Material Handling — Instrumental Plasticity

The knotty problem I'd had of not knowing what might be a more workable and durable substance to make instrument bezels from than flimsy hardboard, was eventually answered during a trip to Tesco.

In the kitchenware department — there they were — staring me in the face... 

A multi-pack of plastic chopping boards...

Hoorah!

These were so very easy to work with that just an hour of pleasurable toil was required to master a suitable technique. 

Luckily, I already possessed the OLFA Circle Cutter and though the blade was now a little unsharp due to the hard work it had performed in cutting the hardboard — it made light work of chopping out two neat circular holes in plastic.

The board was then cut down with a steel ruler and craft knife when two square 'bezels' were made. These were stuck together with Gorilla Glue with the aid of a number of small but powerful clamps. 

The whole thing was then thick enough to function. 

Once cured, it was carefully trimmed to final shape with the knife, four holes were drilled and screws inserted. 

I was already impressed! 

Later, it was sprayed with a coat of black paint and when this was dry,  lined internally with a zip-tie and then offered up to an Ipad running the Air Manager standard six-pack...

I was very impressed!!

This plastic was certainly the answer, for now...