How to make a faceplate (no links sorry)

[TryingToDo613]

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Author  Comment  
xkaynex
Junior tube assistant
Posts: 14
(5/22/05 4:00 pm)
Reply  how or where to make a custom faceplate
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 Was wondering if anyone knows of a place online, or an easy method of labeling their own face plates.
 
PHATamps
I only work on tube amps
Posts: 478
(5/22/05 4:24 pm)
Reply  Re: how or where to make a custom faceplate
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 I use a local trophy shop or engraving house, but I've heard folks praise Bits-N-Pieces Laser Engraving.

Most of the places I've dealt with use Corel Draw or similar software, but they should be able to work with a simple sketch, for an extra set-up fee, of course.
 
wayneosdias
I will work on all amps
Posts: 377
(5/22/05 4:52 pm)
Reply  plates
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 There's a guy from this board -tho I havnt ween him in awhile- made me a faceplate, did a pretty good job. His name is Barry an his email is
bnwitt@hotmail.com
wayne
 
DPM309
Junior tube assistant
Posts: 25
(5/22/05 10:06 pm)
Reply  Re: how or where to make a custom faceplate
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 One method I use for face plates is to spray paint a blank face plate (usually aluminum) with black (or any dark color of choice) spray paint and then use a plastic lettering guide to scratch the letters and numbers in place, exposing the metal underneath. You will want to clamp down the material and use a straight edge to align the lettering guide properly. After that, apply several coats of clear coat to seal the work. This is a low cost alternate to having one made.

Dan
 
TryingToDo613
Junior tube assistant
Posts: 62
(5/23/05 12:06 am)
Reply  Re: how or where to make a custom faceplate
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 You can get water slip decals like the kind you use on models at www.smallbearelec.com/home.html

It actually took me three weeks to get orders from him.

I just ordered 20 sheets at half the price I even found on ebay:
www.papilio.com/inkjet%20...media.html

You can print them on your printer using any program that can drag a set of numbers into a circle and make the numbers around the knobs.

-613

Edited by: TryingToDo613 at: 5/23/05 12:38 am
 
gehicks
Senior tube assistant
Posts: 137
(5/23/05 12:41 am)
Reply  Re: how or where to make a custom faceplate
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 Yeah, with laser and inkjet printers commonplace it's pretty easy to do really good graphics in the privacy of one's own evil laboratory (the basement).

Since my laser printer only does 8.5x11 I just work out a divider line as a graphic element and do larger panels on two pages.

Once you get whatever graphic designed there are several options for placing it on a front panel. You can simply print on colored stock and cover it with a overlaminate.

You can even do your own silk-screens using this stuff: www.photoez.us

Screens can be used to etch as well as for painting...

Cheers,

Jerry.
 
LooseChange
I only work on Fender's
Posts: 578
(5/23/05 6:25 am)
Reply  Re: how or where to make a custom faceplate
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 I went down to the local UPS store and had them print my deign on this laser stuff in full COLOR. Red and blue letters are really cool!

Edited by: LooseChange at: 5/23/05 6:25 am
 
Craigzbrand
Senior tube assistant
Posts: 130
(5/23/05 9:33 am)
Reply  Re: how or where to make a custom faceplate
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 I do graphics in MS Picture-It, then take it over to the local copy shop and have them run it on 11x17 photo paper. I can get three plates per sheet. Then I sandwich that between the chassis and plexiglass. Sort of a hassle, but super cheap, and looks professionally done. Craig Barnett
 
LooseChange
I only work on Fender's
Posts: 579
(5/23/05 5:16 pm)
Reply  Re: how or where to make a custom faceplate
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 Craig,
Do you have a picture of one of those faceplated??
LC
 
TryingToDo613
Junior tube assistant
Posts: 67
(5/24/05 8:32 am)
Reply  Re: how or where to make a custom faceplate
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 Yea, I'd like to see that too. You must use thin plexi. Where do you get it? -613
 
Craigzbrand
Senior tube assistant
Posts: 131
(5/24/05 11:33 am)
Reply  Re: how or where to make a custom faceplate
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 I just use regular plexi material, I guess a little less than a 1/8" thick?

www.freewebs.com/craigara...Gchass.jpg

www.freewebs.com/craigara.../STtop.jpg


 
TryingToDo613
Junior tube assistant
Posts: 68
(5/24/05 12:42 pm)
Reply  Re: how or where to make a custom faceplate
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 That is absolutely amazing. Thanks very much for posting those. -613
 
LooseChange
I only work on Fender's
Posts: 581
(5/24/05 4:23 pm)
Reply  Re: how or where to make a custom faceplate
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 Craig! Beautious.
 
wayneosdias
I will work on all amps
Posts: 381
(5/24/05 7:29 pm)
Reply  plexi
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 Craig

How did you cut and drill the plexi? I got some of different thicknesses from Mcmaster and have had trouble w/cracking and chipping during drilling and cutting. Ive tried scribing and using a laminate blade w/my tablesaw, no good. Any Ideas?

wayne
 
bnwitt
I only work on Fender's
Posts: 627
(5/24/05 9:11 pm)
Reply  Re: plexi
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 Wayne,
I got out of the plate making business, but I do have a butt load of Gold reversed etched plexi Marshall 18 Watt plates if anyone is interested. As far as drilling plexi, just google "plastic drill bits" and you'll get a plethora of sites with the proper bits for drilling plexi without chipping or cracking.
Barry
 
wayneosdias
I will work on all amps
Posts: 383
(5/25/05 10:18 am)
Reply  Barry
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 Hey Barry

Good to here from you, thanks for the tip.

wayne
 
Craigzbrand
Senior tube assistant
Posts: 136
(5/26/05 12:20 pm)
Reply  Re: cracking/chipping
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 Hi, I use a "fine metal" blade in my jigsaw for cutting. Use a slower speed, and it'll cut through like butter. Also, make sure you leave the protective plastic on both sides so you don't scratch up the plexi with the saw guide.

Then for drilling, make your center marks and use a small bit to make pilot holes - let the drill bit make the hole, don't push. (put the plexi on top of a piece of scrap wood when drilling these holes so it remains flat.)

Then take the panel and the pre-drilled chassis and visually line up the pilot holes to the center of the full-size holes in the chassis, and hold the two together. Using a unibit, and starting with the hole that's nearest the center of the panel, drill out the first pilot hole to the correct size. Insert the component that belongs in that hole, and tighten it down (not too tight!) Then repeat the process for all the holes, working from the center of the panel outwards to avoid any buckling, and fastening each component in the hole it belongs in as you go. If your pilot holes are slightly off center as you go, don't worry - you can usually pull the drill to one side or the other with the unibit, and as it makes the last step, the chassis will act like a guide and it'll line up. To avoid hairline cracks, you want the chassis and plexi holes to be the same size so when you fasten the components, there is no stress on the plastic.

For me, the hardest part is cutting the little holes in the photo paper without the exact-o slipping. CraigB

Edited by: Craigzbrand at: 5/26/05 12:27 pm
 
TryingToDo613
Junior tube assistant
Posts: 85
(5/26/05 9:50 pm)
Reply  Re: cracking/chipping
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 Try these for your paper holes:
www.harborfreight.com/cpi...umber=6770

or even these:
www.harborfreight.com/cpi...umber=3838

or for the cheapies:
www.harborfreight.com/cpi...umber=2580

Edited by: TryingToDo613 at: 5/26/05 9:53 pm
 
 
 

  

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