DIY Needle Caps

[Hammy]

These...needle caps. Lovely aint they :yes: Expensive too :yes:

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii288/lidm/dialtrims_01.jpg

Let's make some :thumb-up:

First up gonna need some foil tape and blue tack:

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b624/ian_j_cowan/temporary_zpscdc35a5b.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/ian_j_cowan/media/temporary_zpscdc35a5b.jpg.html)

Then we gonna need an electric screw driver...not a drill cos that is too fast:

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b624/ian_j_cowan/temporary_zps7adcba16.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/ian_j_cowan/media/temporary_zps7adcba16.jpg.html)

Cut a section off:

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b624/ian_j_cowan/temporary_zps3121ae6d.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/ian_j_cowan/media/temporary_zps3121ae6d.jpg.html)

Cut into a circle bit larger than the black plastic cap on the needle, Press down and with a sharp knife trim off all the way round just above the pointers. Next, put a blob of blue tack on the back:

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b624/ian_j_cowan/temporary_zpse71671c9.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/ian_j_cowan/media/temporary_zpse71671c9.jpg.html)

Now press it into the end of the screw driver. Press the trigger and check that it looks virtually centred... adjust accordingly:

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b624/ian_j_cowan/temporary_zps4d673f37.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/ian_j_cowan/media/temporary_zps4d673f37.jpg.html)

Here we go...

get a scotch pad and press the trigger...slowly-ish. Keep checking.

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b624/ian_j_cowan/temporary_zps9e5c76e7.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/ian_j_cowan/media/temporary_zps9e5c76e7.jpg.html)

It takes about 20 seconds. This is why we use an electric screwdriver as it creates that turned look and importantly, it is centred:. When satisfied take off...and check :)

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b624/ian_j_cowan/temporary_zps8fc34691.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/ian_j_cowan/media/temporary_zps8fc34691.jpg.html)

Put a tiny bit of metal polish on a cloth, put needle back in screwdriver - holding the cloth agasint the foil, press teh trigger... as it is real metal foil, it will turn black:

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b624/ian_j_cowan/temporary_zps47f0f93f.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/ian_j_cowan/media/temporary_zps47f0f93f.jpg.html)

Takes about 20 seconds. Now use other parts of the cloth to buff up. Takes about 30 seconds:

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b624/ian_j_cowan/temporary_zpseef54dca.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/ian_j_cowan/media/temporary_zpseef54dca.jpg.html)

Done :thumb-up: Admire your handy work :)

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b624/ian_j_cowan/temporary_zps0f2fd027.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/ian_j_cowan/media/temporary_zps0f2fd027.jpg.html)

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b624/ian_j_cowan/temporary_zps2ca145d4.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/ian_j_cowan/media/temporary_zps2ca145d4.jpg.html)

Put on cluster and enjoy :)

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b624/ian_j_cowan/temporary_zpsc83d31a1.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/ian_j_cowan/media/temporary_zpsc83d31a1.jpg.html)

Now do the rest :thumb-up:

Can also do the same with copper tape - just for something different :)

[iKhanh]

Very good idea! How do you do the sides?

[Hammy]

You don't do the sides - it's not really necessary tbh :)

[Agent☣Orange]

Very clever!

[Malibu Q]

Nice idea Hammy.
Is that some kind of home roofing tape?
Do you think a hammer and punch would help cut a neat circle of that tape?

[Hammy]

Any DIY/plumbers place/homedepot will have it. It is used as a joint sealer..quite thick metal foil, sticky (very sticky) backed and comes in a roll. Should cost no more than $5 for a roll.

Just rough cut into a circle, no need to be precise. Stick on pressing down. Scalpel or stanley blade just press on the sides all the way round...just above the needles themselves it trims very neat.

When you turn it, any small ridges on the bevel are smoothed out. When you polish it, it resembles very well the needle caps...with the bevel really shiny :)

I have since done mine with copper tape for something different. A lot of the nutzers are doing this now too :)

Another use for the foil tape..because it is waterproof, people use the same stuff to repair the cracked plastic rain rail on the top.... :)

[Dandy]

Great work as always, Hammy. That includes the write-up and photos as well.

I used to have button type needle caps on my previous roadster that a now defunct US company (BSP) used to make and I really liked them. I couldn't find them anywhere now and I couldn't convince anyone to make them. I agree that you don't need the sides. I think it is more subtle without. I ended up buying the expensive caps (with sides) but I really like this DIY.

[sanravel]

Nice job, I'm going to try that.

[Grip Driver]

pretty cool!

[Ihatecars]

This is really awesome. Great idea, Hammy!

Now I have another project to add to my list. :P

[Phatmiata]

that's pretty slick!! Great idea

[speedypenguin]

Well done! Excellent workmanship as always. Cheers. :)

[HELLIONMX5]

where aare the pictures???

[Hammy]

Sorry about that... just realised I had exceeded the free photobucket bandwidth. Oops:whistle:

Fixed now as I just paid for unlimited :)

Sorry about that gentlemen.

[HELLIONMX5]

didn't mean for you to go and spend monies...

thank you though!

[Hammy]

Just an update to this....sorry been a while but been abroad working.

So you know, it's all diy - dials, caps, lens, retro panel and dial rings (must finish off the small ones.). The dials are printed on acetate, the needle caps is foil plumbers tape, the surround is made out of laminate flooring and aluminium top coat, the lens is 2mm poly carb, the dial rings large are made out of perfect 91mm size plastic pint glasses - the smaller dial rings (when finished) are made out of 45mm plastic plant pots.... the led's are bought.

Total cost £10 I reckon or less [:)]


Anyway, enough drivel... pics instead [:thumb-up:] [:yes:]

Nice clear definition...well crap iphone pic, but you get the idea
http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b624/ian_j_cowan/temporary_zpsc4699bdd.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/ian_j_cowan/media/temporary_zpsc4699bdd.jpg.html)

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b624/ian_j_cowan/temporary_zps14482853.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/ian_j_cowan/media/temporary_zps14482853.jpg.html)

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b624/ian_j_cowan/temporary_zps29f97a9b.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/ian_j_cowan/media/temporary_zps29f97a9b.jpg.html)

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b624/ian_j_cowan/B7A2E4B8-BD19-4446-816F-AD88BABA3920_zpsejvthffw.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/ian_j_cowan/media/B7A2E4B8-BD19-4446-816F-AD88BABA3920_zpsejvthffw.jpg.html)

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b624/ian_j_cowan/temporary_zpsbcb446de.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/ian_j_cowan/media/temporary_zpsbcb446de.jpg.html)

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b624/ian_j_cowan/temporary_zpsbcb446de.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/ian_j_cowan/media/temporary_zpsbcb446de.jpg.html)

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b624/ian_j_cowan/temporary_zps09ec20fb.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/ian_j_cowan/media/temporary_zps09ec20fb.jpg.html)

http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b624/ian_j_cowan/temporary_zpsb1e73267.jpg (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/ian_j_cowan/media/temporary_zpsb1e73267.jpg.html)

[mx54life]

Passion + ingenuity = Awesome Miata gauge cluster

[miatadriver]

This has to be one of the best homebrew projects I've seen great job!

[tsingson]

Awesome job!

[Saionara]

Fantastic

[atank]

That looks very, very good!!!!!!!!!

[Agent☣Orange]

Passion + ingenuity = Awesome Miata gauge cluster

This is true DIY gold!

[Saionara]

Definitely plan on this one!