U47-style bodies - who can make one?

[davidvaldes]

Hi everybody.

First post on this forum.

Just mouthwatering about this project. Following it with real interest.

Cheers.

 

[maxwall]

I have to agree 100% with Martin Kantola.

you have to own a U47 to make such statements about the U47
not to mention a trustworthy ear.

 

[Skylar]

What is the projected lead time when we pull the trigger on the final design?

thanks.

Right now, I cannot say for sure.
The metal-work will take 2–3 weeks.
Then, I've got to assemble headbaskets and have the parts finished in matte nickel plate (no chrome),
as that's what the few people who have given their opinions seem to lean toward.

At the present, I'm pre-planning the assembly process, to make it as fast & consistent as possible.
Once the protos are in, I'll be able to refine the process further.
I'll also have the protos plated to test the quality and look.

So, after all of that has been done, I will have a better idea of just how long these will take.
If I had to take a guess, I'd say 4–5 weeks.
I'm doing everything I can to reduce the lead-time, so hopefully I can trim it down from this estimate.

 

[MikoKensington]

Do you think unfinished body tubes will be an option?  I'm thinking I want a hammered finish for mine. 

 

[Skylar]

Do you think unfinished body tubes will be an option?  I'm thinking I want a hammered finish for mine. 

I can provide a "raw materials" kit, which would be all of the metalwork:

Body Tube
End Cap
Inner Rail (x2)
Capsule Mount Plate (polycarbonate)
Capsule Mount Insulator (polycarbonate)
Headbasket Bottom Ring
Headbasket Top Ring
Headbasket Vertical Rail (x2)
Insert Nut (for securing 7-pin Binder connector)
Screws

With this kit, you would be responsible for sourcing & forming mesh, building the headbasket, and finishing/painting/plating/etc.



By the way, I'm having trouble finding M3 slotted, oval head machine screws 8mm–12mm length.
McMaster has US inch sizes in this style but no metric.
Any clues?

 

[matta]

By the way, I'm having trouble finding M3 slotted, oval head machine screws 8mm–12mm length.
McMaster has US inch sizes in this style but no metric.
Any clues?

Skylar,

I can't help Stateside, but since we are metric here in South Africa those screws are a dime a dozen and I can have them made to whatever size you want (there is  bolt/fastener company around the corner and I've had my fair share of custom job done by them), at last check a 10mm M3 flat head was around $0.02US, if you get stuck I'd be more than happy to source them and ship em to you.

Cheers

Matt

 

[Skylar]

Matt,

That sounds awesome!


The key thing is they need to be oval head (instead of flat head) and slotted in order to match the original aesthetic.

I will need 350 of these in M3 x 0.5mm thread | Screw length = 8mm (10mm will work too)
Stainless steel or Zinc-plated steel/brass is fine (no black-oxide or unplated brass)

 

[matta]

Matt,

That sounds awesome!

The key thing is they need to be oval head (instead of flat head) and slotted in order to match the original aesthetic.

I will need 350 of these in M3 x 0.5mm thread | Screw length = 8mm (10mm will work too)
Stainless steel or Zinc-plated steel/brass is fine (no black-oxide or unplated brass)

Hey Skylar,

I'm on it, I've not seen them do Oval heads before but will check what we can go, slot, thread and size/length I know for a fact are NOT an issue. Will report back ASAP.

EDIT: Just noticed they are the same as the screws used to screw in the cover plates for 90% of our electrical cover plates (nickel plated). I just measured and they are 10mm, so worst case I should be able to source those with ease.

Cheers

Matt

 

[Jonkan]

Skylar, do you have any further guesstimate on how much a complete body kit will cost? And how much with the psu box kit aswell?
/Jonas

 

[shabtek]

Skylar--maybe the post was edited but do you still have that link for the solder paste vendor?
thanks

 

[MikoKensington]

With this kit, you would be responsible for sourcing & forming mesh, building the headbasket, and finishing/painting/plating/etc.

I hate the sound of responsibility.  I'll just have what everyone else is having. 

 

[Skylar]

Skylar--maybe the post was edited but do you still have that link for the solder paste vendor?
thanks

I did not edit the post.
Post #391 on Page 20.

It's not solder paste, but welding rod.
Looks like pretty heavy-duty stuff, but you'll have to use a torch or heat gun.
This method will require more patience and time.

Solder Paste could be a much better alternative.
I've ordered several different low-temp solder paste alloys that I am going to experiment with in order to find the most ideal solution for the headbasket assembly.
I plan to use an oven, so that I don't have to do these one-at-a-time.

I will, of course, let you all know my results.

Skylar, do you have any further guesstimate on how much a complete body kit will cost? And how much with the psu box kit aswell?
/Jonas

I think it may be too early to start guesstimating on price.
But I can say that I was able to negotiate the price of the metalwork down near my original goal.
That's all I'm going to say for now.
I don't want to give a price estimation now, because there are still a lot of unknown variables.

Everything's coming into place, and it won't be too long before all of this stuff is figured out.

 

[bradb]

 

[matta]

Skylar,

On the length is the 8mm JUST the thread length or the whole screw length?

Cheers

Matt

 

[Skylar]

Skylar,

On the length is the 8mm JUST the thread length or the whole screw length?

Cheers

Matt

Oops, I should have specified:
8mm thread length







mmmmm, Kudos. Tasty.

 

[flamango]

First post for me also (I've been a lurker for a while.)  This looks like a great project. 

I've got a G7 90% complete that I started about a year ago.  I got hung up trying to make a body for it, and finally bought a dremel a few months back, (and haven't had time since  :-\ )  but these look purdy...  I await with interest. 

 

[kazper]

Fastenal

VM2510008A20000

M3 0.50 Thread DIA
8mm Long but Phillips and in Stainless Steel

Page #-192 in Catalog Vol 9

 

[Skylar]

Fastenal

VM2510008A20000

M3 0.50 Thread DIA
8mm Long but Phillips and in Stainless Steel

Page #-192 in Catalog Vol 9

Thanks for the suggestion kazper, but the phillips head won't work.
Well, obviously it WILL work, but I'd like to stick with the slotted head, as I stated in my post above.
I've seen U47s where the original slotted screws had been replaced with phillips—just didn't look right.
I've also tried mocking up the assembly with phillips in SolidWorks—same thing—doesn't have the vibe.

But, thank you for your suggestion and research—I hope I have not offended.

 

[Skylar]

Got samples from Cleveland Wire Cloth, a supplier I cannot use despite my attempts (see post #464).

Good News!
I think the grille mesh is spot on!


Here's craptical's photo of an actual U47 grille:

Compare that with the mesh samples I received today:

So, I think the specs on the wire mesh are nailed down.
I currently have 5 wire cloth suppliers quoting me on this stuff.
Should be all downhill from here with regards to the wire mesh.

 

[craptical]

Wow! Very close match!