[Drake] refinish work

Mon, 8 Sep 2003 13:04:26 -0700

It was Bruce Marton K1XR....here is his email I saved. Bruce, what
happened on your project?
Anything to report?

>>>>I have a request to post here.
The front panel project is moving along, it appears the litho process
was the process used and I have located a specialty company that does
small runs and prototype runs of lithographic printing on metal.  I have
also found another fabricator who can cut the parts from sheet aluminum
using a new laser cutting machine and then polish the metal for the
proper graining. What I need is some examples of the front panels.  Does
anyone have any spare front panels kicking around, they don't have to be
excellent condition??  All I need is an example to match fonts, and
layout.  For the actual artwork, I will remove some mint condition
panels from some radios I have to get the job done perfectly.  But in
the interim, I need something
just for basic layout and color matching.   I am trying to avoid
disassembling on line radios for price estimating and layout work. The
panels would be returned to you in the same condition as received. I
would be looking for some C line panels to start with. 73, Bruce
K1XR<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Regards

Dave Harmon
NSRCA 586
[email protected]
Torrance, Ca.

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
On Behalf Of MIKE SOUHRADA
Sent: Monday, September 08, 2003 12:27 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Drake] refinish work

[email protected] wrote:

> Is there a source anywhere for getting the face plates on the early
drake gear redone.. like the tr-4 or rv-4 etc. cabinets are no problem
,just the face plates.
> thanks to all.
> dale k8peo

Dale
Glad you brought this up.Last week I was thinking of the process to do 
just that. I have this old
TR 4C panel that is badly corroded and been wondering if there was any
demand for a reproduction of such an item since Drake quit providing
them.
I've never done it but wondered how many would be interested and if it
would be worth the trouble. There was a time when many requests went out
on the list and I think someone had started reproductions.
However, haven't seen a request like yours in some time.
One drawback is the variety of front panels. I only have the "C" line 
and TR panel to make masters.
BTW I'm the ham that made many of the Hammarlund clock lens until some
guy came along and undercut my price with a cheap imitation(from what 
I've been told). So I quit doing it, lots of labor for each lens.
And a high scrap rate to meet my standards.
Mike
Iowa

_______________________________________________
Drake mailing list
[email protected]
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/drake