Blank Faceplates

[Stanz]

Where would one get blank faceplate material that is laser engraved "ready", already cut to spec and anodized? It seems .020" is about the right thickness.

[Jana]

They might be able to help you:

http://www.amplates.com/

[selloutrr]

check out

www.frontpanelexpress.com

they have free downloadable design software that can price your product in real time, you can order online, and print your designs. It's easy to use and a handle program for sketching out faceplates.

[Stanz]

Thanks guys, but I am interested in BLANK faceplate material. Material with which one would be able to one's own designs.

[selloutrr]

so choice your size finish and quatity if you want metal. if u want plexi google plexiglass and ask a dealer to pre cut a sheet to the size you want

[oldhousescott]

You might check with either of these folks to see if they will sell just the materials.

http://www.precisiondesignin.com
http://www.bnplasers.com/

[Tonegeek]

http://burlane.com/

You can try the Alumamark which is ready to be engraved. The sheets are 20" on one side but you will have to cut them in strips which you can get done at almost any sheet metal shop. I will say my results with this material is inconsistant. for footswitch labels it worked well but for large areas such as amp faceplates, it was hard to get consistant results. I think the material is very sensitive to the laser settings. I had an engineer friend analyze the material and he thinks that due to the manufacturing process that the material is prone to variations in density causing it to look faded in some places. This is more obvious when doing large pieces like a faceplate.

Attached is a couple of my amps that show 2 faceplate types. the top one is laser etched Satin Silver ALumamark and the bottom one is Kinkos vinyl laminated on both sides. The Alumamark is OK but not perfect. I have read on some engraver forums that others have had trouble getting consistant results with ALumamark so I am looking for alternative materials to etch with a laser. I would love to know if anyone else has played with Alumamark and what thier results were. Plastic may be a better way to go but then you have to get pots with longer shafts.