custom trim rings for taillights

i have a set of jaguar xtype tails that im working into the back of my taco and instead of mounting them flush with the body i want to wrap them with a quarter inch trim ring. if i make a form out of wood will it be relatively easy for a novice metal shaper to make them? and what is the advantage of using brass over pot metal? can the brass be sheet or will it only work if its machined? thanks for any info you can give

hmmm I'm not to sure of the style tail light ur using so its kinda hard to see what ur going for. Making a form out of wood is the same thing as making a buck for u to make the metal part match to. Now Im curious as to are you making the trim ring out of brass or pot metal? Is that what ur asking? Stay away from the pot metal. Ive never worked with brass so I'm not to sure on the caracteristics. Depending on the design and look of the ring u could make it out of sheet metal and crome it or make it out of aluminum because its easier to work and thats what most trim rings are made of. There are many types of aluminums u can use and i'm problably only confusing you with this. But if you have a good metal worker in your area and the piece isnt to big Id take it to them and let them school you in working a piece.

Dont waste your time with brass or wood unless if you are planning on sanding and painting the rings. I would gather the dimensions of the rings you want and have somebody cnc you a set of billet ones. There are a few people on here who make custom billet parts plus alot of other companies that will work with you.

Another question I have is it your trying to make one offs or do these tailights have rings that came on that car? Travis idea is another good option because it sounds like ur just getting a start in doing a little bit of metal work.

If you wanna chrome em you can make em out of copper. Easy to form and great to chrome. A little more expensive material wise. Most of the big hot rod builder use it when making one off chrome for the sides of a project. A pic of them would help.

Edited: 10/16/2008 9:17:14 AM by bdydrp18