gauge bezels?

[Whitelighter]

Ok, since the universal panning of how I mounted by dials on the new dash last time round, I have been having a bit of a think. While poking around boats at LIBS, I had a look at how the boat builders did it. Many go for flush mount from behind, but this is very difficult to get right and easy to bugger up.

Quite a few had gone for surface mounted dials with the new VP cambus instruments. These have a really smart chrome bezel and, being suface mount, are easy to do. Anyway, I have the old style KAD 42/43/44 gauges:

Now, just in case I ordered a couple of bezels from Volvo to see if they would fit. The bezels are simple covers which finish of the dials nicely:

And the smaller 52mm bezel nearly fits:

and with a bit of work modifying the gauge and bezel I could get them to fit. Thing is, VP have changed the size of the rev counters, from mine at 80mm to 95mm, so I can't buy a bezel for the larger dials. I think my gauges are VDO. VDO currently make a range of gauges called Oceanline, for which you can buy different bezels - so I cold try there.

If that doesn't work, does anyone know where I could get bezels (tried google), or is it possible to have plastic bezels (or even metal one) specially made anywhere?

Help.

 

[powerboats]

Have you tried Taplins?

http://www.taplin.info/

 

[Whitelighter]

Nope, not tried them. Will call them in the morning.

 

[Col]

Jez.
Try Here

 

[Frontier]

Sent you a PM,

I find in rough weather my bezels clippy bits break and let the dials fall into the dash. Real pain. I got so fed up with them I glued the bu@@ers to the dash. Then glued the dials into the hole and bezels.

Not good I know, but it I just got sick of them breaking.
Am I driving the boat too hard !!! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Whitelighter]

[ QUOTE ]
Jez.
Try Here

[/ QUOTE ]

I guess I should just learn to ask you in the first place huh /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Will have a good look through tomorrow. Are you coming to the pub tomorrow night?

 

[Col]

Wheelwrights? No sadly I have some blue paint to apply to something or other /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif See you Fri night??

 

[halcyon]

When we fitted gauges to helm panels, we :-

Machined the hole in the fascia to allow the clear plastic lense of the gauge to pass through, the rubber ring seal on the back face of the fascia.
We machines a clamp plate that matched the hole centre's of the helm panel, this had holes that fitted the body of the gauge.
The gauges were then fitted in from the back, the clamp plate then dropped over the gauges, onto to screws, fit nuts, washers, and spring washers and clamp lightly, set gauges , and then clamp.

Some firms make a clamp ring for each gauge, some make two clamps for each gauge.
But the theory is all the same, make a clamp that fits the back spigot of the gauge.

Does this make sense ?

Brian

 

[Sixpence]

Jez , how soon do you need them , haven't been able to , ahem , list them , but I may be able to help once I check sizes

 

[Nautical]

Jez, have you thought of doing something like this, not the instruments as shown but reccess them below a second panel like the chain counter or evc panels, I know you have someone who can mould up grp would be fairly simple.

 

[Sixpence]

Looks nice but someones nicked the wheel

 

[landlockedpirate]

Nah, its the latest IPS joystick /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Sixpence]

[ QUOTE ]
Nah, its the latest IPS joystick /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

doesn't look much like joy to me /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[B175Chris]

Depends what you do with it /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Chris

 

[Sixpence]

I refuse to comment on the grounds that it may incriminate me

 

[RogerRat]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Jez.
Try Here

[/ QUOTE ]

I guess I should just learn to ask you in the first place huh /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Doh... Stupid Boy, Pike! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[DoubleVision]

Done the same thing Jez<img src="http://www.pdb1.co.uk/imagepath/c1236117b657139575adca7a5d19b4ba.jpg" alt="Dash">

My Dials,bezels and all are behind a piece of 1/2 inch mdf which is covered in woody flavoured Formica.
I would be happy to help any other forumites with their dashboards for a few beers

 

[DoubleVision]

Oh poo!!--thought id sussed putting a piccy on here

 

[B175Chris]

There you go, see Dogwatch's photo tutor for help /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Chris

 

[DoubleVision]

thanks Chris--stuck me L plates back on