Instrument panel plastic

[PT20J]

23 hours ago, gsxrpilot said:

Yeah, just like others have said here, the only reason I suggest an EAA membership in this case, is that SolidWorks is included in the membership. And buying a copy of SolidWorks out right would be several hundred dollars. It's completely legitimate, legal, and all that stuff. It's a benefit to EAA members.

Thanks, Paul. I didn’t know that — and I’ve a lifetime EAA member (also AOPA and Seaplane Pilots Assoc.) for years.

Skip

[Woodpile]

Is there a particular type or thickness of aluminum required (or preferred) for this work?

[DCarlton]

On 1/30/2020 at 5:39 PM, Planegary said:

Am considering replacing my instrument panel plastic due to it being heavily modified in the past with random holes that are no longer relevant and general age. Have looked around for replacement plastic to no avail. Any suggestions? I thought that I found a website that had them for sale but I must have been drinking or hallucinated it altogether 

I was able to find the plastic overlays at Vantage Plane Plastics for my F.  Takes some work to get the lights transitioned over but it can be done.  I don't mind the look at all.  If I do anything more extensive down the road, I'll make a new AL panel.  

[carusoam]

DC,

You have that fresh from the factory look going on!

Only much newer!

Looks fantastic!

Best regards,

-a-

[Igor_U]

On 8/10/2022 at 11:47 AM, Woodpile said:

Is there a particular type or thickness of aluminum required (or preferred) for this work?

I used 7050 sheet metal as 2024 t3 was not available at the place that water jet my panels. IIRC, thickness was .125" for pilot's panel and .100" for copilots. I just measured the existing panels and used the same.

[0TreeLemur]

I used 0.125 aluminum on the pilot's side and 0.04 aluminum as a thin veneer overlay on the co-pilot's side.  We used a brake to put the factory bend in the pilot-side panel.