Control Panels

well Im up to wiring (things went on hold while baby arrived), and want to draw my layout on some board, then run the pointswitches into the layout on that board.

Now I have less artistic ability than a 10000 ton sandstone block so drawing is pretty much out (Ive tried on paper already, it looked like a beehive ), how do others do it? Any tips, or tricks as to what to and not to do?

Thanks
Bruce

 

Bruce,

Head to a hobby store that carries R/C car accessories, and pick up some racing stripe stickers. Tamiya is the brand I have (I think). It is sold in rolls; you may need a couple rolls, depending on the size of your layout. I paid $4-$5 USD per roll. Instead of drawing the layout, use the tape and square off the curves, so it looks more like a schematic rather than an artistic rendering.

Good luck!
Kevin

 

thanks people, the issue is making the striping look like my layout LMAO.. As I said, I have 0 artistic ability.

Any other ideas? I think I remember Colonel havin an idea while back?

 

Back-painting, Bruce, on clear perspex sheet.

As suggested, work out how to represent your layout in diagram form with all the holes for switches. Print off two copies - one front view and the other back (reverse) view.

Place the front view diagram on the back of the panel and mark out the holes for drilling with a centre punch. When done, drill carefully.

Remove that diagram and place the reverse diagram face down on the front of the panel, flip over, and lay the tape (I use automotive pin striping) out on the back of the panel (in blocks/electrical sections) using the diagram as a guide (I'd also place some masking tape across the switch holes on the front side of the panel at this point, too - stops any chance of paint seeping out and on front).

Then spray paint it the background colour and when dry remove each block section of tape and spray a different colour and so forth until it's finished. If you want to be trick, have a sign maker cut the layout/panel name in vinyl lettering in reverse and do the same as the blocks, or just leave it.

Flip it over and you have a nice shiny control panel with holes for switches and with paint that can't be scratched!

Sounds harder than it is to do, honest! Just requires a bit of patience and an eye for detail.
If you have any problems laying out the diagram, send it over and I can do something for you.

Here's an example of what it would look like, using a black background:



Hope this helps.

[ 21. July 2004, 08:13: Message edited by: Gats ]

 

I have used the Microsoft program "MS Paint" program to draw a track plan. It is a simple program, but you can draw lines and add text. With a little creativity you can make a nice panel, with color. Once you are done, print it off with a color printer and cut it to size if needed and cover it with a peice of plexiglass. This is very easy way to make a control panel, yet the results are very professional looking.

 

I used Photoshop, and had two different layers. On the bottom layer, I had a birds eye views picture of my layout, and on the top layer, I followed the track, and drew the lines. When I was finished, I made the bottom layer invisible, and printed it out. I then stuck the paper in between two pieces of plexi glass, and drilled the holes. It turned out something like this:

 

Ok, Next question.

Should I make 1 for the whole layout, or have a few round the board?? EG Sectional?
Or have one for the top elevation, and one for the lower board?

I'm running a dual controller, (2 on one unit), if that will be an issue..?

The one above this post is similar to what I want, but am I missing something, or are there points with no switches on that board?

 

I have three local switch panels for my layout. Here is a picture of one. I used some board I bought at home depot that was shiny on one side and to stencil it out I used some orange trim at the hobby shop since there was no yellow or blue like I wanted. Orange came out nicer anyway on the white. I went to Radio shack and go normally open circuit momentary push buttons and went from there. I have never done this but learned as I went. I drew an etch of the three sections and boom this is what I came up with. You could do it trust me.

 

Love ya work Paul, thanks

 

A terrific topic, now why didn't I ask before. Love the idea with the perspex as I have a fair amount of it out in the garage just kicking around because I really didn't have a use for it ( I thought ). I use power routing ( snap relays ) and turnouts controled with push buttons, and the layout is much too large to be controled from one location so I'll be making some local control panels. Some other good ideas here also