Engraved pannels & Alternatives

[Liquid Asset]

We are redoing the interior and when in the Heads, I find that the pannels that control the toilet/shower/holding tank are quite dated and yellowed. They are just engraved plastic with white lettering & black background. I want to spruce this up a bit and would either like to replace these with new versions of themself or something nicer looking preferably.

I know that a trophy shop can make these, but does anyone know of a place online that will make them? Or does anyone know of a nicer looking pannel that I can have engraved or laser printed? Thanks.

 

[SeaEric]

This guy has done a lot of nice work for me.

http://www.holtmarinesystems.com/

 

[GJH]

Check out these guys:

www.frontpanelexpress.com

Or these guys:

http://www.buckwoodcraft.com/boat n...ock_design.htm#Electrical & Instrument Panels

I've seen their work.

 

[Liquid Asset]

Thanks, That is exactly what I was looking for. I will give them a try.

Do you know if they have any other material than Alluminum?

 

[GJH]

Given the proximity, give the fellow at Buck a call; I got the impression when I was down there last year they could do whatever you want. You'd have to call FPX as well; they do have a pretty thoroough Q&A on the site too.

Ward's Marine Electric in Lauderdale also has a terrific engraving/panel department, nice people, but I found them kind of flaky (as in disinterested) to deal with on a small job. Things may be different now given the economy.

 

[Liquid Asset]

I lilke the fact that frontpannelexpress has software and i do not have to draw it manually. I can use their software and submit it. Do you know of any other places that do that?

 

[luckydave215]

Any trophy supplier can make these things. The plastic sheet is two colors and they engrave through the top color to reveal the bottom in the figures. If you want to make them yourself (have access to an engraving machine) the material is commonly available through most plastic houses, and fairly cheap.

 

[NAN-PO 41]

I just had a switch panel made at the local vocational high school. The machine shop students did the job and it came out great. A donation to the program, ( slip the students involved a few bucks to increase their sense of worth ) and everybody wins. Most local tech schools like to get outside projects in that fall within their curriculum and they offer everything from metal fabrication to graphic arts. I have used them to weld an alum hatch, paint my deck boxes etc. You have to bear in mind that the work is being done by students so your job may not be exactly perfect but overall I have had great success. ( There was a small run in the paint on the boxes )
Fred