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Hints, Tips and Solutions (Do NOT post requests for help here) If you have any useful general hints and tips for vintage technology repair and restoration, please share them here. PLEASE DO NOT POST REQUESTS FOR HELP HERE! |
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11th Mar 2006, 10:25 pm | #1 |
Nonode
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Norwich, Norfolk, UK.
Posts: 2,543
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DIY tuning dials
Hi,
I've just finished making a replacement dial for my Armstrong tuner amp . The original , broken, dial was scanned and repaired using photo editing software. Tuning dials, mostly, need to be both opaque and transparent in different areas. An inkjet printer will print on transparency film, but the inks will be transparent and printing on paper will produce an opaque image. My solution was to use both mediums and cut the transparent areas from the paper version with a scalpel. The transparency is then carefully aligned and stuck over the paper using a very thin line of pritt stick, just, around the edges. Then, simply, sandwich it between two pieces of glass (I cut the glass from a 40 X 50cm picture frame from a 99p shop ). Anyhow, I've attached three pictures, the first is the paper copy, the transparency and then the finished article Hope this will act as encouragement and inspiration to anyone who is unfortunate enough to faced with a broken dial David |
12th Mar 2006, 12:02 am | #2 |
Heptode
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Ilkley, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 656
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Re: DIY tuning dials
Well done Dave. A great piece of work, it really looks the part.
You must have the patience of a saint! rgds Colin |
12th Mar 2006, 11:04 am | #3 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Near Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK
Posts: 4,609
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Re: DIY tuning dials
That looks perfect, David - well done. I fear that forum members will be beating a path to your door.......
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Mike. |
12th Mar 2006, 4:16 pm | #4 |
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Oxford, UK
Posts: 27,970
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Re: DIY tuning dials
Very nice job David.
Does anybody have any suggestions as to how to print white lettering on a transparent background? Best regards, Paul |
12th Mar 2006, 5:44 pm | #5 | |
Rest in Peace
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Edgware, North London.
Posts: 307
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Re: DIY tuning dials
Paul et al
Have a look at www.craftycomputerpaper.co.uk and go to "Decal papers & transfers". Then go down to "embossing powders for lettering". I bookmarked this page from another thread but I'm afraid I've no idea who posted it. Anyway, it sounds interesting & for £1.99 it isn't much to gamble. Personally I haven't tried it, but probably will in time. Quote:
Joe |
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12th Mar 2006, 5:48 pm | #6 | |
Nonode
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Norwich, Norfolk, UK.
Posts: 2,543
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Re: DIY tuning dials
Thanks for all the nice comments
Quote:
There are ways around it though, I am at this moment trying to repair the dial for my Pye Fenman II. The middle waveband (white) lettering was flaking badly, so I washed it away completely . Hopefully I will, soon, print that section onto transparency film but with the colour of the letters changed to black . If I'm not happy with that outcome I'll print the whole dial (with the correct coloured writing) onto matt photographic paper with a dark blue background and place it behind the tuning indicator with a piece of plain glass in the front ... Ok neither will look totally original but it's the best I can think of David |
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12th Mar 2006, 6:02 pm | #7 | |
Dekatron
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: West Cumbria (CA13), UK
Posts: 6,130
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Re: DIY tuning dials
Quote:
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