Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: fluentd on September 10, 2013, 12:41:58 am

Title: Where to buy Acrylic
Post by: fluentd on September 10, 2013, 12:41:58 am
I am ready to buy Acrylic for my CP and smoked for my screen. I am looking at 44" x 26"  for my CP and 25" x 25" smoked for the screen.
Title: Re: Where to buy Acrylic
Post by: kiwasabi on September 10, 2013, 03:08:02 am
Google plastic companies in your city. There are several in my area, although not all of them would sell custom cut pieces. Also I've heard hardware stores will sell and cut some. The plastic companies will be able to get you anything you want though whereas Home Depot is probably pretty limited in their selection (i.e. I'm not sure they'd sell smoked acrylic). But I've only looked into this, haven't executed on it yet myself.
Title: Re: Where to buy Acrylic
Post by: CoryBee on September 10, 2013, 07:24:48 am
All three home depots in my area sell acrylic and smoked acrylic at a pretty good price. i would try them first.
Title: Re: Where to buy Acrylic
Post by: Dawgz Rule on September 10, 2013, 08:54:16 am
Go with glass instead of acrylic for the screen.
Title: Re: Where to buy Acrylic
Post by: kiwasabi on September 10, 2013, 09:51:40 am
Go with glass instead of acrylic for the screen.

Why do you recommend that? Seems glass is more breakable than plexi/acrylic.
Title: Re: Where to buy Acrylic
Post by: Richardgregory on September 10, 2013, 10:05:10 am
I have glass on mine, and I like it, but it's really really heavy.  I was thinking of going acrylic, but not sure if it has the same look as glass, which seems more authentic IMO.

Title: Re: Where to buy Acrylic
Post by: Fursphere on September 10, 2013, 10:21:35 am
If you go glass, get it tempered.  It'll be really hard to break then. 

Plate glass - like you can get at home depot or picture frame shops - will break if you look at it funny. 
Title: Re: Where to buy Acrylic
Post by: Dawgz Rule on September 10, 2013, 02:05:05 pm
Acrylic tends to scratch easier and also attracts dust.    Hard to describe but I think the glass seems to give it more "pop" when compared side by side with acrylic.   
Title: Re: Where to buy Acrylic
Post by: kaptaink_cg on September 10, 2013, 02:48:13 pm
I went with www.estreetplastics.com (http://www.estreetplastics.com) for my mini-cabinet.  The first time I used them they were very quick and helpful. Decent prices on custom cut stuff as well.
Title: Re: Where to buy Acrylic
Post by: Tonynlo on September 10, 2013, 04:15:28 pm
Not trying to hijack, but also did not feel my questions needed a new thread.

1) What is the difference between acrylic and plexi? 
2) Is there a preferred darkness, or is "smoked" a universal term. 
3) My golden tee monitor cover takes a pretty good beating (jammed fingers etc.) and it was suggested that I go with a .25" covering.  Would this impact the color of acrylic/plexi that I should get? 
4) I was going to use velcro tape to adhere the plexi/acrylic to my cabinet.  Would that be ok?  I don't want to use screws if possible.