CP Lexan/Plexi questions.

[Fordman]

Hello All,

I have been reading for quite some time and I have to say there are some very talented craftsmanship here.

On to my questions:

I have built my CP but I want to put Lexan/Plexi over the top. I dont want to debate Lexan vs plexi. Does the Lexan/Plexi just sit on top of the CP and only held down with the buttons? I've seen some using screws but I don like that look. If the buttons are holding it down, is that enough to keep it down all the time? 

Also is the Lexan/plexi flush with the t-molding or is it just slightly higher than the t-molding? 

or did every one just buy the 23/32'' (not quite 3/4") plywood and the Lexan/Plexi just naturally kinda flush with the t-molding?

I will start to post pics soon of my cab.

[brock.sampson]

The two I have made the plexi is just held down by the buttons.  I have quite a few buttons on my cp so it may depend on your cp size and layout.  My t-molding is level with the top of the plexi, I used 5/8" particle board and and 1/8" plexi.  You can get away with using 3/4" and chamfer the bottom of the cp top like Mountain did http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=63629.0

[Fordman]

Thanks for the help.

I have looked at 5/8" ply or mdf, just didnt feel that strong to me with all the button mashing and people leaning on the CP ( I have 3 yr old son and a 4yr old grandson ).

I have read the whole 'Mountain' thread and is very informative. Althouh my skills arnt what his are, I will try his techniques.

Thanks, Again!
Fordman

[ViciousXUSMC]

Im new to wordworking so my guess may not count for much but see no reason you could not use a flush trim bit to bring the t-molding down the right size, or maybe better yet a roundover bit so it has a nice soft edge.

[brock.sampson]

Thanks for the help.

I have looked at 5/8" ply or mdf, just didnt feel that strong to me with all the button mashing and people leaning on the CP ( I have 3 yr old son and a 4yr old grandson ).

I have read the whole 'Mountain' thread and is very informative. Althouh my skills arnt what his are, I will try his techniques.

Thanks, Again!
Fordman

I have a 6 yr old and 9 yr old son.  I haven't had any problems with them and their friends mashing the keys and cranking on the joysticks in 2 years of frequent use.

[ivwshane]

Thanks for the help.

I have looked at 5/8" ply or mdf, just didnt feel that strong to me with all the button mashing and people leaning on the CP ( I have 3 yr old son and a 4yr old grandson ).

I have read the whole 'Mountain' thread and is very informative. Althouh my skills arnt what his are, I will try his techniques.

Thanks, Again!
Fordman

If you are concerned about strength then add another layer of ply to the underneath of the cp but only in the middle.

[daok]

The two I have made the plexi is just held down by the buttons.  I have quite a few buttons on my cp so it may depend on your cp size and layout.  My t-molding is level with the top of the plexi, I used 5/8" particle board and and 1/8" plexi.  You can get away with using 3/4" and chamfer the bottom of the cp top like Mountain did http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=63629.0

I am building an arcade machine and what Brock wrote is almost the samething as me. I used 5/8 MDF and 1/8 Plexi. The molding is 5/8 to fit all the rest of the machine... I simply glued the molding for the panel at the top (so I have a 1/8 of MDF at the button without Molding BUT since I plan to paint the MDF in black, it will be almost invisible).