Carbon Fiber switch & outlet covers

[nurenber]

Just saw the Griots has these new switch and outlet covers coming in soon. Has anyone seen these anywhere else? I think it would make a great finishing touch. As usual they are a little pricey, $35 for a single and $45 for a double. I have quite a few outlets and switches in my garage.

 

[Luckydevil]

Kinda overkill I think. Making my garage "lightweight" will do nothing to help its performance.

The normal white ones sell for about .30 cents at lowe's, or free if you already have them. Then just get small roll of carbon fiber look sticker off ebay and cut it to fit them. Might cost you $10 to do your whole garage at most as opposed to $200-300.

Even for a carbon fiber piece that seems like a ridiculous price. it's not like those have a complex mold or cutout in them.

 

[dink]

I dunno your house might float away with all that weight your saving on the light switch panels....better be careful

 

[kartracer55]

Kinda overkill I think. Making my garage "lightweight" will do nothing to help its performance.

The normal white ones sell for about .30 cents at lowe's, or free if you already have them. Then just get small roll of carbon fiber look sticker off ebay and cut it to fit them. Might cost you $10 to do your whole garage at most as opposed to $200-300.

Even for a carbon fiber piece that seems like a ridiculous price. it's not like those have a complex mold or cutout in them.

Nope, Id guess those are even a little cheap for REAL carbon fiber (or fibre )

I know a strip 2 inches wide and 18 inches long with a slight curve to it will run you about $60, or atleast thats what some places charge.

Its overkill, I personally like the hand painted flame switches they sell. Much cheaper. I think the Carbon Fiber sticker roll is a great idea. Alot of guys do stuff like that.

Jim

 

[Luckydevil]

Nope, Id guess those are even a little cheap for REAL carbon fiber (or fibre )

I know a strip 2 inches wide and 18 inches long with a slight curve to it will run you about $60, or atleast thats what some places charge.

I don't know where places get off charging prices like that for carbon fiber. I played around with making carbon fiber stuff in the garage for awhile and it really isn't that expensive. I could make 30 of those light switch covers for about $60 worth of cf and epoxy. I know labor and the cutting adds costs also, but not that much. Even if they used prepreg in an autoclave it shouldn't be that much.

Simple carbon fiber stuff like these covers and flat pieces are actually very easy and cheap to make and uses the same process as fiberglass. Take the money you would spend on buying those overpriced light switch covers and get your own carbon fiber setup going. All it takes is a couple hundred bucks.

http://www.shopmaninc.com/

You can even make some with a colored kevlar weave.

 

[dink]

How about some nice stainless steal covers? Those would look spiffy

 

[ranger_dood]

I'm pretty sure you can pick those up at any home improvement warehouse...

 

[iiibdsiil]

Ya, stainless is available @ Home Depot and Lowes. It's a little expensive, but, it my eyes, worth it. Especially in a room that isn't painted white.

 

[818jackson]

CF - and more...

N -

I think they look great!

Other CF items which folks might consider:

decpanels.com has some (on their commercial site) CF 4'x8' panels - including in pegboard. Not a pegboard fan myself but these might have some potential in certain applications.

Also - if you have the ceiling height, there's a CF fan.

CF look is sharp.

- D

 

[imported_banzaitoyota]

Might be ok for a "gold-chainers" garage, but UDDERLY useless for a working shop where WORK is done; You know where you actually get grease on your hands and tools?

IMPO, Catologs like GRIOTS GARAGE cater to the "LOOK AT HOW MUCH $$$ I HAVE" crowd found at PCA, GoodGuys and Bloomington type events. You know the type, couldnt tell you how to replace a U-joint or adjust the valves on their car.

IMHO; I thought this site catered more to the DIY, make do with what you have/can scrounge type of crowd.

If you have to wrap the tires of the car BEFORE you can drive it into the shop; you may want the CF **** foisted at Jacked up prices at the cataloge, however I will enjoy WORKIN in my shop with the mismatched wall plates and stained concrete

 

[wythors]

Geez, do I sense a little hostility there? FWIW, I have a clean, finished garage, shop at Griots and am currently collecting parts for my next project: Swapping out the AOD for a T5 in my 93 Mustang.

I also have the flamed switch and socket plates, by the way.

The people that think a clean garage is somehow less manly than a dirty one just crack me up.

 

[dink]

A garage is a garage.....the only thing is thats important is if the user is able to find this easily and safely...we all shouldnt look down on each other based on how our garage looks...tidy or dirty

 

[imported_banzaitoyota]

Who said anything about a "DIRTY" shop, If you have to shop at a boutique for your wall plates, something is wrong. Did you Flame the plates yourself? If So: Thats KEWL!!!! If you bought them from a botique catalog while wearing your VON ***** T-shirt and hat,wellll.......................


KENNETH HOWARD HATES YOU!


There alot to be said for invidualism and self expression in your shop, ordering it out of the catalog is like kissing your sister: It may feel good, but its not right!

 

[Luckydevil]

There alot to be said for invidualism and self expression in your shop, ordering it out of the catalog is like kissing your sister: It may feel good, but its not right!

Unless of course it is a step sister, then it is all gravy.

 

[TOMWELDS]

I would like to know what the sales pitch is for selling a switch plate for $30? Why?..lol...

TIP: If you choose to go with stainless plates, mount your outlets "ground prong UP". Reason: if the plate ever comes loose, it wont hit the 2 live prongs and short circuit. I actually saw this happen.

 

[vjquan]

ordering it out of the catalog is like kissing your sister: It may feel good, but its not right!

When does kissing your sister feel good?!?

 

[wythors]

You know, this is the first thread I've seen on this board with somebody putting other people down for their choice of what to do in their garage.

I knew it was too good to last.

 

[ranger_dood]

Unless of course it is a step sister, then it is all gravy.

A la "Cruel Intentions"

Tom- I've seen the aftermath of that happening, too. Scared the piss out of my brother and shut down half the room (this was at work)

 

[plw]

You guys should look at Alsa corp. Thay have some pretty amazing products. Look at their peel and stick laminates.

 

[imported_banzaitoyota]

Second cousins are still fair game ?

 

[TOMWELDS]

And the other one is when the breaker panel manufacturer gives you screws for the cover that are too long! Had one cut the main cable...BAM! Hate when that happens..L

 

[imported_banzaitoyota]

I hate wiring 10GA outlets, any tips from the pros; TOMWELDS?

 

[TOMWELDS]

You mean 10 gauge solid on a 120volt 15 or 20 amp receptacle? Or stranded?

 

[imported_banzaitoyota]

10GA Solid w/20A Back feed outlets

 

[TOMWELDS]

First, if by backfeed you mean just stick the wire in the hole and you're done, Thats a no no with #10. I dont like that method period. If it's with a pressure plate, check to see if it's rated for #10 on the box.

 

[bmwpower]

Carbon fiber looks nice, but for the price I'd take stainless. I just put in a bunch this weekend. They're only a couple of dollars per piece which isn't that bad.

 

[TOMWELDS]

S/S GFI covers are sharp....

For something different, try mixing colors. I like decora, gray outlet with a black cover..

 

[bmwpower]

S/S GFI covers are sharp....

I know. I cut myself on one this weekend. Be careful.

 

[nurenber]

Might be ok for a "gold-chainers" garage, but UDDERLY useless for a working shop where WORK is done; You know where you actually get grease on your hands and tools?

IMPO, Catologs like GRIOTS GARAGE cater to the "LOOK AT HOW MUCH $$$ I HAVE" crowd found at PCA, GoodGuys and Bloomington type events. You know the type, couldnt tell you how to replace a U-joint or adjust the valves on their car.

IMHO; I thought this site catered more to the DIY, make do with what you have/can scrounge type of crowd.

If you have to wrap the tires of the car BEFORE you can drive it into the shop; you may want the CF **** foisted at Jacked up prices at the cataloge, however I will enjoy WORKIN in my shop with the mismatched wall plates and stained concrete

If you read my original post, I said that I thought the price was too high and wondered if anyone had come across cheaper ones in their travels. I think you'll find lots of people have ordered things off for their garage online. That is what the forum is all about, trading information.

Second, I certainly don't have the skills to replace a U-Joint, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't want a nice looking garage. Besides, mine doesn't have the size for anything like that. But considering I have mine in place mostly for detailling, then yeah, I can have all the pretty switchplates I want. Believe it or not, not everyone may have the same goals for their garage as you. If you don't like this thread, look past it.