I really enjoy working on the panel; it is something that will always be there right in your face so to speak. I decided to start cutting instrument holes and the EFIS cut out. This big square hole is no easy task and needs to be with in a 1/64” to look decent, so this is a hand operation to a scribe line. I know this will seem like the sledge hammer approach, but after drilling the .1875 corner holes I put a couple of larger holes in near the scribe line and cut out the square with a saber saw. This works for me because I can control the saw to within 1/32” and then draw file to the line. It is not as elegant as a laser jet, but it didn’t cost $50 bucks either. The 2 ¼” instrument holes are done with a knock out punch. I also have a jig to do the instrument holes and will get to that tomorrow. The switch plate was done with a step drill and will be removed and sent to the powder coating shop and then the silk screen guys for labeling. I few more days and the panel will be ready for final painting, radios and gauges.
