Miniature T-Molding

[Daz_Genetic]

I've never had space for a full-size arcade cabinet, so I've started work on a fully working 1/5th scale replica pacman cabinet. This will hopefully be my first of many. I have ambitions to make others with even more complex controls.

I don't want it to just look correct, I want to use the same materials and construction techniques wherever possible. So I'm using plywood for the body of the cabinet. The walls are 3/16" plywood, which is marginally thicker than they should be, but it's all I could source locally, and won't look to far off.

Anyway, I have almost everything about the cabinet worked out ahead of time, but the one thing I can't find is T-molding in 3/16" width. Most likely, I'm searching for something that doesn't even exist. The best idea I've come up with for creating my own is cutting up appropriate colored power cables and slicing the sheathing into strips to glue onto the edges. My worry is that it will look sloppy. I would really like the T-Molding to look precise and neat.

So does anyone have a source for real 3/16" T-molding, or any ideas for creating something that resembles it at that scale?

[HaRuMaN]

Install 1/2" T-molding, trim it down to the sides using a razor blade. 

[HaRuMaN]

Although...  scratch that.  T-molding slot is 1/16 of an inch.  If you try to install T-molding into a 3/16" piece of plywood, it's going to bow out the sides. 

[JDFan]

Check the auto parts store and see if they have any fender trim/door trim molding pieces that size (I know they have 1/4" not sure about 3/16") - they are adhesive backed and should stay in place on the cabinet.   

Another possible option would be the Plasti dip spray paint (tape up the sides and spray the edges with a couple coats )

[Buick455]

How about PVC edge banding?

Like this:
http://www.rockler.com/plastic-preglued-edge-banding-melamine-select-option

[Daz_Genetic]

How about PVC edge banding?

Like this:
http://www.rockler.com/plastic-preglued-edge-banding-melamine-select-option

I really like the look of this option. Will definitely check it out.

Thanks for all the responses. I was hoping to check in later tonight thinking that i'd be lucky to have one response. Glad I checked in early. This forum is great!

Keep the ideas coming.

[danny_galaga]

On my long dormant 1/4 scale Space Invaders project, I was going to use cardboard since the the T-molding on those cabs wasn't smooth. Edge banding like Buick says or maybe painted styrene strip would work as well I reckon.

[DeLuSioNal29]

Why not just paint them on like I did with my Vigolix cabs.  They came out great!


DeL

[BadMouth]

Use PVC edge banding and a t-molding quad trimmer to trim it down to the correct width after it's installed.

[lamprey]

I ordered some styrene strips a while back for making some scale arcade machines. I fully admit I haven't used them yet, but I think they'll work.

Here is a sample (not sure if this is he right size, but you get the idea):
http://www.amazon.com/Strip-040-x-188-10/dp/B0006O5ELA

Here is a place that lots of sizes
http://www.evergreenscalemodels.com/Strips.htm

[RoyalScam]

I had the same problem with a 1/2 scale PONG I built.  I used black electrician's tape as a temporary solution, that was four years ago.  The tape is still on there.

Check it out;
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,119097.msg1261502.html#msg1261502

[Daz_Genetic]

I ordered some styrene strips a while back for making some scale arcade machines. I fully admit I haven't used them yet, but I think they'll work.

Here is a sample (not sure if this is he right size, but you get the idea):
http://www.amazon.com/Strip-040-x-188-10/dp/B0006O5ELA

Here is a place that lots of sizes
http://www.evergreenscalemodels.com/Strips.htm

I've never worked with Styrene before. Is there a particular glue that would work well to stick that to the edge of plywood?

[lamprey]

I ordered some styrene strips a while back for making some scale arcade machines. I fully admit I haven't used them yet, but I think they'll work.

Here is a sample (not sure if this is he right size, but you get the idea):
http://www.amazon.com/Strip-040-x-188-10/dp/B0006O5ELA

Here is a place that lots of sizes
http://www.evergreenscalemodels.com/Strips.htm

I've never worked with Styrene before. Is there a particular glue that would work well to stick that to the edge of plywood?

Honestly, I haven't had a chance to use them yet, so I can't say for sure.

[jeremymtc]

I'll bet that good old wood glue, or even white glue, will do the trick just fine.

[danny_galaga]

White glue is not going to adhere to styrene. To itself, styrene cement or even just acetone works. To plywood, something like builders adhesive (liquid nails etc) would be fine. Or maybe contact adhesive.