diy monitor bezel ideas

[rchadd]

just thinking of alternative ways to make a custom sized monitor bezel for my cocktail cab (instead of cardboard)

how about foam like you get in packing of electrical goods etc.

for example on this site...

http://www.myfoam.com/products.cgi?cart=&item=packing

what about some long thin lengths of the Ester Foam in the Clipped bolster shape. Then just mitre then together to form the bezel?

probably too expensive

just an idea

[Nefesis]

what about making a bezel out of wood for use with a wood colored cabinet?

[Witchboard]

I would think the foam would attract more dust and be more difficult to clean since it's a porous material.  You could always try it and if it doesn't work out, try something else.

[rchadd]

I would think the foam would attract more dust and be more difficult to clean

it would be under the table glass so dont think dust would be a problem.

figured foam would be easy to trim to fit the curvature of the monitor and give a good fit.

personally i would have paid for a happ bezel but my monitor is 21" and figured it will be just too big for their 19" bezel.  In some ways size is not always better;)

I could have saved a lot of hastle on building my cab if i had got a 19" monitor - ain't hindsight wonderful?

[Witchboard]

If you have fans running in your cab, you'll be surprised where dust can get,  especially when you have static from the monitor.  

[rchadd]

i am wondering if i can get some sort of black rubberized material like stuff the are used on cars to give watertight seal on the boot lid (trunk???).

cardboard beginning to seem like a easier option

[whammoed]

I didn't use foam as a bezel but I did use it to block the small amount of light that showed through between the bezel and the monitor.  Worked really well and no dust problems(had fans too)  I think it is a good idea...use some cardboard or foam core board with the thick foam on the back...shouldnt need to trim for the curve of the monitor, it should be squishy enough to press nicely against the glass.

BTW this is not an original concept:
http://www.happcontrols.com/monitors/49074100.htm

[Witchboard]

They sell a rubberising agent in a spray can.  You could make a bezel following these instructions and then coat it with the rubber in a can.  Hmm.. that may not be too bad of an idea.

[Goz]

I've had pretty good results with "Black foam poster board". You can get this stuff at Office Max, Office Depot, Staples, etc. You can see a picture of the stuff here http://www.framingsupplies.com/MatBoardFoamBoard/FoamBoard.htm

You can get it in many sizes and it has a nice protective outer layer.

I typically find it local for about $5 for a sheet large enough to make a 25" bezel.

Hope this helps

-Goz

[rchadd]

I've had pretty good results with "Black foam poster board". You can get this stuff at Office Max, Office Depot, Staples, etc. You can see a picture of the stuff here http://www.framingsupplies.com/MatBoardFoamBoard/FoamBoard.htm

You can get it in many sizes and it has a nice protective outer layer.

I typically find it local for about $5 for a sheet large enough to make a 25" bezel.

Hope this helps

-Goz

hey this stuff looks good - i'll need to find a supplier in the UK

[gajaman]

I made my own from a sheet of mounting board and some strips of wood I had laying around.

I don't have much patience but it worked out well. Still looks good two years on!

Some pics/basic instructions on my site:http://www.gajaproject.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/arcade/

[Chris]

hey this stuff looks good - i'll need to find a supplier in the UK

Make sure whatever you cut it with is SUPER sharp and cut slowly!

[Tilzs]

i am wondering if i can get some sort of black rubberized material like stuff the are used on cars to give watertight seal on the boot lid (trunk???).

cardboard beginning to seem like a easier option

On my cocktail I used black wetherstripping (the stuff you use around windows to make a seal) I'll say that I do have a flatscreen PC monitor so it does work fairly well. If I had a curved monitor I don't think it would work since the weather stripping is only 1/2" thick and a curved monitor at it's widest point is easily more than 1/2". The other think with my cocktail and weatherstripping is that I wish I had made the monitor hole a little larger in the top. Looking at the screen from an angle like you do from sitting at a chair, it does obscure the bottom of the screen. All said and done if I had to do over again I think I would make a cardboard bezel since I could then make it so I didn't have the bottom obscured view problem.

The top really doesn't obsucre that much, pretty much only how many lifes you have left or maybe the score sometimes but it'd be nice to have nothing obscured. I could fix it by adjusting the monitor but I guess i'd rather have the monitor larger. All said and done, bezel is the way to go

[rchadd]

decided to try making something with happ sticky vinyl

doesnt have to be perfect as will be under grey tinted glass