I once had a client who machined beryllium mirrors for Star Wars projects so I know all about how difficult it is for the average person to do. But I figured you had lots of it lying around and the nitrogen chamber to machine it in. I didn’t think you’d actually think of it as exotic, in your world LOL!

Jim

Sent from my iPhone

> On Aug 25, 2021, at 11:17 AM, Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:
> 
> No, I use common materials. But I always find the least cost effective way to make them :-)
> 
> Ab
> 
>> On Aug 25, 2021, at 7:56 AM, Mark Belanger <mbelanger@gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>> Nope. He uses unobtanium...
>> 
>> 
>> -MB
>> 
>>>> On Wed, Aug 25, 2021 at 6:37 AM Jim. Felder <jim.felder@gmail.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Bell probably sinters them out of powdered beryllium on his lunch hour.
>>> 
>>> Jim
>>> 
>>>> On Tue, Aug 24, 2021 at 11:27 PM KI4TLF <ki4tlf@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> I saw a "armrest bolt cover VW T4" on Makerbot Thingverse.
>>>> https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3875275
>>>> It could be printed on a 3D printer and if someone was knowledgeable,
>>>> could modify as needed.  It didn't say what year it was for.  Then the
>>>> issue would be finding the right color to print them from.
>>>> 
>>>> GregM
>>>> 
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
>>>> Of Richard Koerner
>>>> Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2021 7:45 PM
>>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>>> Subject: Re: Anyone make the bold caps for the arm rests.
>>>> 
>>>> More fun!!  Buy a Costco lasagne; cook, enjoy (I'm having one tonight).
>>>> Save the black plastic dish it comes in; wash.  Cut out a flat section.
>>>> Use some light sandpaper to give the desired "matte" finish.  Trace
>>>> something about the size of a nickle; cut carefully.  Apply Super Glue;
>>>> install.  Done.  If done with reasonable care, I bet no one could hardly
>>>> tell the difference.  (and, Super Glue hates water....so if ever need to
>>>> remove, use water as your solvent.)  Tons and tons of solutions to this
>>>> missing piece on your arm rest bolts.
>>>> 
>>>>   On Tuesday, August 24, 2021, 05:24:37 PM PDT, Richard Koerner <
>>>> rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> Ha-ha!  For that matter, I could buy the appropriate punch from
>>>> McMaster-Carr.  Prepare some thin black PVC plastic (with matte finish)
>>>> with acrylic double-sided adhesive with a release paper.  With a hammer,
>>> I
>>>> could punch these out almost as fast as I could swing a hammer.  Then,
>>>> customer simply peels off release paper, applies, done.  And Eric, if you
>>>> want Bling, choose the appropriate material to your heart's content; even
>>>> Super Glue would be fine for this application....it's just a cosmetic
>>>> cover.  (P.S.  I've actually done something very similar at a "real job"
>>>> for low-volume requirements.)
>>>> 
>>>>   On Tuesday, August 24, 2021, 05:06:12 PM PDT, Richard Koerner <
>>>> rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> I have an 85 Vanagon.  Yep, 25 years ago they kept popping off onto
>>>> floor; I didn't want to lose them.  So, I secured them with 5 Minute
>>>> Epoxy....and they are still there.  (Yes, epoxy onto where it interfaces
>>>> with bolt, but also epoxy on the flange interfacing Vinyl...my feeling is
>>>> the latter provides the stronger securement.)  Seems like these could be
>>>> readily produced in reasonable quantities on a Screw Machine (no
>>> injection
>>>> molds needed) or of course 3D printing.  Getting them into the hands of
>>>> potential customers is a whole 'nother effort.
>>>> For cheapo....you could always cut a circle out of thin black
>>>> plastic...use some epoxy and tape to secure while curing, and have the
>>> same
>>>> effect.
>>>> 
>>>>   On Tuesday, August 24, 2021, 04:22:20 PM PDT, Alistair Bell <
>>>> albell@shaw.ca> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> Jeeze Eric,
>>>> 
>>>> I made some the hard way. Gave a pair to jim a.
>>>> 
>>>> Maybe … after holidays…
>>>> 
>>>> Ab
>>>> 
>>>>> On Aug 24, 2021, at 4:20 PM, Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net>
>>> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>> Anyone make the plastic caps for the 85 style arm rest bolt?  I’m
>>>> always looking for some and lately friends keep asking if I have a
>>> source.
>>>>> 
>>>>> I think I dropped a hint to Uniwerks but didn’t hear back.  They could
>>>> make fun ones with VW or other images on them!  Even som fancy metal ones
>>>> would be fun!
>>>>> 
>>>>> Some of mine were cracked and kept falling off.  I found that if I
>>> taped
>>>> them tight with electrical tape and put the extra inside it made a tight
>>>> fix and they stopped falling off.  But clearly the plastic is giving out.
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> Someone must print them!
>>>>> 
>>>>> And, in the department of fun un needed items.  A friend showed me he
>>>> had a fancy plastic bolt cap on the seatbelt bold on the driver and
>>>> passenger seat floor bold.  Looked slick and finished.  He said vanagons
>>>> came with them.  I don’t believe it!  But, now I might need to cover
>>> mine!
>>>> I want some with bling.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Eric
>>>>> Eric
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>> 
>> 
>> 
>> -- 
>> ________________________________________________________________________
>> Mark Belanger - mbelanger@gmail.com