Emblems, Aesthetics & Functional Parts

[Last Indian]

 

Recently I made some car pieces for a friend, which in turn got me thinking about how I might kill two birds with one stone. That being a new emblem design to replace one of the emblems on the deck lid of “The Indian” and a way in which Ringo’s how to forum might peak the interest for some FP folks on how to do this type of work, as they might otherwise never look any further! 
Some of this takes equipment, but sometimes there’s more than one way to skin a cat as they say. So where alternatives can be used I will explain and suggest what alternatives could be used. So here we go!

As I have stated before, having owned a “69” Z for 35 years, I wanted to create that muscle mentality in a modern day FWD. So “The Last Indian” was a concept of mine to be a modern day throwback to the Muscle Car days. It’s coke bottle shape and other attributes lent some credence to this effort, at least to me. So the car not only needed to act the part, but look the part inside and out. So in a effort to tweak things, including aesthetics, I continue to refine things. You can see some of these changes on the progression page, but in these pages modifications or creations, and how that might be done across any style is the goal!

The original deck lid Indian head emblem I made was a little more old style, but the more I looked at it the less I cared for it, as I felt it didn’t really go with the other trunk emblems or have the punch I was looking for. So I made a new one and I liked it, but again as time has gone on I’ve come to feel it has too much of a modern flare. So again I searched for that right look! I feel I may have found it, but time will tell. So to this effort I will use this as the how to subject. Also I will include a build of a functional part I did for the suspension to relay what might be needed for that type of work as well.

1.    Is to conceive your concept whatever it is, emblem, aesthetic, functional etc… If need be make a sketch to give you a visual of your project. Or get a picture that you’ve seen that has inspired your idea. 
2.    Measure out the area where the part is to go to again determine if there’s room and that it will make since for what you want to accomplish. Or in the case of replacing a functional part make sure you have the correct material & very accurate measurements, even if you’re changing the design there will most likely be dimensions and constraints from the existing part to consider.
3.    When you have determined 1&2 are good you now need to gather your materials & tools! Then start to lay a plan as to how to proceed.

So here I’m starting the new design of my Indian Head emblem! The material is 6160 aluminum. The head is 1/2“ thick, but the body, see below in the third picture, is 1/2” thick, then machined down to 7/16 thick.

new design head 1/2 “ 6160 aluminum 

 

Below is the original Indian head.

New design body 7/16” aluminum 6160

Below is what was the current Indian head.

Edited April 14, 2019 by Last Indian

[Last Indian]

 

Now I need to cut out these pieces. For that you’ll need preferably a band saw, but you could use a hacksaw. If you like you can even build your own bandsaw as I did. It’s relatively cheap and quite easy.

 

In either case you will need to cut larger than the line so they can be shaped and sized.
This will be done with good old fashion files. A good assortment of files from large bastard files to tiny jewel maker files should always be part of your tool catalog.

This is just a sample of my files, I have over 200 files for every size shape and configuration.

You will also need a card file for cleaning your files.

 

Once your parts are cut out it’s time to start shaping and detailing them.

 

 

 

Once I have the basic shape filed into the body I need to machine the area where the head will be inserted. The purpose of this work is to start giving this emblem more of a 3D look when finished as well as more of an old style emblem.

This work needs a mill and there’s really no other way to do it, but   You don’t have to inset the head you can simply set it on top of the body and attach it, as I will show in the next segment.

Edited April 14, 2019 by Last Indian

[JUSTA6]

Secret's of the master....

[Last Indian]

22 hours ago, JUSTA6 said:

Secret's of the master....

Hey buddy, you are to kind, no secret, JustA old school!

Here is an example of the emblem without insetting the head. You’ll need to drill clearance holes in the body while drill & tapping the head. Countersink the clearance holes & use countersink screws. This will attach the head to the body, securing it in place. This same method is use for the inset head as well.

Edited April 14, 2019 by Last Indian

[Last Indian]

Once the body is machined for the inset of the head I need to finish it by refining the fit by picking & smoothing the inner lip of the body & refining the profile of the head. This is to make as homogeneous, seemingly one piece emblem as I can.

 

These two three sided files do a large amount of my detail work. These are what I used to pick and smooth the inner lip of the body. I also use them to carve, cut & a multitude of other detail, like cutting in the feathers on the body, which you will see a little later.

Edited April 14, 2019 by Last Indian

[indymanjoe]

Absolutely amazing what you did. ( i was lucky to see the results first hand ) Words fail me. Well done sir!

[Last Indian]

3 hours ago, indymanjoe said:

Absolutely amazing what you did. ( i was lucky to see the results first hand ) Words fail me. Well done sir!

Thanks Joe! Great job you’re doing with the install of the rear axle! Should make a nice improvement for you!

[Last Indian]

Now I’ll start to turn this emblem into more of a 3 dimensional one by machining the body headdress & feathers into separate layers. Adding this dimension should give a greater differentiation of look to the body versus the head. 

 

 

 

Again this work requires a mill. It would be very difficult to accomplish this look any other way. Still the previous page of a non inset head use a flat body!

Next up, detailing the feathers & the rest of the body!

Edited April 14, 2019 by Last Indian

[Frosty]

[Last Indian]

3 hours ago, Frosty said:

You guys are hilarious!

Detailing the feathers is very painstaking & tedious! This takes a strong grip and durable fingers. If you haven’t done this kind of work before, be aware there will be some discomfort during, but mostly after!

Here you will see the center quill line (hollow shaft (calamus), be carved in using the three corner file I showed earlier. This file, if you noticed is ground into a three corner point. The cutting tool acts as a shaping tool, cutting metal like an shaping machine, only by hand. Then you will see the individual (barb) of the feather be carved in, as well as the detail to the Mohawk style headdress on top.

notice the now rounded neck.

Notice the upper feathers have been detailed with the quill line as well as the barb. The lower feathers have only been detailed with the quill so far.

Edited April 15, 2019 by Last Indian

[Wrongway]

Wow, just amazing bro!

[Last Indian]

9 hours ago, Wrongway said:

Wow, just amazing bro!

Thanks buddy!

Edited April 16, 2019 by Last Indian

[Last Indian]

Well back to the head! First I’m going to cut in the 3D face detail that will give the high cheekbone look as well as the eye, nose, mouth & jaw detail. Then I’ll cut in the head side feathers to be inset in copper.

machining in the face/jaw detail

Adding head feathers

 

 

 

Next up, finish and polish!

Edited April 16, 2019 by Last Indian

[Last Indian]

Ok, finished product.

The first picture is that of the rear deck lid emblem!

This second picture is of the flat non-3D Indian head. This is attached to the under hood fuse block panels cover.

Edited April 23, 2019 by Last Indian

[Frosty]

Amazing work Last Indian. This little thing definitely requires patience and skill. It takes a lot of practice to properly develop both.

[Ringo64]

50 minutes ago, Frosty said:

Amazing work Last Indian. This little thing definitely requires patience and skill. It takes a lot of practice to properly develop both.

I'm sure Alice Cooper is overly tired of people doing this but definitely have to do this if I meet him.

 

At any rate! Fantastic work, Last Indian! 

[Frosty]

That would be a good question to put to GE. GE use to be a roadie for Alice in his misbegotten youth. Heck I think there is still some YouTube video of GE on stage with Alice a few years back when Alice performed in Charlotte.

[Ringo64]

1 hour ago, Frosty said:

That would be a good question to put to GE. GE use to be a roadie for Alice in his misbegotten youth. Heck I think there is still some YouTube video of GE on stage with Alice a few years back when Alice performed in Charlotte.

That's awesome!

Got hooked back on Alice's music again from following his guitarist, Nita (she's amazing in her own right) on Instagram. She's on a lot but when they're on tour it's awesome seeing everything going on. Love to hear more from GE. Should probably start this as a new topic  

[Frosty]

Go back and review his guitars and amps thread from several years ago. I think he had some stories there.

[Last Indian]

On 4/23/2019 at 2:10 PM, Frosty said:

That would be a good question to put to GE. GE use to be a roadie for Alice in his misbegotten youth. Heck I think there is still some YouTube video of GE on stage with Alice a few years back when Alice performed in Charlotte.

I love Alice! I was 18 when he release that album and I was always a metal head! I love Desperado. Detroit turned out a lot of great s- - t & not just cars!