Front Panels

[iceowl]

Ok - so there's downloading the .fpe file and sending $275 US off to Front Panel Express to get the Sound Lab Plus panel fabbed that's available on Ray's site.

Then there's doing intelligent data organization on the text layer, and getting the same panel done by FPE for substantially less as noted in the EM threads.

And finally, there's losing one's mind and going out and getting a drill press and some laser print text foil and doing the whole thing DIY.

So, say one was to take option #3, DIY - where would one find a good on-line source for stock aluminum to make a panel from. Specifically, I'm thinking of the textured panels that one would get from Synthtech or Brideschamber for modules they support.

Anyone can help?

Cheers,

Joe

[alder]

you could go cheap - plexiglas panel in old speaker box

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[glacial23]

[iceowl]

I figured for the price of 2-3 smallish panels from Front Panel Express, I could buy a drill press. Indeed, in the U.S. with Amazon.com Prime I didn't have to pay tax or shipping. And they delivered overnight. So now I have the drill press.

I even have a micro mill (Sherline - non-CNC) back from the days when I was machining parts for antique pocket watches.

I just don't know where to get the anodized (black) aluminum stock from.

If anyone has a pointer to purveyors of stock aluminum front panel sheets, I'd be much obliged for it....

Cheers,
Joe

[LetterBeacon]

Unfortunately I think most people get their anodized aluminium from Schaeffer. You can buy painted aluminium panels from bridechamber.com, but they're only sized for individual synth modules.

[factus10]

You can order aluminum sheet in any size you like from Online Metals. You'll probably want 6061 sheet:
http://www.onlinemetals.com/merchant.cfm?id=76&step=2&top_cat=60

Paia's panels are .125" thick. Go to the section for custom cut and plug in the dimensions.

Of course, you'll have to drill it yourself.

As for paint, you have a couple of options. There's rattlecan from HomeLowesAceDepotHardware. I've done that with one panel; I painted it with primer first.

You can get them powdercoated locally. Look for the people who work on motorcycles; someone usually knows a powercoater in that circle.

You can anodize them yourself. Not particularly difficult, just requires a crapload of equipment.

If you're going to drill them yourself, get a center punch and a stepped bit. You won't regret it.

[Adam-V]

If you decide to go along the anodizing route, it is probably best to drill the panel before you anodise it. That way you don't run the risk of accidentally scratching the finish whilst you work on it.

Cheers,
Adam-V

[iceowl]

Thanks all. I just ordered 5 5U by 2U panels from Metals on line in the composition suggested above. We'll now see how well I might succeed at fabbing my own panels before I give up, put the drill press on Craig's list, and order from LPE...

[iceowl]

One other thing I will try - just hit me - that is why don't I try buying a panel of the appropriate dimension from Front Panel Express with no holes drilled or engraving. Just the anodized black panel. Turns out the panel on Ray's page, with all engraving and holes ignored but anodized black is about $40 US. I may try that.

For reference, a 5U by 2U (minus a bit for "slop") 6061T 0.125 width aluminum sheet from Metals On Line is only a couple dollars. Five of them plus shipping is running me about $37, but they're not anodized so I'll have to paint or powdercoat them somehow.

I wonder, has anyone tried fitting a Sound Lab or Sound Lab Plus into a 5U height MOTM format panel?

Cheers,
Joe

[RF]

Not to talk anyone out of what they want to do - I mean, it's DIY, we can do whatever we feel like....but..

For $40 I can pretty much build another module. I'd be hard pressed to spend that for a blank aluminum (even anodized) panel.

I get my 1/8 inch aluminium panels for about a buck each cut to size.
Granted, mine are not even close to commercial quality panels - but if I wanted to spend time going for that I've seen some decals that look pretty nice (laser-tran?)

Dang I'm cheap.

bruce

[iceowl]

True, $40 for a blank black panel is steep. I could make 3 Thomas Henry Platinum Power Supply modules for that much.

I was able to get 5 5Ux2U blanks including shipping for less than that from Metal On Line ($37 total - including shipping to California).

I am investigating a supplier local to me: Metal Supermarket.
They still haven't quoted me a price, but I asked for 5 5U x 2U panels. Cost for just blank aluminum, cost for anodized black, cost for black powder coating.
I'll let you know what they quote.
Cheers,
Joe

[pcp2020]

Hi, I dont know much about anything so I dont pipe up too much on this site but one thing I do know about is being cheap and super DIY. I dont want to shell out money for anything. This is what I do for my panels, I dont advocate stealing AT ALL, but street sign stock is usually aluminum and is a perfect 1/16 inch so its easy to work with (you can find them also at yard sales and thrift stores). To get the paint off I use a pnuematic sander but an electric would do well. Also (I dont know how it works in the UK or elsewhere) I got friendly with the guys down at my local city maintenence facility. they usually have a sign shop to make signs for ball fields and the like. go ask them, buy them some coffee or beers and they would be happy to give up some unpainted sign stock. a couple panels of those will go a long way. I dont get the black anodized but polished aluminum looks nice too. if i do want the black, I cut up the covers to old VCRs or tape decks or DVD players that I find in the garbage. they work well and also I reuse the components inside. I just made a power supply for free using parts out of an old amplifier. I have access to a shop so cutting isnt an issue for me. the way I would do it otherwise is either A) find somebody with a band saw or B) go to sears or home depot and get a high speed drill and also get a cut off wheel and bit. it will take some practice to get straight lines but I have done this in a pinch. heres some pics to get and idea of the results

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[rjd2]

[pcp2020]

Heres an example of a WSG I recently made. the black panel was from the top of a DVD player. its made of steel but its strong and thin enough to drill through without issue.

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[RF]

[philpeery]

Here's what I am thinking of doing:

sheet alumimum from onlinemetals.com. They cut to your size specifications. Since I don't have easy access to a metal sheer, this is great.

DIY powder coating using the Eastwood.com deluxe kit #10112. I've done some powder coating a few years ago, now that the textured finishes in black are available, I am there! Plus there is a wide range of other colors too. And it IS something that you can DIY!

panel labeling might either be silk screening (did a LOT of that in high school), or maybe the decalpro system from Pulsarprofx.com. I use their pcb system, it works great!

Will post results once I get going. Hopefully in the next 3-4 weeks...

[Wizard Mike]

Hey guys, I've been reading a lot of the posts but this will be my first response. I know the aluminum front panel will look awesome once it is done. Personally though I really love what you can do with plexi. I know it's already been discussed but here is my example of what can be done with it. This is a piece I was commissioned to build for Daniel Howie of the band Sugar Glyder. I recommended the WSG or the Sound-Lab but he decided he liked the chirps of the TriWave-Atoner combo.

[RF]

Great Job WizMike! I really like the backlit panel.

bruce

[Wizard Mike]

Thank you The were kinda added as an after thought. I think it will look good on stage.