Can I get away with poster board?

[acvieluf]

I know and agree with the talk that poster board makes a terrible looking bezel. However, I'm looking at my cab, and the plexi on the front is SMOKED. If it weren't for the openings in the back of the cab, I don't think I'd need a bezel at all. (Unless its just the bad lighting I'm working in, ha-ha).

But since I have zero experience with this, I'd love to know if there are any other reasons to not use poster board here.

Also, what's the best possible material to use? (Besides molded plastic)

Thanks!

[wp34]

Is your monitor flat or curved?

[acvieluf]

it is a "flat screen" CRT (see: not actually flat).  I'm curious to know how that factors in, since the bezel will actually surround the screen?  That may be a dumb question, but i genuinely don't know.

[yamatetsu]

If you want to do a cardboard bezel, take a look at this thread : $2 Bezel...

It's cheap, it actually does look good and it will look even better behind smoked glass/plexi.

[acvieluf]

Wow, that does look really good.   The design wouldn't fit my cab, though. 

I could only quickly find this bezel support: http://thearcadeboneyard.com/cabinet_parts/wooden_monitor_bezel_supports.php
(the Sega Zaxxon one, obviously, but i can't direct link it.)

It came with one that was flat thick cardboard, black on one side. it had only a slight "intlet" for the screen (19", now going to 24")  Like a fool, i threw it away before i even got the cab home.  Argh :bang head:.  (thinking, "Welp, using a different screen, won't need this!")

I think i can use some of the design elements of from that thread for the inlet, though.  I'll look into it.  Thanks again!

[BadMouth]

If you're just going for something black underneath the plexi, than there is nothing wrong with posterboard.

You can also tape off a square on the back of the plexi then spray paint a bezel on. 

Someday I'd like to try making a design around the screen area in K-tape and masking tape before painting the black, then pulling the tape and applying a color coat to fill in the design.
Since it's all on the backside of the plexi, it should come out looking nice and smooth with crisp edges.
I think you could get some pretty awesome results for hardly any money.

[wp34]

Here is another option I've used a couple of times with flat monitors.  You just need to find some thin material (MDF or otherwise) to work with.  I was able to find some 1/8" material at Menards that was already painted black.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,147560.msg1547548.html#msg1547548

[Peabo]

You can also use black foam board.  Available at craft stores, staples, office depot/max and some walmarts.  http://www.walmart.com/ip/Elmer-s-Sturdy-Foam-Board-Sheet-Black-20-x-30-x-3-16/17011432

[Generic Eric]

Wow, that does look really good.   The design wouldn't fit my cab, though. 

I could only quickly find this bezel support: http://thearcadeboneyard.com/cabinet_parts/wooden_monitor_bezel_supports.php
(the Sega Zaxxon one, obviously, but i can't direct link it.)

It came with one that was flat thick cardboard, black on one side. it had only a slight "intlet" for the screen (19", now going to 24")  Like a fool, i threw it away before i even got the cab home.  Argh :bang head:.  (thinking, "Welp, using a different screen, won't need this!")

I think i can use some of the design elements of from that thread for the inlet, though.  I'll look into it.  Thanks again!

[acvieluf]

That elmer's stuff looks perfect for a cheap first try.  I don't mind cheap and easy for a bezel, as long as you can't tell. I'll give that stuff a try first.  It also looks like it may fit perfectly into the support. 

Thanks Eric for the picture post.  You can see the groove in it, that's where the bezel fits in. (until i tried to fit it in last night, i thought it was for the plexi.)

Thanks for your input everyone! 

[Token]

You can get away with a lot under smoked plexi.

I say go for it. If it looks terrible you can re-do it. It's not like you'll be out a bunch of money. 

[keilmillerjr]

I spent $40 on a happ plastic bezel just to find our that it is too deep to fit my mvs.

I'll make one out of poster board for a few dollars. That's what it originally had anyhow.

[Generic Eric]

For the price of the poster board, how could you not try? 

[mgb]

All this talk about whether or not a bezel can be made from poster board,
Hold on, I seem to remember seeing this done somewhere, now where was that?
Oh yeah it was on the original classic arcade machines of the 80's 

[acvieluf]

YEAH! FOR THE WIN, CASE CLOSED!