Should I use Glass or perspex for my screen?

[Los Abrazos Rotos]

I'm about to start building an arcade machine & am a bit unsure about what to use for the screen - how good does perspex look?  Does it compare favourably with glass?  Should I be getting clear or tinted/smoked?

cheers!

[monkey puzzle]

I used bronze tinted glass and would definately do the same again. I would definately recomend using glass. The trouble with perspex is that it can bow and bend slighty in your cab and the reflected light exagerate this. Also perspex seems to have static that attracts dust and debris. And of course it scratches easy and is more expensive than glass.

If you do decide to use glass, make sure you use toughened glass (for safety reasons).

[RandyT]

Either is fine, but don't let some of the concerns about acrylic dissuade you from using it.  You can cut acrylic, but not tempered glass (most individuals can't cut even regular glass).  Acrylic will scratch, but only if it is abused.  It's much harder and more resilient to scratches than polycarbonate.  As long as you don't go at it 3 times a week with a dry paper towel, it will hold up for a very long time.  Certain transmission ratios are much easier to find in acrylic than glass.  They are also not that much more expensive, if at all, than tempered glass.  If you are worried about bowing, use 1/4".  I have found that for a normal sized cab, 1/8" is fine.  Something bigger could benefit from the thicker.

I've had the same piece of dark acrylic on my cab for about 10 years now, with no noticeable cosmetic issues.

RandyT

[Smeghead]

I used perspex or equivalent. Just make sure its thick enough so it doesnt bend
Its not cheap either but easy to pull out, handle and clean

[wizkid32]

I am planning on using glass.  An then I plan to build the bezel right into that.

[MTPPC]

I used a piece of 3/16" glass cut to 21" x 23" and seemed (edge smoothed) I got from a glass shop for $25. I used 20% auto tint on it and I wish I used 35%. It turned out really nice, but the games are a little dim in bright light. This is on my  Ms. Pacmame:

 

[Los Abrazos Rotos]

Thanks, some good info here.. I think Im going to go for glass but with a sheet of perspex underneath - I'll sandwich my artwork between the two.  Something tells me this isn't a good idea though.  Any thoughts?

[Los Abrazos Rotos]

 I was wondering to what extent using tinted glass will hide my bezel artwork?  Would clear glass be a better option? I really want my artwork to glow as much as possible under UV but at the same time like the look of a tinted screen.  My plan is to sandwich the art between two pieces of glass.

[wp34]

I really want my artwork to glow as much as possible under UV but at the same time like the look of a tinted screen. 

Now ya got me curious.  Are you going to create a build thread?  I'd like to see your artwork.

[Los Abrazos Rotos]

Yep, I'll get round to it sooner or later, its discs of tron