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09-28-2013, 09:11 AM
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#1
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Guru
City: St. Petersburg, Florida
Vessel Name: M/V Sherpa
Vessel Model: 24' Vashon Diesel Cruiser
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 598
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Black plastic panel material
Hello. The helm station on my boat has a black plastic like panel material, which has been cut-out to accept my instrument panel and Morse controls. I've seen this type of material on other boats--I don't believe it is Formica.
Can anyone direct me to where I may find a sheet of this material? I'd like to redo the top of my helm. I checked Google to no avail.
I've attached a photo--yes, that is me with my annual winter facial growth... got my first greys!
__________________
“Go small, go simple, go now”
― Larry Pardey, Cruising in Seraffyn
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09-28-2013, 09:17 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
City: Victoria BC
Vessel Name: LUCKY US
Vessel Model: American Tug
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 267
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I think your looking for a product called "starboard". West marine and many other marine stores carry it. Google it.
Cheers
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09-28-2013, 09:18 AM
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#3
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Guru
City: San Diego
Vessel Name: Circuit Breaker
Vessel Model: 2021..22' Duffy Cuddy cabin
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,691
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vashon_Trawler
Hello. The helm station on my boat has a black plastic like panel material, which has been cut-out to accept my instrument panel and Morse controls. I've seen this type of material on other boats--I don't believe it is Formica.
Can anyone direct me to where I may find a sheet of this material? I'd like to redo the top of my helm. I checked Google to no avail.
I've attached a photo--yes, that is me with my annual winter facial growth... got my first greys!
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Ask Flywright.
__________________
Done with diesel power boats! Have fallen in love with all electric!
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09-28-2013, 09:27 AM
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#4
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Scraping Paint
City: Fort Lauderdale
Vessel Model: CHB 48 Zodiac YL 4.2
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,804
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vashon_Trawler
Hello. The helm station on my boat has a black plastic like panel material, which has been cut-out to accept my instrument panel and Morse controls.
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Starboard will work but if it is thin enough to substitute directly it will be too thin to provide structural integrity over any length of time and will look nasty after a few months in the heat.
Best results might be obtained by working with a company like this:
Front Panel Express:*Custom Front Panel Designs and Enclosures - Overview
If you want to do all the work yourself, look for thin acrylic (engravable) plastic and apply it to an aluminum backing for structure.
The Cutting Edge
You don't have to have it engraved, you can buy really nice engraved labels off-the-shelf fairly reasonably.
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09-28-2013, 09:37 AM
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#5
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Guru
City: St. Petersburg, Florida
Vessel Name: M/V Sherpa
Vessel Model: 24' Vashon Diesel Cruiser
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 598
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Thanks all. The material is screwed directly on top of wood, which has been cut out as well to accept the controls and panel. It is fairly thin (more cosmetic I guess) and provides no structural support.
It may certainly be black starboard--didn't think of that. I honestly didn't know they made it in black--I assumed only grey and white. I checked Google and found some thin sheets in black (as well as other colors).
I'll look into everyone's advice and the links. I appreciate the guidance.
__________________
“Go small, go simple, go now”
― Larry Pardey, Cruising in Seraffyn
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09-28-2013, 10:52 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
City: Victoria BC
Vessel Name: LUCKY US
Vessel Model: American Tug
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 267
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Starboard will work but if it is thin enough to substitute directly it will be too thin to provide structural integrity over any length of time and will look nasty after a few months in the heat.
Good point Rick. I have used some 3/16 on my dash and so far it has lasted and still looks new (2yrs). But I was covering holes about 3x6 so no warping etc.
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09-28-2013, 11:04 AM
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#7
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Guru
City: Seattle, WA
Vessel Name: Pau Hana
Vessel Model: 1989 PT52 Overseas Yachtfisher
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,676
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__________________
Peter- Marine Insurance Guru at Novamar Insurance Group (206-350-5051) & tuna fishing addict!
1989 52' PT Overseas yachtfisher
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09-28-2013, 11:14 AM
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#8
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Guru
City: Hotel, CA
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 8,323
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Sheet aluminum has been the go to material for me in the past. If you can't find what your looking for finish wise(typically anodized) having the material powder coated after fabrication comes out nice.
We did have a member that would make panels to order with a CNC machine. I think Kevin Sanders bought some for his Bayliner. Can't remember the members name though.
__________________
Craig
It's easier to fool people than to convince them that they've been fooled - Mark Twain
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09-28-2013, 11:20 AM
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#9
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Guru
City: Seattle, WA
Vessel Name: Pau Hana
Vessel Model: 1989 PT52 Overseas Yachtfisher
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,676
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CPseudonym
Sheet aluminum has been the go to material for me in the past. If you can't find what your looking for finish wise(typically anodized) having the material powder coated after fabrication comes out nice.
We did have a member that would make panels to order with a CNC machine. I think Kevin Sanders bought some for his Bayliner. Can't remember the members name though.
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That'd be Mike, AKA SomeSailor. He has a shop that does exactly that type of work.
__________________
Peter- Marine Insurance Guru at Novamar Insurance Group (206-350-5051) & tuna fishing addict!
1989 52' PT Overseas yachtfisher
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09-28-2013, 11:36 AM
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#10
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Guru
City: Hotel, CA
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 8,323
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pau Hana
That'd be Mike, AKA SomeSailor. He has a shop that does exactly that type of work.
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That's it, thank you sir. It was going to bug me all day not remembering his name.
One tip I offer for the DIY'r is masking tape is your friend when fabbing panels by hand regardless of material choice. Makes layout changes disappear and prevents chipping while drilling. I like the green frog tape personally.
__________________
Craig
It's easier to fool people than to convince them that they've been fooled - Mark Twain
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09-28-2013, 12:11 PM
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#11
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Guru
City: St. Petersburg, Florida
Vessel Name: M/V Sherpa
Vessel Model: 24' Vashon Diesel Cruiser
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 598
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pau Hana
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Wow! This is a great site--thanks! They have several options that may work and I found some materials for other projects!
__________________
“Go small, go simple, go now”
― Larry Pardey, Cruising in Seraffyn
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09-28-2013, 04:00 PM
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#12
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 9
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You can use High Density Polyethylene. It comes in various thicknesses and is easy to work with. I have gotten it from 1/4" to 3/4", it cuts easy and you can rout the edges for a nice finish. I have used it for the dash on my helm. Look for plastic fabrication shops in your area. The one local to me has a cull bin clearance the 4th Friday of each month and I can usually get what I want then. If you have to, it comes in sheets up to 4'x8'. If you can't find what you want/need let PM me I may have some 1/4" with an orange peel texture hanging around depending on the size you need.
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09-28-2013, 05:46 PM
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#13
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Guru
City: Ft Pierce
Vessel Name: Sold
Vessel Model: Was an Albin/PSN 40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28,149
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I'm tying the ABS that looks just like textured starboard at a fraction of the price...
ABS Sheet - ABS Sheets GP Forming Grade - Order Online Here
when I ordered a 2X4 panel..the second was free except for a tad bit more shipping..so if you need it ask if it's still valid.
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09-29-2013, 12:52 AM
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#14
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El Capitan
City: North Myrtle Beach, SC
Vessel Name: Avalon
Vessel Model: Chung Hwa 46 LRC
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 907
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I’m assuming that the original panel is being removed and used as a template.
What would be the best way to cut the holes in the new panel?
I’m thinking different tools for different materials. Holesaws, jigsaws? KJ
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09-29-2013, 08:28 AM
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#15
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Guru
City: St. Petersburg, Florida
Vessel Name: M/V Sherpa
Vessel Model: 24' Vashon Diesel Cruiser
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 598
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KJ
I’m assuming that the original panel is being removed and used as a template.
What would be the best way to cut the holes in the new panel?
I’m thinking different tools for different materials. Holesaws, jigsaws? KJ
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Great question. Yes, my existing panel is being removed and will serve as a template. There are no circular cuts needed--all I require are a few square/rectangular cut outs. I'm buying the "cut to size" sheet with finished routed edges and corners (I specify the corner radius), so I only have to worry about the cuts for the Morse controls and Volvo instrument panel--they can be a little rough as no one will see the cuts. I plan on using a Dremel with a cutting bit or disc--hacksaw blade could probably work as well. If you are working with ABS, you could melt the plastic with a Dremel if not careful.
I'm open to other suggestions!
__________________
“Go small, go simple, go now”
― Larry Pardey, Cruising in Seraffyn
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09-29-2013, 11:18 AM
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#16
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TF Site Team
City: California Delta
Vessel Name: FlyWright
Vessel Model: 1977 Marshall Californian 34 LRC
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 13,728
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Take a look at the multi-tools for clean straight cuts with minimal dust at maximum noise.
I agree with the Tap Plastics and Front Panel Express recommendations. I have used both and have been pleased. Great link on that acetal sheet, Pau Hana. That looks like the right material for the job and at a fraction of the cost of Front Panel Express. If you have the need to engrave a panel for items like switches or circuit breakers, FPE is hard to beat.
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09-30-2013, 04:54 AM
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#17
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Guru
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 22,553
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Anyone have an easy source for <engine turned> aluminum to build a dash out of?
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09-30-2013, 07:45 AM
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#18
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TF Site Team
City: California Delta
Vessel Name: FlyWright
Vessel Model: 1977 Marshall Californian 34 LRC
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 13,728
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Not sure what <engine turned> aluminum is, but Front Panel Express made my panel of anodized aluminum.
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09-30-2013, 11:05 PM
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#19
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Guru
City: Gibsons, B.C., Canada
Vessel Name: Island Pride
Vessel Model: Palmer 32'
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,414
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Engine turned panels.
Take a gander at this site:
https://www.google.com/search?q=engi...&bih=639&dpr=1
Not often used except in very custom work as it is time consuming and a boo boo can ruin many hours of work. These days I guess it would be easy to program a cnc milling machine or such for the pattern.
Usually produces a stunning panel or piece of work.
A really beautiful panel, but expensive, would be engine turned aluminum that is then anodized.
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10-01-2013, 02:50 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
City: Fort Lauderdale
Vessel Name: Wataworld
Vessel Model: Defever 44+5
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 145
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I believe Home Depot sells plastic in sheets! If necasary your local sign shop can drape in black plastic and label as desired!
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