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Tech Area => Fabrication => Topic started by: gnonyx on August 20 2012, 05:27:40 PM

Title: How to fix the sagging panels that is located under the dash
Post by: gnonyx on August 20 2012, 05:27:40 PM: For many years of no support, the fuse panel underneath the steering wheel gave it that bow sagging ugly look.
I used a flat steel bar, drilled both ends for existing panel support screws , hole saw for interior light, and then riveted the flat bar to the panel.
Title: Re: How to fix the sagging panels that is located under the dash
Post by: daveismissing on August 20 2012, 06:32:55 PM: Good stuff!
Title: Re: How to fix the sagging panels that is located under the dash
Post by: Scott87 on August 20 2012, 08:47:05 PM: I like it, I need to do this myself.. How thick was the flat stock? Looks like 8th inch from the photo.

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Title: Re: How to fix the sagging panels that is located under the dash
Post by: SuperSix on August 20 2012, 10:36:51 PM: Great idea! I think you can get some aluminum bar stock at Home Depot.
Title: Re: How to fix the sagging panels that is located under the dash
Post by: Just a Six? on August 21 2012, 02:48:35 PM: Quote from: SuperSix on August 20 2012, 10:36:51 PM
Great idea! I think you can get some aluminum bar stock at Home Depot.

Yup! I needed a few inches to make my double pumper hangar & had to buy a 3' length. I still have a good 30" left over so I'll add it to the list.
Title: Re: How to fix the sagging panels that is located under the dash
Post by: gnonyx on August 21 2012, 06:43:12 PM: Quote from: Scott87 on August 20 2012, 08:47:05 PM
I like it, I need to do this myself.. How thick was the flat stock? Looks like 8th inch from the photo.

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I got the 1/8" flat steel bar from home depot, and I did checked out the aluminum flat bar, but it flexed more than steel. If you decided to do this keep in mind to file or grind down both rivet ends close to the existing panel support screws or it will hit the screw bracket.
Title: Re: How to fix the sagging panels that is located under the dash
Post by: GNRick on August 17 2013, 08:03:22 AM: I just did mine with the 1/8th inch aluminum stock. It already had holes in it so I just used little screws/washers/nuts instead of rivets. One odd thing though. The factory holes in the panel are spaced too far apart so when you install the panel without the metal stock it causes it to scrunch up and sag. Now with the metal stock you are forced to space the holes 16 in. apart. This requires drilling a new hole. Well, my drill bit wouldn't go thru the aluminum stock so I used my sawzall with a metal blade to just connect the holes on one end, into one long hole. Results were pretty good. Would be nice if someone would start making the panel again out of fiberglass.
Title: Re: How to fix the sagging panels that is located under the dash
Post by: Top Speed on August 17 2013, 08:54:28 AM: I need to do the same thing. There are so many wires under mine it looks like it wants to explode!
Title: Re: How to fix the sagging panels that is located under the dash
Post by: SuperSix on August 17 2013, 03:54:06 PM: Quote from: GNRick on August 17 2013, 08:03:22 AM
I just did mine with the 1/8th inch aluminum stock. It already had holes in it so I just used little screws/washers/nuts instead of rivets. One odd thing though. The factory holes in the panel are spaced too far apart so when you install the panel without the metal stock it causes it to scrunch up and sag. Now with the metal stock you are forced to space the holes 16 in. apart. This requires drilling a new hole. Well, my drill bit wouldn't go thru the aluminum stock so I used my sawzall with a metal blade to just connect the holes on one end, into one long hole. Results were pretty good. Would be nice if someone would start making the panel again out of fiberglass.

You seriously need a new drill bit. :p
Title: Re: How to fix the sagging panels that is located under the dash
Post by: GNRick on August 19 2013, 11:16:37 PM: I think you're right.
Title: Re: How to fix the sagging panels that is located under the dash
Post by: daveismissing on August 20 2013, 08:47:40 AM: The lost art of sharpening drill bits :(
Title: Re: How to fix the sagging panels that is located under the dash
Post by: gnonyx on August 22 2013, 10:54:28 AM: Quote from: daveismissing on August 20 2013, 08:47:40 AM
The lost art of sharpening drill bits :(

This is why someone created this Drill Bit Sharper Powered by your hand Drill machine. So people like me who can't see :icon_eyes: the fine point; run few seconds and guess you're done sharpening the bit.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Drill-Bit-Sharpener-Powered-by-Your-Drill-/330680802011?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4cfe1c9adb (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Drill-Bit-Sharpener-Powered-by-Your-Drill-/330680802011?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4cfe1c9adb)
Don't know if this concept works or not, but it looks good :tongue
Title: Re: How to fix the sagging panels that is located under the dash
Post by: daveismissing on August 22 2013, 12:57:27 PM: Doesn't look like that device relieves behind the cutting edge properly, needs a cam/ motion
more like the drill doctor et al.
Title: Re: How to fix the sagging panels that is located under the dash
Post by: gnonyx on August 22 2013, 01:48:12 PM: Quote from: daveismissing on August 22 2013, 12:57:27 PM
Doesn't look like that device relieves behind the cutting edge properly, needs a cam/ motion
more like the drill doctor et al.

I do agree with you and EBay has this Drill Doctor at a cheap price of less than $55.00 compare to over $100.00
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DRILL-DOCTOR-DD350X-Drill-Bit-Sharpener-118-Deg-/321080538122?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ac1e4340a (http://www.ebay.com/itm/DRILL-DOCTOR-DD350X-Drill-Bit-Sharpener-118-Deg-/321080538122?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ac1e4340a)
Title: Re: How to fix the sagging panels that is located under the dash
Post by: motorhead on August 24 2013, 12:10:29 PM: I am still trying to figure out how to properly use my Drill Doctor. :(