Fitting a gauge in a dash

[Tigercubrider]

Ed China from wheeler dealers modified a Ford pop custom car by fibreglassing around a flower pot to house rear lights. Quite simple to do.

However, I'd be tempted to visit a few cheap kitchen ware depts and buy a stainless steel container that fits the gauge. Then modify it.

You could wrap the dash with a fake carbon fibre etc

 

[RickH]

Trying to make 2 tapered mounting wedges is not going to be easy ...... having a new panel made is starting to sound more sensible. Other than printing anybody know of home machinists who can machine plastic - can then compare prices.
On 3D printing when I saw an example you could see loads of individual layers ... is that not the case with professional systems and finhs would be smooth

 

[motorbiking]

what about a piece of laminate flooring to contrast the rest of the dash? I'd avoid metal incase it screws up your compass or corrodes.

 

[RickH]

Maybe a piece of nylon ...... can 3D printing be done in any colour ? ..... ask as all pictures seem to be an off-white or green

 

[RickH]

what about a piece of laminate flooring to contrast the rest of the dash? I'd avoid metal in case it screws up your compass or corrodes.

laminate flooring would fail in salt water environment, would be the edges are the issue. The boat manufacturer has used a matt black plastic material (injection moulded I think)

 

[Tigercubrider]

Another option is to use vacform.
Mock up a copy of a negative mold- adding the housing. Plaster might work
Wood would work if that's your material

Ideally use someone with access to a machine - schools/colleges?
Take advice from whoever would do it for you and use a thick plastic

 

[SFK]

3D printers do leave lines (I have been less than impressed with 3D printed boxes).
They get flatter as you spend more.

You could use fibreglass sheet so matches your boat and has no salt water issues.
Most seem to be black though:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=Glassfibre+Sheet&_sacat=0

 

[RickH]

Can you machine carbon fibre easy enough ? ..... with typical diy drills etc.

 

[SFK]

Carbon fibre is strong and bunts tools.
But can be done.
Also dust is bad (like fibre glass dust) so wear a mask

Some suggestions here:
http://www.talkcomposites.com/13/How-do-I-cut-and-drill-carbon-sheet