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THE AM BULLETIN BOARD => Technical Forum => Topic started by: wavebourn on June 24, 2005, 03:22:49 PM



Title: Lettering
Post by: wavebourn on June 24, 2005, 03:22:49 PM
How do you put perfect looking lettering on painted faceplates?


Title: Lettering
Post by: Ed - N3LHB on June 24, 2005, 06:30:42 PM
I have used dry-transfer letters (available from art and hobby supply stores) in the past with success. Done carefully, and followed with a clearcoat, it looks very presentable. Good for smooth finishes, I never had any success with crinkle finishes.

I picked some "ham" dry transfers up at a hamfest years ago, the advantage is that you don't have to align each letter one by one. The ham dry transfers are in words like ON, OFF, VOLUME, FREQUENCY, etc. May still be available, I don't know....

Whenever I purchase a candidate for restoration, I try to make sure that the lettering is engraved, or if not, that it is very presentable. Engraved lettering on panel are a breeze to restore, silkscreened panels are best re-silkscreened, some offer this service for popular rigs. Good luck, Tolly...


Title: Lettering
Post by: w3jn on June 24, 2005, 08:14:28 PM
Tolly, various rub-on lettering sets for electronics can be found at
www.tubesandmore.com

I forget which section... restoration?  Front panels?  Dunno.  It's there, I saw it a few days ago.

73 John


Title: Lettering
Post by: wavebourn on June 24, 2005, 08:45:25 PM
Thanks!
Ordered from tubesandmore, waiting now...


Title: Lettering
Post by: n2bc on June 25, 2005, 07:55:17 AM
For homebrew stuff I use a label maker from "Brother".  It prints on plastic self-stick tape that comes in various color combos (black on white, black on clear, blue, red, etc.).

The tape seems to be quite durable but I've only been using it for 6 months or so.  There are various printers, from $30 and up.  The tape is $20ish per cartridge of 27' (lots of labels).

Lets see if I can insert a pix:



(http://home.stny.rr.com/n2bc/Multimeter.jpg)

73, Bill  N2BC
AMfone - Dedicated to Amplitude Modulation on the Amateur Radio Bands