| DTARM1 |
05-20-2020 10:09 PM |
Quote:
Originally Posted by sjjonesnz
(Post 1432151)
Hi all, I'm looking to take the opportunity of tidying up some things on my panel when I do upgrade my transponder for ADSB (replacing my GTX327 with a GTX335)
0.063" 2024T3 alclad isn't cheap so I'm considering using a more readily available and so better priced commercial grade, say 5005.
Thoughts?
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Very good idea. It looks fantastic too. You can swirl 5005 and make it look really aesthetically pleasing. About the only downside - scratches, you can buff out the light ones, but the deeper ones are tough to deal with.
I had an old panel cutter that used a router to cut the holes. But what's out there today to cut panels like water jets are unbelievably accurate. But don't use a plasma cutter! Aluminum conducts heat too good and the edges end up jagged. If the material is thin enough you can use a 1/2" pneumatic impact wrench and an instrument hole "punch" - you'll be in for a workout for sure if you use manual tools. Other ideas are Carbon Fiber which is real nice too. It's really strong, looks good and is workable. It really makes the gauges "pop".
Lastly - don't forget about electronics. The standard round gauges have been around since the dawn of time, but fancy electronic displays are updated ever few months. There is nothing worse for me than to look inside a cockpit and see extra holes for a 3 year old GPS that is not the latest and greatest and the owner want's to upgrade, but the device is a different size. I put floats on a 1949 Cessna 170 today. The airplane had been restored and 0 timed 3 years ago. Only round holes - as it was new in 1949 - but all the gauges were new. It looked great.
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