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Step 7Making the front panel
To make the front panel you well need
- some 1/8" Plexiglas
- graph paper
- pencil and ruler
- tape
- drill and 5/32" drill
- metal strait edge
- utility knife
1) Start by cutting the Plexiglas to size, the easiest way to do this it to use a strait edge and knife to score the Plexiglas and then to break it by firmly holding it over a sharp edge and snapping off the excess. If you are mounting the panel on top of the box make the panel 8" by 9", if you are mounting it inside of the box like I am cut the panel to 7" by 8".
2) Next you well need to figure out who you well want to have the panel laid out. To do this you well need to collect all of your parts so that you know who big things are and how they well have to be in relationship to everything else.
3) Next take your graph paper and draw a full size representation of the panel on the graph paper and use your parts as a guide to figure out where all of the holes well need to be drilled to accommodate everything. The only two measurements that are already determined are that the holes for mounting the coil have to be 3-1/2" apart and that for the tap switch you well need 9 evenly spaced holes around a center hole with a radius of 1-1/4". It also helps to have the coil and tap switch close together making it easier to wire the two together and keep the wires short.
4) Now make a photocopy of your plan and tape it to the front of the panel and use it as a guide to drill the holes in the panel. Note: Plexiglas can be tricky to drill, don't run your drill at too high of speed as it well melt the plastic to much and also don't use too much downward force when drilling as that well cause cracking. It is also a good idea to practice on a small scrap before hand so you can get an idea of what works the best.
5) After all the holes have been drilled you can paint the panel if you want, you can also leave it clear if you want to see the insides of the radio which is cool. Start by taking some fine sandpaper or a Scotchbrite pad and scuffing up the surface to be painted. Once the surface is evenly scuffed up clean it with dish soap and dry it thoroughly.
6) Paint the panel, I am using black spray enamel.
- some 1/8" Plexiglas
- graph paper
- pencil and ruler
- tape
- drill and 5/32" drill
- metal strait edge
- utility knife
1) Start by cutting the Plexiglas to size, the easiest way to do this it to use a strait edge and knife to score the Plexiglas and then to break it by firmly holding it over a sharp edge and snapping off the excess. If you are mounting the panel on top of the box make the panel 8" by 9", if you are mounting it inside of the box like I am cut the panel to 7" by 8".
2) Next you well need to figure out who you well want to have the panel laid out. To do this you well need to collect all of your parts so that you know who big things are and how they well have to be in relationship to everything else.
3) Next take your graph paper and draw a full size representation of the panel on the graph paper and use your parts as a guide to figure out where all of the holes well need to be drilled to accommodate everything. The only two measurements that are already determined are that the holes for mounting the coil have to be 3-1/2" apart and that for the tap switch you well need 9 evenly spaced holes around a center hole with a radius of 1-1/4". It also helps to have the coil and tap switch close together making it easier to wire the two together and keep the wires short.
4) Now make a photocopy of your plan and tape it to the front of the panel and use it as a guide to drill the holes in the panel. Note: Plexiglas can be tricky to drill, don't run your drill at too high of speed as it well melt the plastic to much and also don't use too much downward force when drilling as that well cause cracking. It is also a good idea to practice on a small scrap before hand so you can get an idea of what works the best.
5) After all the holes have been drilled you can paint the panel if you want, you can also leave it clear if you want to see the insides of the radio which is cool. Start by taking some fine sandpaper or a Scotchbrite pad and scuffing up the surface to be painted. Once the surface is evenly scuffed up clean it with dish soap and dry it thoroughly.
6) Paint the panel, I am using black spray enamel.
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May 10, 2008. 3:46 AMscooter750
says:
I used plexiglas for a reproduction radio panel once, but sprayed the back of the panel black. This made the front finish very smooth and shiny black, but scratch-proof - more like bakelite. I used white letters on black labelling tape for the control lettering.
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13
May 10, 2008. 8:00 PMOhm (author)
says:
Yeah I realized that I should have done it that way after I had already painted the front of the panel. Oh well I well remember that next time.
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1
Feb 19, 2008. 1:25 PMsupercoolio
says:
The holes in the top of the box looked like an upside down smile!!!
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