Jay -- it is really quite simple. You take the faceplate off, you measure
all the dimensions relative to a common point (most of us like the lower
left hand corner of the beast), you put those dimensions into a computer
program, load a blank of aluminum into the machine, push "go" and out the
other end comes an exact duplicate.

How come every time you say "It's really quite simple" it always seems to be
something incredibly complex?

Must be that Apollo Program experience...

;-)

John -- I don't see any mounting hardware on the faceplate itself, so
there must be a couple of tapped mounting bosses inside the panel. Since
I don't have one in my hand, I can't take those dimensions. If anybody
out there has a cracked or otherwise junk 136 faceplate they would be
willing to loan either John or I to do the dimensioning, I'd really
appreciate it.

Well, therein lies the rub. If I take the faceplate off, all the little
buttons go "boing!" all over the cockpit. Otherwise I'd just mail it to you
tomorrow!

It's not the best design. The buttons are smaller than your fingers, and
when you push them in, especially in turbulence, you tend to push the
faceplate, too. This, of course, puts lots of stress on the four
screw-holes that are in the sides of the faceplate (2 on each side), which
eventually cracks it.

Jay -- since this is an "owner produced part" for a certificated airplane,
are you sure you want to get into the middle of that excruciatingly long
thread in public? {;-)

Hmm. Sure sounds legal to me. What's the big deal?

It's not like it's a prop governor or sumpin'...
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"