Plexi, Glass or Lexan?

[Avinitlarge]

What is the best material to use for the CP, Marquee and Screen bezel?

[severdhed]

i think most people prefer glass for the monitor bezel area....but glass just wont work for the control panel, due to the holes needed.

lexan is easier to drill/cut than plexi, but it also scratches alot easier.

i went with plexi for everything on my cab..it works pretty well.  if i had to do it over again, i may go with glass for over the monitor, since it doesnt scratch as easy

[Franco B]

6mm tempered/safety beveled glass for your screen bezel.

In regards to choice of plastic go for acrylic (Plexi etc) over polycarbonate (Lexan etc). They are both as easy to cut/machine in the thicknesses you will be working in and acrylic is much more scratch resistant than polycarb.

For your marquee you could go either glass or acrylic. I used two sheets of 3mm acrylic for my 1st cab. It wasn't perfectly flat and you could see the bend in the material. If I was to do it again I would probably go for 5mm acrylic or cut glass.

For your CP you definitely want acrylic. The thickness you require will depend on what CP thickness you have and how you are mounting the plastic in relation to your CP etc.

I get most of my plastics in the UK from [these] guys. 

[Blanka]

+1 for the tempered glass screen bezel. Not only scratch resistant, but also way flatter, and a nicer gloss.
For the CP I prefer no plastic. I don't like the gloss & finger grease panel look. I like CP's with matte printed covers, like on the old pac-man cab's. Problem is that you need to find a really good print service for that, as you don't want it to wear too fast. Plain matte plastic veneer or plain anodised aluminium (no stainless, that's too cold on the hands) is very cool too.

[Beretta]

i'd say

plexi for CP

glass for monitor..

and probably plexi again for the marquee.. although i have a centipede cab that has a glass marquee, most cabs use plexi.

[Avinitlarge]

Excellent, Thanks for that. I work next door to a glass supplier so I will get the glass from there for the bezel. I will use 2 pieces of 3mm plexi for the marquee and a 6mm piece of plexi for he CP.

[Franco B]

How are you doing your CP? What thickness wood etc are you using? Are you using t-moulding?

[Avinitlarge]

Im either going to use 18mm plywood or MDF. It has a piece of T molding across the front of the CP

[CheffoJeffo]

For the CP I prefer no plastic. I don't like the gloss & finger grease panel look. I like CP's with matte printed covers, like on the old pac-man cab's. Problem is that you need to find a really good print service for that, as you don't want it to wear too fast. Plain matte plastic veneer or plain anodised aluminium (no stainless, that's too cold on the hands) is very cool too.

+1 for no plastic over the CP -- go with a nice premium finish CPO from someone like MAMEMarquees.

I've also used black Pica Vinyl from Happ as CPO on generic cabs with nice results.

[FrizzleFried]

If I was a rich man I'd use LEXAN for the CPO all the time... it's just SO much easier to cut/drill... but it's also 2x the expense.

I tend to use Plexi exclusively unless there's already a glass bezel in the cab.

[Franco B]

You find polycarb that much easier to cut? A 1/4" router bit goes through acrylic like butter. I just finished two of these 2 Spicy/HOTD repro CPOs for someone out of 5mm acrylic. Didn't take long at all even using a cheap £2 1/4" flush trim bit.

[doctorhifi]

Just a reminder that polycarbonates don't like ammonia so avoid using Windex to clean Lexan:

Can I use Windex® on all types of windows and mirrors? On glass windows and mirrors, Windex® cleaners work great. They're fast and easy, and they cut right through dirt and grime. Just spray on Windex® and wipe it off for a streak-free shine.

If you plan to use Windex® on your tinted windows, test a small area first. Care of tinted windows may vary.

For all of you airplane and helicopter owners, we're sorry, but Windex® is not formulated to clean your LEXAN® windows.
http://www.windex.com/faq/

[FrizzleFried]

You find polycarb that much easier to cut? A 1/4" router bit goes through acrylic like butter. I just finished two of these 2 Spicy/HOTD repro CPOs for someone out of 5mm acrylic. Didn't take long at all even using a cheap £2 1/4" flush trim bit.

I do... I can't count how many plexi pieces of cracked and/or broke... I've NEVER broken a Lexan piece...ever...

[Franco B]

The only time when I have cracked/broken it is when trying to drill large holes too close to each other. I now just drill them 8mm and then route them.

[Avinitlarge]

What is normally used on Std CP's? My original CP is 23 years old and has very few scratches on it, It only has a piece which looks very slightly melted

[wp34]

For the CP I prefer no plastic. I don't like the gloss & finger grease panel look. I like CP's with matte printed covers, like on the old pac-man cab's. Problem is that you need to find a really good print service for that, as you don't want it to wear too fast. Plain matte plastic veneer or plain anodised aluminium (no stainless, that's too cold on the hands) is very cool too.

+1 for no plastic over the CP -- go with a nice premium finish CPO from someone like MAMEMarquees.

I've also used black Pica Vinyl from Happ as CPO on generic cabs with nice results.

I like this idea but wonder how you hold the CPO down around the trackball and joystick?  Glue?

[Franco B]

What is normally used on Std CP's? My original CP is 23 years old and has very few scratches on it, It only has a piece which looks very slightly melted

It will most likely be acrylic. If it was 23 years old and polycarb (Lexan) it would be FAR worse. The melted bit is probably where some chav introduced his cigarette to it 

[Avinitlarge]

What is normally used on Std CP's? My original CP is 23 years old and has very few scratches on it, It only has a piece which looks very slightly melted

It will most likely be acrylic. If it was 23 years old and polycarb (Lexan) it would be FAR worse. The melted bit is probably where some chav introduced his cigarette to it 

If that is the case, I will be using acrylic for the CP.