I need chrome bolts

[lordtodd75]

I am not sure what forum to put this in, if this is not the proper area can a mod please move this post. I need to find chrome bolts to secure my CP plexi as well as my kick plate. I checked a couple of online retailers and shipping was outrageous, can you say $8.00 shipping on 4 bolts, wtf??? So if anyone knows where I can get these at a decent price I would appreciate it.

I checked home depot and lowes as well, no dice 

[Jeff AMN]

I don't know if this will work or not, but try an auto supply store. A lot of times they'll sell chrome plated nuts and bolts.

[somunny]

I'm assuming that just the heads need to be chromed, right?  You may be able to find some SS and polish them/have them polished. 

[edwardvci]

Lowes, Home depot etc they are normally in the pullout bins and are easy to overlook

[ArcadEd]

Ace Hardware around here has them as well.  Along with the chrome finish washers.

[leapinlew]

If you want to get creative you can use some LED bolts. I used them on my last full size.
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=55021.msg580878#msg580878

Looks like this:

[Arcades R Fun]

If you have a theme in mind for your control panel then chrome bolts would look cool. However, I find that you do not have to secure the plexi with anything to hold it down safely. The buttons do a good job of holding the plexi in place. The issue of the edges of the plexi accidentally lefting up are solved by doing the following:

This assumes you are using the thin plexi from Home Depot or Lowes. I beleive it's  just about 1/10" thick. Buy 7/8" t-molding and offset your slot cut aprox. 1/8" higher towards the panel top. I would make practice test cuts with your slot cutter first on scraps of wood before you cut your panel. Once the plexi is in place carefully apply the t-molding around the egdes with a rubber mallet. The result is a plexi panel securely fastened with all edges covered/protected by the t-molding edge.

Jack

[Arcades R Fun]

Duh, You probably already cut your t-molding slot. I was on my way out to Lunch when I 1st responded and rushed my answer.
If you already cut and installed your t-molding just buy some 1" and it will also do the job nicely.

Jack

[SavannahLion]

Once the plexi is in place carefully apply the t-molding around the edges with a rubber mallet. The result is a plexi panel securely fastened with all edges covered/protected by the t-molding edge.

Let me get this straight in my head. You're saying to cut the channel a tad higher so the t-molding covers the plexiglass on the edge? Don't people already do this or do most people set the t-molding just so it covers the wood and let the plexi basically sit on top?

Or are you saying to cut the channel just a tad higher so the t-molding goes over the plexi then use a mallet to fold the t-molding over the plexi. Like those old "resealable" tin lids? Wouldn't that look pretty ugly?

[Arcades R Fun]

"Let me get this straight in my head. You're saying to cut the channel a tad higher so the t-molding covers the plexiglass on the edge? Don't people already do this or do most people set the t-molding just so it covers the wood and let the plexi basically sit on top?"

Yes, most builders use 3/4" t-molding on 3/4" wood and rest the plexi on top then sometimes bolt it down, or not.


"Or are you saying to cut the channel just a tad higher so the t-molding goes over the plexi then use a mallet to fold the t-molding over the plexi. Like those old "resealable" tin lids? Wouldn't that look pretty ugly?"


The plexi is the exact size and shape as the panel top and lays inside of the moldings edge. It's no different than when you mount 3/4" t-molding on 3/4" wood, except this time you are mounting 7/8" t-molding on a panel that's 7/8" tall.  One or two practice cuts will allow you to set the correct slot cut height.

Jack

[Arcades R Fun]

I want to mention again that the t-molding installed flush with the plexi edge is not to hold it down but to keep fingers, clothing etc. from lifting up the plex by catching an edge. It also saves the builder the time to chamfer smooth the edge.

Jack

[leapinlew]

I want to mention again that the t-molding installed flush with the plexi edge is not to hold it down but to keep fingers, clothing etc. from lifting up the plex by catching an edge. It also saves the builder the time to chamfer smooth the edge.

Jack

Yeah... thats a good point. I used this method and my plexi lifted up on the edges of my CP. I ended up using a few carriage bolts to hold down the plexi afterall. My last CP the plexi is nice and flush. I'm not sure what warps it sometimes, but it's hit and miss.

[SavannahLion]

I want to mention again that the t-molding installed flush with the plexi edge is not to hold it down but to keep fingers, clothing etc. from lifting up the plex by catching an edge. It also saves the builder the time to chamfer smooth the edge.

Jack

Yeah... thats a good point. I used this method and my plexi lifted up on the edges of my CP. I ended up using a few carriage bolts to hold down the plexi afterall. My last CP the plexi is nice and flush. I'm not sure what warps it sometimes, but it's hit and miss.

OK, this may sound like a dumb suggestion. The white papers at the Plexi shop (I'd spend days just browsing their selection but the smell of plastic just sets me off) actually recommend using, what amounts to, superglue or this stuff, can't remember the name, that chemically melts the plexi to join two pieces together. If you've ever worked with scale styrene models, same concept. What about using a thin bead of superglue right where the plexi meets the t-molding to prevent curl? Or is t-molding made of the plastic that nothing really sticks to?

[leapinlew]

I could just use real super glue - but I like to build my machines with the ability to take them apart if I need to.

I'm sure that would work, it's just not how I build my machines.

[Spaz Monkey]

Well, I know this girl that could do that for you.  It'll cost about $30, but just watching her work is worth it, and she does this amazing thing with her..... 

Wait, you wanted to PUT chrome on those bolts.  Nevermind. 

[RayB]

I use steel polishing compound with my Dremel and a polishing bit. Looks almost as good as chrome.

[lordtodd75]

Alright, well after an exhaustive search yesterday I found one place in the area that sells stainless steel bolts. They are slotted for a flathead screwdriver, but I suppose I will have to live with that. They don't look bad at all, just not exactly what I wanted. I haven't polished them, does it really make that big of a difference???

@leapinlew
How did you cut out a square section in your plexi for the carriage bolts to seat into. I thought about carriage bolts my self but didn't know if they would seat properly.

Damn, my cab is getting so close I can taste it. I wanted to call out of work today so I could work on it  but then the responsible side of me sent me to work, man I hate him. Anyway thanks for all of the help. I will be posting more pics of my cab in the PA forum if anyone wants to see.

[hsstie]

I haven't polished them, does it really make that big of a difference???

How did you cut out a square section in your plexi for the carriage bolts to seat into. I thought about carriage bolts my self but didn't know if they would seat properly.

Yes polishing does make a HUGE difference. You don't REALLY have to get the stainless ones, you can just get the cheapo zinc ones and polish em up ( they are pretty bright to begin with ). I had to pick some up the other day at lowes and heck they are like 15 cents a piece, and the extra bonus is they dont have that slot in the top. Just a clean round head. What i have done in the past to mount them is just use my drill bit, drill a hole and keep going up in size until the square shaft just fits through the round hole. No one will really know anyway cause the large round head of the bolt will cover it up anyway. 

[leapinlew]

Alright, well after an exhaustive search yesterday I found one place in the area that sells stainless steel bolts. They are slotted for a flathead screwdriver, but I suppose I will have to live with that. They don't look bad at all, just not exactly what I wanted. I haven't polished them, does it really make that big of a difference???

@leapinlew
How did you cut out a square section in your plexi for the carriage bolts to seat into. I thought about carriage bolts my self but didn't know if they would seat properly.

Damn, my cab is getting so close I can taste it. I wanted to call out of work today so I could work on it  but then the responsible side of me sent me to work, man I hate him. Anyway thanks for all of the help. I will be posting more pics of my cab in the PA forum if anyone wants to see.

I just cut circle holes. It's not like you really ratchet them down or anything. Thats a good question - but I don't know how to get a small square hole into plexi.