custom control panels

[fossilshark]

Hi all, I have been spending alot of time trying to find the easiest way to look professional looking control panels without a lazer engraver.

How do you guys go about doing this?

[kagliostro]

https://www.wikihow.com/Acid-Etch-Steel

To draw the faceplate many people use inkscape (it is a good program and is free)

Franco

[acheld]

Every amp builder has their own take on this, and there is not a single answer.   It really depends on what you want your faceplate to look like, and how much you're willing to spend.

I confess that (all) the home brew methods I've tried usually come up short of perfection.   

For a demo or experiment type of build, where looks are not important, I have a Brother label maker that works great.    I've printed decals that "work" but frankly my crafting skills seem deficient in that department.  I've had Fedex print faceplates on fancy paper that I've then laminated, or placed under acrylic.  All ok, but . . .

For a project that must be top of the class, FrontPanelExpress is worth the cost -- but boy oh boy have they become more expensive over the past two years it seems.   

One thing about FrontPanelExpress is that I now use their "free" software to produce design drawings of chassis cutout templates - it's really accurate.

Since I don't build many stock amps, the pre-made silk-screened face plates rarely work for me, but they can be cost effective and look good. There's a guy in Thailand that sells a lot of them (and chassis's) and folks are happy on the internets with his products -- http://www.solandfa.com/about_us.asp.

[kagliostro]

This last times there are on the market some interesting low price laser engravers that can print on inox


But you must buy one and learn to menage it ........


Franco

[acheld]

You know, I was just looking at a Shaper Origin -- it does everything I would ever need and more.  It's basically a CNC router that does not need a positioning motor or a dedicated bed. 

But -- and there is always a but, of course -- I can't justify the cost for my hobby.   

If I were trying to make $ building high end boutique amps, it would be well worth the expense.

[PRR]

Another path is to visit a Sign Shop with your graphic (or a similar example). They can put about anything on sheets of plastic or metal. We went to one just to get the van windows tinted, but they had the machines and stock to cut or print any shape. An office size sign in a specific color by tomorrow will pay full price, but they may have scraps of fun colors which would suit you.

[RoadShow]

For a project that must be top of the class, FrontPanelExpress is worth the cost -- but boy oh boy have they become more expensive over the past two years it seems.   

This sounds interesting.  Do you know ballpark what say a JTM45 front panel price would be?

[kagliostro]

Unfortunately this is on this side of the pond

https://www.tube-town.net/ttstore/custom-shop-faceplate-standard.html?language=en

https://www.tube-town.net/ttstore/faceplate-for-tt-kit-jtm45.html

Franco

[RoadShow]

Unfortunately this is on this side of the pond

https://www.tube-town.net/ttstore/custom-shop-faceplate-standard.html?language=en

https://www.tube-town.net/ttstore/faceplate-for-tt-kit-jtm45.html

Franco

Wow, that's $32 US for front and back.  If they're quality, that's a steal.

Almost makes me want to buy all 4 and build JTMs.  Nah....

[kagliostro]

I don't know how good is the 32$ price compared to the USA market

Wich can be a medium price on your side of the pond ?

Franco

[RoadShow]

I don't know how good is the 32$ price compared to the USA market

Wich can be a medium price on your side of the pond ?

Franco

$50 for the pair at Valvestorm or Mojotone...

[dwinstonwood]

Check around for local schools, colleges and public libraries that have "Maker Spaces." In addition to the more popular 3D printers, they usually have laser engravers.

Inventables has good prices on laserable acrylic sheets:

https://www.inventables.com/products/brushed-gold-on-black-laserable-acrylic-sheet?variant=41033541976121

You can get a few faceplates out of one 12" x 24" sheet.

Inkscape is an free, open source version of Illustrator. I've made several faceplates using Inkscape and the Inventables acrylic.

[dogburn]

You have a great suggestion there, and it happens that I have access to such a space. Now I've just got to track down some anodized aluminum in the right size to make the face plate I need.

Check around for local schools, colleges and public libraries that have "Maker Spaces." In addition to the more popular 3D printers, they usually have laser engravers.

[zircontweezer]

I'm in Australia and I use the trophy shop guy and his laser/cnc? I make up the design in Inkscape and he cuts them in traffolyte which is plastic. Black top white underneath. I put 10mm circles where I'll drill out pots or plugs and use a step drill to cut the plastic where needed or a hacksaw blade where it's square. Works well and costs me about 20AUD for each.