looking for tips labeling Volume, Selector, On/Off on front panel

[gregas]

Hey Guys,


I'm building a tube preamp. The chassis will be bent aluminum with wood sides.

What's a nice and professional looking way to do the text on the front
face plate for Volume, On/Off , Selector inputs etc.?

 

[rayma]

Laser etching, and milled engraving (which can be filled).

 

[Mark Tillotson]

You need anodized finish to be able to laser-etch aluminium (unless you've access to a fibre-laser!)


There's also chemical etching, and transparent printed decals.

 

[gregas]

Thanks for the suggestions. I forgot to mention that the aluminum will be painted
White. So it would have to work on polyurethane paint, whatever the process would be.

 

[Milsdrewbulch]

Letraset and a clear coat.

 

[dangus]

Trophy shops have CNC engraving machines. Either engrave the panel directly (risky) or have them make label plates from brass or aluminum.

 

[Mark Tillotson]

Letraset and a clear coat.

To me that would appear dated by modern standards.

 

[audio king]

If you can provide clear,accurately dimensioned artwork,any trophy shop can run you off a faceplate,usually CNC laser engraved these days. And there are lots of material choices available too.

I still use one of these,an old manual Scott,and dated be damned!
You would be surprised at how sophisticated a control panel you can make with one of these,if you know your way around the machine.Hiwatt is a good example: (web pics)