cool stuff from DSE

[67ragtp]

These guys just continue to come up with cool stuff, I want a pair of these flaps. Is this hand made by them, or something you guys have seen somewhere? What do you think there made of?


Thanks Rich

[96z28ss]

I don't think there hand made looks like they are thermoformed.
Unless your opening is exactly like theirs it probably won't work.

I'm not sure but they probably are going to making a new front inner fender and will offer these to compliment there hydro formed subframe.

[7TSS]

Looks like it could be made from sheet metal with a bead roller and then painted.

[TravisB]

Originally Posted by 7TSS

Looks like it could be made from sheet metal with a bead roller and then painted.

But that wouldnt allow the control arm to move without bumping that peice....it would have to be soft.

[rwhite692]

That looks to be sheet ABS plastic material (grain on one side) which has been vacu-formed (drawn down under vacuum w/heat, over a shaped jig) you can find the sheet material at a plastics supply house...Then make up a jig to form that offset flange and find someone who does vacu-forming in your area to draw it down for you...

[67ragtp]

WOW - vacuum forming plastics thats where I draw the line. I think I will just stick to welding. Just want to buy them, too bad there not available. Neat idea for some one in the parts biz.

[7TSS]

Originally Posted by TravisB

But that wouldnt allow the control arm to move without bumping that peice....it would have to be soft.

I think that you could make it out of any rigid material since it is close enough to the uca's pivot point that the uca won't move more than an inch at that spot. Looking at the picture, it seems that they allowed enough clearance room so it shouldn't hit. Kydex is considered a rigid thermoplastic material so it could be duplicated out of any other rigid material that can handle over 350-400 degrees F. I agree that thermoforming isn't needed in this application.

[shiro666]

What those are made of is a material called Kydex. I have worked extensively with it for use as Knife sheath material. It can be ordered through MSC industrial supply in black, as well as in a bazillion colors from plastic supplies. Molding it is REALLY easy. It is floppy and can be laid over a mold at 300 degrees. Use some closed cell molding foam and some weight on top and wait five mins and walla! molded thermoplastic. Cuts and sands like butter. I heat mine in a kitchen oven. Don't tell the girlfriend. Heat gun is nice too.

Get a sheet and mess around with it. It is cheap enough.

And Fun!

[shiro666]

I have worked quite a bit with this stuff, so PM me with questions.

[amaronut]

molding not needed on a piece like this, it forms itself to the shape it's bolted to. Material comes in a 4' x 8' sheet (standard size) and comes in many thicknesses