Turtlerock Forum

Hey all,

I am building up a few projects at the moment and am struggling to locate some older style panel indicators with jewels, like the old guitar amps or Gates or Collins or RCA limiters would have used.

Can only seem to find cheap crap that is plastic and led etc. I was keen for 240v or low voltage (12v, 6v) incandescent bulbs if possible.

If anyone knows of "bloke down the street" with some old surplus or something - I would love to know about it.
Otherwise I will stick with the pretend looking Jaycar stuff!!

Mac.

I have found them on ebay, but i just did a search but couldn't find them at the moment. Was a seller from Victoria I believe.

Try Evatco - http://www.evatco.com.au/miscparts.htm#lamps

(Incidentally, the owner posts on another forum as Mac - there you go).

But yeah, they sell exactly what you're after - and lots of other great old school goodies.

Hey Thanks Chris and Barney.

Yeah those ones at evatco look good. I shall give them a go. Lots of hits through mouser / active components, but not any info to see what you are actually ordering.

thanks heaps, I am trying to get close to my front panel design for my dual 1176 (you can see my front panel here http://www.prodigy-pro.com/diy/index.php?topic=646.2520 ).

cheers guys,
Mac

Well, if your front panel looks as good in reality as it does on screen, then that will be a killer looking bit of gear :)

Good luck with it, I see from that Lab thread you're well advanced with it and going well.

Like these?

http://stores.shop.ebay.com.au/PARTSPIP ... _nkw=jewel

These

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/8pcs-RED-JEWEL-6 ... .m14.l1262

seem to be exactly the same as used in the newer UA gear.

Yeah thanks Chris L.... I have had a few dramas, but both boards are up and test all good now.

I am up to the paint - metalwork stage (which I am finding rather more frustrating than I had expected). I have a new respect for the level of finish achieved by some DIYers - IT IS HARD!!

I think I might save up for a dremel tool and try to only work with aluminum from now on - 3mm steel front face is a killer...

Thanks for those links too Mike. I had seen some of these on Feebay, but you never know the quality of something untill you get it in your hand. I think for now I will bung a dodgy Jaycar one in and keep an eye out over the next few months for an old vintage one to come along.

(it is a good morning - three PCB's and no smoke!!!)
:D
cheers,
Mac

the metal work doesn't have to be that hard - get a nibbler tool (from jaycar, $12?). sure you'll have the forearms of a gorilla once you've finished, but they'll match the grazes on your knuckles.

nibbler, 5mm and 10mm metal drill bits and a narrow flexi-hacksaw is all i need for my front panels.
(of course, this is presuming aluminium faceplates)



cts

Mac wrote:I think I might save up for a dremel tool and try to only work with aluminum from now on - 3mm steel front face is a killer...

3mm Steel is a pain in the arse... make sure you have a fine & sharp round file, and a fine and sharp square file.. the round is good for doing deep cuts, the square for, well, squaring it off.
Also, depending on how good you are, A jig saw with a very fine & sharp blade is great for doing most of the work.. make sure you cut with the back side facing up against the jig saw, and put masking tape on the good side.

I've got a dremel, and while it's handy for some things.. but I don't know if it will be your savour.

I recently did some quick panel work for a friend (Converting some stuff with JAP style 2 pin IEC's to our 3 PIN IECs) , and all I had was my dremel.. It was only 1.2mm steel and even then it was a real bore... A file would have done it in 1/5th the time.

Regards
Mike

I have spent hours filing square holes for a custom VU meter thingy I built. You feel proud at the end, but you get sore hands.

Gian wrote:You feel proud at the end, but you get sore hands.

isn't that just the way with so many things in life, tho?

Yeah, I think my biggest problem is that I am trying to work to a budget and teetering on the edge of trying to make the proverbial silk purse.!!

Everything looks great in photoshop - now to try to achieve in the workshop (another proposition entirely).

Mac