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Need advise about small lettering for dashboard switches

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gahrajmahal

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Cincinnati, Ohio
IMG_1963.jpeg

IMG_1964.jpeg

I could use some help sourcing some small plain font lettering so I could label this row of switches in our 1970 MGB. I don’t want icons and would like the option of black or white text. Some I could make up myself, purchase or stencil could work too.

I thought about this as I added a new switch to my Avitar Chrysler 300. It has hidden headlights and the covers are operated by a gear motor. Internally it has two cam operated switches so constant hot 12 v can be supplied to one of two wire leads. Once the motor has rotated a pre-described arc the internal contact opens up and the constant 12 v coming from the headlamp switch is removed from the motor windings. Well, as you can imagine my 58 year old motor doesn’t work correctly anymore. I have opened it up and attempted to troubleshoot it, but without success. Another used one from eBay proved to be useless also. So, since the motor works fine in both directions I set out to use a separate three-position switch to control the headlamp doors separate from the headlamp switch. (The black toggle in the photo). When doing this I wanted to place it next to the map light in the dash. I had already added a single position toggle switch there, but had forgotten what it was supposed to control and I stupidly didn’t label the wires on the back telling me where it went to.
If only there was a label on the switch!

So, these labels will need text height of about 1/8” or so.

What have you done?

IMG_1967.jpeg

IMG_1965.jpeg

IMG_1966.jpeg
 
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Danno1

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We used to use this stuff at work to mark test equipment. You have to spray clear Rust-Oleum over it if you want it to last any amount of time.


Crafts & Hobbies - Rub On Letters,Chartpak FLS - FLS Discount Supplies

Rub on letters by Chartpak and FLS. Rubons come in 6pt, 8pt, 10pt, and 12pt. Color choices include black, or white (white only available on special sheets). Sheets contain lettering or numbers or a combination of both on some products. Standard font type is Helvetica Medium unless stated...
pcbsupplies.com pcbsupplies.com


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larry_g

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oregon
Talk about trophies in another thread led me to think that you could have a brass plack engraved at the trophy shop. One piece of brass to stretch the whole width and engrave appropriately.

lg
 
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Stuart in MN

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Danno1 said:
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We used to use this stuff at work to mark test equipment. You have to spray clear Rust-Oleum over it if you want it to last any amount of time.


Crafts & Hobbies - Rub On Letters,Chartpak FLS - FLS Discount Supplies

Rub on letters by Chartpak and FLS. Rubons come in 6pt, 8pt, 10pt, and 12pt. Color choices include black, or white (white only available on special sheets). Sheets contain lettering or numbers or a combination of both on some products. Standard font type is Helvetica Medium unless stated...
pcbsupplies.com pcbsupplies.com


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Click to expand...
Letraset used to be the name in rub on transfer letters, although they've gone out of business. Chartpak still sells them, among some other companies. You can find them online, or if you have an arts and graphics store in your area like **** Blick they should have them too.
 
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Spareparts

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Lansing Ks.
A lot of Ham Radio people build their own radio stuff, My Grandfather was one, he had sheets of letters
that he labeled everything with. He had a magazine called the QST that had them listed, don't know if they
even exist any more, but the Ham Radio guys are still there, Look them up.
 
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four.cycle

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Just a note: I used to use "Chartpak" letters for ad layouts. I think I got rid of all of them as they were no longer usable (they do have a shelf life.) They have zero durability - you can rub them off a surface with a fingernail easily.
 
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gahrajmahal

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Cincinnati, Ohio
Wow! 16 excellent replies in one afternoon! Thanks so much everyone.

In my minds eye the labels would be like the silkscreened labels inside the glass speedometer of my Chrysler, or similar to the labels inside the three gauge panel of the MG. A rub on label sounds like the one most like these examples. The problem is how to get a good spacing and level words when rubbing on one letter at a time from a big sheet. I’ve not had success when trying this in the past.

Here are some quotes and answers to them.

Yankeefarmer said:
Have you ruled out using a label maker? Both black and white letters are available on a clear background tape, and a wide range of fonts are available too.
Click to expand...

My label maker is ****, but may offer clear tape options I could try. Thanks!

lolaetype said:
Would something like this work? Summit has other styles if these don't float your boat. just search "switch labels" on Summit's web site.

Click to expand...

This is a little too “lawn mowerish “ for what I want. If I was racing this car and I wanted a clear, easy to read label, this would do the trick. Maybe for my toolbox, if I ever get organized. Thanks!

Grimpala said:
Are you looking for a vinyl stick on option, or a stencil to apply paint over?
Click to expand...

I would be happy with either of these. If there is a vendor that offers plain font, stencils or particular words I could specify. For example, no Summit label set will have the label, “Headlamp Doors” or “rollover switch”, which I think is one of the warning lights on the MG. It is to turn off the electric fuel pump automatically if the car is in an accident.

I could clear coat over vinyl letters. Motorcycle tanks do this.

Jetfixr320 said:
Find someone with a Cricut cutting machine. Many options with them.
Your Wife may have a friend that owns one.
Click to expand...

I’ve thought of this too as our local library has a maker space with a Cricut machine. They will educate you on its use and charge only for materials used and maybe blades. By appointment only. They also have 3D printing and sewing machines too.

Why have I been too lazy to start using all these free tools? Duuh!

Fred w b01, thanks for attaching the photos of your dash. It looks awesome! It really gives me (and others asking this same question) an idea of what professionally made labels would look like. A solid idea for me too!
 
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gahrajmahal

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Dec 12, 2008
Messages
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Location
Cincinnati, Ohio
Danno1 said:
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We used to use this stuff at work to mark test equipment. You have to spray clear Rust-Oleum over it if you want it to last any amount of time.


Crafts & Hobbies - Rub On Letters,Chartpak FLS - FLS Discount Supplies

Rub on letters by Chartpak and FLS. Rubons come in 6pt, 8pt, 10pt, and 12pt. Color choices include black, or white (white only available on special sheets). Sheets contain lettering or numbers or a combination of both on some products. Standard font type is Helvetica Medium unless stated...
pcbsupplies.com pcbsupplies.com


.
Click to expand...

Danno1, thanks for the link! Now I just need to be schooled how to use them to get a good result.👍
 
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