Building desktop control panel, what size wood?

[MikeyPatriot]

My girlfriend and I are going to make a desktop control panel (while I fix up an old computer) to put in our living room.  I haven't seen many plans for isolated control panels.  Most plans for full cabinets use 3/4" wood.  The Menards in town has 3/4" 4x8 sheets of MDF for $23.  The lady thinks that 3/4" will be too heavy and that we should switch to 1/2".  I couldn't find any 1/2" MDF wood.  Would we be losing anything if we "downgraded" to 1/2" plywood?  We're looking to create something that's around 1' x 3' for two players.

[LeedsFan]

If you are just gonna mount joysticks and other controls right on top of the 1/2" wood then I would say that's fine. It should be plenty strong enough. If however you are gonna be routing out wood to flush mount joysticks and trackball panels then it may be getting a little thin.

I'm about to start making my own 2 player stand alone control panel and i will be working with 15mm thick shelving as bought from my local B&Q store. (15mm is just short of 5/8" thick)    Even with a bit of routing out it will still be plenty strong enough.

[rbarr110]

The only downside to 1/2", well maybe 2, is that the slot cut for t-molding isnt as clean in plywood as it is in mdf.  1/2" can also make mounting joysticks more difficult unless you plan on thru-bolting.

Then again, thats just my opinion based upon my build i did a bit over a year ago.

[javeryh]

You could go 1/2" for the box and 3/4" for the top if you are planning on building something like THIS.  That way there is enough material for routing out mounting plates and installing t-molding.

[u_rebelscum]

You might, might, get some flex with 1/2" ply, especially with 3" wide, and if you mount a controller in the middle of the panel.  But you're only thinking 1" deep, which might have enough support.  OTOH, you can add 1/2" or 3/4" square cross supports later if needed, if you have space.

OTOH2, If you're putting a 1/4" plexi on top, that might stop/reduce flex, add enough support to route the wood for joysticks if you bolt to the plexi, and help fit standard 3/4" T-molding.  (But ply is still hard to slot cut for the T-molding, and the plexi isn't weightless.)

Sorry, I'm doing a lot of devil advocating.

[NoOne=NBA=]

I'm a big fan of solid poplar for projects like this.
It's much lighter than plywood or MDF, accepts a T-molding groove well, and is very easy to work with.

If you are looking to do something "about" a foot deep, you can finish the top with one cut on a 1"x12"x4' board.
1x solid wood is perfect for 3/4" T-molding.