Getting a custom cut plexi for CPO with holes etc, *DONE* pics attached

[mrclean]

I'm looking to see if anyone offers a service for a custom cut CPO plexi, I want to preserve my artwork underneath. Also what's the best way to secure this? can i simply use the buttons and twist the nuts underneath to secure the plexi to the Control panel ? What would something like this cost? the size is aprx 23.5''w X 11 1/4 h

[leapinlew]

I'm looking to see if anyone offers a service for a custom cut CPO plexi, I want to preserve my artwork underneath. Also what's the best way to secure this? can i simply use the buttons and twist the nuts underneath to secure the plexi to the Control panel ? What would something like this cost? the size is aprx 23.5''w X 11 1/4 h

1 MEEELION DOLLARS!

I have no idea, most of us do our own. 

[vitalsfading]

it would be nice to find someone on the board that has a cnc mill to do that kind  of work

[mrclean]

1 MEEELION DOLLARS!

I have no idea, most of us do our own. 

that sounds like a stinky deal!
 

[Ian]

Actually I got my Plexi cut by ACE hardware for free... All I had to do was pay for the Plexi! What I did was give them the CP with the holes drilled in and then told them I wanted the plexi to match... they did it for me in a couple of days... not bad work either, a few chips here and there, but overall it was better than me screwing around with it.

[mountain]

but overall it was better than me screwing around with it.

 

[mrclean]

mountain i see you have a nice custom cut plexi, how did u get it, can i get one and how do i secure it? can i just use my buttons, i have like 20 on the panel should that hold it ?>

[leapinlew]

The buttons should be fine to hold it down, but some of the thinner plexi can try to come up on the edges.

On page 2, I detail how to trim up plexi. What most of us use is a router with a flush trim bit. Since you already have a control panel cut - it should be a fairly simple matter of trimming the plexi to fit your CP.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=55021.40

[Ian]

now now mountain... we all don't have the workspace nor the tools or funds to pull off what you do, when I said "screw around with it" I was basically saying it was better than me smashing button sized holes with a hammer, the chips were minimal, and not visible. So overall yeah it was worth it since it was free.

[Neverending Project]

I have seen that Tap Plastics offers custom Laser-cut acrylic and plastic fabrication services. I have not used them myself, so I don't know how much a one-off job would be (or if they would do it). But I have always been interested in finding out. Has anyone tried Tap Plastics?

[mrclean]

How do i get an acurate size and location of where my holes are on my panel any free software out there to help me ?

[leapinlew]

How do i get an acurate size and location of where my holes are on my panel any free software out there to help me ?

Did you read the link to my thread? Cutting the plexi is easy if you already have a CP cut. You can just trace your CP.

[Neverending Project]

Did you read the link to my thread? Cutting the plexi is easy if you already have a CP cut. You can just trace your CP.

I think he is referring to software to help create a detailed drawing, or better yet a DXF file to Tap Plastics for a free estimate. You could try using whatever graphics program you have (even PowerPoint) to create a not-to-scale drawing showing hole center locations and hole sizes. This may be enough for them to give you an estimate.

From their site:

Need Laser Information?
We make it easy for you. Simply give us a dimensioned drawing, and we will provide you with a free cost estimate of project.

File Preparation for Custom Fabrication.
You can save time and expense by providing our laser department with
information in one of the following, in order of preference;

1) dimensioned drawing, paper or .pdf

2) AutoCAD file .dwg or .dxf (lines and arcs)

We may be able to read other types of files but we can not use any bitmap,
raster or images formats without a charge ($25 to $50) for converting to
vectors and cleanup.

Send your files in a wire frame or outline format, to scale. Remove all
overlapping lines, artwork, text, dimensions, layers and block. Keep it
simple, send only what's to be cut. Please do not nest, send only one of
what's to be cut. You can send your drawing

[mrclean]

OK well I'm going to need to soon remove all of my buttons, joys, spinner / trackball because i'm adding cp artwork, being that it's roughly 23.5'' how should i trace my control panel holes ? should i tape together 3 sheets of paper and give it an indiana jones grave rubbing? I have an excellent scanner, then should i scan them and stitch them together with adobe photomerge ? Still once I have the exact holes who locally can cut this for me ? or know of a good price online that other place tap plastics sounds more like for mass production . 23.5'' wide

[NoOne=NBA=]

Did you read the link to my thread? Cutting the plexi is easy if you already have a CP cut. You can just trace your CP.

Lew,

Did you include the link in your post above?


Mr. Clean,

If you want the plexi to match exactly, and didn't create your CP with a CNC machine, you are going to want to follow Lew's suggestion that he didn't link to above, and use your CP as a template for a flush-trim bit.

You can rent a router at Home Depot, if you don't want to out with the money for your own.
An added bonus is that you can cut all your T-molding slots at the same time.
If you are planning to use T-molding, you will need to rent a router anyway.

The danger of having an plexi overlay that doesn't quite match is that you can pinch your buttons.
I've got a friend that bought a cab that the plexi didn't quite match on, and there were two or three buttons that would hang up if you tightened the pal nuts all the way.
That would cause the button to squeeze itself just tight enough to hang up when pressed.
He ended up having to use a file on those holes to get them to match the CP better.

[leapinlew]

Lew,

Did you include the link in your post above?

Hey. I'm a big picture kind of guy. I can't be bothered with the little details. 

Fixed! Mr. Clean - read the first few posts. You can see how to cut a piece of plexi to match.
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=55021.40
(sorry about that)

[leapinlew]

Mrclean -

Where do you live? Maybe someone lives close by with a router.

[mrclean]

Mrclean -

Where do you live? Maybe someone lives close by with a router.

I live in NY

[mrclean]

starting to cut it my self, so far so good...

[mrclean]

Came out fine imo.. and i ended up just going to home depot, cutting it my self, and sanding lots of sanding.

NOS Sideart looks great..almost done, still need coin door, larger 24.8'' monitor / plexi in front, and gun.smoke player 1,2 buttons, and bullets around joystick and guns for buttons..

[leapinlew]

How did you do it? Router?

[mrclean]

How did you do it? Router?

Bought a drill bit, and hand drilled each hole