[sdiy] Front Panel for DIY Synth

[A.L.]

thanks very much for all the tips, everyone.

i think considering the fact that i don't own any suitable tools, and 
can't really think of a workshop i'd have access to, and that i'm 
pretty preoccupied with everything fitting and looking right, i should 
use schaeffer-apparatebau/frontpanelexpress.

i'm actually mostly concerned with the cutting and drilling of the 
panel, making the labels is less of a concern. i'm strongly biased 
towards having a professional drill my holes, especially since there's 
many of them and i don't think i'll be modding synths on a regular 
basis, so buying precision drills etc. would be a bit of a waste.

i'm in germany so schaeffer-apparatebau would probably be ideal. i use 
a macintosh however. is it possible to design something for them on a 
mac? i don't think their software would work on a macintosh. i don't 
own any cad software.

thanks again

alex

On Mar 26, 2004, at 3:53 PM, 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
>>
>>
>>
>>
>