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Main => Woodworking => Topic started by: tkropp17 on September 09, 2014, 11:47:47 am

Title: MDF and Lexan Measurement Help
Post by: tkropp17 on September 09, 2014, 11:47:47 am
I'm doing a lot of research on building a control panel and I have 101 question. What thicknesses of MDF, Lexan and Tmolding are generally used? I did not want the lexon to to stick above the tmolding.

Thanks
TJ
Title: Re: MDF and Lexon Measurement Help
Post by: britishknight on September 09, 2014, 12:27:32 pm
I used 5/8 mdf with the purpose that I am going to put 1/8 plexi or lexon on it. This brings me to 3/4". So the plan is to use 3/4" t-molding.
Title: Re: MDF and Lexon Measurement Help
Post by: shponglefan on September 09, 2014, 06:22:28 pm
I used 5/8 mdf with the purpose that I am going to put 1/8 plexi or lexon on it. This brings me to 3/4". So the plan is to use 3/4" t-molding.

+1

Title: Re: MDF and Lexan Measurement Help
Post by: tkropp17 on September 09, 2014, 09:56:09 pm
Thanks for the info. I had a feeling that's what the suggestion would be. It's unfortunate that in the US 5/8 MDF is special order from Lowe's and Home Depot. Oh and they only carry 3/32 and not 1/8 Lexon, so that's special order online too. I'm off to a great start! lol
Title: Re: MDF and Lexan Measurement Help
Post by: Slippyblade on September 10, 2014, 01:21:50 am
Thanks for the info. I had a feeling that's what the suggestion would be. It's unfortunate that in the US 5/8 MDF is special order from Lowe's and Home Depot. Oh and they only carry 3/32 and not 1/8 Lexon, so that's special order online too. I'm off to a great start! lol

Just choose the "Pick up at store" option.  Then you can special order all you want and not have to pay stupid shipping rates.  :)
Title: Re: MDF and Lexan Measurement Help
Post by: lamprey on September 10, 2014, 12:48:41 pm
Thanks for the info. I had a feeling that's what the suggestion would be. It's unfortunate that in the US 5/8 MDF is special order from Lowe's and Home Depot. Oh and they only carry 3/32 and not 1/8 Lexon, so that's special order online too. I'm off to a great start! lol
I'm not sure where you are located, but you might try a smaller lumber place. I picked up some 5/8" MDO at Dunn, but not sure if that's an option for you. As for the plexi/lexan, I went to an acrylic shop for mine.
Title: Re: MDF and Lexan Measurement Help
Post by: britishknight on September 10, 2014, 02:04:13 pm
Thanks for the info. I had a feeling that's what the suggestion would be. It's unfortunate that in the US 5/8 MDF is special order from Lowe's and Home Depot. Oh and they only carry 3/32 and not 1/8 Lexon, so that's special order online too. I'm off to a great start! lol

Guess it depends on the area. I picked up 5/8 mdf at my homedepot here in Phoenix.
Title: Re: MDF and Lexan Measurement Help
Post by: tkropp17 on September 10, 2014, 03:23:57 pm
Thank you for the ideas and confirmation on sizing. This is really helpful and helps me answer a simple question!

TJ
Title: Re: MDF and Lexan Measurement Help
Post by: gamepimp on September 10, 2014, 10:44:35 pm
I used 3/4" MDF for my CP and covered with 1/8" plexiglass. To make the edge appear 3/4" total, I beveled the bottom using a 45 degree router bit. That essentially took out 1/8" of MDF. It came out pretty clean. And the thicker CP seemed better for mounting the joysticks which I did using brass inserts and bolting from below...
Title: Re: MDF and Lexan Measurement Help
Post by: kahlid74 on September 15, 2014, 08:09:35 am
Thanks for the info. I had a feeling that's what the suggestion would be. It's unfortunate that in the US 5/8 MDF is special order from Lowe's and Home Depot. Oh and they only carry 3/32 and not 1/8 Lexon, so that's special order online too. I'm off to a great start! lol
I'm not sure where you are located, but you might try a smaller lumber place. I picked up some 5/8" MDO at Dunn, but not sure if that's an option for you. As for the plexi/lexan, I went to an acrylic shop for mine.

Pretty much this.  Compare the price to the small lumber shops.
Title: Re: MDF and Lexan Measurement Help
Post by: tkropp17 on September 15, 2014, 10:23:06 pm
Thanks for the info. I had a feeling that's what the suggestion would be. It's unfortunate that in the US 5/8 MDF is special order from Lowe's and Home Depot. Oh and they only carry 3/32 and not 1/8 Lexon, so that's special order online too. I'm off to a great start! lol
I'm not sure where you are located, but you might try a smaller lumber place. I picked up some 5/8" MDO at Dunn, but not sure if that's an option for you. As for the plexi/lexan, I went to an acrylic shop for mine.

Pretty much this.  Compare the price to the small lumber shops.

Thanks for the suggestions. I agree, I will likely be calling a local place. Right after I figure out the layout in my other thread!
Title: Re: MDF and Lexan Measurement Help
Post by: keilmillerjr on October 03, 2014, 01:07:56 pm
Thanks for the info. I had a feeling that's what the suggestion would be. It's unfortunate that in the US 5/8 MDF is special order from Lowe's and Home Depot. Oh and they only carry 3/32 and not 1/8 Lexon, so that's special order online too. I'm off to a great start! lol

I wouldn't order ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- from home depot or lowes. This summer I went to home depot for 2x6's and 4x4's to make horse shoe pits. In there for about 2 hours tossing bundles all over trying to source straight wood. I picked the best ones I could find and a few of them still were not perfect, but it was only for a horse shoe pit. I would never intend to build a cabinet or let alone a house with lumber from those places. Too much time sorting out crap wood. I'll be sourcing wood from one of the local lumber yards for my cabinet.