A new CP.. what to use..

[John]

Hi all,

I have recently acquired a Vandetta/TMNT cabinet (it was converted to MK2) and I am in process of  building a new CP for it.  I picked up two 3/4" MDF fiberboard from OSH and started in on it with my jig saw.  I have the top, bottom and the back cut out and it's very messy (fine grain of MDF everywhere)

I remember reading some posts online about people recommending MDF but i also want to know what else to use and if one material is better than the other.  Also any suggestion on finishing the top is appreciated.. I looked at contact paper but it looks too thin.

thanks

[Sasquatch!]

I used MDF and it worked fine.  In fact, most people here used MDF.

For finishing, I used Krylon "Make It Stone!" textured spray paint, and I like the results.


If you use contact paper, you will almost certainly want to put a sheet of plexiglass, glass, or lexan over it.

[Howard_Casto]

Hi all,

I have recently acquired a Vandetta/TMNT cabinet (it was converted to MK2) and I am in process of  building a new CP for it.  I picked up two 3/4" MDF fiberboard from OSH and started in on it with my jig saw.  I have the top, bottom and the back cut out and it's very messy (fine grain of MDF everywhere)

I remember reading some posts online about people recommending MDF but i also want to know what else to use and if one material is better than the other.  Also any suggestion on finishing the top is appreciated.. I looked at contact paper but it looks too thin.

thanks

Well for starters it would be best of you could buy/borrow a circular saw.  You can get a much cleaner cut with it. Secondly plywood is a better choice for a cp if it's going to be unprotected.  It's lighter, it's sturdier, you don't have moisture issues and it's easier to cut (except for the groove for the t-modling)  Teh only draback is the wood grain, which will probably show through if you just paint it.  

[SNAAAKE]

also plywood is better then any wood for panel because it has layers that you can cut to get the right height for the joystick if you gonna use plexi or lexan.its really annoying when you have 3/4 wood and a plexi.the height suck so bad that i started crying when i build my first panel.so go with ply and try to laminate the thing...AVOID PAINT on control panel.laminate is better then anything.