Has anyone discovered a technique for simulating this surface treatment? I was thinking of both aluminum sheet stock as well as plastic (maybe with bare-metal foil?) I would like to scratchbuild a hot rod dashboard with this treatment. Thanks!
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Engine turned dashboards or other parts
Started by Paul Payne, Sep 12 2006 04:23 AM
6 replies to this topic
#2
Mr. Metallic
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Posted 12 September 2006 - 09:45 AM
I read somewhere when someone once suggested using a battery powered pencil eraser(the kind used by draftsmen and artists). They have a low RPM, so put some sandpaper on the end and give it a try. I've been wanting to try it myself.
#3
VW Dave
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Posted 12 September 2006 - 01:16 PM
Sounds feasible, Craig, doing that on aluminum sheet; BMF likely would disintegrate in the process, however.
#4
ronr
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Posted 12 September 2006 - 01:38 PM
I`ve tryed a little section of .005 alum. from Hobby Lobby by using an eraser as the pad. Worked pretty good in a dremel.
RonR
RonR
#5
Paul Payne
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Posted 14 September 2006 - 01:10 AM
Thanks for the info, guys! I have some aluminum sheet, and will try using a dremel tool with an appropriate tip. I will post a pic when I have something done. 
#6
Steve H.
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Posted 16 September 2006 - 09:22 PM
A friend used a pinch of steel wool on a cotton swab to turn a pattern in BMF. You only need a couple light spins to leave a pattern.
#7
Biscuitbuilder
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Posted 19 September 2006 - 04:45 AM
Has anyone discovered a technique for simulating this surface treatment? I was thinking of both aluminum sheet stock as well as plastic (maybe with bare-metal foil?) I would like to scratchbuild a hot rod dashboard with this treatment. Thanks!
Back in the early 80's, I scratchbuilt a 60's Watson USAC Dirt Championship car, which needed an aluminum firewall and instrument panel. But, how to "engine turn" the aluminum! I had a sudden idea!
Old-fashioned typing erasers are impregnated with a mild abrasive, that will scuff aluminum! So, I bought one, ran it through a pencil sharpener to get a point on the end of the rubber, then cut the wood pencil-style shank and drilled into the cut end to superglue a length of brass rod in it, and firmed up the sides of the rubber tip with superglue as well. I simply chucked in my Dremel tool, and mounted the tool in my drill press. Voila!
After a bit of pracice, the thing worked perfectly--good enough to help that car win First Place at the 1985 IPMS Nationals in Indianapolis.
I wish I had the car to photograph, but I sold it to a model race car collector about 6 weeks after the Nats, for more money than I ever would have guessed anyone would pay for a builtup.
Biscuitbuilder
