Precision layout....
 

For those keeping tuned in....

Mike decided on Design 2. Looks like this without having to go back...

Here is the list of tools you will need....

Packing tape to protect the now neked panel...any tape residue comes off easily with WD-40

Caliper (not a have to have, but helps)

Measuring tape

Bic ball point (cheap ones won't write on the tape, and stay away from gel and marker....just make a mess)

Square/straight edge

Protractor

Your collection of "template" objects that will aid in your layout..

I made the location for the Lowrance exact by giving it an equal border and parallel with the bottom. Because the panel has curvature, I took the lesser of all evils and went from there, giving the top to stbd corner the least amount of edge room.

Then I measured the remaining area of the panel, and made a centerline as well as additonal lines at 2" to either side with my small square creating a 4" center....just right for the flowscan

At the average height at center, I took a measurement, subtracted the flowscan diameter and fuel gauge diameter, then divided the remaining x 3. Visually, this segregates the fuel and flowscan because they don't "belong" to either engine, but rather....both.

These next three images show only the offset of the fuel vs the others, and how everthing "looks" relative to the next piece.

If I get the "go" on this layout, the next posts will be on how to accurately trasnfer a visual layout to a cutting guide without starting over with the tape measure...

Looks good Rich I say go!!

Go it is....

The next posts will be about transferring the concept into reality..

Stay tuned.....and mike....stay safe....

Always safe. Can't wait rich!

Day after Turkey...still eatin turkey
 

Ok....the way I illustrate below is only one of the many ways...

I traced the outer diameter of my template pieces after I was certain that my placement was correct. An easier way would be to mist spray paint down and then remove the templates...but you still have to find center...

My method below shows how you find center fast and easy...

The paint cap has an indentation that is center. With the centers drilled out enough to stick a pen through to make a mark, you can lay out the panel and mark centers, remove the templates (paint caps) and draw your circles....

Now to the next issue....

Making the holes for the gauges exact. No one on the planet know what the hell size that is, so they don't make a hole saw the correct diameter. Those that have done this before know, you can oversize (bad idea) or undersize and then "open" the hole to the correct diameter with a drum sander or rat-tail file.

Sucks....even more so when you have about 20 gauges.