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tips on panel hole layout and cutting

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hotwheels

Joined: 01 Jun 2007
Posts: 240

Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 8:34 pm Post subject: tips on panel hole layout and cutting

Does anyone know of a good tutorial for panel layout / cutting? I understand that Kitplanes May 2006 issue had a good article, but sadly I don't have it. 



I'm especially interested in how to cut the combo hole for Altimeter w/ knob. I found a panel layout template and mounting hole jig in ACS. Anyone know if those are worth the $$? 



I'm comfortable using a fly cutter for the four 2.25" steam gauges. However, it seems that accuracy is required for screw holes on gauges and EFISes. 



Any tips, tricks, time savers or pointers to further information is appreciated!



Cheers,

Jay

dogsbark(at)comcast.net
Guest

Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 9:08 pm Post subject: tips on panel hole layout and cutting

Jay, 

  

I hear there are several companies that will waterjet or CNC your panel to perfection.  You should be able to use panel planning software and send the file for the cut.  Stein may offer this service. 

  

Sean Blair 

RV-7 



 

   

From: "jayb" <jaybrinkmeyer(at)yahoo.com>

To: rv10-list(at)matronics.com

Sent: Monday, August 15, 2011 10:34:22 PM

Subject: tips on panel hole layout and cutting



--> RV10-List message posted by: "jayb" <jaybrinkmeyer(at)yahoo.com>



Does anyone know of a good tutorial for panel layout / cutting? I understand that Kitplanes May 2006 issue had a good article, but sadly I don't have it. 



I'm especially interested in how to cut the combo hole for Altimeter w/ knob. I found a panel layout template and mounting hole jig in ACS. Anyone know if those are worth the $$? 



I'm comfortable using a fly cutter for the four 2.25" steam gauges. However, it seems that accuracy is required for screw holes on gauges and EFISes. 



Any tips, tricks, time savers or pointers to further information is appreciated!



Cheers,

Jay





Read this topic online here:



http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=349594#349594



nbsp;                  -Matt D==============





 [quote][b]

dogsbark(at)comcast.net
Guest

Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 9:20 pm Post subject: tips on panel hole layout and cutting

A few options: 

  

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/pspages/panelplanner.php 

  

http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/products/showcase/instrument-panels/index.html



Sean Blair  

RV-7 

  

   

From: "jayb" <jaybrinkmeyer(at)yahoo.com>

To: rv10-list(at)matronics.com

Sent: Monday, August 15, 2011 10:34:22 PM

Subject: tips on panel hole layout and cutting



--> RV10-List message posted by: "jayb" <jaybrinkmeyer(at)yahoo.com>



Does anyone know of a good tutorial for panel layout / cutting? I understand that Kitplanes May 2006 issue had a good article, but sadly I don't have it. 



I'm especially interested in how to cut the combo hole for Altimeter w/ knob. I found a panel layout template and mounting hole jig in ACS. Anyone know if those are worth the $$? 



I'm comfortable using a fly cutter for the four 2.25" steam gauges. However, it seems that accuracy is required for screw holes on gauges and EFISes. 



Any tips, tricks, time savers or pointers to further information is appreciated!



Cheers,

Jay





Read this topic online here:



http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=349594#349594



nbsp;                  -Matt D==============





 [quote][b]

dogsbark(at)comcast.net
Guest

Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 9:31 pm Post subject: tips on panel hole layout and cutting

....and another idea at VAF: 

  

http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=75053&highlight=panel+design+software 

  

Sean Blair RV-7



 

   

From: "Sean S. Blair" <dogsbark(at)comcast.net>

To: rv10-list(at)matronics.com

Sent: Monday, August 15, 2011 11:13:42 PM

Subject: Re: tips on panel hole layout and cutting



 p { margin: 0; }   

A few options: 

  

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/pspages/panelplanner.php 

  

http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/products/showcase/instrument-panels/index.html



Sean Blair  

RV-7 

  

   

 

From: "jayb" <jaybrinkmeyer(at)yahoo.com>

To: rv10-list(at)matronics.com

Sent: Monday, August 15, 2011 10:34:22 PM

Subject: tips on panel hole layout and cutting



--> RV10-List message posted by: "jayb" <jaybrinkmeyer(at)yahoo.com>



Does anyone know of a good tutorial for panel layout / cutting? I understand that Kitplanes May 2006 issue had a good article, but sadly I don't have it. 



I'm especially interested in how to cut the combo hole for Altimeter w/ knob. I found a panel layout template and mounting hole jig in ACS. Anyone know if those are worth the $$? 



I'm comfortable using a fly cutter for the four 2.25" steam gauges. However, it seems that accuracy is required for screw holes on gauges and EFISes. 



Any tips, tricks, time savers or pointers to further information is appreciated!



Cheers,

Jay





Read this topic online here:



http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=349594#349594



nbsp;                  -Matt D==============





[quote]



get=_blank>http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?RV10-List

p://forums.matronics.com

blank>http://www.matronics.com/contribution



[b]

Bob Turner

Joined: 03 Jan 2009
Posts: 885
Location: Castro Valley, CA

Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 10:57 pm Post subject: Re: tips on panel hole layout and cutting

A standard drill-mounted 2 1/4" hole cutter, with a 1/4" pilot drill, from any hardware store will cut a few holes in the panel before it gets too dull.



For the adjustment knob cut outs I like an abrasive tool of the right diameter in a Dremmel or similar tool. Finish with a file.



The 3 or 4 screw mounting holes are tricky, but I've found a paper template (matched to the instrument) will get you very close. You may have to oversize or slot one or more holes a bit unless you're very careful.

_________________
Bob Turner
RV-10 QB

pitts_pilot(at)bellsouth.
Guest

Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2011 3:45 am Post subject: tips on panel hole layout and cutting

I'm fortunate in that I have a friend with a punch!!  I think the hole 

template is well worth the cost.  You'll end up with a much better 

looking panel IMHO.   Barring that, for the mounting screw holes you can 

buy layout blue in a spray can and use a scale and scribe to measure the 

centers.  I also use sharpened screws in the holes to mark the spots.  

As for the holes with a cutout ..... sometimes you can use the offending 

part to scribe around it ..... or use a set of files to 'file, fit, 

file, fit'.

Linn

On 8/16/2011 12:34 AM, jayb wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   



 Does anyone know of a good tutorial for panel layout / cutting? I understand that Kitplanes May 2006 issue had a good article, but sadly I don't have it.



 I'm especially interested in how to cut the combo hole for Altimeter w/ knob. I found a panel layout template and mounting hole jig in ACS. Anyone know if those are worth the $$?



 I'm comfortable using a fly cutter for the four 2.25" steam gauges. However, it seems that accuracy is required for screw holes on gauges and EFISes.



 Any tips, tricks, time savers or pointers to further information is appreciated!



 Cheers,

 Jay





 Read this topic online here:



 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=349594#349594

rv10flyer

Joined: 25 Aug 2009
Posts: 364

Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2011 4:13 am Post subject: Re: tips on panel hole layout and cutting

I layed out all dim on panel, applied masking tape to bottom of jig saw, cut, filed, sanded, painted in one day. Mark and drilled mounting holes when you receive avionics.

_________________
Wayne G.

hotwheels

Joined: 01 Jun 2007
Posts: 240

Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2011 6:18 am Post subject: Re: tips on panel hole layout and cutting

Thanks for the link!

I'm not opposed to cutting my own panel. It's just time and effort, right? Been building for nearly 8 years, so what's another couple of months.  Having said that, I would like to leverage the knowledge and/or work that's already been done if possible to improve the result. Especially if someone else already has a similar layout and/or use of "known to deliver" vendors.



I hadn't seen ACS software. Interesting... However, I wouldn't consider purchasing layout software or CAD without knowing  1) does it support -10 panels?  2) does it provide all the widgets I have to install  and  3) Has anyone else used it to verify that it's accurate and ready for CNC. It would make me crazy to churn through endless iterations before getting it right.



It may be less headache to go low tech and simply layout directly on the panel blank. That way I can fine tune placement while sitting in the cockpit making airplane noises.



Cheers,

Jay



[quote="dogsbark(at)comcast.net"]A few options: 

  

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/pspages/panelplanner.php 

  

http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/products/showcase/instrument-panels/index.html



Sean Blair  

RV-7 

 

  	  Quote: 	
		  [b]

Mauledriver(at)nc.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2011 8:44 am Post subject: tips on panel hole layout and cutting

I low tech'd it.  Used someone's layout program for some early gross 

layouts.  Then just drew directly on one of Stein's 3 piece panels.  

Just didn't feel like committing it all to a CNC effort.  Would do it 

the same way if I had to do it again.



Sounds like you have a few round holes - I used a fly cutter and hole 

cutter... they worked fine as long as care is used.



I had a lot of square holes including 9 or 10 rockers and half a dozen 

indicators.  A square file made very quick and easy work of them - I was 

totally surprised!



Low tech let's you think as you lay the thing out.  Good luck.



Bill "just had a love-in with a DAR" Watson

It may be less headache to go low tech and simply layout directly on the panel blank. That way I can fine tune placement while sitting in the cockpit making airplane noises.



Cheers,

Jay

Jim Berry

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 237
Location: Denver

Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2011 9:56 am Post subject: Re: tips on panel hole layout and cutting

Jay,



You might want to consider Omnijet for water jet cutting, just up the road from you in Denver. They can convert your hand drawings to CAD and do very nice work. Talk to Nigel at 303-427-6255. He is a pilot and RV builder wanna be.



Jim Berry

N15JB

robin(at)PaintTheWeb.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2011 11:59 am Post subject: tips on panel hole layout and cutting

Not sure if this was mentioned earlier but I used XPanel ( http://www.xpanelsoftware.com/ ) for laying out my 8A panel. It was really easy to use with the library of avionics and allows you to output to a printer/plotter to tape a paper version on your panel for review and then I believe you can export the completed panel for CNC/Water Jet etc... Under $100.00. 



Good luck

Robin



On Tue, Aug 16, 2011 at 10:56 AM, Jim Berry <jimberry(at)qwest.net (jimberry(at)qwest.net)> wrote:

[quote] --> RV10-List message posted by: "Jim Berry" <jimberry(at)qwest.net (jimberry(at)qwest.net)>

 

 Jay,

 

 You might want to consider Omnijet for water jet cutting, just up the road from you in Denver. They can convert your hand drawings to CAD and do very nice work. Talk to Nigel at [url=tel:303-427-6255]303-427-6255[/url]. He is a pilot and RV builder wanna be.

  

 Jim Berry

 N15JB

 

 

 

 

 Read this topic online here:

 

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=349661#349661

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 [b]

bcondrey

Joined: 03 Apr 2006
Posts: 580

Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2011 6:58 am Post subject: Re: tips on panel hole layout and cutting

Jay,



Give me a ring sometime and I'll walk you through what I did and how.  I've done a couple of panels now, both old school, and it's not a big deal to manually cut them. 



Bob

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