Replacing slim dynamo control panel

kruuth

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I'm looking at replacing a slim dynamo control panel. The one in there is bent and drilled to death and I'd really like to get something nice in there. Any recommendations on this one? The old one I would deem is unsalvagable, unless someone has the strength to bend one side back.
 
I'm looking at replacing a slim dynamo control panel. The one in there is bent and drilled to death and I'd really like to get something nice in there. Any recommendations on this one? The old one I would deem is unsalvagable, unless someone has the strength to bend one side back.

I've bent a few back. Mount it back on the cabinet and bend it from there.
 
I'm looking for a generic pre-drilled one, not the 25 1/2 inch one. I need like the 22 inch wide panel.
 
Here's two. Look at the sides.
 

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I can only see the bend at the top of the panel where it's supposed to hold the glass and bezel in place, is that the bend you're referring to? If so, it's supposed to be that way.
 
Here's two. Look at the sides.

its a little hard to tell in your pics but it seems like the right hand side (p2 side) is bent upwards, correct?

If so then I had one just like that some time ago. I can only assume somebody either got pissed and began pulling up on the joystick or they attempted to break into the cab by puling up that side.

What i did was I kept the control panel on the cab, unlatched the top half while keeping the bottom hinge tight. Then i pushed against that side with my forearm and the weight of my body in a downward motion. Twisting my body as necessary to force that side into proper place.

I did that a few times until that side of the control panel began touching the wood bracket that keeps the control panel in place and the latch closed properly. Finally, i started fine tunning that side of the panel using various mallets and a dead blow hammer to get things mostly straightened out. Once you have that side mostly alined with the wood bracket and the latch closes, you can remove the control panel from the cab and fine tune it on a bench tho. You may need to if you have a big crease in your panel. I just had a broad bow in mine so i did it all right on the cabinet.

It's important to note that i did this while the cab was completely gutted so i had the freedom to even go into the cabinet to tweak spots from the inside.
 
The two edges seem to be curled in that's all. How would I fix that?
 
Oh, what panel is that anyway? I was looking at it and knowing what I had would help.
 
The two edges seem to be curled in that's all. How would I fix that?

Hard to understand what's going on there without better pics. is it bowing like the metal in this pic?
https://static.thefabricator.com/a/laser-cutting-on-the-level-1.jpg

On a side note, the panel itself is cut to hell underneath.

You can repair that too. most people tend to fix those panels by simply adding a new, pre drilled piece of plexi on top. I've repaired them by adding new metal on the top and using a die grinder to grind out space that interferes with the new sheet metal.


 
It's bowing toward the edges. like the edges are curling toward the glass more than the center.
 
On a side note, how do you drill plexi? I've tried everything from drilling backwards to special bits and it always cracks.

Hard to understand what's going on there without better pics. is it bowing like the metal in this pic?
https://static.thefabricator.com/a/laser-cutting-on-the-level-1.jpg



You can repair that too. most people tend to fix those panels by simply adding a new, pre drilled piece of plexi on top. I've repaired them by adding new metal on the top and using a die grinder to grind out space that interferes with the new sheet metal.


 
On a side note, how do you drill plexi? I've tried everything from drilling backwards to special bits and it always cracks.

Can you post a link or picture to the special bits you've been using? I've never had any issues and have used everything from a hole saw to a step bit. I've used the step bits for Plexi as well as the metal panels. I do prefer to use a drill press when drilling plexi but 18V handhelds work fine. You have to go slow and let the drill and bit do the work. If the plexi is cracking then you might be putting too much pressure and trying to push the bit through.
 
You can repair that too. most people tend to fix those panels by simply adding a new, pre drilled piece of plexi on top. I've repaired them by adding new metal on the top and using a die grinder to grind out space that interferes with the new sheet metal.



Looks good, do you have any pics of the underside?
 
On a side note, how do you drill plexi? I've tried everything from drilling backwards to special bits and it always cracks.

Be sure to try using Lexan material as it is very tough. I've picked up sheets of Lexan at Lowe's and used a step drill bit as well as a paddle style drill bit with both a drill press and hand held power drills and have not had a single crack with this material. It may cost a bit more, but it should hold up quite well after install and may actually save money (and time) as it shouldn't crack.
 
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