CP: lexan or no?

[rhoelsch]

Ok, I've been researching for 6 mos. now and have my pseudo-cp set up in cardboard for the time being, just tweaking button placement, etc...actually found 1/2" MDF at Depot for the cp wood (easier than ply to drill, IMHO), and picked out the patented black marble contact paper (God help me, I think it looks pretty good, and my budget's small)...anyhoo, I'm dreading getting lexan or lucite to cover it b/c I figure there'd be issues with drilling easily, measuring and/or cracking...should the contact paper be enough for reasonable use, or is there a spray/clear acrylic paint I can use on top of the paper for durability, or should I take my non-talented arse over to Depot and take my chances with the lexan?

[hyiu]

you can drill / cut lexan just like you do with wood....

I have done like 4 control panels already... (3 with lexan and artwork...) and I'm VERY pleased with the lexan / artwork approach....

My first "prototype" is the contact paper one....

does not turn out as good as I expect it to be.... (but I'm using plywood....) MDF should be a little better....
(from what I read here... contact paper will stick better with metal panel....)

my suggestion.... use lexan on top.... it'll get it protected... and also.... have longer contact paper so that it warps around the edges and to the underside... then you can probably staple it or tape / glue it if it ever comes off....

but of course.... if this one is your prototype.....just for testing water.... then... it doesn't matter.... heee heee...
 

hope it helps...

[rhoelsch]

Well, even tho the prototype looks darn purdy in the cardboard, I don't think I'll be wasting lexan on it....if the lexan really is as easy to cut and drill as MDF, I suppose I'd be safe using it.....


Anyone with other opinions --BINGO! Either that, or I was attempting to say "before" but it was too many letters to type-- I get a shard of plastic in my neck?  

[Gopherboy]

Shard of plastic in your neck - I like that! Now I am all worried! Just suppose that safety goggles are a must!

For lining up the holes, would it be sensible to drill right through the mdf and Lexan at the same time, or drill the mdf first and then clamp the Lexan and drill over the top.

My worry is having it line up correctly!


gb

[Odonadon]

Shard of plastic in your neck - I like that! Now I am all worried! Just suppose that safety goggles are a must!

For lining up the holes, would it be sensible to drill right through the mdf and Lexan at the same time, or drill the mdf first and then clamp the Lexan and drill over the top.

My worry is having it line up correctly!


gb

Here's what I did (and it worked great).  Drew out my plans on the CP.  Cut a peice of plexi to fit exactly on the CP.  I placed the lucite under the CP and put a peice of scrap wood under that.  Effectively, the lucite was sandwiched between the CP and spare wood.  I then clamped it at four corners and, using a drill press, drilled the holes.  I made sure to go VERY slow and placed extra pressure by the drill when going through the plastic.  No cracking at all.  The only problem I had is the lucite melting, then being brought up when I took the drill press out.  So I had bits of melted lucite sticking straight up from the holes.  I chipped these off with a screw driver.  The wholes were a bit rough, but the button lip is covering them anyway, so you can't see them at all.

Hope this helps.

Odonadon

[rhoelsch]

Well, I don't have a drill press--using a cordless rechargable that has at least gone thru MDF pretty well, hoping it'll give clean cuts...I also only have a jig to cut the lexan, hoping Depot will cut for me...I like the sandwiching idea...figure I'll test my cordless on the lexan first --BINGO! Either that, or I was attempting to say "before" but it was too many letters to type-- I start on the pre-cut stuff...does it scratch easily?  I'd rather not have to replace it in 6 months....

[Odonadon]

Well, I don't have a drill press--using a cordless rechargable that has at least gone thru MDF pretty well, hoping it'll give clean cuts...I also only have a jig to cut the lexan, hoping Depot will cut for me...I like the sandwiching idea...figure I'll test my cordless on the lexan first --BINGO! Either that, or I was attempting to say "before" but it was too many letters to type-- I start on the pre-cut stuff...does it scratch easily?  I'd rather not have to replace it in 6 months....

You can do the same thing with a hand-held drill, just make sure you drill straight.  You don't need to saw the lexan.  Line your control panel up with the lexan, and use an exacto knife to score the lexan.  Then snap the lexan along the scored marks.  It'll break clean.  If you saw it, you might get some melting from the heat, which could result in jagged edges.

And yes, the lexan scratches easy

Odonadon

[Silverwind]

And yes, the lexan scratches easy

Odonadon

anyway to get the scratches out?

[eightbit]

anyway to get the scratches out?

Scratch remover window cleaner for convertible cars is designed to do just that. I won't take out serious scratches but it will take out most of the ones made from just rubbing on it.

[Silverwind]

anyway to get the scratches out?

Scratch remover window cleaner for convertible cars is designed to do just that. I won't take out serious scratches but it will take out most of the ones made from just rubbing on it.

cool.. I don't plan to do anything abusive to the lexan.. but just normal use etc... maybe someone scratches it with a ring or whatnot... would suck to plop down $$ and have a scratch make it look bad

[Smittydc]

I made another panel this weekend using an alternate method somebody had suggested: drill the holes in the wood, and then use a router bit to make the holes in the lexan (after drilling a small pilot hole in the middle of each).

Worked great.

[Nyrine]

Does this routing method work with standard perspex?

Ive been unable to find a supplier of Lexan in the UK (at least at sensible prices...)

[Grasshopper]

Ultimately, I think that custom artwork covered by Lexan or Plexiglass is the way to go. Some of the recent examples posted on this website have looked awesome.

However I'm considering building a "prototype" panel by covering the bare wood with fake leather cloth made of PVC. I'll stick it down with wood glue. It should be tougher than contact paper. Also, if you wrap it round the edges, you can avoid having to use T-Moulding. I've checked out the prices and it is cheap and readily available. Has anyone else tried this?

[eightbit]

Ultimately, I think that custom artwork covered by Lexan or Plexiglass is the way to go. Some of the recent examples posted on this website have looked awesome.

However I'm considering building a "prototype" panel by covering the bare wood with fake leather cloth made of PVC. I'll stick it down with wood glue. It should be tougher than contact paper. Also, if you wrap it round the edges, you can avoid having to use T-Moulding. I've checked out the prices and it is cheap and readily available. Has anyone else tried this?

I've done it a couple of times with vinyl.

This secound one I covered with plexi but mostly that was to hold the monitor glass down since it overlaps.

[Grasshopper]

eightbit: I've had a look at your website before and did wonder whether you had used material similar to the PVC stuff that I have seen.

What threw me was the term "vinyl". The vinyl cloth that I have come across in local fabric shops is not suitable for a control panel. It has a kind of waxy feel to it, and seems to be used for outdoor tablecloths.

[SNAAAKE]

its $hit by it self grasshopper ..IMHO.c'mon.. ..that crappy cloth feeling is just not fair..after all you are doin all the hard work to built your panel so why not do it right?

Go with your original plan...Artwork+plexi/lexan=ONE nice panel.

Do it Just like me .

How is your panel goin btw..?
Did ya even install the sticks i sent ya.. ?

[eightbit]

eightbit: I've had a look at your website before and did wonder whether you had used material similar to the PVC stuff that I have seen.

What threw me was the term "vinyl". The vinyl cloth that I have come across in local fabric shops is not suitable for a control panel. It has a kind of waxy feel to it, and seems to be used for outdoor tablecloths.

Ignore Snaaack, the vinyl is nice. Its a different feel than plexi. Depending on what feel your going for. Mines not lwaxy like table cloth. My local fabric shop had 100's of types/colors to choice from. If you want artwork you either need to pay to have it printed on something durable or you need to cover with plexi.

I like the fact that its got a little give to it. My hands don't get as sweaty resting on it as they do on plexi. Its just another alternative.

As far as Snaaacks comments go, mis-spelling cuss words so they don't get censored is lame and disrespectfull to the members of this board.