FYI you CF-28 users and re-sellers

I was having problems with water getting under the keyboard bezel where the transmissive sensor would otherwise go...you know that hole in the bezel? Ive seen a few machines with significant corrosion under there. Anyway, I went down to the hardware store and found 3/16" nylon cap plugs and popped one in...works well.

 

Looks good. Does the two tone gold/silver paint job come with a pimp hat?

(Just kidding, looks good).

Good to know about the plug too. I haven't had that problem yet on mine, but my seal around the sensor is still in good shape.

 

That two tone is just the lighting...ya it does look pimp! I dont think the bezel is magnesium; I think it is stainless steel. I removed the paint, brushed it and it has never changed in appearance. If its not stainless it behaves like it. To heavy to be aluminum.

 

I went to Lowes & Home Depot but I couldnt find them, they didnt have the right size. I will try a mom & pop shop tomorrow.

 

Are you sure its SS? The one for the 600 I'm pretty sure is Al, (and pretty flimsy), they beefed it up considerably for the 800 and 1000. i was thinking it was just heavier gage Al but who knows, might be a steel alloy

 

There are 2 different covers but they're they same material. I've never been sure what material but if I had to guess, I'd call it Al.

 

I'd guess a similar magnesium-aluminum alloy to that which the case is cast from. Mag-Al alloy was first used for wheels because of its inherent corrosion resistance; much better than either metal alone.

mnem
Burnout heaven; Halibrand Mags and a 427...

 

A magnet will stick to the heavier one so there is some steel in it maybe a nickel steel aloy?

 

*Looks at the lower removed bezel from his Mk3*

You know, I think you're right kusa; mine is way too heavy to be aluminum, plus it's harder than my X-Acto knife blade, so it's not aluminum alloy of any sort. A magnet only sticks to areas of the piece that have been extruded; this is a behavior of some types of stainless steel. The die stamping process forces the normally randomized molecules to align in those areas, making them magnetic, while other areas of the metal remain non-magnetic or only slightly magnetic.

Neato-keen-o. Another bit of high tech in my TB.

Stainless steel has another remarkable property, best used in the kitchen. I has the ability to release the odor causing molecules of onion from your hands. If you don't believe me, wash your hands as you normally would, then wash them again while rubbing a stainless steel butter knife or spoon between your hands under running water.

mnem
Well, thank you Mr Lizard...

 

If you dont find 3/16"... 1/8" will work but you need to slice out a section of the vertical shaft (leave the tabs). Then add a very short slit around the base of the button so that the shaft can roll in a little. You are essentially diminishing the diameter of the plugs shaft. Once you have it fed through the bezel hole flare out the shaft and a dot of silicone will hold it in place and provide an extra seal.

 

kusa - did you mean to start with 1/4" and make it fit? Since 1/8" is smaller than 3/16"...

Although... if you use the smaller 1/8", you could just heat up the post sticking through the bottom of the bezel with a lighter and mash the melty plastic with the back end of a pen.

mnem
Oooooh... melty plastic "other-things-besides-GI-Joes"

 

Mnem,

Oops! Start with the 1/8" and cut it down. The hole in the bezel is 3/32"... I have not been able to find anymore 3/32". Sorry about the confusion. I guess another option would be to drill the hole to 1/8 and the plug will fit without mod. I hate to change the hole diameter if the next owner wants to put a sensor in.

TB turned me on to using Shoe Goo for the rubber feet and thats what I decided to use to hold the plug more secure and create a water tight seal. Melting the post makes perfect sense as well...less messy than silicone or goo. Good idea!