Covering arcade machines with tolex

[Brocken]

Has anyone ever tried this, if so what are the results like?

Or has anyone tried covering their machine with any sort of fabric (black leather or imitation leather etc)

Just curious because it looks nice on amps etc but i've never seen anyone do it on arcade machines.

[RayB]

I told PaigeOliver to cover his golf cab in green astro-turf, but I don't know if he went for it or not.

[yourfatmama]

dont know what tolex is (fancy TP?.. oh sry thats Toilex)

how bout using Velcro, then you have an excuse for your wife as to why you can't get off yer arcade machine. 

sry for not relaying pertinant information to the thread except for the question about defining what tolex is for tolex n00bs.

[Brocken]

Tolex is an automotive upholsterer (I think) :p

I actually like the idea of using velcro or sheet metal that was magnetic so you could stick fridge magnets to it etc

[Minwah]

Just curious because it looks nice on amps etc but i've never seen anyone do it on arcade machines.

Have you seen the adhesive vinyl from Happ?  Looks kindof similar to amp covering...

[Brocken]

Think the tolex would probably work out a lot cheaper than the vinyl from happs, but probably won't be as durable.

Here's the place where i got the idea from:

http://projectguitar.ibforums.com/index.php?showtopic=5798&hl=amplifier

[quarterback]

dont know what tolex is

Here's a place that sells all kinds of tolex patterns and textures:link

The downside would be that this stuff (because it's basically fabric) can tear and get little 'cuts' in it.

[Shape D.]

I actually like the idea of using velcro or sheet metal that was magnetic so you could stick fridge magnets to it etc

Magnets + Monitor = BAD

[Brocken]

I hardly think fridge magnets are going to be strong enough to do any damage to a monitor through sheet metal :p

[Shape D.]

sheet metal that was magnetic

But a giant piece of magnetic sheet metal might.

[Demon-Seed]

I have used the Happs type vinyl its a little bit of a slow process to put on cause you have to keep rubbing it and moving bubbles to prevent problems.. but once it is on it looks great.

[quarterback]

sheet metal that was magnetic

But a giant piece of magnetic sheet metal might.

[Shape D.]

ususally you would use shielding tape, typically a copper foil. but if the cab is made of a giant magnet or has parts of it that are magnetic it would screw with the monitor.

Magnets + Monitor = BAD

[NIVO]

Brocken I have done this, and I really like the padded feeling it gives under your hands. http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,12306.0.html

[quarterback]

ususally you would use shielding tape, typically a copper foil. but if the cab is made of a giant magnet or has parts of it that are magnetic it would screw with the monitor.

From Frequently Asked Questions About EMF Shielding
====
Why can't I just use lead or copper or aluminum foil for magnetic shielding?

In the strictest sense, magnetic shielding is not truly shielding at all. Unlike the way a lead shield stops X-rays, magnetic shielding materials create an area of lower magnetic field in their vicinity by attracting the magnetic field lines to themselves.
====

And goes on to say that using materials like copper would be no better at shielding EMF than than if you used air.

[quarterback]

Magnetic Shielding

Monitor Shield

 If one of the problems you are trying to deal with in an NMR facility is the distortion of televisions and computer monitors, then a much more cost effective way to deal with this issue than shielding the entire magnet room is to build a shielding box for the monitor. This can be a sheet metal box with five sides where the front of the monitor faces the open side of the box. Low cost steel plates can be bolted to angle iron and painted to construct the box (keep such a box from getting so close to the magnet that it gets pulled in). Keep at least one inch of space between the box and the monitor for ventilation. With some larger monitors a small ventilation fan is required to keep the monitor cool enough for operation. Boxes such as these are amazingly effective at keeping monitors working without distortion.

Monitor Shielding and Background

The interference between monitors is caused by low frequency magnetic fields generated by the yoke coils that surround the neck of the tube. These scan the electron beam horizontally and vertically across the phosphor-coated screen. These fields are best shielded by iron or steel and the more of it the better.  Try putting a thick piece of steel between the monitors. Certain steels are specially designed for magnetic shielding, and they require considerably less steel than other alloys. (Stainless steel is about the worst!)

Magnetic shielding affects both the radiated magnetic fields (a feature often mentioned in the monitor specifications) and also the susceptibility of the monitor to magnetic fields

[Shape D.]

First I question this guys paranoia when reading this.

"A SafeGuard Apron worn on the body will block the electric fields very nicely. Another option is to wear a shielded shirt. Shielded Gloves can be used to protect the hands." 

Hes talking about a laptop, not  uranium, or something else that I could at least see being concerned about.

And secondly you are correct about the copper sheilding, for some reason my brain switched to thinking about RF interference.

but surrounding a monitor by a "magnetic piece of metal" is still a bad idea as far as your monitor is concerned.

[quarterback]

First I question this guys paranoia when reading this.

"A SafeGuard Apron worn on the body will block the electric fields very nicely. Another option is to wear a shielded shirt. Shielded Gloves can be used to protect the hands."

[DrewKaree]

Tolex is an automotive upholsterer (I think) :p

I actually like the idea of using velcro or sheet metal that was magnetic so you could stick fridge magnets to it etc

I personally think you guys are all nuts.

But on a side note, now that you've brought it up - where can I get some of that SHEET METAL] that is NON magnetic?

[Brocken]

aluminium?