Printing front panels for projects. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

David G4EBT · 21st May 2009, 9:57 pm

I think this topic might have cropped up before, but I hope this might be of interest.

One of the bugbears of finishing many projects is how to make a neat looking front panel. I usually end up printing something off onto card, then encapsulating it. The other option is to laboriously use rub-down lettering, which - apart from the hassle, isn't as versatile as using a PC program to create something to print off.

I've just made the electrolytic reformer that featured in Radio Bygones and later in the Bulletin, and used a label maker to stick little labels onto the case. (Much better than the old style Dymo tape).

The finished project looks neat, but not spectacular.

More importantly of course, it works!

I noticed in Tesco today, that they sell (as I'm sure many firms who supply stationary do), A4 packs of paper (seven sheets for under a fiver) which can be printed off. then ironed onto T shirts etc, when the design - a photo, or anything, become durable and colourfast.

If this paper works on cotton T Shirts, doubtless it would work on card, and perhaps be more durable than the ink of an ink jet printer onto ordinary card or paper.

I don't have any projects on at the moment which this would lend itself to, but its something I'll keep in mind. nothing ventured, nothing gained!

Regards,

David,
G4EBT

Herald1360 · 23rd May 2009, 12:05 am

We use some kind of silver finished self adhesive film that can be laser printed on for test gear etc at work. I can find out what it is if anyone's interested.

Also, laser printable OHP film might be quite effective, particularly if trapped between acrylic sheet and the panelproper.

Chris

dseymo1 · 23rd May 2009, 3:07 am

I use the OHP film myself, but the silver stuff sounds interesting!

Colin · 23rd May 2009, 10:04 am

I've had great results using Water Slide Decal Paper ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8XuJ0Z3bbQ (I have no connection with Crafty etc.)

It's easy to use and all you need is a fairly standard Ink Jet Printer. The graphics can be drawn up on any convenient graphics package.

This is the front panel for a little Wobbulator I built. You can see the edges of the water slide film if you look carefully. I finished it with a couple of coats of clear laquer. It also provides an excellent drilling guide too.

Sideband · 23rd May 2009, 10:13 am

Colin. I have to say that that looks absolutely fantastic. I intended to try this method to restore the front panel on my Hi Fi amp. Seeing the result here has inspired me to go ahead with it.

Rich.

igranic · 23rd May 2009, 11:56 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herald1360

We use some kind of silver finished self adhesive film that can be laser printed on for test gear etc at work. I can find out what it is if anyone's interested.

Chris,

I would certainly be interested in finding a supplier for sensible quantities of this type of material.

Edward

David G4EBT · 23rd May 2009, 9:39 pm

I must say Colin, that looks excellent. I've sometimes marvelled at projects in magazines by a designer called R.F. Haigh which always look very well designed, built and finished. Oone such prooject I want to build when I get a "round tuit" is a Q Meter, which has a front panel rather like your wobbulator.

The waterslide paper would be the ideal thing.

The transer is much tougher than I'd imagined - I had in mind those fragile tranfers we used to apply to the backs of our hands as kids. Well at least I did. (Now, they just get tatooed!)

Is it any good for scanned radio dials - ie, where there is no printed area is the transfer transparent, which would be just what's needed, or white, and thus, opaque so not suited to that application?

Presumably, for a glass dial, it would be applied underneath the glass, so would need to be a reverse image?

Maybe it's not suited to that task.

Thanks for inspiring us!

David,
G4EBT

Colin · 24th May 2009, 12:47 am

David,

I'm pretty sure the clear transfer would be perfect for radio dials, in fact I believe there are a couple of threads that have dealt with this in detail already.

This is a very useful thread started by Mike Phelan ... https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ght=dial+glass

Colin · 24th May 2009, 12:55 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by David G4EBT

I've sometimes marvelled at projects in magazines by a designer called R.F. Haigh which always look very well designed, built and finished. Oone such prooject I want to build when I get a "round tuit" is a Q Meter, which has a front panel rather like your wobbulator.

Well spotted David. The basis of my Wobbulator was a design and article by Raymond Haigh.

David G4EBT · 25th May 2009, 9:09 pm

How uncanny Colin - your wobulator just had that RF Haigh look about it. His projects are all so neatly designed and finished that I have to resist the urge to drop everything and start building! I've never been one to engage in "rat's nest" construction - I find it offensive to the eye.

I wonder if anyone on the forum has built his Q Meter design, and if so, what it performs like in use? I got as far as sourcing a neat box for it, then other priorities took over!

David,
G4EBT

21st May 2009, 9:57 pm	#1
David G4EBT Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Cottingham, East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 5,760	Printing front panels for projects. I think this topic might have cropped up before, but I hope this might be of interest. One of the bugbears of finishing many projects is how to make a neat looking front panel. I usually end up printing something off onto card, then encapsulating it. The other option is to laboriously use rub-down lettering, which - apart from the hassle, isn't as versatile as using a PC program to create something to print off. I've just made the electrolytic reformer that featured in Radio Bygones and later in the Bulletin, and used a label maker to stick little labels onto the case. (Much better than the old style Dymo tape). The finished project looks neat, but not spectacular. More importantly of course, it works! I noticed in Tesco today, that they sell (as I'm sure many firms who supply stationary do), A4 packs of paper (seven sheets for under a fiver) which can be printed off. then ironed onto T shirts etc, when the design - a photo, or anything, become durable and colourfast. If this paper works on cotton T Shirts, doubtless it would work on card, and perhaps be more durable than the ink of an ink jet printer onto ordinary card or paper. I don't have any projects on at the moment which this would lend itself to, but its something I'll keep in mind. nothing ventured, nothing gained! Regards, David, G4EBT

23rd May 2009, 12:05 am	#2
Herald1360 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 16,535	Re: Printing front panels for projects. We use some kind of silver finished self adhesive film that can be laser printed on for test gear etc at work. I can find out what it is if anyone's interested. Also, laser printable OHP film might be quite effective, particularly if trapped between acrylic sheet and the panelproper. Chris

23rd May 2009, 3:07 am	#3
dseymo1 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Shropshire, UK. Posts: 3,051	Re: Printing front panels for projects. I use the OHP film myself, but the silver stuff sounds interesting!

23rd May 2009, 10:04 am	#4
Colin Heptode Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Ilkley, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 656	Re: Printing front panels for projects. I've had great results using Water Slide Decal Paper ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8XuJ0Z3bbQ (I have no connection with Crafty etc.) It's easy to use and all you need is a fairly standard Ink Jet Printer. The graphics can be drawn up on any convenient graphics package. This is the front panel for a little Wobbulator I built. You can see the edges of the water slide film if you look carefully. I finished it with a couple of coats of clear laquer. It also provides an excellent drilling guide too. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Colin Armstrong

23rd May 2009, 10:13 am	#5
Sideband Dekatron Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Croydon, Surrey, UK. Posts: 7,566	Re: Printing front panels for projects. Colin. I have to say that that looks absolutely fantastic. I intended to try this method to restore the front panel on my Hi Fi amp. Seeing the result here has inspired me to go ahead with it. Rich. __________________ There are lots of brilliant keyboard players and then there is Rick Wakeman.....

23rd May 2009, 9:39 pm	#7
David G4EBT Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Cottingham, East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 5,760	Re: Printing front panels for projects. I must say Colin, that looks excellent. I've sometimes marvelled at projects in magazines by a designer called R.F. Haigh which always look very well designed, built and finished. Oone such prooject I want to build when I get a "round tuit" is a Q Meter, which has a front panel rather like your wobbulator. The waterslide paper would be the ideal thing. The transer is much tougher than I'd imagined - I had in mind those fragile tranfers we used to apply to the backs of our hands as kids. Well at least I did. (Now, they just get tatooed!) Is it any good for scanned radio dials - ie, where there is no printed area is the transfer transparent, which would be just what's needed, or white, and thus, opaque so not suited to that application? Presumably, for a glass dial, it would be applied underneath the glass, so would need to be a reverse image? Maybe it's not suited to that task. Thanks for inspiring us! David, G4EBT

24th May 2009, 12:47 am	#8
Colin Heptode Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Ilkley, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 656	Re: Printing front panels for projects. David, I'm pretty sure the clear transfer would be perfect for radio dials, in fact I believe there are a couple of threads that have dealt with this in detail already. This is a very useful thread started by Mike Phelan ... https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ght=dial+glass __________________ Colin Armstrong

25th May 2009, 9:09 pm	#10
David G4EBT Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Cottingham, East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 5,760	Re: Printing front panels for projects. How uncanny Colin - your wobulator just had that RF Haigh look about it. His projects are all so neatly designed and finished that I have to resist the urge to drop everything and start building! I've never been one to engage in "rat's nest" construction - I find it offensive to the eye. I wonder if anyone on the forum has built his Q Meter design, and if so, what it performs like in use? I got as far as sourcing a neat box for it, then other priorities took over! David, G4EBT