Custom Cut Plexi.

[SephYuyX]

While fitting the CP is my next step, I wanted to see if there was a super easy route of just having someone do the dirty work of cutting out the plexi for me, I then could just template the MDF off of that.

I did a search on the forums and the only one I saw was www.tapplastics.com and he wanted $225 for a 1/8" 37x18" Clear Acrylic Plexiglass with all the holes and such lasered out. Thats crazy expensive. I also saw someone got ACE Hardware to do it for them for free/cheap.

Anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks.

[bkenobi]

For <<<$225 you can cut half a dozen out and pick the best one.  Do a forum search on techniques, but I think the consensus on the best method for cutting plexi is to drill a pilot hole then route.

[spystyle]

edit : oops I misread the question

[RobbyMac]

Routers are so cool, they are like Mega-Dremmels

LOL. Never thought of it that way, but yes they are cool. Router tables expand the possibilites (Though not necessary for arcade building)!

[spystyle]

I can't think of any reason to own a router table for arcade building ... I can only think of uses for a plunge router. But OK, twist my arm I'll buy another tool

[prOk]

If it's under 36 inches wide I can laser it for you.. probably like 20 bucks plus materials.

[spystyle]

We have lasers now??? I've been away too long!

[SephYuyX]

If it's under 36 inches wide I can laser it for you.. probably like 20 bucks plus materials.

37x18 ><!

[bkenobi]

Lasers?!  Those are so 1990's.  What you want is a water jet cut CP!   

[spystyle]

Coincidentally Jay Leno cuts all my control panel overlays He's a nice guy like that!

[crashwg]

Lasers?!  Those are so 1990's.  What you want is a water jet cut CP!  

Not the best idea for MDF or plywood...  I used to deal with a waterjetting company at a previous employer and the only thing it seemed that they couldn't cut was something "layered".  Apparently when the jet cuts through a layer and hits the layer bellow it would spray out on top of that layer and subsequently de-laminate the material.  I'm not entirely sure what the result would be on MDF but in my experience it seems to split in layers.  Not to mention you'd probably have to paint the MDF first so the inevitable water spray would not create little swollen bumps all over the surface.

There would be no problem watterjetting the plexi or lexan though and using a flush cutting bit in your router...

[AcidArmitage]

wouldnt the mdf soak up the water and poomph up like a marshmallow?

[bkenobi]

CP's can be made out of metal too.  Actually, you would be surprised what uses people have come up with for waterjets.  I've heard that they are (or at least used to be) used for food products like cookies and what not.  They use a food based garnet in the liquid in that case rather than a sand base.  I don't know what you could use to cut MDF, but I agree water+MDF=bad, generally.

[Creeper]

You can get exterior grade MDF which is resistant to the elements but its slightly more expensive. I work at a CNC shop which specializes in film props and set construction, we have three 5'x10' router tables that kick all kinds of ass. I'm gearing up to start building my cabinet and considering using some of that mdf. If not then just some quality birch ply with a laminate.

[Knave Jack]

I have waterjet a couple of control surfaces now, and exterior grade MDF or MEDEX works great. So does marine grade plywood. I made a couple of stainless steel surfaces in the past, but I am over the kitchen appliance look. I will post some picts of them. Didnt help that the big one was made from 11GA. It was all I had laying around at the time, and it looked nice. It just weighed a ton. Still have it if anyone wants to use it. The other one was for my 60-1 cabaret cabinet. I will post picts tomorrow. They are on the shop computer. If anyone needs something waterjet cut, dont hesitate to ask. We have 2 of them and they can do some really cool stuff.
KJ

[spystyle]

You guys are so high tech, I made a metal control panel before - I cut a rectangle out of metal with a jig-saw, made the 1 1/8" holes with a punch, very slowly. And of course I drilled all the carriage bolt holes with a drill Working with metal like this takes a very long time compared to working with wood. But I guess now we have lasers and water jets Oh my!

Who knew? We're living in the future

And I thought I was so cool for upgrading to pneumatic tools from electric  

[Knave Jack]

CP's can be made out of metal too.  Actually, you would be surprised what uses people have come up with for waterjets.  I've heard that they are (or at least used to be) used for food products like cookies and what not.  They use a food based garnet in the liquid in that case rather than a sand base.  I don't know what you could use to cut MDF, but I agree water+MDF=bad, generally.

Most of the waterjets in the food industry are water only. No abrasive. They usually run in the 75K to 120K psi range. A friend of mines dad works in a bakery where they use a waterjet to slice the bread. They push it through the water so fast it doesnt even get wet!
The only time you need to add garnet is when you are trying to cut solid materials. We have cut 9" thick aluminum with ours. 

[bkenobi]

Wow, 9"!  You must have used an extremely slow feed rate or else the technology has changed in the last few years.  Last I saw, if you had a thick material like that, you would get somewhat random deflections of the jet if the material was too thick.

[saurian333]

Waterjets are pretty slick.  I didn't know they used them for food!

In response to the OP:  I will agree with bkenobi when he said that at prices like that, you're best off trying it for yourself.  A pilot hole and a holesaw, with the plexi clamped onto scrap wood.  I think there is more in the woodworking forum; some people suggest sandwiching between two pieces, etc.

If you're doing more than just cutting button holes, though, such as cutting curves around the corners, I'd suggest doing more research before attempting it.  At any rate, $225 is WAY too much for a piece of plexiglass.  I'd almost bet you could get a piece of actual GLASS cut for that much (but don't quote me on that).

[SephYuyX]

Wanted to bump this and let people know about OCIP. You can find my review about them at http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=99470.0
If you ever need custom cut plexi, check them out.

[spystyle]

I posted over there too, now I don't know if I should have posted that here instead...