Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Woodworking => Topic started by: Los Abrazos Rotos on May 08, 2012, 07:40:31 am

Title: MDF control panel - how thin can I get away with?
Post by: Los Abrazos Rotos on May 08, 2012, 07:40:31 am

Just wondering, whats the minimum thickness for an MDF control panel?  Would 9mm cut it?  The top of my CP measures 600x200mm.

Title: Re: MDF control panel - how thin can I get away with?
Post by: GregD on May 08, 2012, 08:13:18 am

Too thin.  You need something that is going to be sturdy and 9mm comes out to .35 inches.  You need at least a half inch in thickness.

Title: Re: MDF control panel - how thin can I get away with?
Post by: Los Abrazos Rotos on May 08, 2012, 08:36:58 am

Yeah, thats what I thought.. Back to the drawing board..

Title: Re: MDF control panel - how thin can I get away with?
Post by: P-chan on May 08, 2012, 09:04:36 am

I agree, 1/2" (12.7mm) minimum unless it was a bartop control panel....

Title: Re: MDF control panel - how thin can I get away with?
Post by: kahlid74 on May 08, 2012, 11:51:47 am

Quote from: P-chan on May 08, 2012, 09:04:36 am

I agree, 1/2" (12.7mm) minimum unless it was a bartop control panel....

Depends on the material and the structure.  The previous posters saying 1/2" is spot on, but if you really wanted to you could do some fancy engineering with stabilizers in key places adding more structure to it.  Then again we're talking more wood and metal on the inside of the CP and I'm not sure if you're doing this to save weight or size.

So yeah, 1/2" or greater please.

Title: Re: MDF control panel - how thin can I get away with?
Post by: Los Abrazos Rotos on May 08, 2012, 05:06:31 pm

Thanks all