First time building a custom Control Panel - help :)

[RandyT]

So all my parts have arrived! Nice!

I have a question about wiring up the LEDs on the pushbuttons. The metal prongs aren't marked as far as I can tell. What is positive and what is negative?

You can test them each way.  One way they will light and the other they won't.  You won't hurt them if the polarity is reversed.  Ideally, the LED's will have some identifiable property so you can orient them uniformly in the holders.  If this is done, they should all be the same.

[PL1]

My favorite trick is to connect the ground side daisy chain to the side with the large black tab that holds the microswitch.

D.C. Ground = black wire = black plastic tab.   

If the LED doesn't light, unplug the LED from the socket and turn it 180 degrees.

Also, Diode Check mode on your multimeter should (dimly) light up the LED so you can tell if the LED is backward before you hook everything up in your panel.


Scott

[swirlee]

OK... so recommended control panel building materials. I'm pretty sure I am going to use MDF, but what do you guys recommend for clear part? Plexi, lexan, acrylic? I'm hoping the cheapest of the bunch is also the easiest to cut!

Thanks!

[Slippyblade]

Plexi, lexan, acrylic? I'm hoping the cheapest of the bunch is also the easiest to cut!

Plexi *IS* acrylic...  It's just a name brand of acrylic.  Lexan is a name brand of polycarbonate.  Most folks just get plexi/acrylic from the local home store (Home Depot/Lowes/etc...)

[swirlee]

Roger roger... but still, one should be easier to cut and better suited for this purpose than the other though, correct?

Thanks!

[PL1]

OK... so recommended control panel building materials. I'm pretty sure I am going to use MDF, but what do you guys recommend for clear part? Plexi, lexan, acrylic? I'm hoping the cheapest of the bunch is also the easiest to cut!

Thanks!

+1 on using MDF.

You may want to consider using a laminated CPO like Game On Grafix offers instead of plexi.   


Scott

[swirlee]

+1 on using MDF.

You may want to consider using a laminated CPO like Game On Grafix offers instead of plexi.   


Scott

Oh good idea! Was easier than worrying about cutting plexi and kills two birds with one stone since I was planning on getting something printed anyways! I'm guessing these stick to MDF well?

[PL1]

I'm guessing these stick to MDF well?

Not to bare, unsealed MDF, but several layers of primer (lightly sand it smooth between coats) should do the trick.   


Scott

[swirlee]

So far, so good!