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Step 8Add the Finishing Touches
1: Make a panel for the back of the meters.
Place a sheet of paper behind the needles of the meters and mark the zero point of each. Then trace the back plates that shipped with the meters onto the paper. I used a typewritter to type the numbers onto the paper and a fine tipped pen to darken the lines.
Once the paper is complete making a copy is a good way to ensure that you have a back up if you need it.
To age the paper steep a black tea bag and then dab the paper with it. Wipe up the excess water with a paper towel and allow it to dry. Thick paper will tend to curl so it is wise to place it on a flat surface and put some heavy books on it.
2: Stain the Wood
I used a dark stain because I felt it matched well with the brass fittings. If you can I highly suggest staining the case before assembly. This will make the task much more simple.
3: Assemble the Case:
Tack a piece of plywood into the rabbit cut in the bottom of the case and attach the front panel with two brass hinges.
Attach the paper with some spray adhesive. This works well because it covers the area evenly. If you use another kind of glue make sure to spread it completly to avoid lumps. Spray adhesive drys very quickly so after you spray the paper, don't spray the wood as the glue might damage the meters, immediately place it on the wood and flatten it with a ruler or paint scraper.
Place a sheet of paper behind the needles of the meters and mark the zero point of each. Then trace the back plates that shipped with the meters onto the paper. I used a typewritter to type the numbers onto the paper and a fine tipped pen to darken the lines.
Once the paper is complete making a copy is a good way to ensure that you have a back up if you need it.
To age the paper steep a black tea bag and then dab the paper with it. Wipe up the excess water with a paper towel and allow it to dry. Thick paper will tend to curl so it is wise to place it on a flat surface and put some heavy books on it.
2: Stain the Wood
I used a dark stain because I felt it matched well with the brass fittings. If you can I highly suggest staining the case before assembly. This will make the task much more simple.
3: Assemble the Case:
Tack a piece of plywood into the rabbit cut in the bottom of the case and attach the front panel with two brass hinges.
Attach the paper with some spray adhesive. This works well because it covers the area evenly. If you use another kind of glue make sure to spread it completly to avoid lumps. Spray adhesive drys very quickly so after you spray the paper, don't spray the wood as the glue might damage the meters, immediately place it on the wood and flatten it with a ruler or paint scraper.
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Oct 10, 2009. 8:43 PMDougBishop
says:
beautiful project just an old mans thought When you attach a wire to a mount tab with a screw, like on a switch, you should twist the wire together and solder the end with just enough solder to "tin" the end and hold all the strands together. This will prevent a loose strand from straying into a position where it should not go, the possibility of the magic smoke being released from the wires is greatly reduced.
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2
Oct 12, 2009. 3:18 PMpribich (author)
says:
That's an excelent thought. In some of the tight areas, such as the connectors on the meters I did tin the wires with a bit of solder. I also always twist the strands tightly and wrap the wire clockwise so it binds together when I tighten down the screw or nut.
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61
Oct 9, 2009. 3:10 PM
knife141
says:
knife141
says:
Nice project. Well executed, and it has nice style. I REALLY LIKE your wide carriage typewriter!!
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2
Oct 9, 2009. 5:16 PMpribich (author)
says:
Thanks for your kind words. The typewriter is one of my favorites. I'm always looking for an excuse to bust it out.
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