CP top materials?

[ericball]

For my cocktail cab I'm planning on going modular (like Doc- & others), but I'm trying to figure out what materials to make the CP top from.  

I don't have the tools for metal, but I'm not sure I have the skill to nicely route-out MDF for any controls (i.e. trackballs) which need it.  Hardboard maybe?  (Perhaps with braces for stiffness).  Any other suggestions?  Plexi or Lexan, but what tools would be required?

And what do people use for the top of a cocktail cab?  I'm just not comfortable with hanging a 20" tube by bolts through MDF.  I think plywood may be stronger.

[Tilzs]

I used plywood for my cocktail top, although I didn't hang my monitor from the top either but rather mounted it on a wooden bezel frame.

[Doc-]

I used 1/2" MDF for my modular panels.  It seemed a reasonable balance since many joysticks will work in 1/2" MDF without needing to route the underside.

My trackball panel is actually cut using a jigsaw - just trace the shape of the trackball box out on the bottom.  I then used angle irons from home depot and drilled into non-critical areas of the plastic housing on the trackball to mount it to the bottom of the panel.  You can cover the top with thin hard plastic  material if you don't want any bumps to show.

I really like the vinyl from Parts Express for covering - it is very easy to apply and leaves a nice finish that is pretty rugged.   The flash pictures don't really do justice to it - it has a textured finish that looks very nice in real life.