[sdiy] Synth Front Panel Material?

[John Blacet]

Aluminum, not steel. A common alloy is 6061. Thickness from .060 to 
.125, depending on the span and ability of through panel components to 
fit panel.

Steel is very strong but very heavy and hard to drill. Also corrodes 
unless you use stainless. Aluminum is almost universally used.

Beware of using aluminum that is too thick as the weight of many modules 
can add up. For 3RU high modules, .060 is fine. Doepfer uses .090. MOTM 
uses .125 for 5RU H panels. (100 MOTM front panels, without any other 
components weigh 30+ lbs!)

Alexander Dunbar wrote:

>can anyone reccommend a good metal for making a front panel with many
>holes required? I read on Mike Walter's site that he uses "welder's
>sheets". I have no idea what this is, but I am assuming it's thin gauge
>steel?
>
>Thanks
>
>AD
>
>  
>

-- 
Regards,
John Blacet

Blacet Research
http://www.blacet.com