Professional looking front panels

[jackinnj]

reviewing a Christmas present -- "Hints and Kinks for the Radio Amateur" (listen up all you 20 yr old DIYr;s I get one of these every 5 or 8 years or so -- great tips!)

-- in the Construction and Maintenance Chapter there is a discussion of decals which can be printed with a Laser Printer or InkJet. Here are the links:

http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/768-5000
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/768-5020
http://www.beldecal.com/inkjet_decals.cfm
http://www.beldecal.com/laser_paper.html

 

[Hybrid fourdoor]

Interesting, I have some clear decal sheets I bought at a Scale Model store which are meant for printing on. I always wondered if they could be used to put labels on equipment.

I just worry about the durability...perhaps a clear coat over them...even mask the area off and just clear cloat the applique.

 

[lgreen]

Another option

Another option is to download the software, and then email your design here:

http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/

Its about $50-60 for a fully drilled and labeled front panel, cheaper for an amp panel that requires less in the way of holes and labels.

I've used them and the results are good, though its not as DIY as the methods above. Then again, its pretty neat to design your panel on the computer where you are not limited by the tools you have.

Here is a back panel that I had them make as I test it (the picture is low quality and the panel actually looks better than it appears).

An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.

 

[sam9]

Thanks for posting this. I had seen their adds but didn't get much of a feet for the quality. Looks like I will try it on my next enclosure.