Hi Bill,

I do cad/cam design programming etc. I've done lots of these types of
projects. I've made quite a few panels in lasercut aluminum (usually
anodized black) for different movies like the inlaws or the discovery
series called mayday.

My suggestion is to find a sheet metal shop that has cnc laser, make a
dxf file in autocad (or even coreldraw or something in a pinch)
(remember it's only 2d), then email them the file. If you supply the
material it should cost you more than 80$ or so. Depending on how many
cutouts of course. Then show up with cash at an anodizing place and ask
them to throw it in with another run for you.

This will be the cheapest. ps. Waterjet is fine but typically more
expensive. (slower process)

Zander

"Bill Daniels" wrote in
news:g6fbd.251368$3l3.188348@attbi_s03:

The panel has to be .125" 7075 because it is a structural member.
This is NOT easy stuff to cut.

The last time is did this, I used a milling machine with a fly cutter
to make the instrument holes. Now all I have is a drill press. The
tools that I would need to buy to do this simple job will cost more
than the job 'should' cost from a CNC or waterjet shop.

bildan

"W P Dixon" wrote in message
...
I was wondering the same thing myself , a panel is not hard to make
at
all.
If you have built an airplane the panel should be about the easiest
part. Are you planning on building this panel out of a special
material? If it's metal I would do it myself.

Patrick

"Richard Isakson" wrote in message
...
"Bill Daniels" wrote ...
At this point, I would consider anything. I've been talking to
some
of
the
dumbest phone sales people I can imagine. I've e-mailed the CAD
file
to
20
or so firms that advertise "custom panels" and, so far, no
replies
except
for one local CNC shop that quoted $855 for the 9-hole 18" panel
in
.125"
sheet.

This is a homebuilt group. Have you considered building it
yourself?

Rich