US source for S2 dash? (Looks like it will be Me!)

[Richard48Y]

My red S2 project is falling behind schedule.
I need to just spend the dollars for a new dash if possible.
Madera Concepts appear OMG expensive, anyone else that is still in business?
I can re-veneer if I must but don't feel like I really have the time.

[BDA]

I presume you’ve already tried Dave Bean and r.d. It looks like after them, it’s either do the restoration yourself or go to England. Sadly my favorite, Prestige Autowood, has closed down.

[Richard48Y]

Got a couple of quotes, OUCH!
So being a cheapskate I will be doing them myself.
I already have most of the equipment, it is Time I never have enough of!
I will be doing one in Rosewood and the other in Birdseye Maple for myself.
There are a lot of impressive woods available and most are not all that expensive, currently.
Of course the best are not available in large enough sheets to be done as only one piece.
With practice I will get to the point that I may join two pieces to match the grain but that is not where I am now.

[dakazman]

 I have an extra that I started , veneer on and most holes cut out . The holes not cut out I can trace somewhat . I may even have the lettering for the entire facia. PM me if interested.
Dakazman

[dakazman]

  After taking it down I found it to be on 3 ply plywood. I was making a desktop version.
Dakazman

[Richard48Y]

I am now looking for an overhead pin router.
Almost certainly what was used originally to make them.
Found a few really cheap, but getting them home from too far away is a problem. 

[TurboFource]

Richard I sent you a PM about a different subject....

[dakazman]

 Richard I'll post as many dimensions as possible that I can accurately give you.
   Dakazman

[Richard48Y]

I "Can" do wood work on the CNC mill but it is not considered best practice for machine life.
Most pin routers are old, HEAVY at around 800#-1,200#, 3 Ph., and very obsolete to almost anyone but an analog guy like me.
They typically end up as scrap once sellers figure out that no one local will take them unless paid to get them out of the way.
I can get one for only $200, and another $900 to go get it. 
At that point I may as well look for a used CNC router.
My hope is that something will turn up closer to home.
I found a nice big 36x60 CNC router but it also has a fairly big price.
Insult to injury, the local electrician is three weeks out from getting me my 3 Ph. power. 

[Gary t]

I used the old panel as a pattern and a flush trim router bit easy, fast, cheap and accurate. Leave out holes you don't want add new holes to old panel first

[Richard48Y]

I did that too for my first effort.
It is my practice piece that I need to complete.
I had a little trouble with the router and got a low spot in one edge.
It is the correct plywood but the finish is too light and I have to remove the factory varnish before I may laminate something nicer onto it.
If I can get or get access to a Pin Router aluminum master patterns are the hot ticket.
I have gathered up all my laminate supplies and readied the workbench.

[Grumblebuns]

Richard, I'm surprised that you have 3 phase power available in your area from the POCO. I'm in a mostly residential area with no big power consumers in my area so no 3 phase power even available here. I only have one piece of equipment requiring 240 3 phase, my Bridgeport mill so I decided to go with a VFD rather than a rotary phase converter. Only a couple of hundred bucks for the VFD.

[Richard48Y]

Joji, my 3 Ph. will be courtesy of a Phase Perfect 10 HP.
Paid $2,800 for it never used, from a Face Book ad.
The same unit is now $5,500 from the factory!
I have it mounted to the wall, getting my power from the meter is being the issue.

As a true glutton for punishment I am looking at getting a CNC Router now.
Pin Router would be fine and cheaper but I have no way to bring one home since I sold my flatbed truck.
If I succeed in getting the large router I will be able to make any dash I can produce geometry for.
But this HAS to be my last machine purchase!

[gideon]

A dashboard isn't so expensive that it makes sense to buy special equipment to make one or two dashboards.  OTOH, if you're planning to go into the dashboard production business then you'll need to be able to finish/varnish the dashboards to a professional standard, and I reckon that is the expensive part of the operation.  Cutting 'em out is easy by comparison.

https://www.lotus-supplies.com/part-category/interiors/dashboard
https://www.sjsportscars.com/parts-and-accessories/X054B0237Z.htm

I'm always surprised at how reasonable UK to USA shipping is from these suppliers and of course you don't have to pay VAT.

[Richard48Y]

Right about $500 in our hands.
Veneer choices are limited and no glove box door available.
Compared to $1,200 from Madera Concepts the UK are cheap.
My hope is to do one in Rosewood and Birdseye Maple for my own car.
I may be able to re-use the original matrix after carefully peeling away the old veneer.
A CNC router can do much more than dashboards.