Need advice on materials

[fantoboy]

With a bartop arcade, what would you consider the best material?  I see a lot of people dislike MDF.  So what are the alternatives?  Melamine?
Also- what could I use for a control panel where the front edge is curved down?  A rounded edge between the top of the control panel and front rather than a corner.

[Le Chuck]

I used MDF on my weecade clone (darkade).  I also did a downward curve on the CP with MDF. Covered with art and plexi. 

[yaksplat]

3/4" maple/birch plywood.  Face the birch side out for a smoother finish with no visible grain.

[TopJimmyCooks]

I would consider 1/2" birch ply for everything that doesn't have t mould.  use 3/4" for the sides for widest range of T mold compatibility.  Of course, you have to buy a sheet of whatever so having two sizes would add $50 or so to your cost. 

If I ever build a bartop, I will make 3 -4 sets of wood parts to use up the stock efficiently.  if you're making templates anyway, you can fly through the multiples. 

There's nothing wrong with MDF either - you're trading less structural strength for easier painting.  it weighs more but not a big issue on a bartop. 

[Woodshop Flunky]

I'd use 1/2 inch MDF for the sides.  For a small cabinet, 1/2 seems better to me.

For all the battens and center panels, I'd use 3/4 inch plywood.  It's strong and takes a screw real well.

For the CP, I'd also use the 1/2 MDF.  You can shape it easily, and glue holds MDF just fine.

I think some hardware stores, Home Depot, and maybe Ace sell sheet material cut in smaller sections (2x2 or 4x4).  Not 100% sure... it's been a while since I've looked at that sort of thing.  Anyhow, it might keep you from having to buy full sheets.