Control panel... can you use aluminum?

[boogieman]

I have one of those control panesl made of a wood frame covered with metal, then the cpo then lexan...

Can I use aluminum instead of steel?  Just wondering if it is very durable?  I would imagine it would be fine but just wanted a second opinion.  Aluminum would be much easier to cut the holes and such in.

[rackoon]

Sure it would work if it was thick enough. I was going to use it but the cost kept me away

[boogieman]

Cool, I am going to go to a local salvage yard and see what I can scrounge up... if no aluminum I will see about a piece of steel.

Thanks! 

[Blanka]

I made a control panel from 3mm blank anodised aluminium. It looks smoother than sex itself, and it is rock solid. Because of the anodisation, it is finished out of the water-cutter directly, and no overlays, lexan or paint is needed. Only drawback: it feels cold on the hands, so you need to work hard on the sticks to compensate for that.

[surface tension]

You will need to anodise the panel, else it will end up blemishing. But I agree, it looks fantastic.

[Cornchip]

  Go with a 6000 series Aluminum like 6061. It's the most affordable and is stocked everywhere. It also takes to anodizing with the best depth of color possible. A possible draw back to anodizing is the 'dry' finish of anodizing. Finger prints are easily left behind and will require you to frequently use Windex for that perfect look (if you even care).

   A possible solution that is cheaper than sending your CP out for anodizing is powder coating (plenty of great colors available that aren't common to anodizing). You'll find a lot more local people who do it and the high gloss finish will be worth it in the end. Just a thought.

 Cornchip.

[Blanka]

Thats why I went for water cut. You can buy pre-anodised sheets, much cheaper than custom anodisation. Laser cutting destroys the edged and they must be sanded afterwards, water cut sheets are perfect and need no finishing afterwards.
The fingerprints are not very visible, maybe on black anodised sheets, but not on blank ones. Stainless steel, plexi, glass and even hard plastic are all worse in this aspect.

[(+_+)]

I have one of those control panesl made of a wood frame covered with metal, then the cpo then lexan...

Can I use aluminum instead of steel?  Just wondering if it is very durable?  I would imagine it would be fine but just wanted a second opinion.  Aluminum would be much easier to cut the holes and such in.

You mentioned cutting. Try to get your hands on a knockout punch. It'll make nice clean holes.