Control Panel coverings

[enigma]

Hey, what material is used to give the control panel the shiny glassy look?

[tmasman]

Plexi glass or Lexan.
At home depot/lowes...

Lexan is easier to work with, but easier to scratch to... (usually costs more too)
Plexi is harder to work with (easier to crack while cutting/drilling) but harder to scratch & usually cheaper that lexan.

[enigma]

Plexi is harder to work with (easier to crack while cutting/drilling)...

How would you go about cutting Plexi?

[Ken Layton]

To cut it to fit you use a metal straight edge and a plastic scoring knife (a hook shaped razor blade looking unit). Make several deep scores with the knife and then you snap the plastic off like a Graham cracker.

[enigma]

but then what about the button and Joystick holes?

[Pat S]

I'm going to cut some plexi this week.  

Oscar gave a tip the other day to use a Template router bit with the bearing at the top, then you just put the plexi underneath the CP, pop the bit through the plexi (plunge router), and make a few circles, then move on to the next hole.  The template bit bearing keeps the bit inside the CP hole without hurting it, and just the end of the bit goes through the plexi exactly the shape of the hole.

[AlanS17]

For my experience, lexan works better than plexi. It's easier to work with but exponentially more expensive. However, there is usually a med-grade option at Home Depot. That's the stuff I most highly recommend. You can cut it with a jigsaw and drill it. Just making sure you're using new, sharp tools.

[PedroSilva]

Hi guys,

Bought a kit this weekend ... I

[chrisindfw]

I see some panels with plexi and some with just vinyl...

I am torn on which to use. Plexi looks nice but I tend to think it makes the panel lose its "classic" look.

[Minwah]

I see some panels with plexi and some with just vinyl...

I am torn on which to use. Plexi looks nice but I tend to think it makes the panel lose its "classic" look.

I agree, only 'newer' games used plexi AFAIK, I prefer the more classic look of a metal panel+overlay

[Stingray]

Okay on this topic, if I want a custom overlay to go on my metal CP, is there any place out there that prints them?

-S

[tmasman]

The only place I've found is
http://classicarcadegrafix.com/

I plan on trying to get them to print a custom CPO for me...
I'm not sure if they will yet, but that's my plan as of now...

[mr.Curmudgeon]

http://www.mavericklabel.com/control.html

http://www.mavericklabel.com/quoter.html (Get Quote!)

Not sure if this is more industrial than anyone is looking for, but I just happened across it last night. I am also not sure how large they print, but it's worth a shot. It looks like they'll print camera ready art.

It looks like they print on some super-resilient materials and I like that they would be cutting the holes out too. They even offer the adhesive as well as various top coats (finishes)

Let me know if you have any luck.

mrC

[mr.Curmudgeon]

If there sizing and prices are right, this place sounds AWESOME...

From their website:

"Because control panels are often subject to physical contact - whether due to use of membrane switches, or due to proximity to connectors and control knobs--the most durable materials are usually used in their construction. For practical purposes, this generally means one of three types of material compositions:

Lexan

[Howard_Casto]

I hate to butt in and I hate to be rude, but this question is answered in the faq (the main byoac page)  thus this question should have never been asked.  Guys when someone asks a question that is in the faq you need to direct them to the faq.  It prevents more "dumb" questions and is much more helpful than any answer you can give them.  

[tmasman]

I hate to butt in and I hate to be rude, but this question is answered in the faq (the main byoac page)  thus this question should have never been asked.  Guys when someone asks a question that is in the faq you need to direct them to the faq.  It prevents more "dumb" questions and is much more helpful than any answer you can give them.  

I'm sorry... I wasn't aware that I had to memorize the FAQ in order to participate in this forum...

sheesh...

[tmasman]

http://www.mavericklabel.com/control.html

The only problem I'm seeing is that they have a (1 way) max dimension of 11.8"...

I went through the "Instant Quoter" & it said one of the dimensiosn has to me limited to 11.8", but the other could be more...

I'm out... I need 18" X 24"...

[Stingray]

I don't see the problem with discussing a question that might be covered in the faq. I count ten different people who have chosen to participate in this discussion. If the topic doesn't interest you, don't read that thread.

-S