Discussion
I have decided to replace my ageing wood dash with a nice alloy one. I have decided to make it myself as I have access to a CNC punch which can make the two panels perfectly. The question does anyone think it would be worth me doing a run of these once I have the tooling set-up. Would there would be a market for these as there seems to be a bit of a lack of good ones around for a fair price..??
Here are some facts about the 'Alloy' dash.
1) Most are not alloy 'aluminium' but stainless steel.
2) The only way to make them accurately is by laser cutting. This is how the original is made.
3) Laser cutting if done correctly does not discolour the panel.
4) There are 12 different panels in the Griffith/Chimaera range (excluding the last 100 Griffiths).
5) We think £170 plus VAT & Delivery for both panels is a fair price. (Normally ex-stock and next day delivery).
For more information please call us direct on Tel: 01268 281611
Simon
1) Most are not alloy 'aluminium' but stainless steel.
2) The only way to make them accurately is by laser cutting. This is how the original is made.
3) Laser cutting if done correctly does not discolour the panel.
4) There are 12 different panels in the Griffith/Chimaera range (excluding the last 100 Griffiths).
5) We think £170 plus VAT & Delivery for both panels is a fair price. (Normally ex-stock and next day delivery).
For more information please call us direct on Tel: 01268 281611
Simon
Gotta say, finish on my check pattern stainless dash from Leven was great and fit was perfect.
I have pics available on my website if anyone wants to see what i mean.
www.verysideways.com/live/pages/kimberley.htm
(no affiliation, just a happy customer)
VS
I have pics available on my website if anyone wants to see what i mean.
www.verysideways.com/live/pages/kimberley.htm
(no affiliation, just a happy customer)
VS
Time to lift my skirt and come clean on this one.
18 months ago I was in the same position as "everitj" I decided to make one myself and went ahead out of a rather exotic stainless steel, I own a sheet metal fabrication company and have got several CNC punch presses and a 2Kw laser along with the CAD facilities to replicate the exact profiles used by the factory so logistically it wasn't a problem and I went ahead full steam for my own gratification. The end result was if I may say so myself pretty damm good and it was on the strength of this that I did an exclusive deal with Leven to supply their dashes, I know better than anyone the true costs of manufacture and can catagorically say that nobody gets ripped off, yes I make a profit and yes so do Leven but we have jointly sweated some serious man hours to get the product right in every respect and as for the customer yes they do get value for money. So thats enough about my circumstances now about these dashes.
The idea of punching them is frankly bollox, a CNC punch can nibble a profile but that is cost prohibitive as the degree of clean up required for the serrated edge would kill it plus one slug up would scrap the panel, as for laser cutting "discolouring" and not being able to cut that thickness you really don't know what you're talking about. A nitrogen feed ensures a cut edge on stainless steel of mirror finish as its a purging gas and prohibits oxidisation (ie it is done in an oxygen free environment) thickness wise my 2Kw machine (fairly small in laser cutting terms) will cut St/St happily upto 8mm and mild steel upto 12mm a dash board is in 1.5mm so the machine is barely ticking over. Aluminium was never considered as a sensible option at it is too soft a material and has very very poor wear and scratch properties, the longevity of the product would have come back to haunt us. Textured st/st is used for two reasons, 1) the aesthetic appearance was considered to be superior to what else was in the market place and 2) the fact that the material is textured it has a natural ability to hide or detract from any wear scratches in normal wear. This second point was considered a great benifit over the standard brushed finish avaliable from the factory, ie one scratch in the wrong direction and that is all you eye will be drawn to.
Simon appears to have covered the opinions of Leven very clearly and I don't need to repeat them, but I simple had to add my bit to clear the situation from the horses mouth so to speak, plus he phoned me to tip me off about this thread
Oh yes and before anyone emails me to ask if I'll do a deal for cash, errrrrrrr no. My business is with Leven and a continuation of that business is more beneficial than a few quid in my back pocket, favours for mates are one thing but business is business sorry !
18 months ago I was in the same position as "everitj" I decided to make one myself and went ahead out of a rather exotic stainless steel, I own a sheet metal fabrication company and have got several CNC punch presses and a 2Kw laser along with the CAD facilities to replicate the exact profiles used by the factory so logistically it wasn't a problem and I went ahead full steam for my own gratification. The end result was if I may say so myself pretty damm good and it was on the strength of this that I did an exclusive deal with Leven to supply their dashes, I know better than anyone the true costs of manufacture and can catagorically say that nobody gets ripped off, yes I make a profit and yes so do Leven but we have jointly sweated some serious man hours to get the product right in every respect and as for the customer yes they do get value for money. So thats enough about my circumstances now about these dashes.
The idea of punching them is frankly bollox, a CNC punch can nibble a profile but that is cost prohibitive as the degree of clean up required for the serrated edge would kill it plus one slug up would scrap the panel, as for laser cutting "discolouring" and not being able to cut that thickness you really don't know what you're talking about. A nitrogen feed ensures a cut edge on stainless steel of mirror finish as its a purging gas and prohibits oxidisation (ie it is done in an oxygen free environment) thickness wise my 2Kw machine (fairly small in laser cutting terms) will cut St/St happily upto 8mm and mild steel upto 12mm a dash board is in 1.5mm so the machine is barely ticking over. Aluminium was never considered as a sensible option at it is too soft a material and has very very poor wear and scratch properties, the longevity of the product would have come back to haunt us. Textured st/st is used for two reasons, 1) the aesthetic appearance was considered to be superior to what else was in the market place and 2) the fact that the material is textured it has a natural ability to hide or detract from any wear scratches in normal wear. This second point was considered a great benifit over the standard brushed finish avaliable from the factory, ie one scratch in the wrong direction and that is all you eye will be drawn to.
Simon appears to have covered the opinions of Leven very clearly and I don't need to repeat them, but I simple had to add my bit to clear the situation from the horses mouth so to speak, plus he phoned me to tip me off about this thread
Oh yes and before anyone emails me to ask if I'll do a deal for cash, errrrrrrr no. My business is with Leven and a continuation of that business is more beneficial than a few quid in my back pocket, favours for mates are one thing but business is business sorry !mel said:
My business is with Leven and a continuation of that business is more beneficial than a few quid in my back pocket, favours for mates are one thing but business is business sorry !
Well said Mel, Nice to know a man that has morals!
First class post and all credit to a man that knows his trade.
May your business go from strength to strength. OH
I had a Leven Ally Dash fitted recently and was more than happy with the £200 it cost. Apparently the TVR factory version is twice this amount. As with all things after the time and effort you would need to put in to produce your own it is often quicker to leave it to the experts as they have a tried and tested product already...
We live in a free market economy. This means that anyone can if they wish design, manufacture, market and sell their products. So long as they are not infringing copyright etc.
So the answer to all this debate, is simply for those who may wish to get on and do it. The punters out there will decide who has the best price/product/value combination.
So the answer to all this debate, is simply for those who may wish to get on and do it. The punters out there will decide who has the best price/product/value combination.
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