Not shown in the picture: original distribution panel that held the distribution panel circuit switches, a cassette radio player, toggle switches for the anchor light, steaming light, and running lights, and holes that had the old depth finder and wind indicator, which no longer worked. Several bilge switches were relocated from the panel to a smaller panel near the engine room.
The second picture below displays the finished product. The six toggles switches in vertical position have built in LED indicators in the throw arm. A new radio/CD player installed. Notice that there is plenty of panel real estate to install other future equipment.
<-- In this picture I placed tape on the black laminate and the frame and penciled tick marks so when I dry fitted the panel into the 1/2 plywood the frame would be fitted very close the the edge of the laminate. The oak frame is cut to.75 inch width and height, and to appropriate length. The frame is secured to .5 inch plywood base (back ground). The laminate is fitted to lay flat slightly lower than the frame.
The picture on the right displays the frame fastened to the plywood base. This is the inside view, meaning the black laminate would be on the side note shown, and the plywood provides support for the panel and allow cutouts for electronics. I wanted to accomplish several goals a) the black laminate needed to be inserted within the frame (sit lower within the frame) yet be flush with the surface of the plywood mated to the frame b) the corners of the laminate needed to have a radius to give the panel a softer look c) the front side of the frame needed to have a .25 radius to give a softer look.
Note the frame has been stained to match the inside woodwork of the interior, the rounded corners of the black laminate, insert of the black laminate to the plywood but extended past the edges of the plywood so that it meets with the frame.
Two new sets of switches were added (fitted above the radio and next to the grey circuit panel). These new switches are for the anchor light, steaming light, and running lights, the bow deck light, the mizzen deck light and one switch open for future use.
This was a fun project and tested my skills to use contact cement to insert a black laminate inside a frame with 2 mm margin for error.
The second picture below displays the finished product. The six toggles switches in vertical position have built in LED indicators in the throw arm. A new radio/CD player installed. Notice that there is plenty of panel real estate to install other future equipment.
