Surfacing your own parts at home for little $$

September 23, 2006, 01:48:51 AM

Well I bought a Greedy Style BPV. So I needed a to bolt it to. I could have bought one on Ebay for $15-20 plus shipping But I tought I could make my own. Well I went down to the local welding shop and bought a 1/2" thick 12"X5" piece of s for $2. I bought it home and cut out the shape and smothed out the cut edges. Then I took it to the local machine shop. I owners wife works at the parts store I work at. I told him to drill the one center hole and surface both sides. he said $10-15. I was at lunch when they dropped it off at work. As soon as I got back my buddy said I thought he was gonna surface that. He went and got it and the guy drilled the center hole and the 2 outerholes. The outer holes are to big for what I was gonna do. Suck. ALso if this was surface why is there still grooves and srcatches in it. The guy and his wife came in later and she asked how did it turn out. I said I had some questions. So I asked him Why did he drill all the holes when I only wanted the center hole made. I already had the bolts and such to drill and tap the I made. mine were 6X1.0mm he drilled a hole big enough to put 8x1.25mm bolts though it. I also asked if this is surfaced why isn't it smooth with out all the scratches and such. He said what you think I'm gonna put that on my Bridgeport. So I paid him nothing. Then another guy I work with told me to take a piece of thick glass and sand paper and smooth it out my self. So I went to wally world and bought a thick glass checker board and picked up the sand paper at work. So I took it home and sanded it on the one side that really needs to be nice and smooth. I started with 220, then 400, next 600, last 800grit. Man it turned out great. I also just tapped out the BPV bolt holes instead of tapping the I made. I still have to get some tubing welded to it, and it welded to the intercooler. That should all be done monday. But until then here is a pic of the I made next to the piece of aluminum I cut it out of. I know it is hard to tell form the pic but it is a smooth as smooth can be.

Surfacing your own parts at home for little $$

Reply #1 – September 23, 2006, 02:06:37 AM

Wow, looks like you either need to find another fab shop or buy your own tools. Hopefully you can find someone compotent to weld that for you.

If you were nearby I could make that for you and get it welded on my lunch break :p

Surfacing your own parts at home for little $$

Reply #2 – September 23, 2006, 02:19:11 AM

Well the welding shop I'm going to I went to highschool with the guy and it is his dads shop. They have a tig and the aluminum tube I need. I have seen plenty of there work. They even welded the control arm brakets back on the axel of my Jeep. I'm sure it should turn out fine. But thanks for the offer.