Engraved cockpit parts

[Hank Jarrett]

Some time back I mentioned on another thread I was getting some placards made for the cockpit of the 41. I wasn't happy with the sticky back paper stuff that I had for warnings, limitations and all the other "stuff" in the cockpit.
The first one I wanted was the Taylorcraft logo on the front of the large bubble face compass (my original was a mess). The first samples are back from the engraver and came back looking great.
Several folks have expressed interest in getting copies of different placards and the engraver has all the artwork programmed and can make duplicates fairly fast now. The first one was NOT done very fast!
Anyway, I have 4 right now and can make more. All I want if you are interested is the cost to make each one and a little towards the setup and programming cost. He can make more for about $5 each and the nonrecurring cost was about $50. I plan to use two for my two planes and will probably make a tie tack with another if no one else is interested.
Next on the list is the 140 MPH limit "Wings". I have also finished the artwork for several others that are coming.
I'm also starting to learn a new skill to make the raised burnished brass trim indicators. No promises on that one. I will probably ruin a lot of nice brass sheet before the first good one comes out!
Anyone interested let me know and I will start figuring the final cost for the compass logos. The more he makes, the less they cost. I'll post pictures of each as they are worthy of putting on our planes.
Hank

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Engraved cockpit parts

Got the instruments back from Keystone this morning. The service was FANTASTIC and they were overhauled VERY FAST (for those who know I have been "getting these done" for months, I am as slow getting MY stuff done as with everything else, I only shipped them less than 2 weeks ago!).
The repainted faces make the instruments look BRAND NEW and it was only an extra $20 per instrument (prices may be different for different instruments, but that was what mine cost and was worth EVERY PENNY!).
I have no connection to Keystone except as a VERY HAPPY customer and the rumors about first rate quality and slow returns are only half true. The quality looks first class and they CERTAINLY were NOT slow!
Panel pictures to follow!
Hank

Talk up the GOOD companies if you want to trash the bad ones!

[Robert Lees]

Re: Engraved cockpit parts

Don't forget that Johnson's baby oil is the best compass fluid ever created!

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Engraved cockpit parts

The compass came filled and sealed so I wouldn't DARE open it up now! I just finished building up the instrument carrier (the 41 has to hold the worlds record for complexity of the instrument mount!) and set it up on the dining room table with the panel cover I made. What an exciting thing to get to finally see together on the last day of the year.
Next is the mag switch mount and apply the 140MPH "wings and mag switch plate (the one in the picture is just printed on paper, the engraved one isn't done yet).
By the way, the Alt, ROC and Compass were the ones Keystone overhauled.
COMING TOGETHER! WING STRUTS NEXT!!!
Hank

[Ray36048]

Re: Engraved cockpit parts

6000' ROC, do you plan to hook one of your rockets to your T-Cart?

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Engraved cockpit parts

I got ONE HOT A-65! Last time I flew it read over 2,000 ft/min!
Actually, that's why I sent it in to be overhauled. It read direction, not magnitude.
!#!&$*#! They said they would convert it to a 0-2,000 range and repaint the face. Something got missed. Now I need to call them and find out what happened. Why didn't I see that BEFORE I built up the panel!!! Oh well, got till Monday to get it apart and talk to them.
C**P!
At least we will get to see how a problem gets handled.
Hank

[freightpilot27]

Re: Engraved cockpit parts

I got ONE HOT A-65! Last time I flew it read over 2,000 ft/min!
Actually, that's why I sent it in to be overhauled. It read direction, not magnitude.
!#!&$*#! They said they would convert it to a 0-2,000 range and repaint the face. Something got missed. Now I need to call them and find out what happened. Why didn't I see that BEFORE I built up the panel!!! Oh well, got till Monday to get it apart and talk to them.
C**P!
At least we will get to see how a problem gets handled.
Hank

Yep, I see another Keystone job well done!
They are always so close, but just not quite there.

I don't know of a "great" instrument repair shop, but I know its NOT Keystone.
good luck.

[Ray36048]

Re: Engraved cockpit parts

Actually, Keystone has done a lot of work for my Cherokee 180. I only had one problem that showed up one year later, they fixed it for free.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Engraved cockpit parts

Yea, anyone can make a mistake.
It's a complex world and I didn't ask for the ROC to be converted, their guy called me and asked why I had a 6k ROC in a Taylorcraft. I told him it had been there since I bought it, but it indicated about half range in a strong climb or dive. He is the one who suggested it was probably a 2k with a 6 k face and they could overhaul it to be right for a Taylorcraft. I am betting the word to make the face match the "works" didn't get to the technicians and they made the works" match the face.
Sure looks great. I will call them Saturday or Monday and see what can be done. Seems like it would be a be a shame to tear a certified 6k ROC apart again. I would be OK with an exchange so all that would be lost was some time and shipping cost. Anybody have a Taylorcraft with an IO-540 and need a ROC?
Hank

[t-crafter]

Re: Engraved cockpit parts

Hank, I would still like a Taylorcraft sticker for my bubble face compus if you have one to sell. Thanks, Carlton.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Engraved cockpit parts

You got it. Can you PM your mailing address? I have one in Durham but no zip. Probably come USPS. Sort of small for UPS. :-)
Hank

[Larry Lyons]

Re: Engraved cockpit parts

Hank I would like to purchase one of everyone of the placards you make! Such as VNE, Fuel, Trim, etc. I do not need the compass one as I do not have a bubble face and am not going to sacrifice my first born for one, but I will need the rest. My instrument panel is identical to yours and in good shape. At least it will be when I get rid of the multiple layers of paint and the wood grain vinyl on each end!
Larry
PS: on second thought just to keep it all the same include the compass one too! Thanks

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Engraved cockpit parts

That is a beautiful panel. Long time since I have seen a complete original panel done right. The solid color should be a little darker based upon the original panel I have here.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Engraved cockpit parts

Thanks for the kind words. It's a long road with a LOT of details left to do. I plan to focus on what is needed to get her FLYING and do the goodies in the bad weather this winter. The 41 was originally supposed to be practice for the real restoration on the 45, but I have really fallen in love with my pre-war baby.

In the photo there was actually so much glare on the panel under the dining room lights I tried taking one with the lights out and used the flash only. It came out nice and clear, but makes the panel look a little lighter. You can see that the glove box door handles are also black, which is not right. They have now been repainted the same "putty" color as the main color on the panel.

This was my first try and faux wood grain and I got a little carried away. My mother is a pretty good artist (painted "nose art" on ties and bomber jackets while she worked in a munitions plant in WW-II) and I knew she would be casting a critical eye on my work. When I painted the wood grain I even made the side edges of the doors and the edges of the instrument holes look like end grain. I got a piece of wood and made the parts from that and copied the appearance. Must have worked. When a buddy saw it he asked why I used real wood instead of faux painting metal parts like the original. Neat feeling when he rapped the metal and jumped when he realized it wasn't real wood.

Got to wonder how much is too much. She (the PLANE, Not my mom!) is a long way from when she was voted ugliest Taylorcraft in the tribe. Didn't loose that title till someone found that one with the tree growing through the fuselage!
Hank

[Larry Lyons]

Re: Engraved cockpit parts

Hank, do you mean to tell me this bird came from the factory with the faux wood grain? Mine had this too bit it looked like sticky back shelf liner from 1973. Larry