Reverse engineering custom headlight bezels - GIF

Reverse engineering custom headlight bezels.

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Previously:

1965 Buick Riviera clamshell headlights - GIF
Clearing a foggy headlight with acetone vapor - GIF
Flying road debris punches through headlight - GIF
Headlight polishing technique - GIF
Restoring a foggy headlight - GIF
Skilled headlight restoration - GIF

I suppose that's 1 way to replace vintage bezels. But it seems to me making a punch and die would be a lot more cost effective. You would only have to do the machining process for a single bezel then you could replicate as many as you desired faster and with less waste.

I see making a die set and stamping them would be much more costly and time consuming. You need need male and female, left and right die sets, so you still have to machine 4 parts. You need more durable materials, cannot machine at such high speeds, need press, etc.

I hope they captured all of those chips and sent them to the foundry!!!!

Even easier would be to use the scan file to 3D print the bezels and then have them plated.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hemmjo

I see making a die set and stamping them would be much more costly and time consuming. You need need male and female, left and right die sets, so you still have to machine 4 parts. You need more durable materials, cannot machine at such high speeds, need press, etc.

I hope they captured all of those chips and sent them to the foundry!!!!

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This is true but you would also have the ability to stamp them in quantities then market them as aftermarket replacements.
I have a pair of original equipment running boards for a 1945 Ford pickup. At one time they were as rare as could possibly be, and probably worth $5000.00 in their condition. 4 or 5 years ago someone acquired a set of the original stamping dies Now aftermarket running boards can be bought for $700.00