this might be a bit different but I'm the eccentric type and am a firm believer that there is a certain level of luxury that you can only create yourself.
anyways, I've had a very long term car build going on and 6 years ago when I started it one of my biggest concerns was how some of my wood accents would hold up to time. So I made a few feasibility pieces of the components I was most concerned with holding up to chicago's temperature swings.
Well I just pulled the box of parts out of my storage locker today, and after 6 years non-temperature controlled, I am happy to say they have survived with flying colors. I'll take some after pics in a few days if any one is interested in seeing the coloration and patina they have built up since they were cut but heres when they were initially created.
first up is bocote (central american rose wood with a naturally oily finish that doesnt need any sealants or stains). I love working with this wood, but it is difficult as its density varies greatly among layers. This will be used for all switches, toggles, dials and probably strip accents.
heres the hvac knob which I was worried about cracking as its only an 1/8" thick at the basin. I made this with nothing more than a hole saw and some straight razors.... it is un-sanded.
2nd is shaped butcher block. I had never made butcher block before and I had never seen anyone shape it. This is not the wood I plan on using (see next item), but this is some very old stock (~80 years) sugar pine. Its incredibly brittle and soft which matched nicely the characteristics I needed to simulate. The intention is that this would be sculpted down to be one of the dash inserts.
3rd was to properly age the "wood" that I wanted to use as the center piece of the interior. This is red palm that I imported from SE asia. Its actually a grass and VERY VERY finicky to work with. To my knowledge, no one has ever used it for butcher block. BUT when you look at the cross profile, you'll see what makes it amazing. When you cut it and age it, all those dark strands poke out ever so slightly just like you would find using osterich skin. The overall texture is like nothing you have ever touched.
anyways, I'm only posting this because I am switching gears on projects and am finally ready to begin the final phase of this car. I come from a family of old-school woodworking and seamstress and I've built a number of carbon fiber/kevlar boat hulls.... metal working is lagging but I'm planning on picking up an english wheel next month. The car is done other than the interior and is going to be sent off soon for a proper roll cage. So as soon as I flesh out with the fabricator what mounting points I'll have to work with, I'm going to start sculpting the keys and making the molds.
anyways, I've had a very long term car build going on and 6 years ago when I started it one of my biggest concerns was how some of my wood accents would hold up to time. So I made a few feasibility pieces of the components I was most concerned with holding up to chicago's temperature swings.
Well I just pulled the box of parts out of my storage locker today, and after 6 years non-temperature controlled, I am happy to say they have survived with flying colors. I'll take some after pics in a few days if any one is interested in seeing the coloration and patina they have built up since they were cut but heres when they were initially created.
first up is bocote (central american rose wood with a naturally oily finish that doesnt need any sealants or stains). I love working with this wood, but it is difficult as its density varies greatly among layers. This will be used for all switches, toggles, dials and probably strip accents.
heres the hvac knob which I was worried about cracking as its only an 1/8" thick at the basin. I made this with nothing more than a hole saw and some straight razors.... it is un-sanded.
2nd is shaped butcher block. I had never made butcher block before and I had never seen anyone shape it. This is not the wood I plan on using (see next item), but this is some very old stock (~80 years) sugar pine. Its incredibly brittle and soft which matched nicely the characteristics I needed to simulate. The intention is that this would be sculpted down to be one of the dash inserts.
3rd was to properly age the "wood" that I wanted to use as the center piece of the interior. This is red palm that I imported from SE asia. Its actually a grass and VERY VERY finicky to work with. To my knowledge, no one has ever used it for butcher block. BUT when you look at the cross profile, you'll see what makes it amazing. When you cut it and age it, all those dark strands poke out ever so slightly just like you would find using osterich skin. The overall texture is like nothing you have ever touched.
anyways, I'm only posting this because I am switching gears on projects and am finally ready to begin the final phase of this car. I come from a family of old-school woodworking and seamstress and I've built a number of carbon fiber/kevlar boat hulls.... metal working is lagging but I'm planning on picking up an english wheel next month. The car is done other than the interior and is going to be sent off soon for a proper roll cage. So as soon as I flesh out with the fabricator what mounting points I'll have to work with, I'm going to start sculpting the keys and making the molds.
and just another one to show off the different train of thought thats going on. (actual version being used has a color matched radio face and is the sirius version) 
