Fiberglass Binnacle Project

[stevedmc]

As promised, I will be providing honest updates on the fiberglass binnacle project. The goal is for me to sell new, high quality binnacles for $200. Should anyone else start selling binnacles, I may increase or reduce the cost of the item to be $100 cheaper than the competition. I plan to sell the first binnacle at cost just so I can get an honest opinion of what I plan to sell.

I would have started a month ago but Mike had some trouble getting his binnacle sent out to me.

The junk binnacle has been shipped and is now on its way. I paid $40.03 for it, including shipping.

The core binnacle can be tracked with the following link:
https://tools.usps.com/go/TrackConfirmAction_input?qtc_tLabels1=95367000 0311 2207 0000 31,&qtc_senddate1=&qtc_zipcode1=

I have yet to see pictures of what the thing looks like. All I know is I am getting a junk binnacle. Once I receive it, I will post some pictures of it and will then begin resurfacing it to make my mold.

Unlike the other binnacle project, I will post updates and pictures of my progress whether it is good or bad.

[thirdmanj]

Fantastic!

I look forward to seeing how it tests over extended periods of time. Specifically how it handles heat a cold. How cold does it get down there in LA?

[stevedmc]

Fantastic!

I look forward to seeing how it tests over extended periods of time. Specifically how it handles heat a cold. How cold does it get down there in LA?

16 degrees is the coldest I've ever seen in Louisiana. I do have a deep freezer I could throw a binnacle in for testing purposes.

[Cory W]

I volunteer to simply place a binnacle in my garage next to my car for a winter if you would like.

It's unheated and uninsulated. Two windows in the garage means sunlight will hit it occasionally, depending on where I place it.

The weather can fluctuate in winter from barely below freezing to -40 or lower. In one day. Did I mention I'm about 250 road miles from where auto manufacturers do much of their North America Cold Weather Testing? (Kapuskasing, Ontario)

It would sit, untouched, from whenever you sent it to when you would want it back. Late November-late March would be an ideal timeline.

I expect no compensation, just pay shipping.

[stevedmc]

I volunteer to simply place a binnacle in my garage next to my car for a winter if you would like........................

I expect no compensation, just pay shipping.



I plan to sell the first binnacle at cost just so I can get an honest opinion of what I plan to sell.

Thanks for the offer but I'm not interested in waiting that long or paying to ship one to Canada. You are welcome to purchase the first one at cost though.

Unlike DMCH, I plan to start selling these within 6 months.

[artisticent]

If made a lot of custom fg peices for my 911s and every one has held up. They have got very hot, not too cold, some covered with material and some not. Fg holds up very well. I'm all over making new peices for my D. Interior door headliner panels, binnacle the whole deal.
Good luck
Nathan

[Bitsyncmaster]

For someone to try.....A glass or carbon fiber inside door handle. Those OEM ones are very heavy and I'm always on the lookout to lighten the doors.

[stevedmc]

For someone to try.....A glass or carbon fiber inside door handle. Those OEM ones are very heavy and I'm always on the lookout to lighten the doors.

Maybe I'm thinking about a different part but wouldn't that be a little painful if it broke while someone was opening the door from inside?

[stevedmc]

If made a lot of custom fg peices for my 911s and every one has held up. They have got very hot, not too cold, some covered with material and some not. Fg holds up very well. I'm all over making new peices for my D. Interior door headliner panels, binnacle the whole deal.
Good luck
Nathan

Thanks for the info. Come to think of it, DMCH makes fiberglass headliner backing. If fiberglass can survive directly under the roof, I'm sure it will just do fine where the binnacle sits.

[thirdmanj]

As I understand it, it's not heat, so much as exposure to UV rays. That's what causes the biggest problems. Since DMCs wind screens don't have UV filters or anything..

[Kenny_Z]

I doubt the UV would hurt the fiberglass that much as long as you had a good UV resistant paint on it.

The carbon fiber pull handle on the door sounds like a great idea. I don't think I'd go with glass to resist breakage but properly set carbon fiber with a support structure should hold very well and be much lighter.

[artisticent]

There are plenty of aftermarket body panels made from fiberglass. The only time there are issues is if the was a flaw in the process of making the item. Its not easy to make complicated fiberglass things but its great to have a finished product. Tons of work though.
I'll look into the fiberglass pieces for the head liner. Its never worth it to only make one of something but if you can re produce them after the work of making a mold and sell a bunch, its well worth it.

[stevedmc]

I received my core yesterday. Now I need to go pickup some bondo.


http://img.tapatalk.com/6be16db0-5091-48b4.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/6be16db0-50b9-de65.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/6be16db0-5100-de26.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/6be16db0-512a-109d.jpg

[thirdmanj]

Following this thread with keen interest and anticipation. Consider me on your waiting list Steve!

[stevedmc]

I decided to stop down the binnacle before hitting it with bondo. Here is what's left. http://img.tapatalk.com/b82e774b-d041-f014.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/b82e774b-d04f-4268.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/b82e774b-d05a-aa23.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/b82e774b-d066-a396.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/b82e774b-d074-4f2c.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/b82e774b-d07e-7ab2.jpg

[Kenny_Z]

You certainly keep some interesting snacks around while you work. I guess Milkbones are high in fiber? :hihi2:

I'm curious as to how or if you're planning to add the grain texture back to the binnacle?

[GS450-Junkie]

any updates?

[stevedmc]

Nope. I've been lazy and busy with other projects.

[ccurzio]

(complains about Houston taking a long time to release a binnacle as a business project)

(takes a long time to release a binnacle as a business project)

[thirdmanj]

(Just recieved donar binnacle 3 months back)

(Hasn't missed self imposed deadline)

[Starglider]

I'd like to note that for anyone desperate for a binnacle, P J Grady Europe (Chris Nicholson) are also making fibreglass ones. We just installed one in my (effectively new build) DMC-12 and it looks pretty good, needs covering with leather or vinyl of course. I'm sure he'd do one as a stand-alone part if asked, don't know the price though.

[Patrick C]

I'd like to note that for anyone desperate for a binnacle, P J Grady Europe (Chris Nicholson) are also making fibreglass ones. We just installed one in my (effectively new build) DMC-12 and it looks pretty good, needs covering with leather or vinyl of course. I'm sure he'd do one as a stand-alone part if asked, don't know the price though.
Picture, please!

[john 05141]

If you have to recover it, you might as well recover your old one....

Good luck to contact PJgrady, they never respond...

Jan

[Starglider]

Good luck to contact PJgrady, they never respond...

I've always had a prompt response to my emails. Phone is somewhat less reliable.


If you have to recover it, you might as well recover your old one....

Sure, although you will have to fill and sand any major cracks. I didn't have a binnacle at all, (although fortunately, there was an original Wooler Hodec instrument cluster) so was glad to get a new one.