[sdiy] Front Panel for DIY Synth

[Peter Grenader]

Try Photographics -

Photo-Graphics Co., Inc.
816-761-3333
pgcinc at att.net
Fax 816-761-3032

They do photo-imaged spot anodizing, like the Serge Panels.  If you want it
sliver with black graphics, or black knocked out silver graphics, they can
do both.  Very reasonably priced, very reliable 10 day delivery cycle. Their
panel size is 12 x 20 and they will cut them up into as many pieces as you
can squeeze on.  They do not drill them however - this is up to you. I use
them all the time.  An example:

http://www.buzzclick-music.com/util_left.jpg

A place here in LA called K&L Annodizing (in Burbank) also does a process
called Anofax, which is multicolor spot-anodized RED, BLACK and BLUE
graphics over silver.  I've done this before for Milton customers and this
also looks great.  You have to send them the piece of brushed or satin
finished aluminum however - they just do the surface plating.  It's a little
more expensive however than Photographics' photo sensitive aluminum, but you
are charged on a lot basis, so it will be the same for 1 or many panels
(so....do many!).  A lot price is about $190 - pricey for one panel, very
cheap for 30 however.

hope this helps

- Peter


Frédéric Piron wrote:

> hi,
> 
> For custom made front panel try these out :
> 
> For europe:
> http://www.schaeffer-apparatebau.de/English/FPD_index.htm
> 
> For U.S. :
> 
> http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/
> 
> Just DL their cad program, design your panel, send them the file and
> they'll engrave a 3mm thick aluminium panel with your design.
> 
> cheers,
> 
> fred
> 
> Le 26 mars 04, à 15:30, A.L. a écrit :
> 
>> hello everyone,
>> 
>> i'm looking for some advice on how to make a front panel for a diy
>> synth (or where to have one made).
>> 
>> i'd like to make a front panel to fit into a 19" rack with precisely
>> placed holes for knobs and 3.5mm sockets.
>> even if i would have access to a saw and a drill for cutting aluminum
>> (or something else) and drilling all the holes, i'd be very concerned
>> about the precision. i have four rows of eight 3.5mm sockets, and i'd
>> like them to be well aligned. there's also midi ins and outs and a
>> number of knobs.
>> 
>> do people here build panels themselves, or do you have them made?
>> is it possible to design a front panel (on the computer? on paper?)
>> and have a single one made for a reasonable sum somewhere?
>> 
>> and how could one print text on it? i'd prefer to have it look
>> professional and well-built rather than hand cutting and hand drilling
>> the material, and then writing on it with a marker...
>> 
>> thanks very much for any suggestions
>> 
>> alex
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
> 
>