CA (WTB) Buddy Bucket console braces/brackets

[CKfan]

WTB original Buddy Bucket center console frame to console brackets/holders. The ones shown in the photo (Mel's picture). I need three of them but one or two would help.


Nobody I have found is making re-pops (but please send link if you have).
No, I don't want to "just fab one"
No, electrical conduit holders won't work.

Thanks.

[CKfan]

ttt

[pjmoreland]

You could have a machine/fab shop make you some brackets. I measured the dimensions of one from my seat and created a detail drawing.

[CKfan]

Thanks! That looks really good, nice work.

I would have thought just bending some flat stock into this shape would have been easy......nope!

I took my original to several Fabrication shops in Camarillo and Oxnard.

One said they don't do anything but high end items.

The second had three of their guys look at it and said we don't have the tooling to make the rounded bend but could make a special "die." It would be very expensive, several hundred dollars. They did add that they could weld two pieces together, also very expensive.

The third said why don't you just use a conduit strap and told me they weren't interested even if I wanted a large batch.

Went to a metal shop that makes wrought iron furniture and asked if they could bend some flat stock into this shape.......nope!

I made a couple of my own attempts in the past but just couldn't get them to look right by welding them, although they fit. Examples shown in picture.

I will take your drawings to some new places (if I can find any) and see what happens.

Still hoping to buy some originals as this small project is costing me dearly in time and energy.

Yes I have Googled 1" OD tubing half clamps and bought some. On-line fastener companies like Fasteners Plus, Alabama Industrial, etc. Bought a few for 1" diameter pipe (Buddy Seat frames are 1" OD). Fasteners I have received were either too thin, too wide or just looked cheap. All need the holes modified for console adjustment.

Besides the high shipping costs most are in bags of 50 or more. Get expensive and frustrating quick.

[pjmoreland]

I contacted a shop we use at work for sheet metal parts, and they declined to bid on it. This is a tricky one.

[CKfan]

I appreciate the effort. Such a simple thing and yet so difficult.

[HWY-STAR]

I would try a home depote or another store that sells electical supplies.
The clamps are shaped identical to conduant clamps and maybe some
Plumbing pipe clamps.
Just thought it may be worth a try.
Good luck.

[CKfan]

ttt
Looking for OEM or NOS parts

[CKfan]

ttt

[CKfan]

Good news to report.

Although I did not find any OEM clamps or have luck getting any made, I did finally (after lots of bad tries) order and receive clamps that fit perfectly. They did not look like the picture which I ordered from (twice as wide). Upon receipt and inspection, no drilling or manipulating the holes was required.
Exact fit on all four holes. Clamps are about the same thickness as originals and generally the same shape except they are twice as wide which IMO is a good thing. They clamp down the same as OEM and are rigid.
If you can get past the fact they don't look OEM correct, these are the way to go in my opinion.

Good luck out there.