Pre-War Instrument Panel

[Bob Waldron]

Bruce Jones used to make a instrument panel overlay for Pre-War Taylorcrafts (with the Large Tach). I talked to him tonight. He no longer makes them, but sold the dies to a fella near Flint Michigan (maybe near Clio). He cannot remember the fella's name, but has it written down at his home. Bruce does not plan to be home for a few months. I suspect that he is in some sort of health-care facility.

Does anybody know who is making the Pre-War Instrument panel overlay?

[Howard Wilson]

Re: Pre-War Instrument Panel

Bob, try Ken Hecht, he's on the members list.

[Bob Waldron]

Re: Pre-War Instrument Panel

Howard,

Thanks for the name. I'm sure that he is the person that Bruce Jones told me about. I tried to send him an eMail, but failed. I will send him a Private Mail. Thanks again.

[taylorcraftbc65]

Re: Pre-War Instrument Panel

Bob,
Please keep the rest of us informed on what you find out about the panel overlays. The panel on my 1940 BC65 could sure look a lot better than it does. BRIE

[ken hecht]

Re: Pre-War Instrument Panel

Bob
Yes I do have the overlay panel die, from Bruce Jones,and am in the process of tooling up.So let me know By e-mail ok
Ken
#375
N43036

[ken hecht]

Re: Pre-War Instrument Panel

An addition to my last reply: Is for anybody who wants to upgrade there old panel to new. Give me an e-mail....
Ken
#375
N43036

[Bob Waldron]

Re: Pre-War Instrument Panel

To Everyone,

Ken Hecht is da man. I was unable to eMail him thruogh the forum earlier, but it now appears to work. he lives in Caro, Michigan. Switchboard.com correctely shows his phone number as 919 673,8242. He is making one for me, and will ship it boxed and protedted. Life is good.

[taylorcraftbc65]

Re: Pre-War Instrument Panel

Hey Bob,
How much is it costing you? Mine has been Sooooo... butchered up by previous restoration attempts, and modification attempts that I REALLY need a new one.
While we are on the subject, is there a source for the cast rectangular piece that the throttle, mixture, and carb heat controls pass through? My panel does not have it. BRIE

[Bob Waldron]

Re: Pre-War Instrument Panel

You should contact Ken, to see what he wants. He is charging me $150.00. If it anywhere near what I want, it is a good deal. I could easily waste $150.00 worth of aluminum before I got through my third attempt at making one.

[VictorBravo]

Re: Pre-War Instrument Panel

Am I understanding this correctly... Ken is building new production pre-war instrument panels? Are these being made with the original large tach hole or un-cut? What other Taylorcraft parts will be available from tis source?

[Bob Waldron]

Re: Pre-War Instrument Panel

Victor Bravo,

I will know more in three weeks when I get my new panel. Bruce Jones used to make a pre-war panel, cut out with the large hole. Bruce's health has failed, and he has passed the tools on to Ken Hecht. Ken visits this forum occasionally, so I hope he can jump in and answer all questions. Bruce made the panel overlays for some forum members, and I believe that Ken has already made one for Howard Wilson.

[Howard Wilson]

Re: Pre-War Instrument Panel

Yup, Bruce started a panel for me, in the interim I sold 23858 to another T-craft guy ready to move the project along. When Ken took over the business he contacted me to see if I still wanted the panel and I put him in touch with the new owner, who does monitor this list. I've heard good things. Bob are you out there?

[flylo]

Re: Pre-War Instrument Panel

I was at Kens place a couple of weeks ago & the one I saw had the Large tach cutout & looked really good.I'm glad he's making them.

[ken hecht]

Re: Pre-War Instrument Panel

Hi bob and the rest of the tribe:
Ive tooled up for the pre-war large tach instrument overlay panel, and Bob Ive got yours done, ready to ship out. Yes,this panel is pre cut, for the large tach and for the other instruments, plus has the cut out for the throttle, gas shut off, carb heat, and primer. When you get this panel you have to trim and fit to you plane, prime and paint.
I also have for sale the main instrumemt mounting panel that mounts behind the overlay panel ,to mount or fasten you instruments to, this is also pre-cut, Its in a rectangular shape. This one is primed and ready to go. I have these in stock. These are the only two items that I got right now. E-Mail or call 1 989 673 8242
Ken
#375
N43036