Wheels centre caps...
Discussion
Hi Ziga
Not sure of all the terminology but what is billet?
I have 4 virtually de-chromed originals and was looking at options either to get them sprayed chrome or have them wrapped in chrome, however if it would be possible to get new replacements I would be interested. Had the wheels refurbed, rims polished aluminium, lattice powder coated black. Might have been a mistake but want to see what they will look like with shiney centre caps and nuts before probably getting the lattice done again in sliver
Not sure of all the terminology but what is billet?
I have 4 virtually de-chromed originals and was looking at options either to get them sprayed chrome or have them wrapped in chrome, however if it would be possible to get new replacements I would be interested. Had the wheels refurbed, rims polished aluminium, lattice powder coated black. Might have been a mistake but want to see what they will look like with shiney centre caps and nuts before probably getting the lattice done again in sliver
Hi Mate..I found somewhere who will machine them from alloy...The only concern is the lip on the outer edge of the cap that sits inside the wheel centre..I will get one made and see how it fits and if its flexible enough, It will probably need some copperease on it to stop it oxidising...Initially i was looking into getting them re-chromed but they need to be nickel plated first and it was quite expensive although I'm not ruling it out as the guy that did my TVR badges now does nickel plating so i will enquire about it also...Trying to find an affordable way of either refurbing or replacing them...Cheers...Ziga
They look good Ron...Colours are not a problem but i really want mine chrome to set the wheels off and i haven't used or heard of anyone using the chrome spray...I might grab a tin and experiment on some plastic..But I'm looking at the options for getting new ones or old ones refurbed...I think the badges were original a print and then lacquered but i have used the resin domed one from flea myself on Delilah and they looked ok...They also were quite hardy..Cheers...Ziga
I wouldn't think aluminium would have the flexibility to push into the wheel zig and once in will it come out,without snapping the lug, may be better worth considering some kind of thread system and maybe a back nut inside the wheel or bayonet style of locking system if not a thread. Wooly.
wooly350i said:
I wouldn't think aluminium would have the flexibility to push into the wheel zig and once in will it come out,without snapping the lug, may be better worth considering some kind of thread system and maybe a back nut inside the wheel or bayonet style of locking system if not a thread. Wooly.
Yeah good point mate...Thats what i was worried about...Maybe a thread could be the answer..It would be better if i could get the old ones refurbed..Cheers..Ziga
jack350 said:
Hi Ziga
Not sure of all the terminology but what is billet?
A billet is just a chunk of cast alloy. It's one of those bullsh*t terms thrown around to make it sound important, like 'CNC machined'... so a part that's 'CNC machined from billet' must be REALLY fecking impressive, right? Not sure of all the terminology but what is billet?
Er no, it just means that someone's drawn a part on a CAD program, sent that info to a computer-controlled machine into which some monkey (hypothetically
) has clamped a chunk of ally. Then the machine's done all the work, and the beauty is that you can make loads of parts exactly the same so just as with everything else in the modern world, yours is precisely the same as everyone else's.If that part was produced by hand & eye on manual machines to the same accuracy and finish, THAT is something to brag about.
Another term that's often bandied about willy-nilly (apart from 'willy-nilly'
) is 'aerospace grade'.Lots of alloys are used in aerospace and not all were developed specially for that industry. And of those, some have characteristics that may mean they're not actually the best thing to use for some other component, so unless those using the term would like to publish the metallurgical analysis of their metal (and from experience I can tell you that not all metals sourced from, shall we say 'abroad' contain exactly what the paperwork claims they do) in a comparative table showing how it's superior to any other grade of alloy in that application then they can just go and poke themselves
You may as well claim that some lager is probably the best lager in the world...
Don't worry Ian the guys that i went to use lathes manually and theres not a CNC anywhere in sight...However could they turn out such a wonderfully crafted and assembled bit of bling that indicates the correct direction..Im not so sure... 
...For me there is only one man for that job!...
..Which reminds me....
I guess some people try to add "Terminology Tax"...But no matter how much you polish a turd..Its still a turd!...
...For me there is only one man for that job!.....Which reminds me....I guess some people try to add "Terminology Tax"...But no matter how much you polish a turd..Its still a turd!...
mrzigazaga said:
Don't worry Ian the guys that i went to use lathes manually and theres not a CNC anywhere in sight...However could they turn out such a wonderfully crafted and assembled bit of bling that indicates the correct direction..Im not so sure... ...For me there is only one man for that job!.....Which reminds me....
I guess some people try to add "Terminology Tax"...But no matter how much you polish a turd..Its still a turd!...
I have nothing against CNC machinery (in fact I'm trying to come up to speed on the hardware side as we're building an automated inspection system at work), of course if you want thousands of identical parts then to do it manually either takes an age or you have to make more than you need and pick the best/closest ones....For me there is only one man for that job!.....Which reminds me....I guess some people try to add "Terminology Tax"...But no matter how much you polish a turd..Its still a turd!...
It's the concept that you have to say 'CNC machined' as if to convince the buyer that it'll be alright: nobody asks if a laptop or an Ipod or a 3-pin plug is CNC machined, they just buy it as-is.
I know a chap
who built a CNC machine in his shed; I believe he spent more time feeding it MDF sheets to turn out radiator covers for the masses than he did hand-making the bespoke oak furniture he'd initially set up the business to create..."Phew"...Thats a relief, Ill get them CNC then...
Mind you the set up costs are high..(For the customer)..I do still prefer one-off hand made custom parts...Makes them a bit more special then a mass produced part..For me its about quality over quantity...Mind you if i was in the business then quantity would be the way to go..."Kerching"......
Mind you the set up costs are high..(For the customer)..I do still prefer one-off hand made custom parts...Makes them a bit more special then a mass produced part..For me its about quality over quantity...Mind you if i was in the business then quantity would be the way to go..."Kerching"......
wooly350i said:
I wouldn't think aluminium would have the flexibility to push into the wheel zig and once in will it come out,without snapping the lug, may be better worth considering some kind of thread system and maybe a back nut inside the wheel or bayonet style of locking system if not a thread. Wooly.
I would agree with that. But why not machine a groove close to the open end and fit an 'O' ring. With a bit of silicone grease on it that should work nicely.Adi
Hi Peeps...Thanks to Keith for sending me one of his centre caps...It might be possible to make them from alloy with smaller tabs to make it a bit more flexible...However it would be much better in steel but the prices of steel are a joke...Im going to try an alternative as they can only be re-chromed if they are not pitted or have any of the original chrome missing.
So does anyone have one that is fairly scabby that i can experiment with please...Ideally one that you don't use on the car..I will of course return it and hopefully it will be in better condition that when you sent it..FOC of course......Cheers...Ziga
So does anyone have one that is fairly scabby that i can experiment with please...Ideally one that you don't use on the car..I will of course return it and hopefully it will be in better condition that when you sent it..FOC of course...
...Cheers...ZigaGassing Station | Wedges | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff