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  #11  
Old 06-16-2012, 03:25 PM
BobTurner BobTurner is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Livermore, CA
Posts: 6,797
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I too did my own. To be honest, if you know where to look, you can tell it wasn't CNC cut. But I built the plane for my own enjoyment and satisfaction, and the panel, being pretty much "off plans", was one of the most satisfying experiences for me, personally. Of course your mileage may vary.

Bob
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  #12  
Old 07-06-2012, 07:27 AM
Dick3310 Dick3310 is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Dallas
Posts: 16
Default Great Service from Up North

Just finished the CNC panel process with Up North. Thought the service was great and the panel looks excellent and everything fits.

Did a half dozen or so paper iterations then approved a full-sized paper template. The panel was completed and in my hands a week from then including transit. Relatively simple all glass panel but still 43 holes or cut outs.

Other readers have mentioned DIY. I do not have the shop facilities to easily do the job. That particularly applies to supporting the panel for cutting and filing. Also felt my chances of not making a goof that I would see every flight was mininal.

Bill has templates for all the popular instruments so for example you just have to say Skyview and the location. Another advantage is he checks for interferences and clearances. In the end the layout is your's but he is of great assistance.

Dick Sunderland
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  #13  
Old 07-06-2012, 07:31 AM
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AltonD AltonD is offline
 
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Location: Dothan, Alabama
Posts: 1,487
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom Martin View Post
Guys
It is still possible to actually do this job yourself! If you call yourself an airplane builder you should be able to take a right angle grinder and cut a square hole almost to a line, and then file to fit. . . . .
Worked for me.
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  #14  
Old 07-06-2012, 04:52 PM
hudgin hudgin is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Cedar Hill, Tx.
Posts: 159
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I can not cut a straight line or row of holes if my life depended on it. When sitting there looking at my workmanship on a long cross country it would drive me nuts. I found a machine shop here in town just down the road. They did an excellent job on the first panel and get to do it again cause my drawing was a half inch off for the radios. (Grrrr!) Another reason I don't want to cut the panel.
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  #15  
Old 07-07-2012, 09:31 AM
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NDrv8r NDrv8r is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Bismarck, ND
Posts: 212
Default cnc panels

Of course you can cut your own panel! This is the way we did it before the Panel Pro was available and there are some really nice looking home made panels out there. If time is not an issue, and you are willing to accept imperfections, have at it.

Remember though you (and your passengers) look at the panel every time you fly. Someone that is inexperienced with panel layout will draw each cutout individually (assuming they have access to CAD). I can't tell you the number of times I have seen panels drawn by people that know CAD, but not neccesarily Instrument panels that have mounting holes wrong or unsymetrical, or the cutouts way oversized leaving ugly gaps.


Shops that have the Panel Pro panel cutter have a drawing library with the cutouts that are proven correct, they also make sure your edge to edge distance is acceptable because the drawings include the bezel (case) of the instruments. Before you ask, the Drawing Library is only available if you buy a Panel Pro.

Bill Morelli's panels come out nice because he not only works with your sketch and make recomendations based on experience and a desire to help, he has the tools to do the job using the Panel Pro.

I used the Panel Pro to help fabricate my RV7A in a year and a half. I made a bunch of parts in addition to the panel with the Panel Pro. Take the canopy latch for instance. The punched part from Vans had a gazillion little punch marks that had to be filed smooth. In addition the part was warped from the punching process. I digitized and cut my own using the Panel Pro. The result is a perfectly flat part with very minimal burr.

Let me say this again. Everyones goal is a bit different. If yours includes hand forming every part possible using your own hands and a rock have at it.

If you want to spend your time putting the pieces together and making an airplane you can be proud of, buy your own Panel Pro or give Bill Morelli a call.
http://www.bullerent.com
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Last edited by NDrv8r : 07-07-2012 at 09:35 AM.
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  #16  
Old 07-07-2012, 11:07 AM
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agirard7a agirard7a is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Newport, RI
Posts: 705
Default Cutting panel

Measure, square and scribe a line with a metal scribe, (very fine accurate line) drill some starter holes and a metal blade on a jig saw works great. Finish with a file. Step bit and fly hole cutter for the round holes. Not very expensive to replace if you mess it up. Last time I checked.
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  #17  
Old 07-07-2012, 05:31 PM
hudgin hudgin is offline
 
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Location: Cedar Hill, Tx.
Posts: 159
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$36.00 plus freight.
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  #18  
Old 07-07-2012, 06:14 PM
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ColoRv ColoRv is offline
 
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What does it cost to have someone CNC a panel?
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  #19  
Old 07-07-2012, 06:24 PM
hudgin hudgin is offline
 
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$200.00 here. Less at other places plus freight = $200.00
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  #20  
Old 07-08-2012, 01:19 PM
Flying Scotsman Flying Scotsman is offline
 
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$75.00. I provided the CAD file. Done by the next morning.
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