Ducman82

i am taking the welding program here at my local college, and i will say this.... seeing your work on this project Jerry, is making me want to take the machining program instead... super work man!

M. Requin

Jerry, I'll second what Chris rote above about a solid console cover(s). I think I understood from a previous post that it would be possible to fabricate such a version - did I understand correctly? TIA

Jerry Feather

What I think I will need to do to accomodate any interest in the original trim piece mounted in its original location is to complete the male form that I have partly developed to this point that I have basically set aside for now. The next step in its development was going to be the addition of a form bar across about where the lower edge of the ash tray is and then shape that to the bevel edge of the original. That is a little bit of a complex machine process, but not too bad.

Then I will need to redevelop the upper half of the forming machine that I am working on now. To form the original trim piece will take a fairly different set of forming levers on top from those I am making now. They wont be too difficult to make though since I am learning how to do that as I go. The reason they need to be different is that the original trim piece is longer and deeper than the abreviated trim piece I am getting ready to form now, and the nature of forming is fairly different from this one. By that I mean that for this flush trim piece the outside is going to be formed fairly deeply and the inside not so deep, but with the original the outside is formed only about a half inch but the inside, at least for the shifter opening is formed a little over an inch deep. That's why I will need different levers.

One other difference will be that there will need to be an alternate forming member to form the plastic down into the concavity of the panel that we are talking about leaving the clock out of. The plastic will float across this basic flat curve and not pull entirely down into it by just pulling around the ourside edges. There needs to be something to hold it down in the central areas which will be the clock form for ones with the clock provision. Without the clock form pulling the central areas down there needs to be something else to do so. (Did I say that enough times? Sorry!)

I would be interested in someone's concept of instruments in this area with or without the clock and with or without the rear AC controls. In particular, what are the Z-style of gauges mentioned? One thing that I find kind of displeasing with what I have seen before is a cluster of three two and a quarter inch gauges crammed into the space now occupied with the ashtray. I would hope that there are some kind of instruments that will fit this area better and not look so alien to the center console.

Thanks for the feedback. I really does help the thought processes.

Jerry Feather

Landseer

Thanks Jerry for the reflective reply. I was thinking about the old 240 Z gauges on the dash, with hooded bezels angled toward the driver. A friend's Euro has a fuel pressure and afm gauge install in that space and it looks good. Seems like a pretty good use of the space. May not be to others' tastes, but I like it alot.

Jerry Feather

The only thing wrong with this statement is the work "INSTEAD!" I do a lot of welding and took a basic course for that in college some time ago. I really need to take a modern course in welding because I cannot weld aluminun worth a crap. I still have to farm most of that out when I need it.

I took two precision machine courses, also in the distant past. They were very worth while. I had the machines already when I did. I had been self-teaching myself with them and had already developed some basic gunsmithing skills before I took the courses.

My advise is take the welding course first. Welding equipment is less expensive than machines. By this I mean that you will get more good out of welding because you will more readily acquire the equipment. Then when you can afford the machines, take that course. Otherwise it will be like getting a pilot license--don't bother if you are not in a position to do some flying. In this case also, you will not be in a position to rent machines like you might rent an airplane to fly once in a while.

Thanks for your compliments.

Jerry Feather

Benton

In my opinion, neither an oval, nor round clock is the right option. Something of a trapezoidal or rectangular nature would be ideal. From my design background, I know that the oval (edit: elliptical) is *in general* not a pleasing shape to the eye (please don't take offense!). It usually works best only when you are using it as a circle in perspective. (Line removed so people will quit commenting on it). That being said, I do think the Infinity clock is a nice looking clock, and is nicer than a circular clock given the location. I just think that another shape would complement the lines in the 928 interior more effectively.

If anyone can locate a clock similar to the factory rectangular analog clock, I think that would be ideal.

Jerry Feather

[QUOTEthe Oval-shaped logos are a big no-no if you want to act like you know what you are doing.
* * *
If anyone can locate a clock similar to the factory rectangular analog clock, I think that would be ideal.[/QUOTE]

That being said, if there was any authority for it I would tend to take it literally; in which case my dictionary defines "oval" as "having the shape of an egg."

What I am dealing with here in the two different Infiniti clocks are not ovals but elipises. Those are, as you put it, just circles in perspective. I have done a small amount of graphic design work, mostly for myself, and have used an elipisis of different degrees and sizes to a great extent. They are pleasing to my eye and interesting to work into designs with the infinite flexibility that is inherent in them. I never had anyone suggest that I did not know what I was doing; but of course it could be that they were just being polite. Nevertheless, I sold a lot of the items I had designed that way.

On the other hand, I am open to your last suggestion about anyone coming up with some other shape of clock that might be adaptable, again, not including a cirle.

Thanks for your input.

Jerry Feather

Jadz928

Jerry,
Oval or ellipse, take what Benton said with a grain of salt. It is an opinion and an extremely loose one at that. No offense Benton but....

I have chosen to keep my opinion re the clock to myself. Jerry, this is your project and your concept. Sometimes it's most important to get something made and evaluation the physical model, in context. If you find it doesn't suite your needs, change it. You tool desgin has a level of modularity which doesn't preclude you from making a running change.

Per your request, I will keep my eye peeled for a clock alternative.

PS. Can the Infinity clock be disassembled? If so, it is possible to spec a new "dial face" which has more 928 gage characteristics?

Jerry Feather

Hi Jim. On the oval shape idea, after I posted my response about that I had occasion to drive to town and then around some for a couple of errands. The first thing I noticed on the way was the Ford logo which is based on an elipse. Then I started taking note of other motor vehicle sympols, signs or logos and by the time I got home I had reached the conclusion that well over half of the cars on the road today are wearing a logo based in part or mostly primarily on an elipse. There is even one of them that has a symbol made up of three elipses. I am glad they took heed of the admonition relating to ovals. They would all look funny with an egg-shaped logo.

In regard to the face of the Infiniti clock, I think they can be taken apart, and I have given some thought to trying to find a source to have the face redesigned or silkscreened with something like a "P" in a shield on the left and the numerals "928" on the right. The rest of the markings are just hash marks and wouldn't need to be changed. The only trouble with going to that effort is that it is going to run the cost up; and pretty soon it will be like buying the factory rectangular clock.

Thanks.

Jerry Feather

Benton

Jerry,

Like I said, no offense intended my friend. All of my graphic design experience/teaching has led me to not use an ellipse (correct word, my mistake for using oval) for anything other than a circle in perspective. Yes, there are some well-known logos that use this shape, but that is what I was taught by many-a-professional graphic designer. Regardless, I apologize for taking this off-topic on what is arguably personal preference and isn't necessarily applicable to this situation. I simply do not think the elliptical clock works with the lines in the 928 interior.

I like to view projects like this from a customer perspective. Most customers, if they don't like something, don't criticize--they speak with their wallet. If everyone throws around words like "beautiful!" and "awesome!" then no constructive criticism ever happens. I'm all for this project, and seeing how much work you are putting into it, I would like to see the final product look as professional as the work going into it. If I am the customer, what do I want? FWIW, I am uber-impressed and am just trying to help out.

Back to what is important...

Jerry Feather

Ellipse--Ellipse--- Ellipse!! If I could just spell it.

Jerry

Jerry Feather

No appology necessay by any means; and I don't think you are at all off topic. What you say is right to the point of this whole project. Thanks again for your input.

Jerry

Jerry Feather

P.S. And, it isn't so much a personal preference as it is that the elliptical clocks are the only thing that I have been able to find. In Fact, if I had not found the first little ones from the Infiniti, I don't think I would have even started this project. I suppose I ought to feel that I owe the "design" something for that. Nevertheless, the door is wide open for any other shape of clock. Actually, after I thought about the round one a little bit more, If that were the only alternative I still might design around one, but even then I think I would be inclined to put it in some kind of elliptical shaped recess. JF

Jerry Feather

P.P.S. Mark, as an aside, I got the rear AC controls today. Thanks a bunch. They are going to help a lot in some of the further development of this trim piece. JF

Benton

Here's a few ramblings:

1) I have a love for analog clocks/watches, so I think it is great that this will hopefully be able to put a classy analog clock in place of the terrible digital clock
2) The Infiniti clock looks very nice other than having the Infiniti logo and the shape doesn't do a whole lot for me with the 928 interior.

I really think Porsche hit a home run with the late-model analog clock. It shows, too, because people buy them up like hotcakes when they become available--for pretty large sums of money. I think something like that would really be ideal.

After all that fuss I started, I honestly think the Infiniti clock would look very nice other than the Infiniti logo being on the face. It would be a wonderful upgrade from the digital clock. But with all of this work involved, why not make it perfect?