but would be very hard for someone without a press and some machine tools to fabricate themselves.

That's what I'm talking about. I know there has to be countless little details like that which people would like to include in their build, but cannot because of lack of tools or skill.

I have the tools, I'm just trying to find out what little parts like that folks might need.

 

Nobody has a need for stuff like this?

Man, I'm batting a thousand lately . . .

 

Patch panels for '32's: the raised dimples on the fenders for the headlight bar, the raised receiver for the sidecurtains on the roadster doors (with the proper angle and curve), rear body corners for five-windows and roadsters.

 

welcome to the patch panel biz, the best test marketing leads to the best financial loss's (aka: the edsal)

invent your own product , produce it if you believe in it then you can sell it.

 

Raised lip/reveal for single and dual antennaes; diffuser ducts for heat and a/c in the dash; 2 piece (top and bottom, to be field ***embled & trim to fit)defroster ducts; indivdual louver sections for adding defrosters to a dash; hinged access panels with door and surround for master cyl access in the floor.
Just some ideas...

 

Actually, I don't want to be in the repair panel business. There are already many folks doing reproduction parts to fix stock panels.

What I want to do is produce little panels that help people customize their cars.

Rust repair is you all's gig, and I am in no way equipped to produce big patch panels like that.

This is exactly what I'm talking about.

Thank you for your input, those are all very good ideas.

Keep 'em coming guys.

 

Sounds interesting do you have pictures of stuff you have done, what kind of equipment are you using?

 

as long as you arent offering cobwebs and iron crosses

 

No pictures, this is spitballing before I go run some prototypes.

No iron crosses, no cobwebs.

I'll probably make some V8's though. Maybe a few other similar logos, we'll have to see how well the details reproduce.

 

How about some "HAMB" letters that can be welded into a firewall or dash.

 

Or just each letter of the alphabet in a nice font.....start with capitols, then may lower case??

 

That's a fine idea. I'm gonna run that one by Ryan and see what he thinks.

Maybe do a deal to sell them in his store so we can both pocket some coin.

This is also a good idea.

I gotta find me some script fonts to match the old automobile scripts now . . .

 

OK, first prototype is for the Lincoln ****on Frenching Buckets.

This one has been formed but the center has not been punched out to size yet ('cause I haven't made that die yet).

The depth is such that the highest point of the ****on will be a little less than 1/16" below the door skin surface.

The diameter of the indention is such that there will be ~1/16" gap between the wall of the bucket and the edge of the ****on. When it's been trimmed properly I'll post pics with a ****on installed.







What do you guys think?

 

Also, since most older bodies were made from 19 gage, I figure with corrosion and prep work, they'll be a few thou thinner, so I should make my panels from 20 gage.

There's only six thou (0.006") between gages, so it don't take much rust and grinding to thin that 19 gage down to 20 gage at the edges.

What do you all think on this score?

 

If you could do something like you've got pictured for gauges, that might be a neat mod to inset gauges into a flat dash?

 

Nice, a good idea.

 

My ****ons might need a home someday. I don't know if I like the frenched look for them, thou. It would be a shame to hide that beautiful profile. Maybe a pic of one mocked up might change my mind.

Maybe a larger version for a recessed gas cap?

A small stamped frame and door for a master cylinder would be cool.
Maybe 6x6 or 7x7.

Have to think about this some more.

Did I mention I love my ****ons? I forgot to PM you and let you know how pleased I am, with them.

 

It seems to be a popular thing now to cut apart a valve cover to take out the embossed logo ie: HEMI POWER , maybe something like that will make you famous.Also the left and right lower windsheild corners on 49&50 Ford cars always seemed rusted from what I've noticed, I had to make mine, they were a pain.`

 

That is the first idea I had for this technique, and it will be the very next thing I prototype.

Those are all good ideas, they're going on the list.

I am very glad to hear that you are pleased with your ****ons.

Always happy to hear from satisfied customers. Send pictures when you get them installed.

This is also a good idea. I'm going to research what logos are in the public domain, and which are still registered and protected (so that my *** may remain outside the sling). Whatever I can reproduce without legal h***les, I'm going to look at doing.

I'd need someone to pull a bondo mold of the Ford panels, for me to reproduce, because I don't have access to such a car, and there just won't be enough money in the panels to justify purchasing one to replicate.

 

How big can you go?
I'd like to make fender Vents. Fairly big though, maybe 6" x 6" 1" draw?

 

6" x 6" is doable, but 1" of draw may not be. The required tonnage will determine whether it's doable here or not.

Are you thinking about louvers, or NACA ducts, or what?

 

OK, the Lincoln mounting buckets are progressing nicely.

I finished the die for punching out the centers, so here are some pics of a bezel mounted in the bucket.

The highest point on the bezel is just below flush with the panel face.









I'm still finalizing the pressing dies, but the shape is pretty much set now.

What do you all think?

Would they be worth $25 a pair to you guys?

 

Nice looking parts! Worth every bit of $25.

 

Thank you.

I'm going to do everything I can to make sure they fall in the $25-$30 range.

I'm still working on the forming dies to fine tune the shape, but I'm getting pretty close.

Next in line will be the first of the gauge recesses.

 

Im interested!

 

Excellent.

No progress today, I ended up spending the whole thing on the road.

 

Alright, I got the dies finalized today, so these pics are of the finished and ready for sale frenching buckets for my Lincoln ****ons.









They are 4" square, made from 20 gage cold rolled, and will cost $30 per pair, plus shipping.

What do you all think?

Next up is a similar shape to mount 3 3/4" gauges inside of.

Stay tuned.

 

Look good Ryan. I wonder if there would be any interest in a panel that would allow guys to french 50 Pontiac tail lights? If one is not already available.