[Fourlanders] FW: [Mw] Professional looking project front-panels...?

[Jim Worsham]

Most of us have heard of the PCB Express service.  See below for another one
for front panels.

73
Jim, W4KXY

-----Original Message-----
From: microwave-bounces at lists.valinet.com
[mailto:microwave-bounces at lists.valinet.com] On Behalf Of
n1jez at burlingtontelecom.net
Sent: Friday, February 18, 2011 8:47 AM
To: Michael Baker; microwave at lists.valinet.com
Subject: Re: [Mw] Professional looking project front-panels...?

http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/


73,
Mike, N1JEZ
"A closed mouth gathers no feet"
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Michael Baker 
  To: microwave at lists.valinet.com 
  Sent: Friday, February 18, 2011 8:38 AM
  Subject: [Mw] Professional looking project front-panels...?


  Hello, Microwavers--

  Any suggestions for creating professional looking
  front panels for home-brew projects?

  My current process turns out well enough to rival
  commercial gear but the process is just too labor
  intensive and painstaking and I am looking for a
  better way to go.  

  I have been buying factory boxes and hand
  nibbling and drilling for panel mounted components.
  Then, I sand-blast the surface with a bench-top
  sand-blaster.  This is followed by spraying the
  surface with a coat of pale metallic-blue
  (satin-finish) epoxy.

  After curing the epoxy for an hour or so at 150F
  I spend the next couple of hours painstakingly applying
  rub-on transfer lettering-- professional looking alignment
  and spacing is a real chore!  This is followed by
  a final coat of clear (orange-peel finish) epoxy.

  The result can only be identified as home-brew by
  really careful examination, but the efforts needed
  to get it "just-right" are too great.

  I am looking for an easier way.  Suggestions?


  Thanks!

  Mike Baker
  WA4HFR
  Micanopy/Gainesville, FL
  ----------------------------



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