T-moulding in Europe?

[orchidius]

Hi there,

While building my first ever arcade, I just stumbled across a minor problem: the T-moulding size... I live in Belgium, so the MDF I got is 18mm thick, but all the samples I got from www.t-molding.com are either 3/4", 5/8" or 13/16". Both the 3/4" and the 13/16" are slightly overhanging and the 5/8" is slightly too small...

Where can I find a strip of T-moulding that would fit my 18mm thick panel?

Thanks!

PS: I'm looking for chrome t-moulding .

[shfifty]

i am also using 18mm mdf, with 3/4" from tmolding.com. I actually think it fits perfectly, i like the tiny amount of overhang.

You wont find tmolding that fits perfectly. Use the 3/4" tmolding and then simply trim it back so that its flush with the wood. Trimming can be done with a sharp chisel, razor blade, knife, router etc etc.

But remember no to trim it to size until AFTER you have painted/laminated/whatever, or it may end up too narrow due to the added thickness from painting/vinyl-ing etc.

[orchidius]

I considered all of those things, but the problem lies in the "color" of the moulding... Chrome t-moulding is in fact white t-moulding with a chrome "sticker" on top. So if I were to trim it flush with the wood, I would have the chrome "color" on top, but the sides of the moulding would be white (the industrial, dirty kind).

[JustMichael]

Forgive me but I don't see what the problem is.
First off you do NOT want 18mm t-molding for your 18mm mdf.  T-molding is put on arcade cabinets as an edge protector.  The t-molding ALSO protects the edge of the finish that you apply to the cabinet as well!  Let say you paint your cab and you apply 2 primer coats, 2 finish color coats, and a couple of coats of a semi gloss poly to help protect the paint.  The t-molding helps protect the edge of this finish from flaking off due to being struck and bumped (especially with toes).  That 19mm t-molding would give just .5mm of extra protection per side.  Now I don't know how thick those 6 layers of finish would be but they will take up some of that.  Now if you cover the mdf with vinyl, I don't know how thick that is but the t-molding would protect that too.

[orchidius]

The vinyl I have is about the same thickness as a basic paintjob I think (depending on the paint and the number of layers the paint might be a bit thicker), but the point is that I was kind of expecting a flush finish from T-moulding... I thought that was kind of the whole point there. The overhang on both sides makes it look like a poorly measured job, rather then giving it the "finishing touch" (imo).

The 3/4" T-moulding would fit flush with a sheet of 3/4" MDF you would buy in an american store, so why wouldn't there be 18mm t-moulding that fits flush with european 18mm sheets of wood? :s

If I MUST I'll go for the overhang, but I'd really like a flush finish :s

[shfifty]

If I MUST I'll go for the overhang, but I'd really like a flush finish :s

if you're using the chrome stuff then you dont have a choice. but to accept the overhang. So i guess you have to choose between chrome with overhang or a solid colour which can be trimmed.
If they have video game arcades in Belgium then i suggest you go to one and have a look at a real arcade machine. You will be supprised at what you see: overhang.

Ive attached a pic of an x-arcade controller. look closely at the edge. it has OVERHANG!!!

[XNIF]

When you use 18mm MDF and use HPL on the side (0.9mm) the overhang is next to nothing.
You can buy your chrome t-molding in the UK http://www.gremlinsolutions.co.uk/t-molding.php  but you still need a slot cutter with US size.

[danny_galaga]

When you use 18mm MDF and use HPL on the side (0.9mm) the overhang is next to nothing.
You can buy your chrome t-molding in the UK http://www.gremlinsolutions.co.uk/t-molding.php  but you still need a slot cutter with US size.

What he said, but without knowing any technical acronyms    If you cover the sides with a laminate or something, you will virtually have 3/4" thick sides, just like you want 

[XNIF]

Yes, HPL can be bought here if you are in belgium: http://www.klushandel.nl/product_info.php?products_id=39674
Can do it in any colour, nice if you do not have a poster to glue on it