A different type of control panel: Epoxy/Resin

[Bigbadmamajama]

Greetings everyone,
I've finally finished my arcade cabinet and I'm really proud/happy with the results. After looking at all of the different control panel designs, I decided to try something different. I wasn't building a replica arcade, nor an arcade for nostalgia purposes. This thing is going to be used and abused by a lot of adults trying to relive their competitive glory days. Water/glass rings, scratches, and fading are not an issue with Epoxy. People can set their drinks down, wear watches or rings and not have to worry about damaging anything. I used a puddle pour method in addition to a heat gun order to get the cascading colors. Thanks to everyone on this awesome site for all of the feedback, ideas, and help to get me to this point.

[barrymossel]

Nice, doesn't that scratch?

RPi build btw?

[shaolindrunkard]

Nice, doesn't that scratch?

RPi build btw?

It absolutely does scratch, I wouldn't have people put drinks down or wear watches or anything like that. Not sure where he got the idea that it doesn't scratch. It is much more scratch resistant, than say polyurethane, but its not bullet proof by any stretch.

Looks good though, nice job.

[pbj]

Scratches just add patina and you can polish them out.  That looks really good, bro.

[RandyT]

I poured an old shuffleboard table with epoxy, and I can say that it is far more scratch resistant than any acrylic or polycarbonate surface.  There's a reason why the stuff is so widely used for high wear surfaces, like bartops and tables. 

Honestly, as much as I respect those who can do glass-like finishes with paint, I'd be tempted to just coat the parts I would want to be super glossy with clear epoxy and call it a day.  The result won't look much different, it's a lot less work, and the finish is much more durable.  But $$$.

[Howard_Casto]

What is the weight difference compared to a standard piece of plywood/mdf ?

[aldub516]

cool project! Its always good to do something different... I have to ask tho, what the heck is going on with player 4?? I was going to applaud your clean and nice 4 player set up, and saw player 4 is drunk.. Did you do that on purpose?

[drventure]

Nice job.

I built a desk at one point, years back. Had MDF as a base, slate tiles on that, and then poured epoxy in a pool on top to get a flat writable surface.

That was at least 9 or 10 years ago. Epoxy has held up fantastic and I use this desk everyday.

I love the finish. Got a bit of an old leather/steampunk vibe to it. Can't tell about the rest of the cab though.

Gotta ask. Are those bottle openers under the front lip of the panel?   

[Mr. Peabody]

Control panel cover. The title to me means the whole panel. I got excited.

[Bigbadmamajama]

Gotta ask. Are those bottle openers under the front lip of the panel?   

They are hinges, but I wish!

cool project! Its always good to do something different... I have to ask tho, what the heck is going on with player 4?? I was going to applaud your clean and nice 4 player set up, and saw player 4 is drunk.. Did you do that on purpose?

So, I designed it that way because of the angle the monitor is at and how the 4 button layout would work physiologically. Your thumb on the first button and then subsequent fingers fall in line. It’s pretty comfortable

Nice, doesn't that scratch?

RPi build btw?

It absolutely does scratch, I wouldn't have people put drinks down or wear watches or anything like that. Not sure where he got the idea that it doesn't scratch. It is much more scratch resistant, than say polyurethane, but its not bullet proof by any stretch.

Looks good though, nice job.

I’ve built four desks and this and I’m not sure what your experience has been or what product you use, but this is really hard to scratch. It’s night and day compared to anything else out there. I have a work desk that I’ve used wvedy day for 2 years and there isn’t a scratch.

Nice, doesn't that scratch?

RPi build btw?

Yessir!!! It’s running great!