Best place to get lazer cut 5mm acrylic in UK

[mancity]

Hi guys,

I made a MAME console last year (see attached). Works perfectly. All MS and Windows 7 branding etc completely removed and it boots directly into Maximus Arcade.

However, I have the box and build I have put it in, and I used a laptop mobo at the time (its all I had) and it now has RTC battery issues and wont accept a new battery properly.

So, I have a new mobo (a desktop one) to use, have a newer version of MAME set-up (was .103, but now using .151) and im considering either a cabinet design, or a re-vamped version of what I already created, but using 5mm black acrylic.

My questions are -

1. Are there any recommended places within the UK which can provide and lazer cut 5mm acrylic? Ive read about phenoptix.com, but they only cut 300mm x 200mm acrylic sheets as standard, which is too small.
2. Is there a recommended website for decals if I were to go for a cabinet design?
3. If I were to make a cabinet, that's the edging people use to neaten off the edge of the MDF boards?

Thank you 

[lilshawn]

they only cut 300mm x 200mm acrylic sheets as standard, which is too small.

soooooo..... what ARE the dimentions your require?? You may end up in a situation where you aren't looking for the BEST place to get it cut, but ANY place that can cut it.


to answer some of your questions though...

1: not sure....see above.

2: It really depends on what you plan on doing...Size/shape/decal format all play a role in what you need to find. lots of people here make custom graphics for their cabinets and have a printing company print it for them on vinyl for application. lots of places sell generic "MAME" type decals for cabinets. Lot's of people just stick with the straight black cabinet.

3: the stuff you are looking for is called "T-molding" it involves cutting a slot in the board that the moulding sits in. without proper tools (router and special t-mold slot cutting bit) it's next to impossible to do.

[mancity]

Thanks for your answer.

Im pretty decided on making an arcade cabinet, so dimension-wise, it would be a standard 2-player arcade cabinet.


Thank you,

[lilshawn]

http://www.gameongrafix.com/
http://www.thisoldgame.com/
http://www.phoenixarcade.com/

have some ready made side art decals for sale. Game on Graphix does some custom stuff too.


if you can manage to make your own...

http://www.transcribeprint.co.uk/
http://www.prontaprint.com/


I've heard good things about This Old Game and Game on Graphix. never ordered from them before...just reiterating what i've heard here.

you could basically google or search ebay for "arcade side art decal" and get all kinds of examples.

[Thestoney]

Try Trent plastics for the acrylic their service is great , I found them through ebay but they have their own site

[grantspain]

Try Trent plastics for the acrylic their service is great , I found them through ebay but they have their own site

i have also used them and they were spot on

[mancity]

Thanks a lot for all the info, ill be checking this out