Finally something real instead of being all in virtual world!
Got my new front panel blank in from
Front Panel Express today.
Here is the link to the web album with more photos and comments.
This post will serve as sort of an unboxing/mini review of what you can get from FPE. I have no affiliation with FPE other than being a new customer. I did not even know anything about them until a while back when Mark posted a coupon code available.
This panel came in a little shy of $300 delivered. That includes a 20% off coupon which seems to be standard for them if you look around for a code.
Now I know some will say that is too high but I have already built one airplane and I know what stuff cost. I totally built my first panel myself, cut the panel by hand, painted and labeled it. I have never been happy with it due to the low quality paint and labels. By the time someone pays for the sheet metal blank, gets it delivered, cuts it, does the body work, buys the paint and paints it or has it painted or powder coated and then does some sort of labels, I can almost bet that there won't be much difference in the cost....
The way their process works is you use their free
Front Panel Designer software to design your panel the way you like it. Their software quotes the project in real time as you go so you always know where you stand. The software is fairly easy to use. There are a few limitations however in the tools available but FPE does give you the option to import more complex stuff from other full blown CAD programs so you can still end up with whatever you want.
Once you are happy with your design, you can order it over the Internet right from the software. Their standard delivery time is 5 working days and their flat rate shipping charge is $4.95.
One thing to be aware of is that if you ask for engraving after powder coat, you will get charged another $15.50 fee that is not automatically applied by the software.
Today when I got home, I found this huge box on my porch:
The panel is in their somewhere!
Included in the box were not one but two Gummy Bear packages. The kids loved them!
The crazy big box had this inside under the airbags:
And inside that was the panel blank wrapped in tissue paper:
Here is the end result:
Here is a detail shot of the engraving/infill work:
There are a few more detail shots in the album link above. You can zoom in to the big versions....
Needless to say the packaging was top notch! I doubt it could be done any better. Remember it was only $4.95 flat rate!
I have studied the finish that FPE applied to the panel blank. I would say it is not perfect but close. The powder seems to be applied evenly. There is a slight texture to the finish which is exaggerated in the photos by the camera flash but it is there. I would classify it semi-gloss. The quality of the engraved and infilled text is very good. If you look at the panel with just the right light and angle, there are a few places that look like they may have been touched up but I can't tell for sure. These spots are very small and most are near text that has been engraved. You have to try really hard to see them. Overall the finish seems to be cured very well and ready for use. The back of the panel is coated as well.
Before anyone ask, I plan to reuse the angle that goes around the top and behind the panel on the tip-up. I will make a new angle to go along the bottom. I plan to use some nice contrasting 4-40 hex head pan screws to fasten the angles and the radio stack rails. I want this panel easy to change out in the future if I decide to upgrade....(just kidding) really though, I like the tech look of nice screws around the panel.
My final comments are that I think FPE can offer a good value to the homebuilder. Just make sure you know what you are getting and you should be fine. I would do it again but be sure to search for a coupon code to get the 20% off.