Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: transfan on July 16, 2010, 03:03:25 pm
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When building a control panel that you are going to put artwork on, is plexiglass (or lexan) a requirement? Has there been success with laquers or resins, etc?
Also what's the best tool to get a trackball-sized hole into plexi?
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If you put a proper durable CPO on it, you won't need plexi.
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I laminated my CP and ALMOST didnt put plexi on it, but then my wife said
"what if I play it with my ring(s) on? wont it scratch it over time?"
one is a diamond ring so yes, it would over time, so I put the plexi on it. Its a lot easier to replace that than the laminate on the CP for my setup.
Or you could just polyurethane the CRAP out of it :) then it would be like a "built in" laminate!
joe
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If the CPO is Polycarbonate laminated it will be scratch proof and there will be no need for Acrylic etc overlay.
Mame Marquees/Game on Grafix and other decent printers should be able to offer this option for you.
I do however like the look of a glossy Acrylic overlay. The candy cabinets I'm working on at the moment don't use a Acrylic overlay but if I was to scratch build again I think I would use a Acrylic overlay.
If you do use a plastic overlay and need to cut the trackball holes you will find it will cut beautifully with normal router bits. You can use your CP as a template with a flush trim bit or you could make a ~3.25" template and then use that.
If you do use a plastic overlay use Acrylic (Plexiglass) and not Polycarbonate (Lexan).
I know its contradictory that Polycarbonate is used for CPO laminates :)
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I personnally used envirotex. I used it for a countertop and my arcade control panel. It works well and it looks very nice.
You can check on their website where to find a retailer.