Looking for USDM gauge face template Options

[GriffGirl]

I'm playing around w/the idea of making a custom gauge face using electroluminescent film, but do NOT feel comfortable removing my needles to get a good scan of the stock faces. Does anyone have a template, or is anyone willing to scan their (USDM) gauge face at actual size for me? Or mail me their stock overlays if they have any laying around? (I'd return them to ya). Anyone?

[xs94st]

let me look around..i know i have an old set that needs to be fixed cuz i didnt decide to do my custom gauges..

well i have em but the needles that stick out to hold the gauge needles in place may not allow me to photocopy well

[Daftboy]

Won't that be hella pricey? Thats the flat thin flexible LCD stuff right ?

[GriffGirl]

Won't that be hella pricey? Thats the flat thin flexible LCD stuff right ?

It's not LCD, it's EL, and no, I don't think it's too pricey... if it is, I have other ideas as well though.

[xs94st]

i dont have the right part that has the check engine n stuff like that..

i'll try n get a better scan i gotta head out to work lol

[GriffGirl]

SWEET! I'm PMing you now...


Thanks!

(once I get the template made up, I'm more than happy to share it w/the community so anyone else can do stuff, too. I'll make a PDF of it and post it up for DL.)

This post has been edited by GriffGirl: Feb 19, 2008 - 3:03 PM

[D-Man]

Oh Oh!! Griff, you gotta make me one too...

This post has been edited by D-Man: Feb 19, 2008 - 3:20 PM

[GriffGirl]

most definitely!

[96bluevert]

I'm definately interested to see how this turns out. If you would, can you make a how-to as well?

[goferris]

if you do end up mass producing i might be interested as well if i like your work. LMK

[GriffGirl]

I'm working on a "preliminary" face right now, I'll post up a picture of it when I'm done. Naturally once it's all finished, I'll have to test it out myself to make sure it works as planned... ideally I want to use the EL film behind the face, it would be KILLER. I think for the 1st "stage" I'm going to see how the face does with standard 194 LEDs, make sure the final product holds up in terms of quality, etc. I'd hate to put these out there only to discover the longevity is poor! But if this works, it could be SUH-WEET.

I just don't really like any of the overlays I've seen out there... and of course, I'm open to suggestions of what you guys are looking for. Keep in mind, my original intent is to just design something for myself, and if other people like it, I'm happy to share. Moderate customization options may be available, I'm designing the face w/that in mind.

[punkuup5150]

i was reading up on this and whats kinda awsome is u can cut it useing a plotter so you could take it to a local sign shop that cuts vinyals and have them load your template into flexi and use there plotter to cut out the gages thats soo cool

[GriffGirl]

i was reading up on this and whats kinda awsome is u can cut it useing a plotter so you could take it to a local sign shop that cuts vinyals and have them load your template into flexi and use there plotter to cut out the gages thats soo cool

Oh yes, victory shall be mine...

[GriffGirl]

Here's a rough-draft of what I've been playin' around with... any thoughts are welcome. Of course it's not to spec yet until I get a good clear scan of the stock tach (which is why the lines overlap the little triangles kinda funny... no sense in lining everything up until the RPM inidcators are exactly positioned to spec)

[hongkongnerdboy]

thats sexy

[GriffGirl]

I want to backlight it w/cobalt blue EL film, but I'm going to try this out first with LEDs and see if it works. That will keep the cost way down.

[D-Man]

Here's a rough-draft of what I've been playin' around with... any thoughts are welcome. Of course it's not to spec yet until I get a good clear scan of the stock tach (which is why the lines overlap the little triangles kinda funny... no sense in lining everything up until the RPM inidcators are exactly positioned to spec)

Looking good!

[DEATH]

Here's a rough-draft of what I've been playin' around with... any thoughts are welcome. Of course it's not to spec yet until I get a good clear scan of the stock tach (which is why the lines overlap the little triangles kinda funny... no sense in lining everything up until the RPM inidcators are exactly positioned to spec)

Yes - I want those - now! All red and black would be better for me but I'm not bitching. And these will be backlights like stock?

[jason]

for the tach - since noone on here is going to need to have it be 100% accurate, as its just for our uses, not for specific tunning...

i think you should mark the 0 position, and the 8 position, and then make an array to evenly space out that area with the hashes, then every 5 add a triangle. if its off by 100 rpm even, i doubt anyone would really care enough to not have it line up perfect. i know i wouldnt.

keep up the good work!

im working on an array of led's to backlight my gauges. and led for each number, that way they can be bright and evenly lit with a true white color - also a red led in the needles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2K2c3QQgSA

also looking to do something similar to that. already emailed him to see about making the backlighting, but i doubt he will, 7th gen ones are custom made. so custom gauge faces would complete my theme perfectly!

[GriffGirl]

I looked last night on my way home, our stock tach actually has 4 hash marks between each number, so actually mine is correct, the circle w/the hash marks just needs to be rotated to space the hash marks evenly between each x1000 indicator.

Keep me updated on your LED quest... The even backlighting is part of what started this all, well that and that I just haven't been in love w/any of the aftermarket overlays I've seen, or the ones I have liked aren't anywhere to be found any more! I'm still pretty hot for this EL film backlighting idea, but I'm still searching for the best and least expensive source for the film especially since this is still in the trial stage. If enough people dig this and want in on it, naturally it'll cost less to produce if I can buy materials in larger quantities.