markbognor
South East
Posts: 9,970
Club RR Member Number: 56
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Spuff all over my deskmarkbognor
@markbognor
Club Retro Rides Member 56
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The plan was to make a unique gear leaver knob from a 150ml Schwepps Bitter Lemon can. I chose the Bitter Lemon because its colouring co-ordinated with the turquoise of the Micra. Stage one was to remove the bitter lemon from the can, this was done by piecing the base of the can to leave the ring pull in the closed position. I should have known how it was going to turn out when this operation covered me in sticky soft drink. I cut out most of the bottom of the can, but of couse the can was now quite delictate, so I just removed enough to pour the new filling in, with the intension of trimming more neatly later. The new filling was to be fiberglassing resin, which would then be drilled and tapped to the correct thread for my gearlever shaft. Not wanting to have to buy new I used some resin, hardener and filler powder that has been hanging around at work. Without instructions. I asked a collegue who was the last to use it, who said that it was 5 to 1 resin to hardener, and just chuck some filler powder in. So that’s what I did. It would appear that they were not necessarily the correct ratios. I’ve filled spaces (the smaller piston/con rod trophies from RRG ’08 and RC car bodies) with resin and hardener mix before, using whatever brand it is that Halfords sell. Its always been fine then. I think I’ll use that again. I’m off to purchase a new can of bitter lemon on the way home tonight. I think this idea could work very well with all sorts of mini soft drink cans, and also with stubby beer cans. I’ll let you know how mine goes on attempt two.
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Ectoplasm....time to call Ghostbusters methinks. It's a neat idea though ,looking forward to see how it eventually turns out.
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I like this idea and may well have to steal it! A can full of resin would have a nice bit of weight to it
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Seth
South East
MorrisOxford TriumphMirald HillmanMinx BorgwardIsabellaCombi
Posts: 15,536
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I don't see what the problem is. Paint it green for a Ghostbusters spec shifter. Nice idea
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Follow your dreams or you might as well be a vegetable.
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qwerty
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,416
Club RR Member Number: 52
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Spuff all over my deskqwerty
@qwerty
Club Retro Rides Member 52
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You could sell what you've created to a year 11 art student no bother!
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Take it back to the shop and claim 300 pounds for slip/trip/fall compensation.
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mk14dr
Yorkshire and The Humber
Posts: 4,472
Club RR Member Number: 85
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Spuff all over my deskmk14dr
@mk14dr
Club Retro Rides Member 85
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Oct 15, 2009 10:29:35 GMT
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Cool idea, it'll look ace when your done. I can't help but think it'll be uncomfortable in the hand though? Il have a little look around the factory today to see if I can find you an unblown bottle to faff around with, I think they'd make a cool gearstick. Although I can't think of a brand with decent colours....
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Oct 15, 2009 11:18:13 GMT
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Take it back to the shop and claim 300 pounds for slip/trip/fall compensation.
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markbognor
South East
Posts: 9,970
Club RR Member Number: 56
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Spuff all over my deskmarkbognor
@markbognor
Club Retro Rides Member 56
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Oct 15, 2009 16:40:51 GMT
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Cheers for the enthusiasm for the idea. I'll get back on it sometime but I couldn't face a trip into the supermarket tonight. cobblers, be my guest. mk14dr, It probably wont be the most comfortable but I'm hoping the uniqueness will make up for that. I also had a go at turning a new knob out of aluminium, earlier in the week. It wasn't especially nicely finished and when I was trying it out first thing this morning I dropped it on the way back in from the car, putting a couple of dents round the top edges. So I stuck it back in the lathe and used a file to radius the original 45 degree bevel. I also refinished the whole surface and made a much better job of it the second time round. Its now on the end of my gearlever untill I get round to doing the can.
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kee
Posted a lot
Posts: 4,991
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Oct 15, 2009 18:40:24 GMT
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i want a gearknob like that ally one ;D
good idea with the can though, never seen that before.
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purplevanman
Posted a lot
Way too orangey for crows
Posts: 3,830
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Oct 15, 2009 19:32:45 GMT
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FYI ratio is usually around 2% (50:1 ?) hardener if it is proper fibreglass resin with MEKP hardener. As you found out 5:1 is a bit much
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Welder, fabricator, general resto work
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Oct 15, 2009 19:47:55 GMT
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hopefully not a hijack....but mark, you creative genius- I had an almost similar idea but with a 200ml bottle rather than a can but I want something clear to set inside it, any ideas? as for the can- thats a superb idea! so many permeations to use. small can of dog food in a rat looker, mountain dew for a race car etc. and the colour coding of course. neat
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markbognor
South East
Posts: 9,970
Club RR Member Number: 56
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Spuff all over my deskmarkbognor
@markbognor
Club Retro Rides Member 56
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Oct 15, 2009 19:58:31 GMT
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Cheers Ed, Rmad has a japanese stubby coke bottle as display parefenalia in the cressy, that would make a nice one too. Theres all sorts of tat that gets set in clear resin as novelties so there must be something available. Here's a quick google find. Haha, Grunty, I guess thats why the reaction got a little bit out of hand!
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Oct 15, 2009 20:02:48 GMT
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Thanks Mark its a stubby coke bottle I have! a 200 ml one.
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skinnylew
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 5,604
Club RR Member Number: 11
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Spuff all over my deskskinnylew
@skinnylew
Club Retro Rides Member 11
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Oct 15, 2009 20:54:49 GMT
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ooooooo i like that!!! Might have to find something similar size and turn that into a gearknob The ally one looks pukka!! Bet its cold in the mornings though!!
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Oct 15, 2009 23:39:28 GMT
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just one piece of advice - wear gloves if you want to use an ally gearknob in less than 5 centigrade
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Cheers for the enthusiasm for the idea. I'll get back on it sometime but I couldn't face a trip into the supermarket tonight. cobblers, be my guest. mk14dr, It probably wont be the most comfortable but I'm hoping the uniqueness will make up for that. I also had a go at turning a new knob out of aluminium, earlier in the week. It wasn't especially nicely finished and when I was trying it out first thing this morning I dropped it on the way back in from the car, putting a couple of dents round the top edges. So I stuck it back in the lathe and used a file to radius the original 45 degree bevel. I also refinished the whole surface and made a much better job of it the second time round. Its now on the end of my gearlever untill I get round to doing the can. A bit more work on that could make a very cool mini billet-can!
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Remade In Australia thereimaginarium.com.au
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Slighlty losing the way a little here, but if we're talking about alternative uses - seen quite a few baked bean can instrument pods, sat atop the dash, they can look quite good if done neatly. Have a pic of my 'semi-auto' conversion on the Merc - hated it at first, but it was the only suitable tat I had lying around at the time, it's grown on me a bit now and quite suits the ratty nature of the car ;D Joe
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