[sdiy] Anone made ETCHED front panels?

[Thomas Dunker]

 Hi,

 I'm still in the somewhat early phase of my first modular synth project
along with a friend, using mainly Ray Wilson's designs. (Got the 24
dB/oct. VCFs working (great!) and some more almost ready to test).

 We're a bit stuck when it comes to the module front panels and have been
discussing a variety of possible ways to do the "decor"/text etc. For the
sake of maintaining a sense of actual progress and being able to see each
module take shape and come into use as we progress, we're kind of tempted
to do the front panels in a two step process. Meaning that we could just
make the main aluminium panel sections first, drill holes and get
everything mounted, make any necessary changes/mods etc. before finalizing
the front panel layouts and THEN towards the completion of the last
modules have some thinner "faceplates" added on top of the thicker alu
plates.

 The other night we were admiring the empty housing of an old tubed
Radiometer pH meter that my friend is using to house his synth. That old
instrument has the good old fashioned and very attractive ETCHED faceplates and
we thought, well isn't THAT a classy look! (I remember some very crude
etched signs I made in shop class when I was about 11.) Basically one
would have to transfer the decor onto the metal to make an acid-proof
mask. The lettering etc. will stand out like a relief and the etched areas
are filled with typically black laquer of some sort
We're a bit unsure of what DIY-friendly techniques are possible,
what materials and chemicals to use, if any sort of nifty laser printable
adhesive foil type thing can be used...this would be very nice since
we're in the process of drawing the panel layouts in Adobe Illustrator,
so anything that can go directly (or via photo processes) from printouts
would simplify the job enormously for us. Anyone been into this kind of
thing?

 Another, but unrelated question relates to KNOBS. We've been surfing the
web a lot for knob options, but I myself haven't found exactly the thing
I'm really looking for - except in my junkboxes, where I found three
knobs that I'd like to have another few dozen of....

 Considering the amount of work and cash that goes into the project, I
want everything to be "right" looks-wise. First, I'm building my synth
into what used to be an old impedance bridge thing. It's made in a kind of
"briefcase" format size-wise, complete with a leather handle and rubber
feet on the back and on the bottom so it can be used face-up or upright.
The idea is to make it a fully portable instrument. I'm basically cramming
eight modules (about 10x12.5cm or 4"x5" each) into it, which will all be
mounted in the detachable front panel. The enclosure itself is made from
grey hammertone painted aluminum, old industrial style. The last thing I
want is knobs that look to "plasticy" and cheap on this. Machined aluminum
knobs just get too expensive, so I have decided I want bakelite knobs (or
something close enough to be mistaken for bakelite), dark brown or preferably
black...

 But because most of the pots are spaced quite tightly (25-30mm apart) I
also want small diameter knobs 12-15mm max diam. (think mixer consoles
or stompboxes), tapered/conical and finger friendly with white index stripes.
This is nearly just what I found in my junk knob assortment. The knobs also
should fit 6 mm pot shafts...sigh...
 I bet some little Far East factory makes just the right knob for me,
at a reasonable price...
 I'm not normally this picky, but some times...

 Any suggestions?


Thomas Dunker