I think a sandblasted handle might even look quite good with the standard plastic fascia.

...my own design.

I like that one very much. There is an understated elegance to that design that speaks of quality, not the gimmickry prevalent in so many modern CD players.

If the visible screws are bothersome to you, one solution might be slotted screws whose head thickness matches the fascia thickness, so that when they were tightened they would be flush with the surface of the fascia. They would be visible, but unobtrusive.

About the only change I could suggest would be to copy empeg's idea of the top button being a very different shape and feel from the rest for easier identification by touch.

tanstaafl.

I don't like the blobby shape of the cut out. It looks like a damaged version of the wing profile. I like the general shape, the knob and the buttons but I'd say if you're going to redesign the display area, don't bother with the loopy looking blobby cut outs that go around the knob. Just make it completely solid, perhaps a rectangle for the display and a punchout for the LED.

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I don't like the blobby shape of the cut out.

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Ahhh... back to the BBS after a couple of days away. I wish you guys wouldn't post so much when I'm not around. It takes ages to catch up again. Thank for all the favourable comments on my Fascia design. Anyway, If you mean the area of the window around the knob for the IR & LED I must admit that this has been bugging me a bit. I intend to take some measurements of where the IR receivers & LED are and see if I can improve the look of the design in that area - just haven't got around to that bit yet. There's still a reasonable amount of detail work to do & playing around with shapes to see what looks best.

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Beaker - I love your custom facia. If you want to work something out to get it cut, let me know. And damn, you got my setup almost exact.

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Rob, thanks for your comments. I'll probably take you up on that offer at some stage. The initial trial samples I'll get made at work just so I know they fit OK. I like your use of adhesive for 'clamping'. I've used this once or twice myself. Oh, and those Mitee-Bites are good too aren't they? We use them a lot at work. Anyway, as I said before, I've designed it to make it easy to machine using standard tooling, Slot Drills, Face Mills & Corner Rounding Cutters (you may know them under different names but they're the names we use in the UK). There aren't any multi-rad corner rounds or fillets or curved faces so it should be a lot easier (& quicker!!) to machine than the original stock item. I'm also just learning the 3D stuff so nothing too complicated yet!! I'll keep you updated with any significant developments in the design. If you have any thoughts on making it easier for you to produce then please let me know and I'll see what I can do to incorporate them into the design.

I would guess that those who have access to metal milling machines might also have access to sandblasters.

Well, I don't have access to any milling machines, but I've thought about buying a small sandblasting booth and a modest compressor. You can do a lot with them. Besides, I love tools. :) I used one while in university for some details on a project for a sculpture class. Now I have ideas to use one for a few projects around here, one of which would include blasting an empeg logo onto the original mock-up for the empeg shell I want to make.

I'll look at prices again soon and if I decide to get something in the immediate future, I'll post. I'd probably even be willing to let my handle be the guinea pig and then post pics.

Bruno

I think the left side and the right side has "blobby" areas that don't seem to conform to a consistent design principle. I guess what I'm saying is the stock design has an art deco "streamline" design that is consistent down to the faux rivets around the bolt holes. I think any third party design should adhere to some consistent principle as well. The wing profile design is pretty well done in my opinion, so a modification to that design would make it resemble only an altered version of the original.

So what I'm saying is you have a lot of good design cues going, but you should take a larger departure for that center cut out and make it as original as the rest of your design.

Calvin

I think I said in another thread ("And then I saw her Fascia" IIRC) that I'm OK with functional design but not much good at arty type stuff, so any suggestions for alternatives would be gratefully received. I guess the blobbiness you refer to is due to the large-ish radiuses I've used to make it friendly to machine. Obviously the smaller the diameter of the cutter the longer it takes to machine the part and as the cycle time and ease of machining was uppermost in my mind, this has probably compromised the design somewhat. As I said before, I need to do some more measuring 'n' stuff to see how far I can take the window design but still make it functional & easy to machine. I'm not finished yet .

If there was a "theme" to your design, I'd say it would be "triangles" -- you can go all out and put triangles everywhere. How's that?

Perhaps put a embossed triangle on the front of the knob, dump the blobs and put in a triangle on either side.

Calvin

I'd love to have a go at designing some cool button shapes... do you think you could post a front on shot that i could play with?

OK, as soon as I get a moment (I'm off to bed now, it's getting late) I'll do that.

Here you go Loren, here's a full frontal .

Beaker -or- CruzThs ,

Have either of you gotten any further on this? My WRX would love an aluminum faced empeg...

- Neil

CruzThs recently stated in another thread that he was talking to a machine shop about possibly making some up. Be aware that the cost could be $150 or more though. He's also been working on making some exotic woods fascias that look really cool.

Sean

I've been tied up with other things lately. I was hoping to get on with it over the Christmas break but it never happened. Rest assured that I will get back to it as soon as I can. I'm expecting my new player to arrive within the next few days so I can properly dismantle one and get the Handle measured up at work on our CMM. Sorry about the Hiatus in development.

breaker that is the most pimpest thing ive seen for awhile, sorry but i just started getting into the threads about a month ago, are you going to be offering these for sale? also differnt colors? maybe that design is gloss black, or something that would match dashes better, silver is cool, but my experience is once they get into the car they stand out way too much. but good work. Justin

Thanks for the compliment. I won't be making any of these for sale myself but if anyone wants the CAD files when they're finished to get some made then they are welcome. When I do get some made for personal use I'll probably have a Silver one and a Black Anodised one, maybe some other colours too .

Wow that looks fantastic. The standard plastic facia/knobs/buttons don't do the unit justice, It feels flimsy. Have you toyed with the idea of powder coating the facia in black?

Thanks . In short - Yes, but to be honest I've really been concentrating on learning the Solid Modelling side of things and getting it dimensionally correct before I start to seriously consider finish options. As I said, I won't be producing these myself but if CruzThs (or anyone else) wants the CAD files to play with or to try to get some made they are welcome. I'll just get a few made at work on the quiet for myself.

Well if you want a certain, ahem, someone to test such a facia in the field I live in London. I think it would look rather good in my car which is 90% made of aluminium anyway. It's like a sign or something! :)

I'd love to try and make some but I'm worried about the buttons. They are probably going to be very difficult to make.

I have an idea about that.

You can buy the (plain, circular) button caps as fitted to the mk1, from farnell.com - eg part nr 917-461 (about $3 for 10). You could then cut off the top part, leaving you with a base that has the mechanically complex section that mates with the switch - you'd then just make a cap for this.

Hugo

Ah, now that's a good idea Hugo. Thanks for that info. I may incorporate that idea into my design .

I would be happy and thankful to get a cad file of the face.

I have access myself, and may just make 1. If it turns out ok, I can check on getting more made, but not making any promises.

Jeff

What CAD format(s) can you use?

I have access to most, inventor, iges...

email me
jscott@cookairtomic.com

Pimp, I Cant wait for the faces to be able to buy, good work

Beaker man, that owns!! How much do you think this would run us?

For fastening it, it'm looking at black hex head machine screwes or if you want to be really slick, countersunk phillips manine screws. personally, It doesn't matter once I get the aluminium plate, buttons and dial. You could always just drill pilot holes then let us decide ourselves...