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Wood Dash availability?

spmdr

spmdr

Diamond Level Sponsor
Sunbeam Specialties had their suppler

of Wood Dashes dry up some time ago,

and I have heard a fair amount of Jungle

noise about possible producers.

But as far as I know, the only currently

available off the shelf part is in England.

Has anyone heard of current US producers or credible

future sources (Jim?) ?

DW
 
Here's a young man's contact that I met at the last British Car Show in Charleston, SC. He had some beautiful wooden panels for our Sunbeam Alpine/tigers on display. He intends to continue with his project. If I need another, most likely he will be one of the contacts. He uses one of tthe old GT panels (nine layers of wood) to make his. I could not tell any difference in the original and his...... did notice he was re-enforing some areas around a couple switches where the original dash were a bit weak.

Hank Mengedoth 843-509-2194

Did not have any idea ForzaDesign was into making the Dash Panels.
 
Last edited:
DanR said:
Here's a young man's contact that I met at the last British Car Show in Charleston, SC. He had some beautiful wooden panels for our Sunbeam Alpine/tigers on display. He intends to continue with his project. If I need another, most likely he will be one of the contacts. He uses one of tthe old GT panels (nine layers of wood) to make his. I could not tell any difference in the original and his...... did notice he was re-enforing some areas around a couple switches where the original dash were a bit weak.

Hank Mengedoth 843-509-2194

Did not have any idea ForzaDesign was into making the Dash Panels.
Click to expand...
Dan ..does he do the lettering and the correct font?
 
Hi Michael.... hope all is well with you. I looked at his panels and the best I recall they were correct. But, perchance I will call him and get more info.

From the ones I saw and there were more than ten on display, I was impressed
 
The reason I started this thread

is, since looking for a new Wood Dash

this past summer, I must have heard

of at least 6 possible sources

and it seems none are talking to each

other, the consumers or actuality Making them.


Before I started asking around,

I even looked into making them myself!

So I just want some info/action.

DW
 
I made the one in my Blue Boy from some old black walnut cut from my brother-in-laws home place maybe 60 to 70 years ago. He gave me a bunch of it in various lengths from 6' to 12'x 5/4" thick.

I used an "original" panel from my Red GT as a guide/template. It has 9 layers of veneer which gives it strength and I recomend utilizing the same layered wood for our dash.
 
I discussed the non VOC varnishes just the other day. It'd be interesting to know if it is just some states that don't have good UV resistant and non water based varnish still.
If you're state has the good stuff do tell us.
I used to do boat bright work and had the habit of picking up abandoned boat supplies when guys moved or sold on. I'm almost out of the good stuff.

Pretty much the same goes for contact cement.
Have you seen the prices on that :-0 ....

I think Prestige Auto Wood the former supplier for SS used a one coat epoxy. If that's all you can get and cost of labor dictates it oh well...
 
I'm really not at liberty to discuss all the details on SS behalf.
I am acting as their engineering/product development source.
we used an original Tiger dash as the pattern. We produced 3D scans and cross checked with physical dimensioning. From that we created fresh 3D CAD models and dimensioned drawings for the SS records.
The CAD models were provided to a SoCal CNC vendor who imported them into their CAM program for machining.

We also visited the largest veneer supplier in the US right here is SoCal. The veneer is incredibly expensive. This supplier will permanently laminate the veneer to marine grade baltic birch plywood.
Note: We discovered that the original dashes were Elm Carpathian burl. NOT Walnut burl. there will be more discussion on this later. Opinions on species are sure to be welcomed.

The UV cured clear coats and transfer lettering will be applied after machining.

SS will be announcing the re-introduction soon.
 
Warren said:
I discussed the non VOC varnishes just the other day. It'd be interesting to know if it is just some states that don't have good UV resistant and non water based varnish still.
If you're state has the good stuff do tell us.
I used to do boat bright work and had the habit of picking up abandoned boat supplies when guys moved or sold on. I'm almost out of the good stuff.

Pretty much the same goes for contact cement.
Have you seen the prices on that :-0 ....

I think Prestige Auto Wood the former supplier for SS used a one coat epoxy. If that's all you can get and cost of labor dictates it oh well...
Click to expand...
Warren,
We have sourced a UV cured, zero VOC cleared. But it will cost over $500/gal.
 
My cabinet maker and a friend of his did a Tiger a few years back. He made his own dash
He gave me two blanks , veneered in Birds Eye Maple, just need to be cut, stained and varnished
I need a pattern and he will cut them for me. Any chance of getting a paper pattern?
 
ForzaDesign said:
Note: We discovered that the original dashes were Elm Carpathian burl. NOT Walnut burl. there will be more discussion on this later. Opinions on species are sure to be welcomed.
Click to expand...
Carpathian Elm is the same veneer that Rolls Royce used on the facia and trim panels for their motorcars. It's quite expensive indeed, but it does look lovely and usually has beautiful figuring. I've renewed several panels with it. The only source I knew of was up in northern NJ.
 
phyrman said:
My cabinet maker and a friend of his did a Tiger a few years back. He made his own dash
He gave me two blanks , veneered in Birds Eye Maple, just need to be cut, stained and varnished
I need a pattern and he will cut them for me. Any chance of getting a paper pattern?
Click to expand...
Phyram
I am not able to share the production documentation or processing as this is owned by SS.
We have more than 150 man hours into the development
 
puff4 said:
Carpathian Elm is the same veneer that Rolls Royce used on the facia and trim panels for their motorcars. It's quite expensive indeed, but it does look lovely and usually has beautiful figuring. I've renewed several panels with it. The only source I knew of was up in northern NJ.
Click to expand...
Kevin
yes, this is what the sage veterans at the veneer factory said. Many of the British cars used Elm in the 60's, 70's.

You'd be shocked at the price of a 4 X 8 sheet of veneer!!!!!!!
 
Plus one on the Elm as it's a Tiger Quiz like what did they use one. Wood doesn't grow on trees anymore only as forest products.

Redwood today is termite candy. Old growth is much much harder with tighter rings.

500 a gallon is outta control. What's available out of Calunicornia?
 
the clear is a special new formula out of Canada.
UV curers in 2 mins.
Hard as epoxy.
It will be worth it to all the Sunbeam community.
 
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