BMW v8 engine coffee table project
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more work done on headers:
finished the flanges
wood filler used to get the grain/imperfections hidden before painting. before on top, after on bottom.
to cut the tubes, I don't have a miter saw, or a table saw, or a band saw, so i made a little jig for my circular. fyi, diablo circular saw blades are the shit. i've been cutting soft woods, hard woods, and aluminum on the same blade for YEARS and its still sharp.
rough cut done
tubes filed, fitting and glued into the flanges. all that's left is to make some 'simulated' welds and then paint.
also started on the injectors. they were a bit crusty, and i want to use them to bring a little color to the whole motor, so they will be painted BMW blue.
Dan
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In for "simulated welds" im envisioning some sort of putty molded into the gap
yup, been experimenting with what material will work best. and studying 'weld porn'. silicon sealant is too sticky for shaping. wood filler/wall putty is too gritty. going to modeling clay next.
don't think I'll get quite this perfection, but its what I'm shooting for, if possible:
Dan
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i searched for a long time to see if someone had done this full scale and couldn't find anything. where did you find that?
and thanks for sharing, that is a great place to start. the only thing different will be working in a corner, versus a flat surface.
Dan
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not a bad idea if I could find such a thing. makes me think of trying to cut the clay into half-moon or disc pieces (like using cookie cutter) and pressing them in place instead of making a bead then shaping it with a tool.
Dan
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You can easily make a tool to do the pattern as well. Cut the half moon shape into any flexible plastic thing. A spatula, bondo spreader, etc.
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so, i tried a few techniques and the best turned out to be rolling the clay into same-sized balls (ha) and then pressing them individually into place. it was the only way that really worked with the fact that it was a T weld on a curved surface. i also tried to leave the edges over-exaggerated in case shrinking or paint layers hides it later on.
air dry clay
pressing the pieces into place one at a time
some finished tubes
Dan
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Awesome!!
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Attention to detail that rivals actual builds, let alone a table! Where do you go to find glass? Or just grab it from a piece of furniture?
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Lisbon storm screen and door can cut a piece of glass for the table no problem
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thanks guys! i bought the tempered glass from a seller on ebay. i watch craigslist forever, but the sizes that would have worked never came up for sale.
Dan
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the clay requires a water-based paint to seal it, and the Spaz stix chrome final coat requires a black based undercoat, so two birds with one stone:
couldnt find any water-based spray paints at the hardware store, so had to go to an art supply shop for the paint 'Liquitex' was on sale.
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just waiting for it to dry before chrome finish.
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just another random parts shot
Dan
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well, the headers are painted! the chrome came out pretty good, definitely better than store-bought chrome. i'm happy with the 'welds' even though my wife informed me they look nothing like welds.
Dan
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