Anyone know where to get flat black metal plates that hold one, two or three switches like the ones used in our coaches? They don't have to have say anything.
FOT doesn't have any w/o switches. With switches they are very expensive.
Roger
Saw one on eBay the other day.
Check with Visone rv salvage they had several foretravel salvage units there.
Arrrgh! They be Pirates! A 3 switch plate with switches (as is, no returns, not guaranteed to work) $100 + shipping!
Time to head for the shop.
Roger
Roger, have you checked Radio Shack, or the auto parts stores? I'm thinking that a place that caters to the street rod crowd might have something. Aircraft Spruce and Specialty might, too, since those who build their own aircraft need to install their own switches.
Or try the Winnebago catalog. I remember buying a similar switch plate from them way back when.
Something like this? Triple Switch Face Plate, Black #13465 (http://www.easternmarine.com/triple-switch-face-plate-13465) or
3 Position Rocker Switch Panel - WiringProducts (http://www.wiringproducts.com/3-position-rocker-switch-panel.html)
It looks like both of those are plastic.
Roger
Roger,
Try these folk. Not cheap but they are custom, come with switches and are engraved with your choice of legend.
Keith
Rocker Switch Panels | WiringProducts (http://www.wiringproducts.com/rocker-switch-panels)
Wall Plate 3 Toggle Switch motorhome RV Bus camper Conversion Van Fog | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/WALL-PLATE-3-TOGGLE-SWITCH-MOTORHOME-RV-BUS-CAMPER-CONVERSION-VAN-FOG-/330743646621?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4d01db899d&vxp=mtron), Don will this work?
Thanks for the links. I have seen most of these already. I would like something the same size as the original FT ones so that going from two to three switches (for example) at least two of the four screw holes can be reused and the lighter color of the cherry under the plates remains covered. So I am making templates so that I can use a router to cut aluminum or (two ply) Formica plates with one, two or three holes.
I sure wish I had a CNC router or milling machine. Then I could put in the border grooves and labels as well. I looked at these a couple years back. I build furniture and was hoping to do Harvey Ellis style inlays. Not enough volume to justify the cost. So I bought a Foretravel. ;-).
Roger
Roger,
If you go to an engraver or trophy shop they can engrave what you want. If they have a laser and you supply the artwork they can make you a custom panel. A laser can cut out plastic without a problem.
Keith
I took a look at my switch plates.
The striping and lettering is silkscreened on rather than incised.
I am amazed at how many comments have been made on this topic. They are simple stamped plates with countersunk holes, satin black wrinkle paint and painted or ilk screened lines and words. I can cut them out of 0.05 aluminum stock for about $1 each and paint them with tough hi-temp satin wrinkle black paint. Look sort of plain w/o the accent lines. FOT wanted $30 for a three hole plate w/o accents with shipping. They could have mailed it for a buck. Lots of plastic choices that don't do what I want.
Thanks for ll of the ideas. There is a trophy/awards shop in Hastings. I'll check there. Many more options if I wanted a couple hundred.
Roger
When we added water pump & dock light switch next to door, we re-used an old switch plate and made our own labels.
These labels were made using Excel, but any graphics or Word program will do the job.