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Oct 31, 2018 23:50:54 GMT
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Glued on wiper motor brackets. I made them slightly shorter so I could adjust with spacers. Temp washers will be replaced with aluminium spacers once final angle is settled on. The superfluous flange will be removed. The visible securing nut was a tad large and ugly, so I attacked it with the lathe. The 8gms removed are by the by :-) This only has to work once a year, at the MOT station ;-)
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Last Edit: Oct 31, 2018 23:54:43 GMT by nalesutol
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Just made the tapered washer (just noticed the ridge just under the nut - that will be cleaned up next time I take it off) to secure the wiper motor drive shaft. Although satisfying to make, this takes just as long as making something bigger so it doesn't look like you have achieved much. Having weighed the OEM wiper system (sans wipers) and bracket, the new system (sans wiper) is 2.38kg lighter. Not bad.
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Last Edit: Nov 1, 2018 20:50:48 GMT by nalesutol
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Been thinking about door locks, as you do. The bare lock mechanism and strike plate weigh 900gms a pair. Hardly lift them! I wondered if I could improve on that. First off I decided, as I had the carbon defrosted and the oven on, that I would try making the main lock cover. Original cover weighs 87gms and the carbon replacement is 8gms. I will have to bond in some aluminium top hat washers to deal with the fixing screws and shafts, so a maximum of 20gms each. 134gms reduction for the pair without really trying. I used the original as the mould (the minimal increase in size can be ignored on this item), saving time and effort, so the finish is a little rustic. Now I am on a roll :-)
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Last Edit: Nov 5, 2018 23:38:23 GMT by nalesutol
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First attempt at making the bar between the door handle and latch didn't go quite to plan. Cutting out the carbon using the bar was pretty straightforward. In order to achieve a smooth face on both sides I decided to sandwich the carbon between to sheets of aluminium. This turned out to have consequences - The carbon was squeezed flat and the bars ended up twice as wide as they started! Although they cleaned up OK they need to be a little thicker to resist twisting when under tension. Another couple of layers and only a base of aluminium should do it. 4 layers weigh 15gms compared t the already lightened rod at 137gms so another couple of layers will add around 8gms :-) Oh well, not everything works out first time. Unlike most posts on FB you will see warts and all on here :-) Attempt 2 to follow shortly.
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Last Edit: Nov 6, 2018 17:34:26 GMT by nalesutol
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Attacked the lock this afternoon. I made some thicker rods but I have decided that the original ones will work after all. Total reduction per lock assembly (lock, strike plate, rod and handle bracket) is 283gms. Original weight was 704gms so around a 40% reduction, without going silly with the hole maker!
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Now I need to work out how to get rid of the heavy external door handles :-) I have separate simple lever style locks to go on that are a lot lighter so I just need a method of operating the door latch from the outside. Some sort of simple sprung loaded push button arrangement to replicate the action of the original I guess would work. Can't see any on the web as yet so if someone knows where I can look it would be much appreciated.
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1940's Lincoln had pushbutton doors. Search Lincoln door button. You could use Insudtrial electrical buttons. They are usually panel mounted with a shaft sticking out the back.
Brad
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1940's Lincoln had pushbutton doors. Search Lincoln door button. You could use Insudtrial electrical buttons. They are usually panel mounted with a shaft sticking out the back. Brad Yeah, just seen the Lincoln buttons, a little ornate though :-) I will look into industrial buttons, cheers. I have already started to draw up something, just in case :-)
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jpr1977
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 656
Club RR Member Number: 18
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Could you use a remote push button release like on TVR's where they are mounted under the mirrors? TVR mirror mounted switchebayJust thought a servo may be lighter than a linkage... Alternatively I stumbled across this whilst looking for pics of TVR mirrors, i'm sure you could make some carbon versions. Mechanical door push
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Last Edit: Nov 8, 2018 11:39:21 GMT by jpr1977
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Spent 40 minutes this morning in the dentist chair for the second session of four of a deep clean. Not painful, fortunately, I know you like weight reduction.......but isn't this a bit extreme!
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Spent 40 minutes this morning in the dentist chair for the second session of four of a deep clean. Not painful, fortunately, I know you like weight reduction.......but isn't this a bit extreme! :-) :-)
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Could you use a remote push button release like on TVR's where they are mounted under the mirrors? TVR mirror mounted switchebayJust thought a servo may be lighter than a linkage... Alternatively I stumbled across this whilst looking for pics of TVR mirrors, i'm sure you could make some carbon versions. Mechanical door push Thanks for these. I have no external mirrors. Electronic door openers are heavier than a simple mechanical button, plus the wiring. Yeah, I saw that article. The button is huge! but it gave me ideas on how to build a better, smaller, lighter mousetrap :-) Thanks for the ideas.
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jpr1977
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 656
Club RR Member Number: 18
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A sudden thought whilst trying to buy a repair part for a cistern, how about a ready made plastic solution.. chrome push
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Last Edit: Nov 8, 2018 12:09:56 GMT by jpr1977
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A sudden thought whilst trying to buy a repair part for a cistern, how about a ready made plastic solution.. chrome pushI had looked at the double push type but didn't realise that there was a single push item. Hmmmm, would this be taking the p.ss a turd too far? I will have a look at these as it would be a lot easier , and quicker, than making them. Thanks
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Last Edit: Nov 8, 2018 12:09:29 GMT by nalesutol
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As its such a small car you could ditch the doors completely and climb in the top Just think how much weight that could save!!!
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As its such a small car you could ditch the doors completely and climb in the top Just think how much weight that could save!!! There is a roof, which would make climbing in tricky :-) Leaving the roof off (also removing side and rear windows) would save around 7-8kg, but would totally mess up the aerodynamics. Besides, the modified door weighs only 3kg and the carbon versions I plan to make should be less.
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I realise this company is in NZ but there may well be something ideal for what you're after... www.comac.co.nz/If they don't post to the UK then I'm happy to post something over... it will be lightweight after all......
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Had a scout around at Wickes, B&Q and the local plumbing stores. Found a single flush button but it was too long. So, I decided to have a go at making one. First attempt didn't turn out too bad. I won't know what mods need to be made until I fit the door latch to a door but it shouldn't be too far away. One thing that will be changed is the length of the outer casing as it needs to be longer to prevent the piston rocking as it is pushed out. The wider part of the flange will be glued to the inside of the door, so the button will be flush with the door panel. Now that I have worked out how to make it they will be quick to knock out.
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Last Edit: Nov 9, 2018 9:15:27 GMT by nalesutol
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