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Thread: Cad file for dash with no cutouts?

  1. #1
    Senior Member danmas's Avatar
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    Cad file for dash with no cutouts?

    Anyone have and willing to share the cad file for a blank roadster dash? I think I’m gonna make my own.

    Thanks,

    Dan
    ----
    Mk4 complete kit arrived 10 May 23
    Current BOM

  2. #2
    Senior Member JJK's Avatar
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    I am pretty sure I do. send me a pm with you email and I can forward along.
    Mk 4 complete kit w/IRS delivered (mostly) 10-31-22. BPE 347FI w/TXK. First start July 2023. Completed build February 2024. Officially legal 05-17-2024.

  3. #3

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    I found a PDF online that contained both the blank dash and the 427 SC layout. I printed it out on paper and it fit exactly on the blank dash I bought from FFR, so I know it's accurate. I drilled the holes for gauges only by hand, and then later realized the RT turn signal hole was way off from the oval hole in the blank dash. It was either patch or start over. I made a CAD version of the dash yesterday and am going to order a piece laser cut online. I've been using Sendcutsend.com for many parts, but the dash piece is too big for them, so I'm going to try OSHcut next. I put the files I downloaded here (can't remember where I found them) and I saved a version of the blank dash I made in CAD. (Note, downloaded files have some gaps and will not render properly for cutting - I fixed this in my blank dash drawing.).

    On a related topic, the FFR dash is 6061-T6 aluminum. Everything I read says not to bend 6061 and most vendors will not. I'm going to try the 5052 that OSHcut will cut and bend.

    Files: https://drive.google.com/drive/folde...usp=drive_link

    Note, if you need a different file format, let me know.


    -Joel
    Last edited by jklapp; 12-09-2024 at 09:11 PM.
    ----------------
    Ordered Aug 2023; Delivery Dec 2023.
    MK IV Complete Kit w/ IRS, Forte SBF 427W w/Edelbrock ProFlo 4, TKX, Wilwood 12.88, Willwood EPB.
    Power steering, manual clutch

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  5. #4
    Senior Member danmas's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by jklapp View Post
    I found a PDF online that contained both the blank dash and the 427 SC layout. I printed it out on paper and it fit exactly on the blank dash I bought from FFR, so I know it's accurate. I drilled the holes for gauges only by hand, and then later realized the RT turn signal hole was way off from the oval hole in the blank dash. It was either patch or start over. I made a CAD version of the dash yesterday and am going to order a piece laser cut online. I've been using Sendcutsend.com for many parts, but the dash piece is too big for them, so I'm going to try OSHcut next. I put the files I downloaded here (can't remember where I found them) and I saved a version of the blank dash I made in CAD. (Note, downloaded files have some gaps and will not render properly for cutting - I fixed this in my blank dash drawing.).

    On a related topic, the FFR dash is 6061-T6 aluminum. Everything I read says not to bend 6061 and most vendors will not. I'm going to try the 5052 that OSHcut will cut and bend.

    Files: https://drive.google.com/drive/folde...usp=drive_link

    Note, if you need a different file format, let me know.


    -Joel
    Thanks for this Joel.

    Dan
    ----
    Mk4 complete kit arrived 10 May 23
    Current BOM

  6. #5
    Senior Member rich grsc's Avatar
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    And why not bend 6061? Every piece on an FFR is 6061, and I've bent dozens never had an issue.
    Mrk III, 331 stroker, Borla stack injection, T5, 3:55 IRS, Power steering and brakes. Kleiner body & paint

  7. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by rich grsc View Post
    And why not bend 6061? Every piece on an FFR is 6061, and I've bent dozens never had an issue.
    https://www.thefabricator.com/thefab...61-t6-aluminum

  8. #7

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    Clearly 0.040 in 6160-T6 is bendable - we all have the FFR parts and many have bent parts them themselves. From personal experience, a bit thicker 6160 will break upon bending (at least for this novice using a HF cheapo tool). From Peter's reply and link above, it seems that 6160 needs some special care when bending. I'd guess for high-volume parts with 6160, figuring out a method of repeated bending without breakage make sense. For an online shop, it might not make sense for custom one-off parts, given potential for breakage, and they are also using automated bending machines. All just speculation. I found a few local shops in my area that offer laser sheet metal cutting and bending, so I'll see if they can do 6160...but I suspect the 5052 would be a fine substitute. -Joel
    ----------------
    Ordered Aug 2023; Delivery Dec 2023.
    MK IV Complete Kit w/ IRS, Forte SBF 427W w/Edelbrock ProFlo 4, TKX, Wilwood 12.88, Willwood EPB.
    Power steering, manual clutch

  9. #8
    Senior Member phileas_fogg's Avatar
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    I bought some 0.090" 6061 to make a beefier dash. Took it to an HVAC shop to get the bottom bend made. Snapped right off; now I know why.


    John
    MK IV Roadster #8631
    Ford 302, Holley Terminator EFI, T5z, 3.55 Rear End, IRS, 17” Halibrand Replicas (9” front, 10.5” rear), Nitto 555 G2’s (275/40ZR17 front, 315/35ZR17 rear), Fast Freddie’s Power Steering, F5 Wilwood Brakes, FFMetal’s Firewall Forward, Forte’s Hydraulic Clutch & Throttle Linkage
    https://www.ffcars.com/threads/phile.../#post-4776313

  10. #9
    Senior Member Mike.Bray's Avatar
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    I've done a lot of aluminum fabrication and hammer forming, always used 3003-H14. 5052 is also good and anodizes better than 3003. I never even attempted to work with 6061 as it's too hard, only used it for machine parts.
    My build thread https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/show...Roadster-Build

    Thread on Stainless Steel AN brake lines.

    Thread on fasteners and torque wrenches.

  11. #10
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    You can bend 6061 if you use the correct bend radius for the thickness.

    6061 T6 1/64=1t 1/32=1t 1/16=1.5t 1/8=2.5t

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