This is my first post here, but I really wanted to jump in a get a feel for the demand of something I'm working on...
I've since fixed the E and T to fit the original font better. I also heavily overpolished the 7, as you can tell. The more I look at the font for the smaller letters, the more it bothers me, but all of these can be fixed.
I have been thinking of making some for mine, but more like the newer style badges. I.e. domed.. but maybe out of plexi instead. I could just use one from the 4.7L V8.. but those aren't cheap and I would be lying by .09 L.
SilverXJ wrote:That looks nice. How did you do it?
I have been thinking of making some for mine, but more like the newer style badges. I.e. domed.. but maybe out of plexi instead. I could just use one from the 4.7L V8.. but those aren't cheap and I would be lying by .09 L.
I used a 3-axis CNC machine on 6061 aluminum...I can't do domed very well unfortunately - at the moment I have no ball-end mills and most of my experience is with 2 1/2 axis milling. I hand polished the letters, but I'm checking around for metal finishing places, perhaps electropolishing, to do it for me provided it doesn't increase my material cost too much.
As for the 4.6, that's next, since apparently I guessed wrong on which to do first, haha.
Ahh.. ok.. I use a 3 axis at work. What size bits did you use? I recently made a gauge bezel on it for the XJ. Hard anodized grey then routed with 45* bevel on the tach and speedo. Still need to make a set of pedals and a battery hold down while I still work there. I've been thinking about doing a 4.6L emblem but I am unsure what approach I would take. As I said I have been thinking about using plexi.. back spray it black, reverse engrave 4.6L Stroker on the laser, spray silver to fill in the text.
I don't do domed either. We tried it once and it just took many takes to get it right. Of course we were doing like 10" circles.
I used a 1/8 and 1/16...gave me just enough detail after I tweaked the fonts a bit. As for plexi, I've never machined it. There's a place nearby that sells sheets of black acrylic, so for the softer stuff that's what I usually end up using. I'm envious of the laser though - our plasma table is, uh, not very precise. The bezel sounds pretty cool - custom dash?
Very nice job, nobody will note the slight difference on the highway
I desperately need an 4.7 badge.
Do you ship to Holland, and what will they cost??
Plexi isn't that much different from aluminum. Just oil and you can run it faster.. like at 60 w/ 1/4" bit, and multipass anything thicker than 1/8". I don't think the laser I use is what you are thinking of. I don't think it cut any metal, just engraves it. It can cut plexi, wood, rubber and other plastics though. http://www.jeepstrokers.com/forum/viewt ... =24&t=2375 for some crap I have been working on.
I think I can do them for 45 USD +shipping, and apparently I can ship to Holland (I put Amsterdam as the destination, and it came out to about 45 dollars for shipping there from FED Ex which is insured and tracked, and 29.75 for the USPS which...isn't) , although you'll have to be responsible for duties if there are any.
It will be the middle of the week before I can get to them, unfortunately. I can take credit cards through my father's company if that works for you.
I currently have two 4.6 badges and two 4.9 badges for 45 USD apiece +shipping. Polished 6061 aluminum, painted with Duplicolor trim paint, and backed by 3M emblem tape.
As soon as I get some new workholding equipment I'll build more - it has been ordered and should be in town Monday.
