How to secure plexi over your cp?

[RandomCitizenX]

I am starting on my cp either today or tomorrow, and I have been trying to figure out that best way to secure the 1/4 plexi onto my 1/2 plywood for cleanest effect. I have seen some cp's using bolts, while others have no visible way of securing the plexi beyond the tension from the buttons. Any insight or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[DashRendar]

On mine, the t-molding covers the front edge of the plexi.

The buttons take care of anchoring it down to the surface of the control panel.  It's extremely snug like this and doesn't move at all.

[Epyx]

Agreed...all you require are the buttons and T Molding overlap to hold them in place.  Just make sure your T Molding sits flush with the Plexi to provide additional grip around the perimeter.

[severdhed]

Agreed...all you require are the buttons and T Molding overlap to hold them in place.  Just make sure your T Molding sits flush with the Plexi to provide additional grip around the perimeter.

+1

that is more than enough to secure the plexi

[bkenobi]

I went overboard then.  I installed bolts in the corners to keep the plexi from coming up.  It doesn't move anyway, so I guess it just adds more holes for no reason.   

[Beretta]

i'd say it depends highly on the size of the CP and the thickness of the plexi.

bolts dont bother me known so i'd think carriage bolts along the edges would be the way to go for a larger CP.

[Epyx]

Then again the larger, the more gravity keeps it in place as well...unless you really like bolts there isn't a need for them from a "keep it down" point of view.

[Beretta]

what does gravity have to do with it?

if you've got a large cp and thin plexi it's not going to hold it down as well as a small cp with buttons covering most it's surface.

[severdhed]

if the edges of the plexi are covered by the Tmolding, then there should not be a need for bolts, regardless of the panel size.    you are laying one flat surface directly against another, and it is secured in the middle and the edges, there is really nothing that is going to cause them to want to separate.

[WhereEaglesDare]

if you are using 3/4 in mdf and you get 3/4 in t molding then it shouldnt cover the plexi at all, right?

[Franco B]

You can offset the t-moulding and then bevel the bottom edge of the CP. Take a look in [this] thread.

[WhereEaglesDare]

indeed

[severdhed]

another good way is to use 5/8" MDF and a 1/8" plexi

[WhereEaglesDare]

another good way is to use 5/8" MDF and a 1/8" plexi

yea, i cant find any around here,  got that 1/2 in though.

[Franco B]

1/2" MDF and 1/4" acrylic

Seriously though. I always thought a thick acrylic CP may look nice.

[Epyx]

what does gravity have to do with it?

if you've got a large cp and thin plexi it's not going to hold it down as well as a small cp with buttons covering most it's surface.

I mentioned T Molding above and offsetting it so it grips the plexi.

[Blanka]

If you are afraid that the plexi gets loose at the corners, maybe it is something to use Plexiphoto for the bezel. They can print your design on the plexi itself.

[Beretta]

that would be pretty neat for reproduction monitor artwork.

on a CP though i'd think it would be a down side.. CP is the most used part of the cabinet and will show it's wear first.
if you had the artwork printed on the plexi and it gets scratched up or cracked be harder / more expensive to replace.