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From: liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid (Liz Tuddenham)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics.design
Subject: Re: poor man's decal
Date: Thu, 3 Apr 2025 21:07:18 +0100
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Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> wrote:

[...]
> > A soldering iron gives a
> > nice smooth finish but throws up a 'flash' of melted material which is
> > easily trimmed off with a file.  It is a quicker and more accurate
> > process than trying to cut tiny circles with a knife.  The knife is good
> > for trimming excess tape off the outside edges.
> 
> What about a rotary tool like a dremel to abrade the plastic that
> isn't "backed" by aluminum?

It might work but with acetate sheet iit is more likely to melt it by
friction, rather than cut it.  Acetate is notorious for being difficult
to cut without tearing, which is why disc recording blanks are always
made of cellulose nitrate, despite erroneously being called "Acetates".


> I am planning on just using punches to knock out any holes (in the
> laminate and/or printed sheet) BEFORE mating to the panel.  Any
> holes (though the entire decal) would also serve to orient the
> decal to the panel; less chance of it coming into adhering contact
> in the wrong place...

If you have pre-punched the sheet. alignment is simple: put pegs through
the holes in the sheets and use them to align with those the panel.  The
'alignment tool' could be a piece of wood with plastic-sleeved nails in
strategic locations.  Drop the adhesive-coated sheet over it, then offer
it up to the panel.


-- 
~ Liz Tuddenham ~
(Remove the ".invalid"s and add ".co.uk" to reply)
www.poppyrecords.co.uk