Welcome to the North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club Friday March 29, 2024
Home Forums Images WikiNASIOC Products Store Modifications Upgrade Garage
NASIOC
Go Back   NASIOC > NASIOC Technical > Custom Fabrication, Welding & Tools

Welcome to NASIOC - The world's largest online community for Subaru enthusiasts!
Welcome to the NASIOC.com Subaru forum.

You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, free of charge, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.







* As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads. 
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 03-15-2018, 01:49 AM   #1
Stickers
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 301428
Join Date: Nov 2011
Chapter/Region: SCIC
Location: Los Angeles
Vehicle:
2015 WRX
CWP

Default Need help: Making a baseplate

Hey guys,

I'd like to make a custom baseplate for carbon mirrors, similar to ones like these (Link here).

I'm hoping to use aluminum so I don't have to deal with rust, and cut it with aviation snips rather than a jigsaw.

If anyone has recommendations on gauge of aluminum to use, preferred brand of snips, tips and tricks for drilling the holes, etc etc, I would appreciate it!

Will post up pictures when the mirrors arrive, this will probably become my thread of possible mishaps in doing my first metal fab work.
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
Stickers is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
Old 03-15-2018, 10:28 AM   #2
Homemade WRX
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 33782
Join Date: Mar 2003
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Milton Keynes, UK
Vehicle:
96 3MI Racing
search FIRST, then PM!!!

Default

You'll note the first ones you can view on there are also using countersunk fasteners, which looks much nicer. To be able to do that correctly, you need to use a material thick enough for the fastener size. The countersunk fastener data can easily be googled for the bolt size you'll need.

If you can't do that, you can get countersunk 'washers' and use a thinner plate, and allow for a cleaner install. Lots of options there.

https://www.google.com/search?q=alum...w=1600&bih=922
Homemade WRX is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-15-2018, 11:25 AM   #3
Charlie-III
NASIOC Supporter
 
Member#: 30669
Join Date: Dec 2002
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: USA, North NJ, 07456
Vehicle:
1998 Legacy 2.5GT
Silver Sleeper BK, 5MT

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Homemade WRX View Post
You'll note the first ones you can view on there are also using countersunk fasteners, which looks much nicer. To be able to do that correctly, you need to use a material thick enough for the fastener size. The countersunk fastener data can easily be googled for the bolt size you'll need.

If you can't do that, you can get countersunk 'washers' and use a thinner plate, and allow for a cleaner install. Lots of options there.

https://www.google.com/search?q=alum...w=1600&bih=922
Yep, part way down from post 1, looks more like 1/8" or so aluminum plate. NOT something "snips" are cutting.
If you go thin, the dang mirrors will wobble at any speed above about 40MPH, not ideal.
So, do it right, do it twice or live with wobble?!?!
Your choice.

I would suggest 1/8" or 3/16" aluminum plate, use a jigsaw with a metal blade, files edges smoother, then drill holes. Yes, you can use a belt sander to smooth the edges as well.
Charlie-III is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 03-15-2018, 12:10 PM   #4
Homemade WRX
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 33782
Join Date: Mar 2003
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Milton Keynes, UK
Vehicle:
96 3MI Racing
search FIRST, then PM!!!

Default

I'd go 3/16" and put a nice chamfer on the upper edges. Would allow that M6(?) countersunk head to sit flush.

Quick fastener guide at my desk shows 3.72 mm (0.1465") for an m6 countersunk fastener.

Sent from my SPH-L720 using NASIOC mobile app
Homemade WRX is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-15-2018, 08:10 PM   #5
Stickers
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 301428
Join Date: Nov 2011
Chapter/Region: SCIC
Location: Los Angeles
Vehicle:
2015 WRX
CWP

Default

Thanks guys!

I’m trying to figure out how to get access to tools / workshop area now. It’ll be a lot easier than fudging around with a pair of snips in my carport.

Expecting my shipment next week. We’ll see what happens after they arrive and I get a good look at them.
Stickers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2018, 11:26 AM   #6
isotopesope
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 265783
Join Date: Dec 2010
Chapter/Region: RMIC
Location: the fern behind the porn couch
Vehicle:
2017 Forester XT
Niner ROS 9

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stickers View Post
I'm trying to figure out how to get access to tools / workshop area now. It'll be a lot easier than fudging around with a pair of snips in my carport.
perhaps you should look into some sort of maker space, to learn how to use their equipment?

a quick googlez and i found this one in LA:
https://www.hexlabmakerspace.com/
looks like they have a laser cutter, which would work well for something like your base plate.

or talk to a laser/plasma cutter shop or a waterjet shop...?

are these dudes are in your area?
http://latestconceptsinc.com/5-waterjet.html

Last edited by isotopesope; 03-16-2018 at 11:33 AM.
isotopesope is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-19-2018, 11:27 PM   #7
Stickers
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 301428
Join Date: Nov 2011
Chapter/Region: SCIC
Location: Los Angeles
Vehicle:
2015 WRX
CWP

Default

Installed!



But in serious news, mirrors have arrived.

Stickers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-22-2018, 02:22 AM   #8
Stickers
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 301428
Join Date: Nov 2011
Chapter/Region: SCIC
Location: Los Angeles
Vehicle:
2015 WRX
CWP

Default

Sooooo....

Baseplate is one issue.

Mounting the mirror arm to the baseplate is a separate and completely different beast.

In order for the ball joint to work I need:

M12-1.0 thread pitch bolt
15mm exposed length
12mm of thread length
3mm smooth surface for set screw
Concave depression at bolt end for ball joint swivel

Solution?

M12-1 to 3AN brake fittting adapter.

12.5mm 3AN side
12.5mm M12-1.0 side
5mm hex bolt center

I plan to smooth down the hex bolt until it can fit inside the last few mm needed on the mirror side.

Then cut the hole in the mounting plate with the correct 3AN thread pitch so I can have it thread directly into the base and then put a nut and bit of threadlocker on the back side so it won't wobble its way out.

It is raining in my area right now, but I'll need to get the fitting piece first so I can even do that as a proof of concept before starting the baseplate side of the work.

Anyone know where I can even pick up one of these in-person? I've been searching online but have only found them on a few places for $12+.

Last edited by Stickers; 03-22-2018 at 12:59 PM.
Stickers is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:46 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Powered by Searchlight © 2024 Axivo Inc.
Copyright ©1999 - 2019, North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club, Inc.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission
Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.