Panel Update Out with the old, In with the new

[C-GHIJ]

y latest project on the old girl is to install a new panel.  The old left side was the shot gun style and was original form 1962.  The right side had been butchered a few times over the years and looked REAL ugly.

I removed ALL of the old panel back to the tube frame work.   Layed out the new one in auto cad and cut it out of .063 aluminum.  Bent the side return into the left side panel.

Here are a few shots of the project so far.

 

[Guitarmaster]

Very nice!!

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[Guitarmaster]

What kind of autopilot is that?

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[C-GHIJ]

It is the original ARC unit installed in 1962.  Still works.  Pretty basic but fine for a VFR aircraft.

[Guest]

13 hours ago, C-GHIJ said:

y latest project on the old girl is to install a new panel.  The old left side was the shot gun style and was original form 1962.  The right side had been butchered a few times over the years and looked REAL ugly.

I removed ALL of the old panel back to the tube frame work.   Layed out the new one in auto cad and cut it out of .063 aluminum.  Bent the side return into the left side panel.

Here are a few shots of the project so far.

 

Lee,

Looks good!  Keep it up and you may get a job in aviation.

Clarence

[Aviationinfo]

Very clean!  Nice work.  Straightforward is always good.

How will you create the panel labels for the switches and knobs?

[FlyRye]

5 hours ago, Aviationinfo said:

Very clean!  Nice work.  Straightforward is always good.

How will you create the panel labels for the switches and knobs?

I used a label maker. Clear label with black print. Lots of design to choose from. As long as it can fit in the width of label.  l I've been tinkering with my panel. I dream some day I can get them redone. For now, remove vinyl, spray paint, relabel.

[C-GHIJ]

I was going to use a label maker or Letraset (showing my age).   The panel is pretty basic but cost me less than a hundred bucks so far (and a lot of time).  Old panel was a terrible mess and all chopped up.

Didn't get to work on her this weekend due to family commitments (gotta keep the wife happy.  LOL)  Hope to get back at it this week.

[C-GHIJ]

On 3/12/2017 at 8:38 AM, M20Doc said:

Lee,

Looks good!  Keep it up and you may get a job in aviation.

Clarence

I have a job in aviation.  That's why I have to do this myself.  On what we make, can't afford to pay anybody.LOL

[Wakeup]

Can you share more details on making the panel itself.  The right side of panel is plastic and looks terrible.  I would love to have another panel made instead of the plastic one. 

Thanks,

Troy 

[carusoam]

Panel shops do this for a living...

We had a guy, an MSer, that had done some Mooney panels...  

look up Hendricks in this thread...

Best regards,

-a-

[gsxrpilot]

@"Chocks" makes nice panels as well with Laser etched labels.

[Chocks]

1 hour ago, gsxrpilot said:

@"Chocks" makes nice panels as well with Laser etched labels.

Some of the panels I've done (That is not silk screening, those labels are cut into the metal :

Your local avionics shop does all install, all I do is cut bare panels, or cut, label and prep (requires approval for fitment prior). I need the .DWG file from your avionics shop or 3rd party and that's it.

[Marauder]

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[C-GHIJ]

Would have loved to have mine lazer etched but will have to live with the labels for now.  

[macosxuser]

I'm working on the drivers side sub panel of my E right now. Quite a few options out there for Mooney's. I like http://www.hendricksmfg.com/panels.html the best for mine so far. Good price too. For now I'm doing my own fab work to save money. I'm going to do the full panel when I get an engine monitor.