[T3] My Type 3 Tach

[John Jaranson <jaransonT3@comcast.net>]

<x-flowed>After seeing the price of some of the recent Type 3 tachs, I decided to  
give it go at making one.  I had an old SunPro cheapo tach that I  
friend gave me and a couple of left over Type 3 clock and fuel gages  
from my conversion from 6V to 12V.

This is what I ended up with....

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jjaranson/Tach1.jpg

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jjaranson/Tach2.jpg

I think it is a pretty decent looking tach and it cost me about $10 for  
the old Type 3 gages that I had already anyway.  I made it to match the  
rest of Sophy's gages.

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jjaranson/SophyRebuild/SophyRebuild- 
Images/16.jpg

I started out by turning a new concave number lenses out of some 1"  
thick clear plexiglass.  I then scanned the old clock number lense and  
used it to create the numbers and new layout to match the angular  
spacing of the SunPro tach in Adobe Illustrator.  I mirrored the  
numbers and then had them cut on a vinyl cutting plotter that we have  
at work.

The numbers are then applied to the back of the new concave lense.  I  
also used the vinyl on the plain cover lense from the old fule gage to  
provide the tick marks for the tach.

I also turned the center disk and needle post on the lathe at work  
using high density modeling plank.  The needle itself is cut and shaped  
from 1/16" thick ABS sheet stock and then painted red.

I cut out the back of the stock metal gage can and modified the plastic  
SunPro gage housing to match-up and the sealed it all up with some  
blakck silicone sealant.  I retained the stock Type 3 light.

I haven't gotten around to running the wire from the coil to the dash  
yet, but I did try it out and it works great.

BTW, the needle just hangs down when the key is off.  With power to the  
gage it stays at zero until the engine is started and then it goes as  
the rpm goes.  I think it will get annoying after awhile to have it  
always pointing straight down when at shows, so I might add a small  
mechanical stop pin to the gage.

I also haven't decided it I am going to install it in the clock hole or  
in a separate gage bezel below the dash.  My clock works and I like  
having it.  Besides about half the clock is blocked from view by the  
steering wheel.  It is a thick rimmed wheel from a 75 Sport Bug.

Anyway....what do you think?

Later,
John Jaranson
'66 Square (Sophy)
'70 Fasty (Jane 2 - Type 3 Lead Sled wannabe)
'71 Fasty (Jane -parts car due to rust)
various parts.....don't we all.
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jaransonT3/jaransonT3/
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jaransonT3/2006Invasion/
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jaransonT3/notavwclub/

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