Unoffical empeg BBS

Quick Links: Empeg FAQ | RioCar.Org | Hijack | BigDisk Builder | jEmplode | emphatic
Repairs: Repairs

Page 1 of 2 1 2 >
Topic Options
#229206 - 02/08/2004 10:16 Any interest in wood faceplates?
webroach
old hand

Registered: 23/07/2003
Posts: 869
Loc: Colorado
I was talking with a friend of mine tonight who does a LOT of woodworking (and is pretty damn impressive to boot). We got talking about really detailed work, and got on the subject of the empeg faceplate. He's pretty interested to give it a try (ie. recreating the original fascia in wood).

Question is, would anybody be interested in something like this if it came out well? Don't get me wrong, this isn't a "How many should we make?" post at this point. Just a general interest check. Another option would be to have him work up a wooden version of the NewFace, or something similar.

And if someone has a broken fascia that they could donate / sell for the project, that would be much appreciated. If not, could someone point to mechanical drawings, etc? I know they've been posted before, but all I can find are the button drawings.
_________________________
Dave

Top
#229207 - 02/08/2004 11:32 Re: Any interest in wood faceplates? [Re: webroach]
bjoern
member

Registered: 03/04/2002
Posts: 169
Loc: Regensburg, Germany
I'm definitely VERY interested!
_________________________
32MB, serial: 10101626

Top
#229208 - 02/08/2004 11:58 Re: Any interest in wood faceplates? [Re: bjoern]
pgrzelak
carpal tunnel

Registered: 15/08/2000
Posts: 4859
Loc: New Jersey, USA
I am always interested in new and interesting empeg bits. I even have one of the old burl fascia from long ago. They tended to be very fragile!
_________________________
Paul Grzelak
200GB with 48MB RAM, Illuminated Buttons and Digital Outputs

Top
#229209 - 02/08/2004 12:02 Re: Any interest in wood faceplates? [Re: pgrzelak]
webroach
old hand

Registered: 23/07/2003
Posts: 869
Loc: Colorado
Quote:
I even have one of the old burl fascia from long ago. They tended to be very fragile!


This is one thing (the "fragile factor") that my friend and I were a bit concerned about.

Paul, I have to admit, I haven't seen the burl models. were they the same design as the stock fascia?
_________________________
Dave

Top
#229210 - 02/08/2004 12:17 Re: Any interest in wood faceplates? [Re: webroach]
pgrzelak
carpal tunnel

Registered: 15/08/2000
Posts: 4859
Loc: New Jersey, USA
Yes. They were the same design. Quite well done, but the reason I do not use it is because the lacquer / polyurethane finish tends to bind on the cast buttons that Brian made. It might be the mix of plastics or it might be that the carved piece might be slightly out of alignment when used with the third party buttons. Whatever the cause, the combination is not something I use on the players.

With any kind of burl, you have to worry about cracking along any of the grain lines. In the case of the fasica, the bottom near where the handle rests is very thin. An unlucky burl location along that line might split if any pressure is applied from the rear - which can happen easily as you lift the handle. I lost one wooden fascia that way.
_________________________
Paul Grzelak
200GB with 48MB RAM, Illuminated Buttons and Digital Outputs

Top
#229211 - 02/08/2004 12:22 Re: Any interest in wood faceplates? [Re: pgrzelak]
pgrzelak
carpal tunnel

Registered: 15/08/2000
Posts: 4859
Loc: New Jersey, USA
You might want to check out my install page - there are a few good shots of the wooden burl fascia there. Also, if you decide to go ahead with the project I can lend you mine as a sample.

_________________________
Paul Grzelak
200GB with 48MB RAM, Illuminated Buttons and Digital Outputs

Top
#229212 - 02/08/2004 12:34 Re: Any interest in wood faceplates? [Re: pgrzelak]
crazymelki
enthusiast

Registered: 16/02/2001
Posts: 373
Loc: Switzerland
I did won one from Cruzths two years ago...



The new owner of this Facia is Julf.

bye
_________________________
crazymelki.com

Top
#229213 - 03/08/2004 11:05 Re: Any interest in wood faceplates? [Re: pgrzelak]
bjoern
member

Registered: 03/04/2002
Posts: 169
Loc: Regensburg, Germany
If the wood by itself is too fragile, you can always stabilize it by soaking it under vacuum in polyurethane. Should be just as hard and durable as plastic then.
_________________________
32MB, serial: 10101626

Top
#229214 - 03/08/2004 16:28 Re: Any interest in wood faceplates? [Re: crazymelki]
FireFox31
pooh-bah

Registered: 19/09/2002
Posts: 2494
Loc: East Coast, USA
Those are just too too cool. Wood buttons and knobs anyone?
_________________________
-
FireFox31
110gig MKIIa (30+80), Eutronix lights, 32 meg stacked RAM, Filener orange gel lens, Greenlights Lit Buttons green set

Top
#229215 - 03/08/2004 16:32 Re: Any interest in wood faceplates? [Re: FireFox31]
pgrzelak
carpal tunnel

Registered: 15/08/2000
Posts: 4859
Loc: New Jersey, USA
Oooooh! Although, unless they were a contrasting wood, I am not sure how it would look...
_________________________
Paul Grzelak
200GB with 48MB RAM, Illuminated Buttons and Digital Outputs

Top
#229216 - 04/08/2004 02:23 Re: Any interest in wood faceplates? [Re: webroach]
eternalsun
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 09/09/1999
Posts: 1721
Loc: San Jose, CA
I'd be interested in a wood faceplate. Perhaps more than one. I miss my burlwood faceplate :-(. Any idea on cost?

Whatever happened to Cruzths?

Thanks,
Calvin

Top
#229217 - 04/08/2004 08:29 Re: Any interest in wood faceplates? [Re: pgrzelak]
rob
carpal tunnel

Registered: 21/05/1999
Posts: 5335
Loc: Cambridge UK
I'm still waiting for the panels I was promised in return for handing over the fascia CAD. I guess the project didn't quite work out!

Rob

Top
#229218 - 04/08/2004 12:12 Re: Any interest in wood faceplates? [Re: eternalsun]
webroach
old hand

Registered: 23/07/2003
Posts: 869
Loc: Colorado
Quote:
Any idea on cost?


Well, as I said, I'm looking more at whether or not anyone would be interested in these if my buddy and I can get something worked up. I'd want to make sure quality was up to snuff before talking actual sales.
_________________________
Dave

Top
#229219 - 08/08/2004 16:37 Re: Any interest in wood faceplates? [Re: webroach]
smu
old hand

Registered: 30/07/2000
Posts: 879
Loc: Germany (Ruhrgebiet)
Well, I can just say that I would be highly interested in one or two. Almost (*) like paul, I am always looking for interesting new acquisations (not only) for the empeg.

cu,
sven

(*) I can't afford new HDs for my players every few month when the old run full
_________________________
proud owner of MkII 40GB & MkIIa 60GB both lit by God and HiJacked by Lord

Top
#229220 - 14/11/2004 17:10 Re: Any interest in wood faceplates? [Re: smu]
bjoern
member

Registered: 03/04/2002
Posts: 169
Loc: Regensburg, Germany
Any news on wood fascia? I'd be really keen...
_________________________
32MB, serial: 10101626

Top
#229221 - 16/11/2004 00:23 Re: Any interest in wood faceplates? [Re: FireFox31]
Taym
carpal tunnel

Registered: 18/06/2001
Posts: 2504
Loc: Roma, Italy
I'd love Wood Buttons and Know, Firefox31 . I'd get the 100%.
_________________________
= Taym =
MK2a #040103216 * 100Gb *All/Colors* Radio * 3.0a11 * Hijack = taympeg

Top
#229222 - 16/11/2004 01:27 Re: Any interest in wood faceplates? [Re: bjoern]
webroach
old hand

Registered: 23/07/2003
Posts: 869
Loc: Colorado
I'll be posting some information regarding this (and some other things) in just a short while, as in later this evening.
_________________________
Dave

Top
#229223 - 16/11/2004 18:45 Re: Any interest in wood faceplates? [Re: webroach]
hybrid8
carpal tunnel

Registered: 12/11/2001
Posts: 7738
Loc: Toronto, CANADA
Everyone, please see this post for details:

http://empegbbs.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/240846/an/0/page/0#240846

Let's give what support we can to finally see a new design go through.

Bruno
_________________________
Bruno
Twisted Melon : Fine Mac OS Software

Top
#229224 - 10/07/2005 09:28 Re: Any interest in wood faceplates? [Re: webroach]
webroach
old hand

Registered: 23/07/2003
Posts: 869
Loc: Colorado
Old, old thread... But since we're still in a holding pattern on the aluminum fascias (for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that we're too small to be very important at the shop) I got to thinking; would there be any way I could use the CAD drawings for the original fascias to get some wooden fascias made? That would be something I could get done with a hell of a lot less effort (it seems) than the aluminum ones, at least for the moment.

By going with the original design, it's should be just a matter of taking the stock to the shop and letting the machine go. Much easier than starting with a design from scratch.

So, if using the original CAD files is an option, someone please let me know.

PS - Please don't take my comments about the aluminum fascias as implying that we're not going to get them done. To be honest, the thing that's been the worst is dealing with the original button design; if we wen't with the plain, round buttons, we could probably be selling them in about two weeks. Getting the kind of angles the originals require in aluminum is not easy, to say the least. But after seeing FireFox's new Greenlights Buttons, it's worth the trouble. We're just dealing with the pain in the butt stuff as busy schedules allow. But the wait could pay off in the end; Brandon's shop is going to be moving to larger facilities soon, and part of the move will (it looks like) include the purchase of a new laser system; if that goes through, it will not only speed up prototyping, but also substantially reduce our costs, which has the effect of substantially reducing the final price.
_________________________
Dave

Top
#229225 - 13/07/2005 19:23 Re: Any interest in wood faceplates? [Re: webroach]
webroach
old hand

Registered: 23/07/2003
Posts: 869
Loc: Colorado
Ok, so doesn't look like any takers.

I just spoke to the guy at the company I'm thinking of going through, and we discussed doing a short sample run (~5 fascias).

I'm interested in using stabilized wood (wood that is treated with a polymer in a process not unlike pressure treating) to prevent the kind of breakage problems some experienced with the earlier wooden fascias. This process would also give the finished product a very glossy finish.

If nobody has any suggestions, I think I'm going to consider just doing the sample run with the woods I personally like, if it isn't cost prohibitive; initial setup on stuff like this is where the majority of the cost is.

If anyone has any interest, please let me know, as it could be what determines if I actually do this. I figure it could be a nice way to fill the "cool fascia" void until Brandon and I can get the aluminum ones out.

If I do the initial sample run, I was thinking of using the following:


Again, if anyone is interested, please let me know.


Attachments
260053-Woods.jpg (416 downloads)

_________________________
Dave

Top
#229226 - 13/07/2005 19:29 Re: Any interest in wood faceplates? [Re: webroach]
wfaulk
carpal tunnel

Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
Quote:
stabilized wood (wood that is treated with a polymer in a process not unlike pressure treating)

Now that's cool.
_________________________
Bitt Faulk

Top
#229227 - 13/07/2005 19:39 Re: Any interest in wood faceplates? [Re: wfaulk]
webroach
old hand

Registered: 23/07/2003
Posts: 869
Loc: Colorado
Isn't it though?
_________________________
Dave

Top
#229228 - 13/07/2005 19:46 Re: Any interest in wood faceplates? [Re: webroach]
Mataglap
enthusiast

Registered: 11/06/2003
Posts: 384
Any idea about a price range? My interest really does depend on the cost.

--Nathan

Top
#229229 - 13/07/2005 19:50 Re: Any interest in wood faceplates? [Re: Mataglap]
webroach
old hand

Registered: 23/07/2003
Posts: 869
Loc: Colorado
I won't have any information on price for a week. That's when the guy I spoke to at the company is going to call me back with info.

He said he'd let me know the cost of setup, as well as the cost after that (which would be what people here would be interested in).
_________________________
Dave

Top
#229230 - 13/07/2005 20:17 Re: Any interest in wood faceplates? [Re: webroach]
pgrzelak
carpal tunnel

Registered: 15/08/2000
Posts: 4859
Loc: New Jersey, USA
Oooooh... I am very interested, but I do offer one word of caution. I have one (had three) of the burl fascia done a long time ago. Burl is very difficult to work with and tends to be extremely fragile, especially in the thin areas near the handle. I am not sure how well this product will work - not having dealt with the stabilized burl before.

Having given you fair warning, I would certainly be interested!!!
_________________________
Paul Grzelak
200GB with 48MB RAM, Illuminated Buttons and Digital Outputs

Top
#229231 - 13/07/2005 20:24 Re: Any interest in wood faceplates? [Re: pgrzelak]
webroach
old hand

Registered: 23/07/2003
Posts: 869
Loc: Colorado
TThanks much for the interest, Paul, and for the words of caution. Reading your description of having problems with the fragility of burl is actually what prompted me to start trying to find a way to make wooden fascias that were durable enough to actually be used. According to all of the information I can find, stabilized wood products end up being more akin to plastic, as far as their physical properties. Hopefully that will let this happen.
_________________________
Dave

Top
#229232 - 13/07/2005 20:25 Re: Any interest in wood faceplates? [Re: wfaulk]
Robotic
pooh-bah

Registered: 06/04/2005
Posts: 2026
Loc: Seattle transplant
Quote:
Quote:
stabilized wood (wood that is treated with a polymer in a process not unlike pressure treating)

Now that's cool.


Kind of like 'plastination'?
http://www.bodyworlds.com.sg/en/plastination.htm
<don't click if you get queasy easy!>
_________________________
10101311 (20GB- backup empeg)
10101466 (2x60GB, Eutronix/GreenLights Blue) (Stolen!)

Top
#229233 - 14/07/2005 07:41 Re: Any interest in wood faceplates? [Re: webroach]
bjoern
member

Registered: 03/04/2002
Posts: 169
Loc: Regensburg, Germany
Yes, stabilization would make the wood behave a lot like plastics!
And of course I stand by my post from last year that I'm still very much interested!
_________________________
32MB, serial: 10101626

Top
#229234 - 14/07/2005 13:54 Re: Any interest in wood faceplates? [Re: webroach]
Mach
old hand

Registered: 15/07/2002
Posts: 828
Loc: Texas, USA
I'm in for a couple. Straight grained teak or walnut would be my personal preference. I can provide pics when I'm back home in a few weeks.

Top
#229235 - 17/07/2005 15:31 Re: Any interest in wood faceplates? [Re: webroach]
peakmop
journeyman

Registered: 02/07/2004
Posts: 95
Loc: 384400 km from the Moon
It'd be very interested. Especially if the fascias could be mixed with aluminum handles. Even if that couldn't be done easy, I'm still interested.

Top
Page 1 of 2 1 2 >