7/3/09
Distributor Labels

We have had an unbelievable amount of rain here in the Northeastern U.S. and I was looking for a good project to do on a rainy afternoon. My distributors were missing the number labels, and I even had points deducted for this error at the National FCA show in 2007. Although I feel my car’s show days are probably over simply because I’d rather drive than than show it, making these little labels was something I could do in the garage that would not get too involved….

I printed the numbers that Kerry Chesbro has on his website on some self sticking label paper. I covered the labels with some packing tape to give the labels a clear plastic cover and I started to look at how I was going to punch out the little circles. I have a gasket punch set, but the smallest punch was 1/4 inch wide, and too big for my labels. I found  the right size was 7/32nd of an inch, so I decided to make a custom punch.

I chucked up some 1/4 tubing in my lathe and tried to see if I could make one with what was readily available in my shop. Using this tool as a punch would wear the tool out too quickly, so I decided to use it as a drill bit and cut the holes on the drill press. After a couple of holes, I soon realized the tubing was not durable enough to withstand the heat from the drilling, and would wear the tip out. I needed to make a tool out of stronger and thicker material.

I found some thicker steel tubing and turned the inside and outside diameter to precisely what I needed. The tool was drilled all the way through so I could push out the labels once they were cut out.

After cutting out a few of each number, I picked out the ones that were centered the best.

The new labels look a little bright, but hopefully will yellow with age and oil vapors that’s always present in a Vintage Ferrari engine compartment!

Just a reminder, I’m looking for a new Vintage Ferrari Project. If you have, or know of a restoration project, please let me know. It would be great to restore another car on this website! My E-mail.

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