[HBR] Front Panel Lettering?

[hbr@mailman.qth.net]

Of course if you're going with somewhat standard wording on your 
panel -- as would usually be the case for an HBR -- then 'dry transfer' 
lettering is a good bet.   These are paint letters, available in standard 
titles ('GAIN CONTROL', 'TUNING' ...) for various trades and 
technologies, held on the back of a plastic sheet with a soluable 
wax.   

You paint your panel, put the title in the right place, and rub the face 
of the sheet with a ball point pen to transfer the letters.   When all 
the titles are done you should spray the panel with a clear fixative. 
The lettering manufacturers recommend their own because solvents 
in Krylon and similar products will enter the letters and cause them 
to wrinkle -- although if you are careful, you can get away with it.

Easy to use, look excellent, durable if properly coated.   A web 
search should turn up suppliers.   Datak is one brand, I also have a 
Mecanorama sheet or two.   Datak's #9581 (black) and #9591 (white) 
are 1/8" letter 'titles for electronic equipment.'   I believe they used to 
offer a separate product for amateur radio but that seems to be long 
gone.    Price in the $10-15 ballpark for 2200 titles (mostly stuff you'll 
never use) with alphabets and numerals for special cases.   

If you have patience and a steady hand the result looks as good as 
silk screen printing.   

IMO, computer printed decals only get the nod if you need lots of non-
standard text, a custom design, or non-standard colors.   And you do 
have to cope with limitations previously discussed.

Walt Hutchens
KJ4KV