Some control panel questions

[Veinman]

Believe me, I've looked around many of the FAQ styled threads, and am still wondering a couple things that I want to get nailed down prior to purchasing some of my final materials.

First, my plan was to use 5/8" MDF for the control panel and for the cabinet. Then I was going to put 1/8" lexan on the CP. To finish I would put 3/4" T-molding on the cp, and 5/8" T-molding on the cabinet.

Tonight I called Menard's and asked if they had 5/8" AND 3/4" MDF. I was pretty sure I had seen 5/8" there before. The guy told me they only carried 3/4", but what I have heard is that the 3/4" MDF is in actuality 5/8". Can anyone confirm that?

So... in a worst case scenario, if I have to use 3/4" for the cabinet, would it be okay to use 5/8" plywood for the cp, so that I would still end up with 3/4" after lexan and could use 3/4" T-molding? I was worried that a 7/8" CP would be too thick and would hamper the joysticks.

Next question- I'm planning the CP to be 48" wide. Conveniently, the Lexan comes 48" wide. Am I setting myself up for a very unpleasant surprise by assuming I will be able to slap the lexan down and have the width fit perfectly?

Thanks!

[markrvp]

3/4" MDF is actually 3/4".  I would STRONGLY suggest you build the cabinet out of 3/4" MDF. 

Your plan to use 5/8" for the CP top with 1/8" Lexan IS VERY GOOD.  Now you can use 3/4" T-Molding EVERYWHERE.  5/8" MDF is readily available in 24"x48" pieces at Home Depot.

48" Lexan should be 48" wide, but don't ASS-U-ME that it will be a perfect fit.

[Veinman]

I'll check with Home Depot tomorrow on the MDF. My city, as small as it is, has a Menard's, Lowe's and Home Depot all within a square mile.

And yet I often have to visit all 3...

Anyway, what might I do in the terrible scenario where the Lexan doesn't fit right? I would guess I would just have to hack away at the CP until it DID fit. Lexan greater than 48" wide is crazy expensive.

Another option is adjusting my CP to be 47" or 46", just to allow some wiggle room.

[markrvp]

When you go to the hardware store, take a tape measure and measure it to find out if it is exact.  Then you can know definitive measurements for your CP.

[Paul Olson]

And yet I often have to visit all 3... 

Don't feel bad, I was looking for plywood, and some other stuff, about a month ago.  I had to go to 2 Lowes and 2 Home Depots to find what I needed.  Life was much better before these 2 stores took over everything.

Paul

[tommy]

If you find the 48" was a bit big for your cp its real easy to just sand a 1/16 or an 1/8 off if needed.

Just a thought, if you go to a glass shop and buy it there they will drill all your holes for you if you think you might screw it up yourself and have to buy another.

[Bones]

I just finished drilling holes through a CP that was 18mm thick (just under 3/4"). I was actually concerned about the strength of this after I turned it into Swiss cheese. Considering the size of your CP I would think twice about using 5/8.

[Veinman]

Hmm, I guess I had thought a lot of people used 5/8" MDF for the panel. Do you think I would have better luck with wood for the CP?

[Bones]

I dunno. Maybe do your own testing with your own layout and judge for yourself. I am glad I went 18mm though.....

[rgecko]

I went 5/8" for my CP and 3/4 for the cab, and so far it seems OK... and sturdy, of course it hasn't been play tested yet, so for all I know, I'll get one game in and it will colapse in to it's self, but my CP measures 47", and I'm feeling fairly comfortable with it's durability right now.

[Veinman]

Sounds like you followed a similar direction that I want to go. Have any pics of your cab?

-never mind, I just saw your thread in the Project Announcements forum. I'll have to give it a read tonight.

[rgecko]

I have a thread here: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,35058.0.html as I'm working through it, I'm actually missing some updates, as it's all primed now... and hopefully painted tonight. on the second page you can see the CP, and and the top of it as it's been constructed has been kicked, knocked, and fallen over a couple times, and still in one piece.

[Avery]

I just finished drilling holes through a CP that was 18mm thick (just under 3/4"). I was actually concerned about the strength of this after I turned it into Swiss cheese. Considering the size of your CP I would think twice about using 5/8.

Personally, I like plywood better than MDF, but that's just me.  As for strength, why not put a cross brace of some sort in there?  Two or three ribs of 1-by stock, with a couple holes drilled through them to allow the wires to pass through should give you a CP strong enough to walk on.