Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Woodworking => Topic started by: Frostillicus on October 07, 2012, 11:36:26 am

Title: What would be a really thin, easy-to-cut material I could use on control panel?
Post by: Frostillicus on October 07, 2012, 11:36:26 am

So I'm starting a new build, and I'm top-mounting everything in 3/4" hardwood plywood.  I'm using the new servosticks from  Ultimarc and I got the feeling these were intended for bottom mount or metal-surface control panels...routing was a pain.

There is about a 1in by 2in gap where the motor is located, it's too bad these didn't include a new joystick mounting plat but maybe that'll give Andy ideas for future upgrades :)  You can see the gap in the picture.

The issue is I have artwork ready to go, I kind of don't want to adhere the artwork RIGHT to the joystick plates in case it needs service, and there is that gap...is there something that is super thin, non adhesive, and easy to cut/dremel that I could sandwich between the control panel and the artwork? 

Title: Re: What would be a really thin, easy-to-cut material I could use on control panel?
Post by: shponglefan on October 07, 2012, 11:59:08 am

Paper?

Title: Re: What would be a really thin, easy-to-cut material I could use on control panel?
Post by: yaksplat on October 07, 2012, 01:43:20 pm

you can get some thing plywood or veneer.

Title: Re: What would be a really thin, easy-to-cut material I could use on control panel?
Post by: xefned on October 07, 2012, 02:14:35 pm

Can you still mount them underneath?

Title: Re: What would be a really thin, easy-to-cut material I could use on control panel?
Post by: Le Chuck on October 07, 2012, 05:28:22 pm

Sheet metal.  Thin, durable, cuts like butter.  You can likely clamp it down and hit it with a laminate router providing that you've trimmed the majority of the the excess before hand.  Ditto aluminum sheet. Sand the edges round. 

Title: Re: What would be a really thin, easy-to-cut material I could use on control panel?
Post by: Frostillicus on October 08, 2012, 09:32:22 am

Cool thanks for the ideas!

Title: Re: What would be a really thin, easy-to-cut material I could use on control panel?
Post by: Frostillicus on October 08, 2012, 06:35:42 pm

Just to followup in case anyone is interested - I ended up getting a large 4x8 sheet of PolyWall at Lowes.  It was 19$ and looks to be totally weatherproof.  It's .060" thick, easy to cut with a dremel and scissors, but sturdy enough not to give too easily over those little gaps.  I ended up adhering the artwork directly to it, and the whole thing worked out great!

Title: Re: What would be a really thin, easy-to-cut material I could use on control panel?
Post by: Unstupid on October 08, 2012, 08:18:53 pm

Pics?

Title: Re: What would be a really thin, easy-to-cut material I could use on control panel?
Post by: PL1 on October 08, 2012, 09:29:41 pm

Quote from: Frostillicus on October 08, 2012, 06:35:42 pm

I ended up getting a large 4x8 sheet of PolyWall at Lowes.

Lowes.com searches on "PolyWall" and "poly wall" return no hits.

Got links, a SKU, or different keywords?

Thanks.


Scott

Title: Re: What would be a really thin, easy-to-cut material I could use on control panel?
Post by: Hoopz on October 08, 2012, 09:41:36 pm

Lowes' search is terrible.  Google it. You'll see that its the brand name.

I am always flabbergasted that Lowes, and Home Depot's too to be fair, are as bad as they are.

Title: Re: What would be a really thin, easy-to-cut material I could use on control panel?
Post by: Frostillicus on October 08, 2012, 09:46:01 pm

Here's a picture of the labels.  It's actually pretty  nice stuff, I wonder if it'll stand up to the sun out here in the south.  Could use it on a few other non-arcade projects.  It's made for walls and ceilings according to the label.

Title: Re: What would be a really thin, easy-to-cut material I could use on control panel?
Post by: PL1 on October 08, 2012, 10:09:21 pm

Thanks, Frosty.

Turns out that Lowes in Omaha doesn't carry it, but Menard's does (http://www.menards.com/main/paint/paneling-planking/paneling/plastic/polywall-trade-white-waterproof-interior-wall-panel/p-1663938-c-8173.htm) and other locations (http://www.parklandplastics.com/retail.shtml), too.


Scott

Title: Re: What would be a really thin, easy-to-cut material I could use on control panel?
Post by: DeLuSioNal29 on October 10, 2012, 04:46:36 pm

I used 3/18" hardboard to make a monitor bezel for my last arcade project.  It's very easy to cut with a saw and is even bendable if needed.  It's straight as a pin, but is also flexible if you put pressure on it (in my case it curved around the monitor).

I would not hesitate in using it the way you describe.  The only thing is, what would you do about the gaps around the edge of the CP?

Here's a link to it at Home Depot:  http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202404545/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=hardboard&storeId=10051#.UHXdMJGwF2A (http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202404545/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=hardboard&storeId=10051#.UHXdMJGwF2A)

It's pretty cheap.  For a huge piece of 48" x 96" it was only $13.98.  The piece I got was only 24" x 48" so it was even cheaper!

Good Luck!

DeLuSioNaL29