Lets make a Plate for Forensics Spectra 20

[RiverDave]

Step 1..

1/4 inch peace of aluminum. Grossly oversized.

Take the pattern that Bobby provided and lay it on the plate to at least get an idea of what we're in for.

RD

[RiverDave]

Step 2 begin laying out what we're gonna make.

General shape starts as a square.. Details come last.

RD

[RiverDave]

Start laying out centerlines and determining where we're going to put things.

RD

[RiverDave]

Next we figure out the switch mount.. It has to be machined so the switch fits through and then expands on the back side.

RD

[RiverDave]

Skipping ahead here a bit.. I moved the switch closer to the center of the plate, and started laying out the shape of the plate to see what looks good.

[RiverDave]

Next band saw out the square, and then square the plate up on the Mill.

[RiverDave]

Squaring the plate

[RiverDave]

Squaring the other sides (Note we're now holding onto the 2 parallel edges, and if the vice is straight, now the outside edges will be 90 degrees from the edges in the vice.

[RiverDave]

Now we have all the edges square and we'll start with the 1st "detail" the switch mount. Basically going to the measurements of the switch plus .005 a side, minus the radius of the endmill.

RD

[RiverDave]

So now we have the switch roughed out, but the corners still need to be "picked out" with a small diameter end mill..

I take the small endmill and put it at the apex, and then plunge down.. Providing there isn't too much material to remove for the small endmill then clean up the edges..

[RiverDave]

Now that the corners have been removed the switch will fit..

Put the switch in.. and it fits perfect...

Looks cheeze dick, but it fits perfect. Technically it fits the bill, but doesn't look the part.

So we have to recess the switch into the plate to make it look the part.

Re-indicate the part back into the mill, a couple more measurements and here we go.

[RiverDave]

So now I'm looking at the plate... I only have to bore a 1.230 hole to mount the shifter dealio.. and I'm thinking I can make it look better then the pattern plate.

So I started scribing some ideas into the plate.. I came up with an "oval" design that I liked a lot. (remember scribe lightly)

RD

[RiverDave]

Alright so lets bore the hole in the plate.. After talking to Bobby, apparently the "oval" idea isn't going to work, becuase the plate needs to cover up something on the boat.

Putting the shifter in the midle of the plate won't work either, becuase the arm that controls the cable barely clears the gunnel so we have to make it a little lower.

We start with a center drill.. then 1/2 inch drill. Now slow it down quite a bit and throw a 3/4 inch drill and step it up a few times to a little over a 1 inch.

After we run through that, we throw in the boring bar, and expand it out to the final dimensions. :)

[RiverDave]

Now the final details.. The radius'd edges, and a large radius on the back of the plate by the switch.

We put some radius guages up to see what looks good.. Scribe em, band saw them close, then belt sand them to the lines. :)


After we're done belt sanding, a quick stint on the polishing wheel to make all the edges uniform and we're done. :)

RD

[Flying_Lavey]

OOHH Fancy pantsy! lol!

Hey, is it really up to shop safety standards to be wearing flip-flops while in the machine shop?

:D :D :D

[RiverDave]

OOHH Fancy pantsy! lol!

Hey, is it really up to shop safety standards to be wearing flip-flops while in the machine shop?

:D :D :D

We're just cutting aluminum here.. LOL If I was cutting tool steels where shit was coming off hot, then I'd probably wear something different.. LOL Ah who am I kidding I still wear flip flops and use a shield.

RD

[Flying_Lavey]

We're just cutting aluminum here.. LOL If I was cutting tool steels where shit was coming off hot, then I'd probably wear something different.. LOL Ah who am I kidding I still wear flip flops and use a shield.

RD

Oh... I am SOOO calling OSHA!!!


:D

lol!

[Zaairman]

Lookin' good Dave. It finished yet?

[RiverDave]

Lookin' good Dave. It finished yet?

I dunno... LOL I gave it to Forensic a couple weeks ago. I thnk they are going to powder coat it? Should be on the boat by now?

RD

[RitcheyRch]

Enjoy watching that stuff. Always like heading to the shop at work and seeing them build the stuff I design.

[atomickitn]

here is the finished piece that Dave had milled all put together...