[ewcjoro]

All -

As many of you have experienced, the plastic faceplate for my radio and switches has broken.

I had a local machine shop make a replacement faceplate out of aluminum and will be covering it with a Burl wood vinyl sheet.

Once I get the faceplate from the machine shop, I will post picks. Then I will install the vinyl sheet and post more picks.

If anyone is interested in having an aluminum faceplate made, my machine shop can make duplicates for $275 each. Powdercoating, anodization, or clear-coating are all additional costs.

FYI, here is a link to the vinyl sheet that I ordered:
http://www.rvinyl.com/wrapkits/vinyl/burlwood.htm

P.S. Thanks Randy Jobe for the inspiration!

[ShabahZ280]

Nice!! Be sure to take photos and keep us all updated! I'm anxious to see your results.

[ewcjoro]

Here is a picture of the new faceplate...will install the vinyl tonight.

The smaller pic shows (poorly!) the routing done on the aluminum sheet to allow the switches to be mounted properly.

[ewcjoro]

Burl Wood vinyl applied.

Will do the installation this weekend.

[22empire]

If you can you should get an iges, g_code file from the machine shop. That would allow anyone on the site to take it into a CNC ready shop and have one made. That is unless you are looking at an upstart business op.. Looks good

[22empire]

Why did you have the aluminum anodized? Or is it painted?

[ShabahZ280]

Looks really good!

[ewcjoro]

I had it anodized, then put a burl wood vinyl sticker on the front to match to stock interior.

When this boat sinks, the new faceplate will be right were it should be!

[ewcjoro]

Will get the drawings from the machine shop next week, good idea.

If Mariah was still in business, it might be an opportunity to make some cash, but as it is, we need all the help that we can get.

I spent $500 on this plate, with the drawings, you should be able to replicate for $250-300 depending on the finish.

Will post updated pics tonight.

[22empire]

The anodizing definately looks sharp, but it will have added about 50 bucks to the cost. Having said that, I would have done it too.. If anybody else has done these sorts of projects we could put together a library for part replication. I am sure that some of the members here on the site could make drawings or prints, even from sketches (I could do a few myself).. Its just a thought.. What do you guys think?