Instrument needles

[Austin in the Shed]

I've just purchased a 20's smiths silver faced oil pressure gauge,the flange mount type.It's been butchered a bit by someone trying to remove the needle,which is missing along with it's mounting rim.
Does anyone know a manufacturer of them,or where I can buy one,

[AllAlloyCup]

Hi I too would like a new silver faced dial and needle. Any tips on how to remove needles?

Regards

Bill G ( AllAlloyCup)

[Ruairidh Dunford]

I use something similar to this Bill: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wristwatch-wat...SwEK9Trtlz

I have also adapted needles like this in past successfully: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Replacement-G...jvXdSqDsdQ

[AllAlloyCup]

I use something similar to this Bill:  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wristwatch-wat...SwEK9Trtlz

I have also adapted needles like this in past successfully:  https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Replacement-G...jvXdSqDsdQ

Hi Ruairidh

Thanks for the pointers to the pointer removers!

Also thanks for the pointer to Jeremy, clock now fixed!

All the best

Bill G 
( AllAlloyCup)

[Rob Beck]

Dave, 

Probably the best way to make these and the engraved instrument faces with paint infill used on early cars would be to use a photo etch method that is the same as used for diy PCB manufacture. The materials are very inexpensive. Same method would suit all the chassis plates/ couch builders plates etc. 

Just been looking on ebay. The materials are less than £10 for a small quanity. For aluiminium use NaOH to etch. Its cleaner and cheaper than ferric chloride. There is a book on how to do it... workshop practice series no36. 

Looks tempting to give it a go. 

At work I get profiled shims and gaskets made this way in large quantities. Ah yes I suspect that might suit you! You can make solid copper head gaskets like this and use the photo etch to leave a raised land round everything you want to seal. Because there are no cutting tools it all stays flat and scratch free. 

Regards

Rob