| October 14th | |
| After a little while of inactivity on the project, I got back to the BC-348 receiver tray today. I bought one original tray recently, but also started making one back in 2010. With the recent purchase of some shock mounts, I will be able to complete the scratch built tray for the second receiver. The aluminium sheet was cut to size and shape, and the edges added with my sheet metal folder. | |
|
|
| I need access to the back of the rubber mounts to fasten the bolts, so holes needed to be cut in the base of the mounting tray. This was done by chain drilling holes until the centre piece could be broken out. The holes were then dressed with a file to the final size, as seen below. | |
|
|
| Below, the rubber mounts can be seen through the underside of the mount base plate. The rubber mounts will be riveted in place after painting of the tray is complete. The top side of the base has been painted and is now curing. | |
|
|
| Back in 2010, I had got most of the upper part of the mount made. This just needs the two retaining pins machining that the receiver locks on to, and they need fixing to this piece. It can then be painted and assembled to the base. | |
|
|
|
October 15th The lower part of the mount was left to bake in the airing cupboard overnight to fully harden the paint. It was meant to be satin, but it's come out quite glossy, so I'll give it a dust over with some quick drying water based matt clear. The rubber mounts were riveted in place this morning. |
|
|
|
| The top part of the mount had the retaining pins machined this afternoon and were then welded in place, before a quick sand blast and then paint. It is now baking in the airing cupboard. Once dry, the two can be bolted together and then installed into the truck, along with the original tray. | |
|
|
| The tray is now matt coated and assembled, and seen next to the original. It looks a bit clean and fresh, and not so dusty, but once the receiver is mounted on top, there's not much of it to be seen. | |
|
|