My sterling silver ECU key
Discussion
Thank you all for your kind words. I think I've now turned on PMs in settings, thanks silverspeed; I've received about half a dozen messages so far and I'll respond to you all later today. Please feel welcome to send me a message if you're interested!
The circuit board and the RFID chip do need to come from a donor key. However, I believe I can include a spare blank RFID chip, so that your donor key can still start your car (it worked for me). You would need to program that chip yourself using two working keys, it's easily done. My current understanding is that only a dealer can program a new circuit board to unlock the doors etc, but I live by 'anything is possible'.
Adam I agree it would probably work best if I received a donor key, and made the switch for you. The circuit board needs some minor touch-up, nothing difficult. But given that there might be slight variation between pieces, I'd also want to make sure the action on the buttons is perfect. I could write a how-to with photos for anyone who wants to DIY.
I keep mine on the coffee table
The circuit board and the RFID chip do need to come from a donor key. However, I believe I can include a spare blank RFID chip, so that your donor key can still start your car (it worked for me). You would need to program that chip yourself using two working keys, it's easily done. My current understanding is that only a dealer can program a new circuit board to unlock the doors etc, but I live by 'anything is possible'.
Adam I agree it would probably work best if I received a donor key, and made the switch for you. The circuit board needs some minor touch-up, nothing difficult. But given that there might be slight variation between pieces, I'd also want to make sure the action on the buttons is perfect. I could write a how-to with photos for anyone who wants to DIY.
I keep mine on the coffee table
QuantumV8 said:
Thanks everyone, I'm so excited with all of your responses! Here are some pictures of it in the dash
If you need to see it clearer, let me know and I'll take them in better light when the sun comes back up (I'm in Melbourne)
I've only made it in silver, but I believe I could make it the same way in some other metals. Probably bronze, 14k gold (yellow/rose/white), 18k gold and platinum. The cost of using gold or platinum would be pretty high though, as there's a couple of ounces of metal in there. I don't know how to do carbon fibre, but I could look into it. It feels kind of nice to have a bit of weight to the key though i think
Thanks Jon39 for suggesting I get a patent - on similar advice I just applied for a design registration. That's effectively a patent for this type of item, so I've got recourse if it were to be copied.
It is indeed a tongue in cheek ejector seat button, well done soofsayer. The Volvo circuit board still has the fifth button on it, hidden inside the standard ECU key. And it still sets off the panic alarm on the Aston. So hopefully, if its ever needed, the button will eject someone from your car.
If you would like a key, I would love to make one for you on commission! I could give you a few options for the hood/grille leather colour, and for the case leather and stitching colours. Are we going to get ourselves in trouble if we start talking about price etc? How would be the best way to move forward?
I would actually love to work to develop stunning keys for other marques - everyone who's passionate about their car deserves a little piece of art to go with it!
Very impressive. Next time I'm in Melbourne have to let me buy you a pint in the Mitre :-)If you need to see it clearer, let me know and I'll take them in better light when the sun comes back up (I'm in Melbourne)
I've only made it in silver, but I believe I could make it the same way in some other metals. Probably bronze, 14k gold (yellow/rose/white), 18k gold and platinum. The cost of using gold or platinum would be pretty high though, as there's a couple of ounces of metal in there. I don't know how to do carbon fibre, but I could look into it. It feels kind of nice to have a bit of weight to the key though i think
Thanks Jon39 for suggesting I get a patent - on similar advice I just applied for a design registration. That's effectively a patent for this type of item, so I've got recourse if it were to be copied.
It is indeed a tongue in cheek ejector seat button, well done soofsayer. The Volvo circuit board still has the fifth button on it, hidden inside the standard ECU key. And it still sets off the panic alarm on the Aston. So hopefully, if its ever needed, the button will eject someone from your car.
If you would like a key, I would love to make one for you on commission! I could give you a few options for the hood/grille leather colour, and for the case leather and stitching colours. Are we going to get ourselves in trouble if we start talking about price etc? How would be the best way to move forward?
I would actually love to work to develop stunning keys for other marques - everyone who's passionate about their car deserves a little piece of art to go with it!
Not sure you can really register the design, since the shape is clearly AML - right down to the wings on the bonnet. I suspect you'd be treading on very thin ice and liable to whatever the Australian equivalent of "cease and desist" is.
Notwithstanding that, I like it a lot.
Thanks those of you for your PMs! I think I've replied to you all.
John, I will definitely take up your offer for a beer! Send me a message when you're coming to Melbourne.
Hopefully if there's any concern about the design it can be shown that there are materially significant differences. I'll take the opportunity to be clear that I'm (obviously) not associated with Aston Martin, or representing them, nor trying to confuse anyone that I am. If the oversized butterfly silhouette (it's just an outline, there's no detail) is really a problem, then it could be removed - I might then have some XK owners asking for one If the application is rejected, then so be it.
Greg, unfortunately I don't think I could make it in titanium. I had a quick look online to see if I could find anyone with the right capability to do that in small volume, but I haven't come up with anything (not fine enough detailing, and seeing lines in the finish). If I see a good way, I'll let you know.
John, I will definitely take up your offer for a beer! Send me a message when you're coming to Melbourne.
Hopefully if there's any concern about the design it can be shown that there are materially significant differences. I'll take the opportunity to be clear that I'm (obviously) not associated with Aston Martin, or representing them, nor trying to confuse anyone that I am. If the oversized butterfly silhouette (it's just an outline, there's no detail) is really a problem, then it could be removed - I might then have some XK owners asking for one
If the application is rejected, then so be it.Greg, unfortunately I don't think I could make it in titanium. I had a quick look online to see if I could find anyone with the right capability to do that in small volume, but I haven't come up with anything (not fine enough detailing, and seeing lines in the finish). If I see a good way, I'll let you know.
QuantumV8 said:
Hopefully if there's any concern about the design it can be shown that there are materially significant differences. I'll take the opportunity to be clear that I'm (obviously) not associated with Aston Martin, or representing them, nor trying to confuse anyone that I am. If the oversized butterfly silhouette (it's just an outline, there's no detail) is really a problem, then it could be removed - I might then have some XK owners asking for one If the application is rejected, then so be it.
If the application is rejected, then so be it.We have seen that AML do allow toy makers to sell exact models of their cars, so hopefully if there should be any difficulty, an agreement might be possible. I wonder whether contact between the two parties at an early stage, might be better than risk the possibility of the OP receiving a 'stiff' letter? No doubt licences from AML are expensive, but perhaps a fee per-sale basis might be possible for small volumes.
Another point that occurs to me, is that this type of engine start I think, has now been discontinued by AML, so they might be quite happy about the product.
Only thinking logically out loud, I don't have legal background. A brilliant and very attractive product. OP deserves to profit on this, as reward for creativity and execution.
QuantumV8 said:
Thanks those of you for your PMs! I think I've replied to you all.
John, I will definitely take up your offer for a beer! Send me a message when you're coming to Melbourne.
Hopefully if there's any concern about the design it can be shown that there are materially significant differences. I'll take the opportunity to be clear that I'm (obviously) not associated with Aston Martin, or representing them, nor trying to confuse anyone that I am. If the oversized butterfly silhouette (it's just an outline, there's no detail) is really a problem, then it could be removed - I might then have some XK owners asking for one If the application is rejected, then so be it.
Greg, unfortunately I don't think I could make it in titanium. I had a quick look online to see if I could find anyone with the right capability to do that in small volume, but I haven't come up with anything (not fine enough detailing, and seeing lines in the finish). If I see a good way, I'll let you know.
John, I will definitely take up your offer for a beer! Send me a message when you're coming to Melbourne.
Hopefully if there's any concern about the design it can be shown that there are materially significant differences. I'll take the opportunity to be clear that I'm (obviously) not associated with Aston Martin, or representing them, nor trying to confuse anyone that I am. If the oversized butterfly silhouette (it's just an outline, there's no detail) is really a problem, then it could be removed - I might then have some XK owners asking for one
If the application is rejected, then so be it.Greg, unfortunately I don't think I could make it in titanium. I had a quick look online to see if I could find anyone with the right capability to do that in small volume, but I haven't come up with anything (not fine enough detailing, and seeing lines in the finish). If I see a good way, I'll let you know.
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