General DIY thread (post your project pics!)

[Ludwig]

With a drill press, vice and a decent file case work would be breeze. Alas most of us don't have this equipment or intend to spend the money.

I had a cordless drill and a cheap set of drill bits already but needed to get a step drill bit, clamp and hacksaw which set me back about $60.

Be aware, drilling freehand can be difficult as the drill bit always tends to go off mark slightly even with a pilot hole or punch. It's also very easy to screw up measurements.

Casework is definitely the shittiest aspect of diy.

[dc]

This. That is why I will now use FPE for pretty much everything. Casework takes way too much time, needing tools I don't have, to get results that I can easily get better from somebody else. I prefer to focus my time on the electronics, wiring and project functionality.

I can't seem to find on their website whether Front Panels Express do Australia. Do you have to send them your panels first?

Also, is the panel design software hard to use? The more I read about this the more attractive an option it becomes...

What kind of damage did your panels cost beefy?

[Beefy]

I can't seem to find on their website whether Front Panels Express do Australia. Do you have to send them your panels first?

You can send them the material, or they can fabricate from scratch.

Also, is the panel design software hard to use?

Very, very easy. It calculates costs as you go as well. Only limitation is that you can't design >4mm panels with the software, but you can specifically request it in the panel properties dialog.

What kind of damage did your panels cost beefy?

Buffalo panels: $85.51 FR, $85.37 BK
Gamma2 panels: $27.07 FR, $27.16 BK
Exstata panels: $113.87 FR, $69.78 BK

Plus shipping of course. You can save a LOT of money off these by losing the coloured in-fill on the engravings, by not having work done on the back of the panel (Exstata front had this), by not having countersunk holes, and by not having panels thicker than 4mm.

You can make things even more expensive with logos, large engravings, and other bling.

[MomijiTMO]

Front Panel Designer is super easy to use.

[rayk]

I think considering that my CKKIII isn't going to be built that soon I might try looking into using FPE.

EDIT: Anyone willing to share headphone specific macros for FPE - like neutrik 1/4" holes and so on?

Also I recall a thread about shiny volume knobs, was wondering where to source one for myself. Looking at something like the one on the Gilmore Lite (I'll probably go for a similar panel design because it soooo nice!).

[MomijiTMO]

If you do decide to get a panel, let me know. I need one too and we can split shipping costs.

[rayk]

Considering I will either need to buy a tool or pay some one to do, might as well just get one ordered and save myself some sweat.

Have FPE installed, but lacking the macros for parts and dimensions for a volume knob, also can't find the bevel sizes of a Hammond 1455Q2202 case .

[MomijiTMO]

Paging Beefy...

Paging Beefy...


Quick time to put the Beefy signal in the night sky!

[Beefy]

Datasheets, lads..... datasheets!

[MomijiTMO]

It worked!

Yeah the obvious isn't so obvious first thing in the morning .

[rayk]

Found a store that sells MANY knobs! http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/PARTSPIPE , still have no idea what colour my case is... order form just states "clear anodized" what ever colour that is.

[Beefy]

Found a store that sells MANY knobs! http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/PARTSPIPE , still have no idea what colour my case is... order form just states "clear anodized" what ever colour that is.

Clear anodized is silver. All of my knobs come from partspipe, mostly the 30x22mm

[rayk]

Thanks Beefy!

More questions, what is a #6 Taptight screw? I'm trying to get holes on the front plate so the plate fits to the Hammond 1455Q2202, since the case comes with plastic plates I will just order aluminium ones from FPE. Also is there a ruler tool in FPE? Don't want to mess up the position of the holes... in your thread I saw your front plate design had holes for screws marked and am wondering how you went about getting them in right position.

Once I'm done with my plate I will upload it for anyone else who wants to use it (or check it).

Also no bevel info on that datasheet

[dingostolemyipod]

oh no rayk, you better be carefull not to get the same knobs as beefy, that would be a bit creepy

[MomijiTMO]

I'm going to get "I <3 Beefy" on my front panel. That's not too creepy is it?