Fitting a gauge in a dash

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RickH

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I have a dash on a boat, in centre of dash is an oddment tray ... for sunglasses etc.
This is the only free location to fit a 3'5" gauge.

The back of this tray slopes away ... so if I just drilled 3.5" hole the gauge display would not be able to be read.

Pic of dash is here .... https://flic.kr/p/2jcmEfB

My initial though is that I need to make some form of wedge mount, that would make gauge face vertical ...
see my sketch: https://flic.kr/p/2jcpbFA

Alternative options ...
Cut all the back off the oddment tray and fix a flat backplate to it ..... anyone know of a source of quality plastic (nylon ?)
Machining off the back neatly maybe not be easy (unless you know of companies who do this sort of work)


Remove oddment tray entirely and fit a flat blanking plate (might be easiest for fitting)
I guess I could manufacture out of ally sheet ... would need to have some good finish applied (maybe carbon effect foil?)

Suggestions? anybody know of a place that makes prototypes / one off's
 
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What about plastic or metal round pipe which is cut to match the angle of the back piece bringing the gauge vertical

For me that would be the simplest and quickest option
 
I would also have to fit one at the rear as well .. or the fixing clamp would not be lying flat .... any suggestion where I can get 3.5" diam pipe ?
 
RickH,
Can you confirm what the inner diameter of the pipe should be (the outer diameter of your gauge)?


I ask as I bet the gauge has a 3.5mm outer diameter, and there will be few pipes with a 3.5inch inner diameter for it to slot into.

Most (all) will have a 3.5inch outer diameter for example this Stainless Steal pipe which has a 89mm (3.5inch) outer diameter and a 87mm (=89-1.5-1.5mm) inner diameter.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EXHAUST-...591072?hash=item1a36443ba0:g:lB8AAOSwCbtZy5zA

But in your case I would be tempted to get it 3D printed.
As you can get the colour to match, and the Angle right and make thickness match the bevel around the gauge. And will not rust.

There are many "3d printing service" online to choose from:
https://www.google.com/search?safe=...hUKEwiT362To4bqAhWDsnEKHU7dAjoQ4dUDCAs&uact=5

SFK
 
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And you could prehaps get the whole pocket remade with a 3d printing service (send thenm your pocket and tell them to remake but flat with a hole in it.
 
With regards to cutting the hole (which will have to be an oval as it is angled).

I would drill a small hole in the middle of the pocket, and use an 89mm hole saw with a the drill bit in the middle into that hole.
And then drill horizonatally. It will the start cutting at top. Issue is that it will vibrate like mad and may cause cracks.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_...trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=89mm+hole+saw&_sacat=0

SFK
 
Links in this post may contain affiliate links for which DIYnot may be compensated.
Final message, better to upload your images as the link you provided allows me to look through all you other images.
SFK
 
Last edited:


OK ... just used 'share' ...... thanks for pointing out, in this case no content there I need to hide :)
 
SFK said:
RickH,
Can you confirm what the inner diameter of the pipe should be (the outer diameter of your gauge)?


I ask as I bet the gauge has a 3.5mm outer diameter, and there will be few pipes with a 3.5inch inner diameter for it to slot into.


SFK
Click to expand...

The gauge is classed as 3.5" the fixing hole would need to be 3.38" and teh outer bezel of gauge is 3.77"
 
Perhaps 3D printing is 'overkill' if I am going the route of a new panel. It would only need to be flat with a 3.5" hole. Thinking a piece of quality plastic and I get it coated .... seen some car shows where the 'dip transfer' a finish onto a product (don't know what this is called though) ... where they float a film on water then dit item in it.
 
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