Main Restorations Software Audio/Jukebox/MP3 Everything Else Buy/Sell/Trade
Project Announcements Monitor/Video GroovyMAME Merit/JVL Touchscreen Meet Up Retail Vendors
Driving & Racing Woodworking Software Support Forums Consoles Project Arcade Reviews
Automated Projects Artwork Frontend Support Forums Pinball Forum Discussion Old Boards
Raspberry Pi & Dev Board controls.dat Linux Miscellaneous Arcade Wiki Discussion Old Archives
Lightguns Arcade1Up Try the site in https mode Site News

Unread posts | New Replies | Recent posts | Rules | Chatroom | Wiki | File Repository | RSS | Submit news

  

Author Topic: MDF Thickness?  (Read 4240 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

DinoRoger

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 139
  • Last login:October 24, 2005, 02:00:37 am
  • Hey, can I borrow a quarter?
MDF Thickness?
« on: April 18, 2003, 06:45:17 pm »
I decided to go with all MDF for my next case and wanted some opionions.  What thickness to you suggest for the main part of the cab (sides).  What about making the control panel from MDF, thinkness suggestions or hints?

Also lamanent vs paint.  What would you suggest on MDF.

Sasquatch!

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1138
  • Last login:March 01, 2010, 04:11:47 pm
  • Toot-Toot!
    • Arcade Paradise
Re:MDF Thickness?
« Reply #1 on: April 18, 2003, 07:10:16 pm »
For the most part, 3/4" is the width of choice around these here parts.  And part of MDF's appeal is that it paints so well, so that'd be my vote.

slug54

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 225
  • Last login:June 12, 2014, 09:00:21 pm
  • Man, I hope this cab fits through the door way!
    • Arcade Extreme
Re:MDF Thickness?
« Reply #2 on: April 18, 2003, 07:20:27 pm »
   3/4" and Paint.
I don't know why you would make the C-panel out of a different size then the cab. That would mean buying a different sheet just for the C-panel. Chances are you will route your sticks in the panel anyway.

                         Slug54

Homebrew

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 207
  • Last login:May 03, 2012, 09:48:55 pm
Re:MDF Thickness?
« Reply #3 on: April 18, 2003, 07:28:41 pm »
The reason for using a different thickness on the CP is to allow for a lexan/plexi overlay.  What most people do is use 3/4" for everything but the CP top.  In place of 3/4" mdf,  5/8' mdf is used with a layer of 1/8" lexan/plexi.  This brings the total CP thickness to 3/4" allowing the use of 3/4" t-molding.  Not everyone uses lexan/plexi on the CP so its up to your personal preferences.  

-Kevin

Sasquatch!

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1138
  • Last login:March 01, 2010, 04:11:47 pm
  • Toot-Toot!
    • Arcade Paradise
Re:MDF Thickness?
« Reply #4 on: April 18, 2003, 09:13:46 pm »
The reason for using a different thickness on the CP is to allow for a lexan/plexi overlay.  What most people do is use 3/4" for everything but the CP top.  In place of 3/4" mdf,  5/8' mdf is used with a layer of 1/8" lexan/plexi.  This brings the total CP thickness to 3/4" allowing the use of 3/4" t-molding.
Whoa, that's like a lot of math.  ???  ???  ???

Geekboy

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 45
  • Last login:April 05, 2011, 05:36:26 pm
  • Yes I am a big Geek!
    • Techiegeeks.com
Re:MDF Thickness?
« Reply #5 on: April 18, 2003, 10:14:42 pm »
The reason for using a different thickness on the CP is to allow for a lexan/plexi overlay.  What most people do is use 3/4" for everything but the CP top.  In place of 3/4" mdf,  5/8' mdf is used with a layer of 1/8" lexan/plexi.  This brings the total CP thickness to 3/4" allowing the use of 3/4" t-molding.  Not everyone uses lexan/plexi on the CP so its up to your personal preferences.  

-Kevin
The only problem is, is finding 5/8" MDF.  I have a Lowes and Home Depot right around the corner from my house.  They only carry 3/4".  

I wish I could find 5/8" MDF.  I would like to build my whole cab from that.

Homebrew

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 207
  • Last login:May 03, 2012, 09:48:55 pm
Re:MDF Thickness?
« Reply #6 on: April 18, 2003, 10:28:13 pm »
I'm in the same boat Geekboy.  I can't even find 5/8" plywood in my area.  I'd really like to add a lexan/plexi cover to my CP, so i'm toying with some other ideas.  I can get 1/2" MDF and use 1/4" plexi, but i'm not too fond of that option.  I could also use 1/2" MDF with the normal 1/8" plexi, but then i'll need some 5/8" t-molding.  Decisions decisions.

-Kevin

Wienerdog

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 569
  • Last login:December 08, 2020, 06:28:51 am
  • If it's worth doing, it's worth overdoing
Re:MDF Thickness?
« Reply #7 on: April 19, 2003, 12:47:45 am »
Hi, I just wanted to voice my suggestion that you look for MDO instead of MDF if you are painting.  You'll get the low weight and high strength of plywood with the face of MDF.  I heard MDO was hard to find, but I saw several dimensions at my local Menards.  However, my local Home Depot only carries 3/4" MDF.
This opinion was created from 100% post consumed information.

RandyT

  • Trade Count: (+14)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 7014
  • Last login:Today at 11:25:58 am
  • Friends don't let friends hack keyboards.
    • GroovyGameGear.com
Re:MDF Thickness?
« Reply #8 on: April 19, 2003, 10:33:10 am »
Hi, I just wanted to voice my suggestion that you look for MDO instead of MDF if you are painting.  You'll get the low weight and high strength of plywood with the face of MDF.  I heard MDO was hard to find, but I saw several dimensions at my local Menards.  However, my local Home Depot only carries 3/4" MDF.

If you have a decent budget to work with, MDO gives the best of both worlds.  Surface quality and weight.  But if you are running lean on cash, MDF is the better bet.

I've seen 3/4" MDO run upwards of $50 a sheet!  :o

RandyT