here is a link that shows a homebrew with a panel made of garolite. The text indicates that he used Garolite for the front panel.

http://makearadio.com/tube/russian-loop-radio.php

Received the pictures you sent me - fronts look good.

I wonder where Dave gets his Garolite - or does he "finish" the front ??? I bought a small sheet of it from McMaster Carr and was not quite pleased... you can see faint texture (probably fiberous binder) and it has a flat surface finish (just a bit above flat black paint) that I couldn't sand, buff or polish into even a smooth satin effect. I still plan to use it - but will try to doll it up a bit with paint - or perhaps even a wood veneer.


Addendum.... looks like Dave has run into some of the Garolite I have.... this is one of his excellent designs that has the finish of my panel.....

quit possible that the garolite that I got from Dave S back in 2005 is no longer available. I did no finishing on the material he sent me. I'll look to see if I can find any left over.

Since I'm about to use this material.... I did a little experiment -

The panel I have is "XX" Garolite (like Dave Schmarder uses).... apparently there is a wide variation in finish... I again tried buffing - this time using a medium stiff buffing wheel and a moderately abrasive compound (Tripoli).... After a couple of minutes there was a satiny gloss that will be more than satisfactory for my project....



To the left you see the panel finish as I received it - to the right is the polished section....

BTW - amyotte - the radio I'm working on is a 3-tube homebrew receiver - nearly identical in design to yours.... it even uses the exact same 3-circuit tuner and variable cap!!! I'd suspect it was a plan out of some periodical of the day...

Hi JG
Can you send me some pictures of what you have?
amyotte@personainternet.com
It does receive, which I am glad.

Go to the local metal recycler, and buy one of the old city, county, or state road signs for about 7 bucks. They are usually either 1/8" or 3/16 inches thick, and the local heating and air conditioning shop can cut, and bend the metal for you. The natural aluminum finish, when scrubbed or sanded a little bit, looks great! I like to have the front panel cut, and then have the chassis sheet bent 90 degrees at the back. I like the bend to be about 3 inches tall for the back of the chassis .The front edge butts up against the front panel. Then, go to the local carpenty shop, and have them cut 2 pieces of nice wood to fill in the ends of the chassis. Regular sheet metal screws hold it together, and you can put a small piece of 1/2 by 1/2 by about 4 inches long aluminum or steel angle underneath, where the 2 pieces of aluminum butt up. I usually just pop rivet this in place. This makes a really nice radio chassis, and it is easier to work with aluminum than steel. Trust me! Lenny