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Please validate my thought process

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Veinman:

After much struggle, I have given up on trying to get a sheet of 5/8" MDF for the top of my control panel. Nobody in my area will be able to get it for me by the time I want to start building (Saturday). The 3/4" MDF for the rest of the cabinet is no problem.

On top of the panel will be 1/8" lexan. I also purchased 3/4" T-molding. I also intend to paint the top of the panel, and place some artwork here and there. So since paint must be applied, quality of surface is an issue.

This leaves me with a few options, and I'd love some advice on them:
1. 3/4" MDF, routed underneath all controls 1/8" to remove some depth.

 - 1a. Slot cut the middle of the MDF, and the lexan sits "above" the t-molding. Possibly bevel route the edge of the lexan?

 - 1b. Route a small 1/8" deep chunk out of the BOTTOM of the MDF edge, that would be hidden when viewing from above. This would essentially make my surface 3/4" with the lexan, and with an adjusted slotcut would achieve the look I really wanted in the first place. The slot would be cut with only about 3/16" of material on the skinny side of the MDF. Would that be okay?

2. Purchase a 5/8" thick piece of an alternate material for the top. Keeping in mind that it needs to be painted, any recommendations? I haven't investigated whether or not 5/8" is readily available in plywood, oak, etc.

cholin:

Why don't you just use the same MDF you used for the cab, but buy thicker T-molding?

Veinman:

I thought of that, and may do that. I'd like to have it all the same depth though. I was just trying to figure out a good way to do that.

markrvp:

Will the artwork be just small logos that are pasted to the painted material, or are you going to make a complete CP overlay so that the entire CP is covered by printed vinyl?

If using a complete CP overlay, then buy 5/8" of something else.

MiKman:


--- Quote from: Veinman on May 03, 2005, 08:37:25 pm ---
 - 1a. Slot cut the middle of the MDF, and the lexan sits "above" the t-molding. Possibly bevel route the edge of the lexan?


--- End quote ---

This is what I did, although I still don't have a finished control panel so I can't show you the results, But I think it looks nice.

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