Drill Press Project (was: Today's garage sale findings)

[CRC]

On Sat, 14 May 2005 17:11:52 -0400, Ethan Dicks  
<ethan.dicks at gmail.com> wrote:

[...]
> The first project on the drill press is entirely on-topic -
> manufacturing an ABS front panel for my Elf2K
> (http://www.sparetimegizmos.com/Hardware/Elf2K.htm).  Speaking of
> which, does anyone know if they manufacture an adhesive-backed
> _plastic_ sheet that's meant to go through printers?  I know I can
> pick up an 8.5"x11" paper label from any office supply place.  I am
> hoping to find something that will resist water and abrasion (from
> raspy palms) better than paper.  I'm also hoping to print some new
> keytops for the switches from an MSI 88/e keyboard (square, flush
> pushbuttons, with a lip and stick-on key labels).  I am constructing a
> hex keypad for my Micro/Elf, and potentially for the Elf2K, and I
> don't have A-F to pick from.
>
> Thanks,
>
> -ethan

For prototypes I've had good luck printing on label paper and then  
using plastic
laminate over the label. You can buy the laminate at any stationary  
store. The
drawback, in my mind, is the glossy finish which detracts esthetically.
For a more professional job I've begged and scrounged laminate from  
the local
graphics companies. It comes in various levels of matte and is quite  
a bit thicker
than the stationary store product.

Good luck,

CRC