Plexi Mounting Question

[gamepimp]

Hi guys. I am going to be rebuilding my CP and using plexi on the new one. Will the buttons be enough to hold the plexi down? I've seen that many machines don't use bolts of any kind to mount it. So I'm hopeful that the buttons will be enough. I am planning on doing threaded inserts for the joysticks so I won't be able to rely on those bolts to hold it down either. Thoughts?

[DrumAnBass]

I didn't use any additional screws to hold down the plexi for my upright; the buttons were enough.

If your cab is going to get heavy use you might consider some screws to hold it down, but for normal home use, probably not necessary.

[Dervacumen]

How many buttons, where are they, and how thick is the plexi?  They will hold it in place, certainly.  The answer to whether or not someone will be able to pry up the edges will be answered by the first three questions.  My CP has a very thin plexi overlay, maybe 1/32" or something and it's held down by a total of 8 buttons (two players, 4 buttons each.)  My CP sits in between the sides of the cabinet with no overhang so it's flush to the inside of each side wall.  You can however pull up the edges if you try to wedge something between the cp and the cabinet.  Not that anyone ever tries that, including kids as young as 4 and as old as 50.

[Dawgz Rule]

The buttons hold mine down and the T-Molding conceals the edges.

[boardjunkie]

For a home use only game its fine to let the buttons and stick mounting bolts hold it down. I would always bolt it down when I was doing conversions on games that would end up on location. Kids will tear it up if they can find a place to grab onto and pull on it.

[Afterburner]

As others have said, butttons are enough.

My joysticks and trackballs are mounted below the CP and held in place with countersunk head fasteners from the top face of the CP.

The artwork and plexi cover the fastener heads and the button bezels hold the plexi in place.  I've had no trouble with that.

[P-chan]

My edges were not as perfect as I'd like, so I countersunk screws around the edge to hold the plexi edges down.  The T-molding does cover the edge, but I have a large CP with a 15" monitor inside it so I needed a more secure fit.

[tony.silveira]

i remember asking about this a few years ago and someone posted a link to t-molding that had a little wrap around lip.  not sure if that stuff is still available

[gamepimp]

How many buttons, where are they, and how thick is the plexi?  They will hold it in place, certainly.  The answer to whether or not someone will be able to pry up the edges will be answered by the first three questions.  My CP has a very thin plexi overlay, maybe 1/32" or something and it's held down by a total of 8 buttons (two players, 4 buttons each.)  My CP sits in between the sides of the cabinet with no overhang so it's flush to the inside of each side wall.  You can however pull up the edges if you try to wedge something between the cp and the cabinet.  Not that anyone ever tries that, including kids as young as 4 and as old as 50.

The cabinet is a "showcase" style. My CP will have 4 players with 6 buttons each. It will also have 2 buttons for "coin" and "start" at the top of the CP above each player. I will use 1/8" plexi and I plan on beveling the bottom edge of the CP so that the t-molding will stick up above the the CP slightly to cover the edge of the plexi. So hopefully that will keep the edges from lifting up.

[tony.silveira]

here is that molding with the lip if you are interested

http://www.t-molding.com/store/product.php?productid=16

[P-chan]

here is that molding with the lip if you are interested

http://www.t-molding.com/store/product.php?productid=16

Interesting.  With that T-molding, and 1/8" plexi, your wood would have to be 11/16" thick (0.6875")...