Top Gear Table...How to,,,,,,
Discussion
Not sure where to post this.
I am in the process og getting an engine block and pistons blasted to put together a coffee table.
What I am giving consideration to, is how to attach four pistons to the block.
To explain I want glass to sit on top of the Pistonheads and want the Piston rods to somehow attach to the block.
I haven't got kit to start drilling and am wondering if there are any other ideas out there......
I am in the process og getting an engine block and pistons blasted to put together a coffee table.
What I am giving consideration to, is how to attach four pistons to the block.
To explain I want glass to sit on top of the Pistonheads and want the Piston rods to somehow attach to the block.
I haven't got kit to start drilling and am wondering if there are any other ideas out there......
You should be ok for the top bolt as there is usually a bolthole but I'm pretty sure you'll have to drill for the bottom bolt. Saying that if you do have a decent strong top bolt in position you could get away with jb weld on the bottom as it won't be bearing too much load and it's more just to hold it in position. Better to have two bolts in though.
Difficult to say without seeing the block, if V6 or larger, there should be plenty of bolt holes available.
Good knows how they got to this price....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-Man-Cave-industri...
Good knows how they got to this price....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-Man-Cave-industri...
Whatever you do thoroughly clean and degrease first.
If an ali block definitely sodablast followed by another wash and then clear lacquer.
If an iron block soda blast preferable to grit or chilled iron blast media if you are clear lacquering, if you are painting then grit or chilled iron blast media OK.
If an ali block definitely sodablast followed by another wash and then clear lacquer.
If an iron block soda blast preferable to grit or chilled iron blast media if you are clear lacquering, if you are painting then grit or chilled iron blast media OK.
I haven't a clue. Zippyworld said:
I won't bother responding to 226bhp but keep taking the tablets.
With regard chilled iron and sand, its not a fashionable thing for me, if sand will give me a decent finish then thats good. Will explore chilled iron and what the costs are, thanks.
I think 226BHPs point is that if you don't clean it, the blasting will have little effect (and the inside will be filth!)With regard chilled iron and sand, its not a fashionable thing for me, if sand will give me a decent finish then thats good. Will explore chilled iron and what the costs are, thanks.
Will need at the very least a late night down the pressure washer!!!
Zippyworld said:
I won't bother responding to 226bhp but keep taking the tablets.
With regard chilled iron and sand, its not a fashionable thing for me, if sand will give me a decent finish then thats good. Will explore chilled iron and what the costs are, thanks.
Sand is illegal to use in blasting, and has been for a long time due to it being 98% silica and the dust potentially causing silicosis. You may also want look at Aluminium Oxide for a reasonable finish on alloy.With regard chilled iron and sand, its not a fashionable thing for me, if sand will give me a decent finish then thats good. Will explore chilled iron and what the costs are, thanks.
Have a look at the FAQ page on THIS SITE for more info.
I built a V8 table about 6 years ago, had it soda blasted and then lacquered. The beauty of the latter is that is gives it a nice shine so if you add small LEDs underneath (like me) they reflect rather well out of the cylinder holes.
In terms of mounting the top, I used a couple of smallish bolts through the stud holes on each side, did the same to the conrods which I split where they join the crankshaft, bolting through them both to use the pistons as support for the glass. On top of the pistons I made little felt supports in which I put some suction cups to hold the glass.
I built it long before SWMBO moved in but it's survived due to its capability as a handy wine rack - the cylinder holes just happen to be a similar size to a decent bottle of red.
Will post a couple of pics tomorrow as unfortunately I don't think I've ever taken any of my handiwork.
In terms of mounting the top, I used a couple of smallish bolts through the stud holes on each side, did the same to the conrods which I split where they join the crankshaft, bolting through them both to use the pistons as support for the glass. On top of the pistons I made little felt supports in which I put some suction cups to hold the glass.
I built it long before SWMBO moved in but it's survived due to its capability as a handy wine rack - the cylinder holes just happen to be a similar size to a decent bottle of red
.Will post a couple of pics tomorrow as unfortunately I don't think I've ever taken any of my handiwork.
Edited by SPT28 on Tuesday 16th September 13:09
Ok I have now got the piston rods mounted, used a small aluminium plate to bolt them to and then this allowed a good alignment with existing holes without it looking bad.
Decided I am going to paint most of the block in a silver/grey colour and polish prominent bits of the moulding at either end and on top.
What I am on the lookout for is four Jag pistonheads that I can use inverted for feet.
Just need to work out how to separate the head from the rod if I can't locate heads only.
Then its off to Ikea to see what they have by way of clearance coffee tables so I can obtain the glass.
The last hurdle will be smuggling past her indoors and swapping it for this bloody ugly dolphin table she has, hang on thats the glass sorted...heh heh !
Out of curiosity there are three numbers stamped on the block, is there a way of tracing which car it came off ?
Just for posterity methinks....
Thankyou for the input so far chaps
Decided I am going to paint most of the block in a silver/grey colour and polish prominent bits of the moulding at either end and on top.
What I am on the lookout for is four Jag pistonheads that I can use inverted for feet.
Just need to work out how to separate the head from the rod if I can't locate heads only.
Then its off to Ikea to see what they have by way of clearance coffee tables so I can obtain the glass.
The last hurdle will be smuggling past her indoors and swapping it for this bloody ugly dolphin table she has, hang on thats the glass sorted...heh heh !
Out of curiosity there are three numbers stamped on the block, is there a way of tracing which car it came off ?
Just for posterity methinks....
Thankyou for the input so far chaps
I think so... 
As an aside, Rich I saw your Aston parked up at Goodwood in amongst the 'normal' stuff, stood out rather majestically in my mind - a cracking car sir.
Was nice to have a brief nosey as a friend has one undergoing restoration as we speak - the DB MkIII that followed the big one at the Newport Pagnell auction last year - was an absolute steal in my mind.
As an aside, Rich I saw your Aston parked up at Goodwood in amongst the 'normal' stuff, stood out rather majestically in my mind - a cracking car sir.
Was nice to have a brief nosey as a friend has one undergoing restoration as we speak - the DB MkIII that followed the big one at the Newport Pagnell auction last year - was an absolute steal in my mind.
We need pictures...RichB said:
SPT28 said:
... As an aside, Rich I saw your Aston parked up at Goodwood in amongst the 'normal' stuff, stood out rather majestically in my mind - a cracking car sir..
Thank you, it was covered in dust by the end of the weekend. 
I had the Jensen and Stag parked up side by side, glad we put the roof up on both when we left them, they would have been wrecked inside!
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