Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: juanchocnva on November 16, 2010, 07:53:20 pm
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??? dunno where to buy plexi glass what store and how to cut with cheap or small tools dont have the money to buy pressure drills or big stuff i live in appartment :angry: and dont have friends :hissy: :cry: 2 borrow garage or tools :hissy: :angry: :badmood: :banghead:
:badmood: :badmood: :badmood: :badmood: :badmood: :badmood: :badmood:
:soapbox: :soapbox: :soapbox: :soapbox: :soapbox: :soapbox: :soapbox: :soapbox:
:afro:
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You can usually buy plexi at large home improvement stores like Home Depot or Lowes. To cut it all you need is a straight edge and scoring tool made to cut plexi. Usually only 6 or 7 dollars. You can use it to cut straight lines. Button and joystick holes are made with regular bits that you would use on your control panel. For curves etc you need a flush cut bit and a router. The flush cut bit can also be used to cut out button holes using the control panel as a template and predrilling an entry hole for the bit.
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Agree 100% with BobA and just wanted to add: wise use of emoticons, my friend.
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:blowup:i cant afford a router or a flush cut bit . need it for just 1 cp :cry: and unfortunately cant store tools in my apt :embarassed: i
so :dunno is there a way to use a dremel or smaller :tool:
:notworthy: thanks 4 the reply guys.
sorry am broke :lame:
:banghead:
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just wanted to add: wise use of emoticons, my friend.
LOL
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Try to find a water-cutting company, and let them do all. For roughly double the price of the rough plexi, you get the thing you want cut to the tenth mm perfect.
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I found a good way was to firmly sandwich the plexi between 2 sheets of mdf, then you should be able to use a jigsaw and hole saws to cut through all three layers but make sure they are firmly together and don't cut too quick or the plexi will start to melt and bond with the MDF!
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if you have a Rona where you live you can get them to make your cuts in there cut shop or if you use acrylic you can cut it with a dremel but to do so you need a very steady hand to get your straight lines straight and you circle cuts circle otherwise it will look like crap
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thanks everyone 4 the answers i think it will b harder 2 do with proper tools so the only option i have is rental.. :lol .am not sure if home depot can renme a router but ill ask
thanks again... :cheers:
:) :) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;)
:afro:
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so the only option i have is rental.. :lol .am not sure if home depot can renme a router
Once again: let someone else do all with a computer controlled machine.
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Try to find a water-cutting company, and let them do all. For roughly double the price of the rough plexi, you get the thing you want cut to the tenth mm perfect.
Blanka speaks the truth
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Any local glass shop should be able to help you out. I live far away from big box stores like that, and my local glass shop (Auto/Residential) was able to help me out no problem.
Just make sure you give them accurate dimensions, and they should be able to cut you a piece to size.
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If your in So Cal, and want to make the trip, and the final CP width is small enough, I can laser cut it for you. Acrylic laser cuts very well. I need really good measurements though.
Mike
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:blowup:i cant afford a router or a flush cut bit . need it for just 1 cp
For just 1 piece you will be wastng your money on tools you probably won't use again. . . even on renting. Ebay sellers of sheet plexi/acrylic usually also provide cut to dimension plexi, which is a good choice for someone in your situation.
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For just 1 piece you will be wastng your money on tools you probably won't use again. . . even on renting.
How many of us started with the intention of just building one piece? *A lot*...then 1 piece turns into a 2nd...then a 3rd. Apartments also aren't an excuse lol...just take a look at Martijn's Street Fighter themed build to realize that everything is possible in this hobby :)
Personally, if you even think there is a small chance you'd build a 2nd get a router...its versatile and one of the best bang for the buck tools out there.
Oh and if you are completely broke...this isn't the hobby to start at this time ;)
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Oh and if you are completely broke...this isn't the hobby to start at this time ;)
There's always those tool-lend networks on the net, and Fablab's with open access hours.
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NT
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i built a play house in the backyard for my daughter and put in plexiglass for the windows, Lowes was able to cut it to size for me.
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Popped in to my local TAP plastics shop to snag some 1/8" acrylic. As the guy was taking my order, he asked me what it was for, and I told him it was going to be on an arcade cabinet, at which point he warned me that the stuff would scratch like crazy, and develop white "cloudy" spots from where sleeves rubbed on it, which made me hold off. Anyone else have this issue with their cabs?