Black & Green modding thread (1998 Civic DX Coupe base)

[Ecky]

Looks good. What prompted the choice in material? I've never used it either. Is it more rigid than coroplast?

[freebeard]

Never worked with AlumaCore before. Have never used a jigsaw before. The tight curves were too tight... Anyway, a hacksaw and a metal file and boxcutter cleaned it all up nicely.

Now you know why I like Polymetal. I've worked with Alumapanel scraps as well, but that had a pebbled finish. Another brand is GrimCo Maxmetal.

With a jigsaw you may need to do star turns for the light corners. Eat into the waste.

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by Ecky

Looks good. What prompted the choice in material? I've never used it either. Is it more rigid than coroplast?

Actually, it was originally freebeard who talked up the "PolyMetal" brand of this stuff. I went shopping around for cheaper and found this brand (AluPoly). There are lots of brands. This 4'x8' 3 mm sheet was about $50. I drove about 40 miles round trip to get it. It is superior to coroplast in every way, though it is a little heavier. Still, it's just thin aluminum and thermoplastic, so it is much lighter than steel. Easy to cut. It can be hand bent into shape and it will hold the shape.

Originally Posted by freebeard

... With a jigsaw you may need to do star turns for the light corners. Eat into the waste.

I think you are referring to what I did. I learned with hacksaw blades to cut a sharp round curve in sections. Works great. I am going to do another small or smallish test part today to practice before getting after the big spoiler where an error could waste my materials.

[California98Civic]

This is my ratty ~0.9 - 1.1 pound weighted shift knob. Mishimoto's top rated one is 0.8 pounds and most are slightly heavier. Feels great shifting with it weighted. The shifts are easier and smoother.

All the parts were salvaged (free): skateboard wheel found in the street, plumbing line weight leftover from a sink remodel, two found nuts. I pressed one nut into the back of the wheel to "thread" the knob, tightened the weight in place on the shifter, and screwed the wheel down onto the weight. I used the second nut as a locking nut.

[Xist]

You added weight to your car?!

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by Xist

You added weight to your car?!

I did, and it is right near the center, where it will aid cornering! lol

[M_a_t_t]

Do you pick this stuff up all the time or just when you know what you are looking for?

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by M_a_t_t

Do you pick this stuff up all the time or just when you know what you are looking for?

If I see anything interesting, potentially useful, and not disgusting, I'll pick it up. If it is actually junk, such as a nut or bolt with even slightly damaged threads, it goes into the garbage or recycling. Most of this stuff came into my collection in the bicycle years when I covered lots of ground at a speed slow enough to notice what I pass.

[Xist]

Did you once turn a toy you found in the street into a shifter?

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by Xist

Did you once turn a toy you found in the street into a shifter?

Maybe. Don't recall any, though. All of this is partly inspired by Joan Steiner's 2003 children's picture book Look-Alikes: the More You Look the More You See. I read that book almost daily to my daughter for a long time. That and I am riffing on Found Object art.