BOTTOM FEEDERS= a place for everything modified and/or custom made

[kkiet]

Here is the latest creation of mine. This is another aluminum mod that was formed using the rotary table/tailstock method, but made to fit a 26mm battery. The differing diameters at each end made this extremely time consuming but I am happy with the results. Final dimensions came out to 3.062" x 1.980" x 1.175". The .770" x .500" atty is scratch built, with a direct connection from positive post to the beryllium/copper/silver contact leaf- no 510. The posts are offset, with the same spacing as a Magma.

Like the 18650 mod earlier, the radii are "facets" indexed at regular intervals. This interval was also used on the atty's top cap. I am getting great flavor out of the small chamber. Very similar inside to the great mods that CC is making- neo magnets with a PEEK insulated button.
Thanks to everybody in this thread for the inspiration!
View media item 429079View media item 429078View media item 429077View media item 429076

Looks great!!!!!!!

 

[turbocad6]

I'm still here, been really tied up past few months. had to close my bodyshop and been dealing with a bunch of crap from all ends but I'm working on buttoning up a few more of my own mods in the next few weeks. been thinking long and hard about jumping into the vendor end of things but haven't decided anything yet...

 

[Alexander Mundy]

I know right,!way to kill the best thread ever. Prohibit those that are responsible for not only launching it but continuing to contribute over several years. Really was my only reason to visit Ecf. The modding sections are full of tumbleweeds.
Not happy Jan.

I made a few similar posts but decided to send Smokey Joe a Conversation about it and how vendors were afraid to post here due to all the deleted posts and included screen shots of the posts pre- (remember once Google robots visit a page the content is archived if you know how to access it) and post- deletion to show how they were not hocking their wares. I did get a response which was positive to what I was indicating. (Can't quote communications from Conversations so that is all I will say) I have remained hopeful but that was in July so I assume the precedent that was set by the deletions was run up the flag pole and was saluted. Not my house and I went to the head of the household so not my place to make any more noise about it.

 

[Alexander Mundy]

I'm still here, been really tied up past few months. had to close my bodyshop and been dealing with a bunch of crap from all ends but I'm working on buttoning up a few more of my own mods in the next few weeks. been thinking long and hard about jumping into the vendor end of things but haven't decided anything yet...

I hope everything is working out for you Turbo.

 

[studiovap]

I'm still here, been really tied up past few months. had to close my bodyshop and been dealing with a bunch of crap from all ends but I'm working on buttoning up a few more of my own mods in the next few weeks. been thinking long and hard about jumping into the vendor end of things but haven't decided anything yet...

Hey Turbo, sorry to hear things have been hectic for you, hope it all smooths it soon. Looking forward to seeing your work when you're ready

 

[2buildawall]

Sorry to hear of your struggles Turbo. You strike me as the kind of person who will land on both feet running once everything is sorted out. Hang in there.

 

[Genosmate]

Hopefully someone will be able to help me out.I decided to try and make a mod from a different material (working my way up to metal).I got hold of a block of what I think is cast acrylic and I've got it to the stage where it needs polishing.I've tried all the metal polishing compounds I have on a test piece and don't like the result.Would be grateful for any advice on how to shine this thing up.

 

[laurie9300]

You need a polishing wheel like this.........on a bench grinder.......

And some of this............

BUFFING COMPOUND - BUFFING POLISH for Plastics

 

[Alexander Mundy]

Hopefully someone will be able to help me out.I decided to try and make a mod from a different material (working my way up to metal).I got hold of a block of what I think is cast acrylic and I've got it to the stage where it needs polishing.I've tried all the metal polishing compounds I have on a test piece and don't like the result.Would be grateful for any advice on how to shine this thing up.
View attachment 504079 View attachment 504080

Is that by chance cultured marble? If so it will need a clear gel coat.

 

[Genosmate]

You need a polishing wheel like this.........on a bench grinder.......

And some of this............

BUFFING COMPOUND - BUFFING POLISH for Plastics

Thanks but I've tried with a bench polisher using the compounds I normally use to polish metal and also tried some rouge but they all seem to produce poor results especially the rouge.,are these coloured compounds different to the metal polishing compounds/

 

[Genosmate]

Is that by chance cultured marble? If so it will need a clear gel coat.

Thanks,I'm not sure exactly what is is,the supplier advertises it as acrylic.Clear gel coat as in a polyurethane of some sort?

 

[turbocad6]

what grits have you sanded it too? taking it to 3,000 and better should also help. if you can get it to 6,000 or better then it may just need a coat of wax. there is sand paper that goes all the way up to 10,000 and 12,000... sometimes plastics don't respond well to buffing but lighter and lighter sanding should help

 

[Alexander Mundy]

Thanks,I'm not sure exactly what is is,the supplier advertises it as acrylic.Clear gel coat as in a polyurethane of some sort?

If it is Acrylic then that's Plexiglass. It can be flame polished or you can use an automotive polish made for clear coated paint. Manually polishing is quite a task. Take it down to 1000 grit or so with sandpaper then polish but not with a high speed polishing wheel as it will get too hot. Google "flame polishing Acrylic". Takes some finesse but if you have other pieces you could practice with one of them. Oxy-Hydrogen is used a lot since it doesnt have carbon but many years ago I used butane which worked good.

 

[laurie9300]

Thanks but I've tried with a bench polisher using the compounds I normally use to polish metal and also tried some rouge but they all seem to produce poor results especially the rouge.,are these coloured compounds different to the metal polishing compounds/

my only experience is with clear acrylic (plexiglass). I went down to 1200 manually, then used the white compound on my wheel. We also use this for aluminum, so I guess it's the same stuff as for metal.

 

[EagleTa2]

Im not happy either. Not one bit. Turbo, Custom Classic, Pdib... All of these guys have tons of knowledge that I know they would impart - if they could.
it makes no sense to me to not let them reply and carry on a conversation with the community. I get it... they should not try to sell on this thread, and I doubt that they would.

Disappointed that they cant play along

Geo

 

[Genosmate]

Thanks for all the help and advice guys.
I tried flame polishing on another piece of acrylic I have,didn't and still don't have the right torch or gas,I'll let you guess the result.
I wet shaded this mod to 2000 grit (finest grade I've seen locally) will have to find a supplier of finer stuff,then tried every type of polish I have,in the end went with T Cut and then Meguiars.Not really shiney but its OK.

 

[asdaq]

2000-2500 should be pretty shiny, if you can use a well worn piece of either as the grit is worn away and it polishes nicely. Also for ~$9 on amazon you can get 2" squares of micro mesh that work quite nicely.

 

[Quigsworth]

That look awesome Gen...before you struggle too much, without knowing exactly what resin type it is, you may not be able to get a deep luster. Phenolic resins, Corian, some polycarbs for example can only get so shiny (and can't be flame polished)...one thing you could try is one of those headlight restoration kits.

I think it's great the way it is.

 

[turbocad6]

the ultra fine papers are sometimes called micro mesh, something like this might help: 6 sheets EXTRA FINE Sandpaper Wet Dry 3”x 5 1/2" COMBO 3000/5000/7000 Grit

that only goes to 7,000 but it's not so expensive, there is also up to 12,000 but even the 7,000 should be ok. truth is it may always wind up with not much more than an eggshell sheen at best though depending on what type of plastic it is like quigs says but really fine paper should help it a bit. after the really fine paper a light cream polish like whats used on headlights may also help as will a coat of wax. if you want a really glossy finish then a urethane clearcoat could do that but depending on how soft the material is it may chip too easily, I'd avoid a clearcoat on plastics unless it's just going to be used very delicately

 

[Alexander Mundy]

That look awesome Gen...before you struggle too much, without knowing exactly what resin type it is, you may not be able to get a deep luster. Phenolic resins, Corian, some polycarbs for example can only get so shiny (and can't be flame polished)...one thing you could try is one of those headlight restoration kits.

I think it's great the way it is.

It looks suspiciously like cultured marble which is usually marble dust and polyester. A good friend used to be in the business and from going to his shop and seeing the various stages of product it has to have a gel coat or it will never get shiny if indeed that is what it is. Will the seller not let you know the actual composition?