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Metal Control Panels - Replica/Blank - Anywhere to buy?
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lharles:

--- Quote from: Animeka on July 06, 2006, 12:34:58 pm ---If you have the original panel, bring it to a metal shop, they can make you a new one for cheap. You'll have to drill your holes afterwards (or have them make it if they can/want).

I had two panels made for mine (you can see it @ www.animeka.net) and it cost me 20$ for the two of them I think. That's in CDN$ even ;)

Brought my 2nd panel in today to the metal shop to have them cut the holes for my trackball and buttons...

Marc

--- End quote ---

Marc,

This may sound like a dumb question, (which makes sense, since I'm a dummy), but how exactly do you tell them what you want them to make?  :)

I mean, do you just bring in the panel and say:

"Make me one of these...without the holes."

...or what?  :)

Thanks,

Lharles
Stingray:

--- Quote ---I mean, do you just bring in the panel and say: "Make me one of these...without the holes."

Should I map out where I want the holes for the buttons/joysticks to be so that they can do the cutting or should I do that myself?
--- End quote ---

Yes, just bring it in and tell the guy what you want. He works with sheet metal all day, he'll know what he's doing. A few minutes of discussion should bring him up to speed on what you want. Have him punch the holes for you too unless you have a sheet metal punch of the correct size. Check the yellow pages under "sheet metal" if you don't know of anyone to take it to.


--- Quote ---When you talk about doin' the 'plug the holes' thing, did you use something similar to 'Bondo'?  If so, will it stand up to the pushing and pulling that comes along with a joystick being mounted through it?
--- End quote ---

As far as plugging the holes go, I'm sure he welded up the holes and then used some type of filler, that's how I would have done it. No, body filler would not be strong enough to fill a hole the size of a push button hole and stand up to even light use.

-S
neopolss:
You are exactly right.  Weld fills for the hole makes it almost new.  If you do not have access to a welder though, sheet metal to the rear hole with JB weld and fill the remainder with Loctite epoxy.  That should withstand all but the harshest treatment.  It is less of a worry if you plan to incorporate plexi into the CP though.  It adds a good buffer, and unlike the CP, is much easier to replace when it gets filthy.
lharles:

--- Quote from: Stingray on July 06, 2006, 01:44:25 pm ---
--- Quote ---I mean, do you just bring in the panel and say: "Make me one of these...without the holes."

Should I map out where I want the holes for the buttons/joysticks to be so that they can do the cutting or should I do that myself?
--- End quote ---

Yes, just bring it in and tell the guy what you want. He works with sheet metal all day, he'll know what he's doing. A few minutes of discussion should bring him up to speed on what you want. Have him punch the holes for you too unless you have a sheet metal punch of the correct size. Check the yellow pages under "sheet metal" if you don't know of anyone to take it to.

--- End quote ---

Thanks!  :)

Any ideas on what a reasonable cost for this sort of thing would be?  If it's gonna' be hundreds of $$...I'm thinkin' I'll just have to try somethin' else...


--- Quote from: neopolss on July 06, 2006, 02:34:59 pm ---You are exactly right.  Weld fills for the hole makes it almost new.  If you do not have access to a welder though, sheet metal to the rear hole with JB weld and fill the remainder with Loctite epoxy.  That should withstand all but the harshest treatment.  It is less of a worry if you plan to incorporate plexi into the CP though.  It adds a good buffer, and unlike the CP, is much easier to replace when it gets filthy.

--- End quote ---

I don't have access to a welder.

Is JB weld some sort of compound? {I'm sure a web-search would turn up this info but I've gotta' run for a bit...}

Thanks for the help so far!  :)

Lharles
Stingray:
You can buy JBWeld at any auto supply place. You might even be able to get it at Wal-Mart. It's a two part adhesive and I agree that it will hold just fine for this application, it's incredibly strong.

-S
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