Machine turned aluminum

[doug hodder]

This technique goes way back, I don't know how far, but high end cars in the 30's had dashes done up like this typically in like 1/2" dia circles. Ideally it is done with an abrasive impregnated rod on stainless, but I cheated and tried it with a 320 grit disk on a foam pad in the drill on aluminum, in a jury rigged jig...It does need a clear coat over it to protect it as it will scratch/oxidize easlily. I looked at some of the Formica products earlier, but they weren't really inspiring so opted to do this. This is one of the doors for the galley cabinets on the Rocketear..still unfinished...but I'll carry it through the other cabinets in the tear. Dan Hazard and I have been talking about how to do this for a while and I am doing it small scale, It is available through some suppliers, but the cost is out of control... through some PM's tonight I know he is planning on doing it big time...like all the sides on his tear...It should be outstanding!!! At any rate...this is the look, mine are 2" Dan is doing 4 1/2" on the exterior. He is planning on posting some pics here in the next day or so...his jig and look can be seen in his album...Doug

[bledsoe3]

Way cool Doug!

[madjack]

....BUT SHOOT...you know that .......

[Miriam C.]

That will look better than formica any day.

Thanks for the pictures.

[Ron]

Excellent pattern

Can the clearcoat be put on with a spray can type clear coat? for those that dont have an automotive type spray gun.

Ron

[Guy]

Dear Doug,

The pattern does not look random, did you use a drill press and some form of jig?

[doug hodder]

Ron...I sprayed the panels today with varathane semi-gloss, out of a spray can. I didn't want a hard gloss as the reflection is pretty bright and in the mean time they are protected...when I inset them into the frames, I'll mask them off and spray the wood.

Guy...I made a quickie jig from a piece of baltic birch, just cut a circle in it and made an indicator mark. Then slid the birch piece against a stick marked off with the 1.25 incriments that I wanted between swirls. I used a bowl sanding disk from Woodworkers supply, the harder foam and 320# paper, I bought a jar of 50 disks...I'll bet I use up 40 of them to finish up the rest of the door fronts. I did them all in a line, but it was hard to keep them all directly in line and there is some variation in them, so to cover for that, I turned the door frame 45 degrees to the pattern that I did. No drill press, it doesn't have enough depth to do the panels...just a hand held cordless. doug

[dhazard]

My morning fun. 4 ½” sanding disk in an angle grinder. This was done using a jig, you can see part of it in my album. To keep the sander from jumping I glued a scotch bright pad to the sanding disk, then used a 220 adhesive backed disk to make the pattern. One of Doug’s suggestions was to use a crepe rubber cleaning rod to clean up the disk, use it after every second third sanding, it will greatly increase the life of the sandpaper.

[Miriam C.]

Oh Gosh you guys.
Dan is that going on your sides?

[dhazard]

Yes that is side 1

[doug hodder]

Dan that really came out nice...so were you all black with dust when it was over....fun time huh? Another idea I had on protecting it till you mount it is to try and get a roll of 18" mask from a sign shop, if they'll sell it. They use it to overlay vinyl prior to install. It's like wide masking tape, but not nearly as gummy and you can pull it off in a whole sheet...protects against some scratching and fingerprints...just a thought. Doug

[dhazard]

I think its up my nose!

[dhazard]

If you have looked close at Doug’s pattern and mine, you can see that we did a slightly different pattern. This link is to a place you can get sheets from that have already had the turning done. http://www.fpmmetals.com/architectural.php

[doug hodder]

Good find Dan...I found it from other suppliers, but the pricing seems to be the real draw back, at least from the suppliers I found and have since lost. I'm sure this supplier isn't a real bargain either. the material is outstanding, but you just need to decide how deep your pockets are. For the size of the panels I'm doing I figure I can fake it, and from the results you have, it appears that you can also....and if anyone is checking out the lines and being really picky, well....lets just wait and see how theirs turns out. Trying something different at times is a challenge....Doug

[glassice]

there is some variation in them ........... That what make them look so great .Just show that you and Dan are true craftsmen .thank i learn a lot from your posts