Aluminum faceplates WTB

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RockinRocket
Posts: 652
Joined: Sun Nov 20, 2011 5:23 am

Aluminum faceplates WTB

Post by RockinRocket »

Anyone have a good source for aluminum (preferably brushed) custom faceplates?
Seems everyone that i found is doing acrylic. :cry:
Thanks
maxkracht
Posts: 931
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2019 7:18 pm
Location: Iowa, USA

Re: Aluminum faceplates WTB

Post by maxkracht »

Acquire aluminum, brush your aluminum, make faceplate out of your newly brushed aluminum. :D McMaster sells 2" X 24" strips that are convenient to work with. I score and snap to length, don't even need a saw...
RockinRocket
Posts: 652
Joined: Sun Nov 20, 2011 5:23 am

Re: Aluminum faceplates WTB

Post by RockinRocket »

maxkracht wrote: Fri Jul 26, 2024 3:28 pm Acquire aluminum, brush your aluminum, make faceplate out of your newly brushed aluminum. :D McMaster sells 2" X 24" strips that are convenient to work with. I score and snap to length, don't even need a saw...
How would one go about Screenprinting or inking the graphics? I like my stuff to look pro thats also why I dont tolex anymore lol
maxkracht
Posts: 931
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2019 7:18 pm
Location: Iowa, USA

Re: Aluminum faceplates WTB

Post by maxkracht »

Screen printing isn't so bad, but the kinda ink that sticks well to metal is a pain. I did a handful of pedal runs with epoxy screen ink about a decade ago. Looked great but the fumes were horrible and cleanup wasn't fun... I currently do toner transfer then clear enamel or toner transfer then etch. Both are fiddly, but not too hard. Basically just DIY PCB stuff, plenty of info online.

If you get aluminum blanks cut to size, I bet you could take them to a local engraving place, then fill the engraved section with enamel and brush the aluminum (somewhere around 320-400 grit works for me).
timrobertson100
Posts: 265
Joined: Sat Sep 28, 2013 2:25 pm
Location: Denmark

Re: Aluminum faceplates WTB

Post by timrobertson100 »

I used this place in Germany a few times. Worked out well, but not cheap. You design it and submit it using their custom app, which was easy to do.

https://www.frontpanelexpress.com/
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