Studebaker Dash Panels

[MP&C]

One of the local Studebaker owners needed some panels made for the dash of his truck (1947 M5), he's revamping the dash gauge/radio arrangement and needed some fresh metal to work with. Here's the existing:





Where the factory panel has a recess, and since he has plans for installing a couple gauges in that panel, the new will be made without the recess. The flat panel above for the DIN radio will be replaced as well, with the sides tipped for uniformity.


The old panel has seen some previous holes, for whatever reason.











Where the rubber tire on top of the e-wheel does a nice job of forming a radius across a panel, the upper portion of the panel was a bit tighter than the 3" radius anvil will provide.





Having just set up my bead roller with the skateboard wheel for tipping, I thought to use this with a beading die to form the tighter radius.





Here's the results of "rolling" the panel








The panel has about an 1/8" lip around the perimeter, so the radius die was changed out to one for tipping.





With only just over 1/8 of extra to tip the flange, this process was not that effective. Hindsight, about 1/4 left over and trimmed afterwards would have been more effective. But since the panel matched so well, lets try other persuasive devices.








The tipping wheel did do an adequate job of marking the crease location....








And the "vice anvil" and a slapper was used to fold the straight lip over to a 90....





A different anvil was chosen for the radiused edges...











And a punch used to form the 4 corner radiuses...










And once complete, the comparison.........








Then the same process was used for the upper plate. The folded edges on this will make it match the lower panel a bit better and make it look more as an original piece...











And the two together...





For now, we are leaving the mounting holes out. It may even get some studs welded on the back side, for a clean look. But we'll cross that bridge when we get there.

[Joe Hartson]

Robert, very nice work on the panels. Thanks for taking the time to post the pictures and tutorial.

[metalformrt]

It looks great, clean and high quality

[jhunter]

Those panels came out great and the process pictures and explanation is much appreciated.

[MP&C]

Well the Studebaker owner stopped by recently with all the dash pieces and new gauges. He finally mapped out how he wanted the new gauges installed.. As the panel for the center of the dash has a crown, we will need some adapter rings...





Here's the new gauge with the clamping bracket....



Not having a slip roll, I decided to try these in the bead roller:



I had some help in the shop this evening, so in addition to having the powered option on the bead roller this evening, given the diameter of the gauge bezel, I was able to show her real world application of Pi X D....











Just to test fit, here's the gauge with bracket, and the ring placed over both....





Both rings formed, tomorrow we'll get them welded up and tip some flanges for the bracket to push against...

[Bill Gibson]

Looking real good..!!!!
Do you know what Durometer the Skateboard wheel is? or is there a model number you could share?

[MP&C]

Bill, the red ones are 75A durometer, bought them in MA last year:

So we took a family trip to Cape Cod about three weeks ago. In between all the sight-seeing, I did find time to pick up some "souvenirs" at the Boarding House, their local skateboard shop...








These were 75A durometer, the softest they had. Should find some time this week to bore them out for the bead roller.

The other tan looking wheels I don't know the duromter, got them used at the San Diego flea market

[gerry miller]

Robert ,thanks for showing us how you formed the tight corners on that panel. Turned out pretty nice. Corners like that always give me a little trouble.
Gerry

[Bill Gibson]

Thanks Robert.!!

[Richard K]

Acro Tech is a urethane manufacturer in Minnesota. Here is a link to their website and some good info on metal forming applications
http://www.acrotechinc.com/industries/index.php

And, they supply rool bending machines. Two roll styles same as a bead roller. Some good ideas and info here
http://www.acrotechinc.com/roll-bend...ines/index.php