How do you keep from going "Nuts"?

Usually in the winter I see threads on car projects, but this year it seems to be missing. So, since I am going 'nuts' in the house, why not start one on whatever you do to make the winter pass quickly!

Okay, I'll start. Most who know me, know that I am a type 'A' person and stuff bothers me is not 'perfect'. So, when at the VA Car Show last year, didn't my antenna nut come off and get lost. That was about two weeks before the Ferrari Nationals. So, I was going 'nuts' trying to find a new nut. Some probably thought I was off my 'nut' about this. Even one of my Concours judges remembers the frantic phone calls to his place of employment from some guy looking for an antenna nut.

Okay, fast forward to December. Gerry328 was kind and provided a detailed drawing with measurements for the nut. An estimate from a machine shop came in at $200. Well, I guess they thought I was 'nuts', but I'm not 'nutty' enough to pay $200 for a nut.


So with a drill press, bench grinder, a few bits and a vice grips (vital for any kind of precision work), I set off to fabricate a nut. Shouldn't be too hard, right? After all there is no engine out required.

First step: Find a block of aluminum of suitable size. I asked around and no one had a bar or solid cylinder of aluminum. Where to look? Well, E-Bay is my friend. A little searching and I find a 12 inch cylinder for about $6, and it is also the proper outside diameter for the bottom of the nut. (Photo 1).

Step 2 : Cut a proper length. This was just a guess, but about 2x the normal nut height works well. Next, drill a pilot hole down the center. Now this is really difficult when holding the aluminum with vice grips. So after a few tries, I allowed for about 0.5 mm “slop” as my drill kept walking off the punch point. No big deal, this is just a nut.

Step 3: Tap one end to put in a large bolt to hold on to when grinding. The aluminum really gets hot when grinding the proper taper for the top. (Photo 2)
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With the proper taper on the bulk aluminum, drill the proper hole for the antenna top to fit in. This is very easy to do.

Next cut the nut length to 12 mm using a metal saw (hand held for that real feeling of accomplishment).

Drill out the center to accept a 14 x 0.75mm tap. This size determination was an adventure. As you can see (Photo 1) I have many taps of all sizes and yet not one was the proper size. I think Murphy's Law applies here. So I purchased a 13 x 1 mm........nope not the right size. Purchased a 14 x 1 mm.........nope, still not right. Okay, spring is coming so I needed to speed things up and purchased a 14 x 0.75mm and a 14 x 0.5 mm. The 14 x 0.75 was correct. So tap the hole and grind in the final flat spots on the outside of the nut. Paint and attach to the car (Photo 2).

Now there is my story and feel free to post your projects, whatever they may be. Model building, dress making, belt changes, etc.....

Most of all have fun!
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Now that's a man cave! Cars, trophies, air intake table......perfect!

 

Geeze Andreas, you and I are the only two doing anything this winter! I was going to take on the wheel bearings this weekend, but got that pesky emergency call to go to Arkansas for the weekend. Sigh.......I guess they will have to wait.

 

Thanks, I would get one for when I show the car.

 

Beautiful day to take advantage and do some work on my 328.

Greased the front bearings today (both of them). It took about 2.5 hours and I was taking my time. Not bad, once one knows what to do.