Modular Synth Panels

So, anyone out there screen their own panels? If so, what ink did you
use? Most of what I've found is suitable only for fabrics, and Google
has not been much help.
I'm looking for inks that will adhere to painted and powdercoated metals.

Thanks!
clickmrmike

>
> So, anyone out there screen their own panels?

This guy seems to have figured it out.

http://www.guitarfool.com/Silkscreen.html

Yes, I've seen his site...it's part of the inspiration to roll my own
for panels Bridechamber will never make. Unfortunately, the coat and
burn process he uses costs about $60 (but you could fit 2-3 panels on
there, maybe). It's still pretty expensive for a 1-off design... Say
$6 for raw Al (or $11 to Scott for pre-painted), $20 for part of a
screen, $2+ for paints/ink/supplies, drill finish time... and you have
spent $27 and a couple of hours to get a 2U panel. Plus startup costs
for the rest of the screen printing gear, drill bits, inks (at
$30/qt). Naturally, if you're making 100 of the same thing, the
average screen cost goes to 20 cents, so your per-panel gets much
cheaper (but I'm still not sure how Scott can sell "boutique" panels
for $30 and not starve his wife and children). I'm making 1, maybe 2
of the same panel - so it's simpler and cheaper to give Scott the
money if he makes that panel. If he doesn't, then what?

$27+ and a bunch of time to make my own?
$50+ to FPE?

I prefer electronics to mechanical construction, so I'd rather build
boards and buy panels & brackets, but the cost is really insane.

I suppose I could give up and use a paint marker or labelmaker...

*sigh*

Anyway, the guitarfool guy uses an acrylic ink, and I've been told
that it won't stick to powdercoat.

Thanks,
clickmrmike


--- In ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com, Scott Juskiw <scott@...>
wrote:

>
>
> >
> > So, anyone out there screen their own panels?
>
> This guy seems to have figured it out.
>
> http://www.guitarfool.com/Silkscreen.html
>

If you're doing one-offs and aren't too picky, you could do the
Lazertran method. I first read of it here:
http://www.strings.ph.qmw.ac.uk/~thomas/synthdiy/frontpanel.htm

And here is the thread on Muffwiggler where I posted some pictures of
my attempts at Lazertran Frac format Plague Bearer panels:
http://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1906

--- In ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com, "clickmrmike" <mrmike@...>
wrote:

>
> Yes, I've seen his site...it's part of the inspiration to roll my own
> for panels Bridechamber will never make. Unfortunately, the coat and
> burn process he uses costs about $60 (but you could fit 2-3 panels on
> there, maybe). It's still pretty expensive for a 1-off design... Say
> $6 for raw Al (or $11 to Scott for pre-painted), $20 for part of a
> screen, $2+ for paints/ink/supplies, drill finish time... and you have
> spent $27 and a couple of hours to get a 2U panel. Plus startup costs
> for the rest of the screen printing gear, drill bits, inks (at
> $30/qt). Naturally, if you're making 100 of the same thing, the
> average screen cost goes to 20 cents, so your per-panel gets much
> cheaper (but I'm still not sure how Scott can sell "boutique" panels
> for $30 and not starve his wife and children). I'm making 1, maybe 2
> of the same panel - so it's simpler and cheaper to give Scott the
> money if he makes that panel. If he doesn't, then what?
>
> $27+ and a bunch of time to make my own?
> $50+ to FPE?
>
> I prefer electronics to mechanical construction, so I'd rather build
> boards and buy panels & brackets, but the cost is really insane.
>
> I suppose I could give up and use a paint marker or labelmaker...
>
> *sigh*
>
> Anyway, the guitarfool guy uses an acrylic ink, and I've been told
> that it won't stick to powdercoat.
>
> Thanks,
> clickmrmike
>
>
> --- In ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com, Scott Juskiw <scott@>
> wrote:
> >
> >
> > >
> > > So, anyone out there screen their own panels?
> >
> > This guy seems to have figured it out.
> >
> > http://www.guitarfool.com/Silkscreen.html
> >
>