Fwd: Re: Front Panels - New development - Bezels

[Pontus Pihlgren]

On Thu, Jul 07, 2016 at 07:47:32PM +0100, Rod Smallwood wrote:
> 
> 
> On 07/07/2016 19:11, John H. Reinhardt wrote:
> >On 7/7/2016 3:02 AM, Rod Smallwood wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>-------- Forwarded Message --------
> >>Subject:     Re: Front Panels - New development - Bezels
> >>Date:     Thu, 7 Jul 2016 08:01:35 +0100
> >>From:     Rod Smallwood <rodsmallwood52 at btinternet.com>
> >>To:     Paul Birkel <pbirkel at gmail.com>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>On 07/07/2016 07:18, Paul Birkel wrote:
> >>>"MakeAnEight", oh my :->.  Next it will be "SweetSixteen" I imagine.
> >>>
> >>>Great news on the casting-in-resin prototype.  How much are these
> >>>ending up costing?
> >>>
> >>>-----Original Message-----
> >>>From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Rod
> >>>Smallwood
> >>>Sent: Thursday, July 07, 2016 2:04 AM
> >>>To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts
> >>>Subject: Front Panels - New development - Bezels
> >>>
> >>>Hi Guys
> >>>
> >>>               We are able to-announce the successful test production
> >>>of a PDP-8 Bezel in cast resin.
> >>>
> >>>              The result is tough, beige colored, slightly flexible
> >>>copy of the original.
> >>>
> >>>              Bonding the panel to the bezel or adding internal
> >>>stiffening brings rigidity.
> >>>
> >>>              Painting matches the color.
> >>>
> >>>              This will be part of our MakeAnEight parts for
> >>>reproduction or repair range.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>                              Rod (Panelman) Smallwood
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>Hi Paul
> >>                 Well I was going to call it ElevenHeaven but I like
> >>your idea better.
> >>
> >>They got a good result first time.  That seemed too easy. Then I
> >>remembered
> >>that when I went through the molding and casting process they said is
> >>that it?
> >>
> >>It just dawned on me. Screen printing is all about handling gloopy
> >>liquids.
> >>They have all of the knowledge of mixing and all of the measuring pots
> >>and
> >>stirring sticks you will ever need.
> >>
> >>Cost? Well that's interesting.
> >>Usually in a small run/custom situation its the labor cost that's the
> >>major element.
> >>Here it seems to be the cost of the materials to get the right result. I
> >>should know soon.
> >>
> >>Regards Rod
> >>
> >>
> >
> >I would stick with the "ElevenHeaven" since that indicates a PDP-11.  The
> >Sixteen
> >refers to the bits, I know, but there were a lot of 16-bit-ers out there
> >and only
> >one Eleven!
> >
> >BTW, I'm looking forward to your getting to the PDP-11 series, especially
> >an 11/70
> >panel and bezel.
> >
> >Regards,
> >   John H. Reinhardt
> Ok Thanks
>     Plan is to complete the PDP-8/i and then do the 8/L
> 
> Next up will be the much requested ElevenHeaven range.
> As the 11/70 is the headline system we could start there.
> Panels first, bezel to follow.
> 
> Longer term goal is a full size operating replica that  is difficult (at
> least externally) to tell from the original.
> 

Is there a way to tell your replicas from the originals? Given the prices 
of some original panels it would be nice to be able to identify a 
"counterfeit" one.

Now, I am i no way against what you are doing I think it i great but I'm 
honestly conserned that these will pop up on ebay in the future as the real 
thing.

/P