Aluminum instrument panel finish?

[Richard Riley]

I've just finished machining my instrument panel. It is (I say with
no small pride) nice. Milled out of 2024T3 3" thick, reduced to .120
with .120 webs between each instrument and around the perimeter.

Now the question is: how should it be finished? Polished? Engine
turned? Anodized? Clear powder coat?

[Del Rawlins]

In > Richard Riley wrote:
> I've just finished machining my instrument panel. It is (I say with
> no small pride) nice. Milled out of 2024T3 3" thick, reduced to .120
> with .120 webs between each instrument and around the perimeter.
>
> Now the question is: how should it be finished? Polished? Engine
> turned? Anodized? Clear powder coat?

I think I would rather have a matte finish on mine, but ya gotta admit
that Pat Fagan's engine turned panel is a thing of beauty:

http://www.airbum.com/pireps/PirepPatFaganBH.html

----------------------------------------------------
Del Rawlins-
Remove _kills_spammers_ to reply via email.
Unofficial Bearhawk FAQ website:
http://www.rawlinsbrothers.org/bhfaq/

[guynoir]

Here's my experience with Anodizing. I liked it a lot.
http://www.eaa292.org/noon_patrol/dec_00/p1010006.jpg

Richard Riley wrote:

> I've just finished machining my instrument panel. It is (I say with
> no small pride) nice. Milled out of 2024T3 3" thick, reduced to .120
> with .120 webs between each instrument and around the perimeter.
>
> Now the question is: how should it be finished? Polished? Engine
> turned? Anodized? Clear powder coat?

--
John Kimmel


I think it will be quiet around here now. So long.

[Scott]

Well, mine started out as just a plain piece of 0.125 aluminum and I used a
fly cutter to cut out the instrument holes and I went to Menards (Home
Depot-like place) and bought countertop laminate to put over it. Drilled
through a few instrument mounting screw holes and used machine screws and
nuts to keep it in place and used a laminate cutting bit in my dremel to
"rout" out the instrument holes. Worked really nice. Do not glue the
laminate to the aluminum, just use the instrument and panel mounting holes
to keep the laminate in place. I have an open cockpit plane, so laminate is
good incase it rains while I'm at a fly in.


--
Scott
http://corbenflyer.tripod.com/
Building RV-4
Gotta Fly or Gonna Die

"Richard Riley" > wrote in message
...
> I've just finished machining my instrument panel. It is (I say with
> no small pride) nice. Milled out of 2024T3 3" thick, reduced to .120
> with .120 webs between each instrument and around the perimeter.
>
> Now the question is: how should it be finished? Polished? Engine
> turned? Anodized? Clear powder coat?

[Nathan Young]

On Sun, 01 Feb 2004 21:52:15 -0800, Richard Riley
> wrote:

>I've just finished machining my instrument panel. It is (I say with
>no small pride) nice. Milled out of 2024T3 3" thick, reduced to .120
>with .120 webs between each instrument and around the perimeter.
>
>Now the question is: how should it be finished? Polished? Engine
>turned? Anodized? Clear powder coat?

A flat finish is helpful for reducing glare on an instrument panel, so
I definitely would not go with polished.

-Nathan

[Bill Chernoff]

3 inches thick down to 0.120 ??!!!
How long did it take to machine?
Can you post a link to a photo?

thanks


Milled out of 2024T3 3" thick, reduced to .120
> with .120 webs between each instrument and around the perimeter.

[jls]

"Richard Riley" > wrote in message
...
> I've just finished machining my instrument panel. It is (I say with
> no small pride) nice. Milled out of 2024T3 3" thick, reduced to .120
> with .120 webs between each instrument and around the perimeter.
>
> Now the question is: how should it be finished? Polished? Engine
> turned? Anodized? Clear powder coat?

Alodine it and then put up a frilly little placard that says 24K. It would
be reminiscent of you.

[Daniel]

Richard Riley wrote ...
> I've just finished machining my instrument panel. It is (I say with
> no small pride) nice. Milled out of 2024T3 3" thick, reduced to .120
> with .120 webs between each instrument and around the perimeter.
>
> Now the question is: how should it be finished? Polished? Engine
> turned? Anodized? Clear powder coat?



After that much effort, why finish it off with the same methods used
by every other aircraft on the line? You should go for something
unique. Something that really sets your plane apart. Something that
says "I just gotta be me!":

http://panel.notlong.com

Daniel

[Orval Fairbairn]

In article >,
" jls" > wrote:

> "Richard Riley" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I've just finished machining my instrument panel. It is (I say with
> > no small pride) nice. Milled out of 2024T3 3" thick, reduced to .120
> > with .120 webs between each instrument and around the perimeter.
> >
> > Now the question is: how should it be finished? Polished? Engine
> > turned? Anodized? Clear powder coat?
>
> Alodine it and then put up a frilly little placard that says 24K. It would
> be reminiscent of you.
>
>

If you first polish it, then dip it in alodyne, it will look like a
piece of gold jewelry.

[John T]

"Richard Riley" > wrote in message

>
>> 3 inches thick down to 0.120 ??!!!
>> How long did it take to machine?
>> Can you post a link to a photo?
>
> I don't have a photo up anywhere, when I do I'll post a link here.
>
> It took a little over a day on a 5 axis Haas.

Let me ask the dumb question, then: Why start with a 3" thick piece of
aluminum if you intended to take it down to 0.12"? Seems to me to be a lot
of wasted metal... :)

--
John T
http://tknowlogy.com/TknoFlyer
http://www.pocketgear.com/products_search.asp?developerid=4415
____________________

[Casey Wilson]

> "Richard Riley" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I've just finished machining my instrument panel. It is (I say with
> > no small pride) nice. Milled out of 2024T3 3" thick, reduced to .120
> > with .120 webs between each instrument and around the perimeter.
> >
> > Now the question is: how should it be finished? Polished? Engine
> > turned? Anodized? Clear powder coat?

Engine-turned then clear powder coat. Yeah, that's what I'd do.

[Marco Leon]

As long as he doesn't plan on selling it anytime soon...


"Daniel" > wrote in message
om...
> Richard Riley wrote ...
> > I've just finished machining my instrument panel. It is (I say with
> > no small pride) nice. Milled out of 2024T3 3" thick, reduced to .120
> > with .120 webs between each instrument and around the perimeter.
> >
> > Now the question is: how should it be finished? Polished? Engine
> > turned? Anodized? Clear powder coat?
>
>
>
> After that much effort, why finish it off with the same methods used
> by every other aircraft on the line? You should go for something
> unique. Something that really sets your plane apart. Something that
> says "I just gotta be me!":
>
> http://panel.notlong.com
>
> Daniel



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[Tarver Engineering]

"Marco Leon" <mleon(at)optonline.net> wrote in message
...
> As long as he doesn't plan on selling it anytime soon...

Selling a homebuilt is not consistent with the regulatory advantages
provided to those building their own airplane, that they intend to operate.
That Authority belongs at a DAS.

[Ron Natalie]

"Tarver Engineering" > wrote in message ...
>
> "Marco Leon" <mleon(at)optonline.net> wrote in message
> ...
> > As long as he doesn't plan on selling it anytime soon...
>
> Selling a homebuilt is not consistent with the regulatory advantages
> provided to those building their own airplane, that they intend to operate.
> That Authority belongs at a DAS.

More drivel. The only thing that a builder is afforded over anyone else
who owns a homebuilt is eligibility to sign off the annuals.

[Tarver Engineering]

"Ron Natalie" > wrote in message
. ..
>
> "Tarver Engineering" > wrote in message
...
> >
> > "Marco Leon" <mleon(at)optonline.net> wrote in message
> > ...
> > > As long as he doesn't plan on selling it anytime soon...
> >
> > Selling a homebuilt is not consistent with the regulatory advantages
> > provided to those building their own airplane, that they intend to
operate.
> > That Authority belongs at a DAS.
>
> More drivel. The only thing that a builder is afforded over anyone else
> who owns a homebuilt is eligibility to sign off the annuals.

Of course, that from Natalie, who doesn't even know a homebuilt is an
experimantal.

If you build it to sell, you are outside the regulatory intent of a
homebuilt.

[John Galban]

(Daniel) wrote in message >...
>
> After that much effort, why finish it off with the same methods used
> by every other aircraft on the line? You should go for something
> unique. Something that really sets your plane apart. Something that
> says "I just gotta be me!":
>
> http://panel.notlong.com


Just stay away from the one called "Classic Fruit". How'd you like
to repeat that everytime someone asks about the panel? :-)

John Galban=====>N4BQ (PA28-180)

[Ron Natalie]

"Tarver Engineering" > wrote in message ...
> > More drivel. The only thing that a builder is afforded over anyone else
> > who owns a homebuilt is eligibility to sign off the annuals.
>
> Of course, that from Natalie, who doesn't even know a homebuilt is an
> experimantal.
>
> If you build it to sell, you are outside the regulatory intent of a
> homebuilt.
>
I very much know it is certificated in "Experimental -- Amateur Built." The
only thing the rules say is that it must be CONSTRUCTED FOR EDUCATION
OR RECREATION. It doesn't say anything about what it is used for afterwards.
There is no restriction on selling homebuilts or maintaining and operating them after
they are sold.

[Tarver Engineering]

"Ron Natalie" > wrote in message
. ..
>
> "Tarver Engineering" > wrote in message
...
> > > More drivel. The only thing that a builder is afforded over anyone
else
> > > who owns a homebuilt is eligibility to sign off the annuals.
> >
> > Of course, that from Natalie, who doesn't even know a homebuilt is an
> > experimantal.
> >
> > If you build it to sell, you are outside the regulatory intent of a
> > homebuilt.
> >
> I very much know it is certificated in "Experimental

You wrote that you didn't know that, not very long ago.

Are you now claiming that I am correct and you have no businees discussing
regulatory issues, Natalie?

> -- Amateur Built." The
> only thing the rules say is that it must be CONSTRUCTED FOR EDUCATION
> OR RECREATION. It doesn't say anything about what it is used for
afterwards.
> There is no restriction on selling homebuilts or maintaining and operating
them after
> they are sold.

There are several regulatory differences between homebuilts WRT
maintainance. As to building a homebuilt to sell, that alone invalidates
all that AEA has done. A DAS is required to build kit airplanes and sell
them.

Perhaps you would like to post up one of the archive trolls and remove any
doubt of your idiot status, Nesbitt?

[nauga]

"Tarver Engineering" wrote:

> Selling a homebuilt is not consistent with the regulatory advantages
> provided to those building their own airplane, that they intend
> to operate.

Nothing in the CFR about "intent to operate." If a person
builds an airplane "for education or recreation" there
is nothing in the CFR that prevents them from selling it.

Hired guns or building for the express purpose of resale
are other matters altogether.

Dave 'twist and crawl' Hyde

[JFLEISC]

>went to Menards (Home
>Depot-like place) and bought countertop laminate to put over it.

Holy smokes! what a great idea! Wish the hell I thought of that. Besides
durable and cheap just think of the choice of finishes. Did you use a wood
grain theme or something like that?

Jim

[Tarver Engineering]

"nauga" > wrote in message
ink.net...
> "Tarver Engineering" wrote:
>
> > Selling a homebuilt is not consistent with the regulatory advantages
> > provided to those building their own airplane, that they intend
> > to operate.
>
> Nothing in the CFR about "intent to operate." If a person
> builds an airplane "for education or recreation" there
> is nothing in the CFR that prevents them from selling it.

That is correct.

> Hired guns or building for the express purpose of resale
> are other matters altogether.

Yes.

[John Galban]

"nauga" > wrote in message et>...
>
> Nothing in the CFR about "intent to operate." If a person
> builds an airplane "for education or recreation" there
> is nothing in the CFR that prevents them from selling it.

Uh oh. My buddy sold his RV-6 and I'm currently helping him with
the RV-10 project. I don't think he's building it for "education or
recreation". I'm pretty sure he's building it so that he'll have a
kick-ass 4-place airplane to fly around in for less than 1/4 million
dollars.

I suppose the fallback position is that we're getting educated
whether we intend to or not :-)

John Galban=====>N4BQ (PA28-180)

[Tarver Engineering]

"John Galban" > wrote in message
om...
> "nauga" > wrote in message
et>...
> >
> > Nothing in the CFR about "intent to operate." If a person
> > builds an airplane "for education or recreation" there
> > is nothing in the CFR that prevents them from selling it.
>
> Uh oh. My buddy sold his RV-6 and I'm currently helping him with
> the RV-10 project. I don't think he's building it for "education or
> recreation". I'm pretty sure he's building it so that he'll have a
> kick-ass 4-place airplane to fly around in for less than 1/4 million
> dollars.
>
> I suppose the fallback position is that we're getting educated
> whether we intend to or not :-)

As long as he is not building the airplane to sell, he is within the intent
of the regulations.

[Jeff P]

I would give it a horizontal brushed finish (or machine swirled) and
then have it etched and thick clear anodized. The etch time should be
about 3 minutes to give a somewhat matte finish. On 6061 I would say
to use a thin (.0005"-.0010") hard anodize which would give a nice
medium gray color. On 2024 the results of hard anodize are less
consistant so I recommend a thick standard anodize instead. At a
thickness of .0005"+ the color will coume out a light gray with some
goldish undertones. I think it looks good, but if you don't like it
you still have about the best paint base you could imagine.