Monitor Bezel Suggestions

[SurferMatti]

Well Im about to the point where I have to install my Montior Bezel.  I have a Sony 27" TV in a UAII cabinet.  When I was hunting around on the forums I noticed people said that Happ is pretty expensive on the shipping especially for the Bezel because its big (and thats all I would be ordering).  So are there any alternative to getting the Bezel from Happ?

Finding one locally?
Building one (saw a post a while back on this, donno if it made a professional looking bezel tho)
Painting Glass thats covers monitor black to only show screen?


Any suggestions would be great.

Thanks,
Surfermatti

[MYX]

What is locally?

[SurferMatti]

Some local store that would cut you one somehow... Im not really sure, just someone suggested that to me...

[NinjaEpisode]

I'm assuming by your screen ID that you're near a large body of water, but can you confirm?  Where are you?  This would help us all to know.  That way, should one of have one sitting around and you're "local" we might be willing to sell it to you.

[SurferMatti]

Atlanta, Georgia

 

[Dizzle]

I used foam board for my bezel.  Came out real nice after painting.
I think you can pick it up at just about any art/craft store.
Easy on the wallet too...

However, I used it on a 19" LCD monitor... not sure if it'll have the
effect you desire with a larger TV.

[SurferMatti]

Might take a look at that Thanks....

Wonder if a framing place might make a matting that large that wouldnt cost 50$??? Or would that look funny?


Thanks for the suggestions

[Bones]

Check out Tailgunner's $2.00 bezel thread. Link

[Xam]

Ponyboy or divemaster might be able to get you one too...I have bought from both of them...very satisfied with both transactions. If I am not mistaken, they both charge you the actual shipping rate they pay. I know they don't add the ridiculous "handling charges that Happs does.

Xam

[MYX]

If you are in Atlanta you can call Arcadeshop. They are in Multree (sp?) I ordered my monitor, bezel, and centipede trackball berrings and rollers from them. They can usually get the stuff to you the day after you order.

Here is the Link

BTW Several of us are in the same area.

BTW II (The sequel) - The very fabulous Mr. Ken Layton gave me the heads up to this place. That should give you any piece of mind if you needed some.

[SurferMatti]

Thanks... Ill check that place out and take a look at Tailgunner's build....


Thanks again...

[AtomSmasher]

Painting Glass thats covers monitor black to only show screen?

Thats what I did and it turned out great.  Theres a good tutorial on how to do it here: http://spystyle.arcadecontrols.com/index1.htm

[clhug]

Might take a look at that Thanks....

Wonder if a framing place might make a matting that large that wouldnt cost 50$??? Or would that look funny?


Thanks for the suggestions

That's exactly what I did.  At Hobby Lobby (don't know if they have those around you but it's a big hobby and crafts store) I found matt board for $5.99 a sheet.  I think it was like 4 ft by 3 ft so you can cut it down to the size you want.  I specifically found a sheet that was black all the way through so you didn't have the white center after you cut it.  I think the particular matt board I found was about 1/16 inch thick.

[SurferMatti]

Might take a look at that Thanks....

Wonder if a framing place might make a matting that large that wouldnt cost 50$??? Or would that look funny?


Thanks for the suggestions

That's exactly what I did.  At Hobby Lobby (don't know if they have those around you but it's a big hobby and crafts store) I found matt board for $5.99 a sheet.  I think it was like 4 ft by 3 ft so you can cut it down to the size you want.  I specifically found a sheet that was black all the way through so you didn't have the white center after you cut it.  I think the particular matt board I found was about 1/16 inch thick.

Thats cool!  How did it turn out (got any pics)?  How did you cut that stuff btw, Ive used it in the past and cut with an xacto and it just freys up everywhere...


Thanks

[clhug]

Might take a look at that Thanks....

Wonder if a framing place might make a matting that large that wouldnt cost 50$??? Or would that look funny?


Thanks for the suggestions

That's exactly what I did.  At Hobby Lobby (don't know if they have those around you but it's a big hobby and crafts store) I found matt board for $5.99 a sheet.  I think it was like 4 ft by 3 ft so you can cut it down to the size you want.  I specifically found a sheet that was black all the way through so you didn't have the white center after you cut it.  I think the particular matt board I found was about 1/16 inch thick.

Thats cool!  How did it turn out (got any pics)?  How did you cut that stuff btw, Ive used it in the past and cut with an xacto and it just freys up everywhere...


Thanks

I'll try to take some pics.  I'm actually not done with the entire thing yet but I can probably take a quick pick of the monitor bezel setup in the next couple of days.  I did indeed just use an xacto knife and it cut just fine.  Though to make sure I had straight cuts I used a metal yard stick I have to guide the knife so I didn't get off the line.

[clhug]

Okay, here's my pics.  There's no plexi on it so I didn't get any glare while taking the pics.  Can't really see much.  The white border inside the black bezel is the plastic case of the monitor showing through.  I didn't go so far as to make a bezel that goes around the monitor case and touches the glass.  I'm just trying to mimic the same idea as if you painted the back of the plexi but instead using black matte board.  I have tinted plexi to put over it when it's all done so I'm hoping the white of the monitor case won't show through as much once it's done.

The last shot shows an edge on view of one of the inside edges of the matte board I cut out for the monitor so you can see how it is black all the way through instead of just a black surface with a white interior.  Not sure it'll be easy to tell in the picture though.

[clhug]

Oh, the reason I went this route was twofold.

1. I thought it would be easier than painting the back of the plexi, which I think it probably was though I can't say for sure since I didn't attempt to paint the plexi, and with tinted plexi I don't think you'd be able to tell the difference.

2. This cabinet originally came with a dead 25" monitor that I pulled out and put a 21" computer monitor.  I do hope someday to put a 25" or maybe even 27" monitor in this cabinet.  If I painted the plexi I'd either have to replace the plexi, or carefully scrape paint off, when I got the larger monitor.  This matte board method gives me the flexibility to change monitor size later if I want without having to replace the plexi.

[SurferMatti]

clhug,
   Thanks for the pictures... Looks nice!  Im sure itll look really good with the plexi on top. 


I think I might give this a shot first and or gunners design, and see what looks best... Both are cheap and if I dont like either one maybe Ill go for the painting...

Thanks...