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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: R0CK632 on December 02, 2015, 11:06:08 pm

Title: How to hold Plexi to Control Panel?
Post by: R0CK632 on December 02, 2015, 11:06:08 pm
What is some good ideas to hold the Plexi to the control panel? lowes by me didn't have much in black. I decided to get carriage bolts just everything on the cabinet is black and I think 4 silver carriage bolts in the corners of the control panel might look funny.  Gonna probably return them in the morning..Any other suggestions? thanks
Title: Re: How to hold Plexi to Control Panel?
Post by: wp34 on December 02, 2015, 11:11:07 pm
Most people just let their buttons hold down the plexiglass. It also helps if you have t-molding around your cp to make it flush with the plexiglass.
Title: Re: How to hold Plexi to Control Panel?
Post by: R0CK632 on December 02, 2015, 11:22:06 pm
Thanks didn't think the buttons alone would be enough..
Title: Re: How to hold Plexi to Control Panel?
Post by: Slippyblade on December 02, 2015, 11:55:36 pm
Unless you are grabbing the edge and lifting, then there isn't any force on CP plexi.  So, yeah, button bezels are plenty.
Title: Re: How to hold Plexi to Control Panel?
Post by: severdhed on December 03, 2015, 12:17:08 am
Each button is essentially a large bolt through the plexi.  Buttons and t molding are plenty to keep it in place

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Title: Re: How to hold Plexi to Control Panel?
Post by: mgb on December 03, 2015, 01:22:36 am
agreed, as said, usually just let the buttons hold it.

if by chance you do decide to use other hardware, you can do nicely with some #8 carriage bolts. you can sometimes find them with a smooth head but if not, they smooth out very easy with fine sand paper
Title: Re: How to hold Plexi to Control Panel?
Post by: yamatetsu on December 03, 2015, 03:10:25 am
everything on the cabinet is black and I think 4 silver carriage bolts in the corners of the control panel might look funny.

Just paint them black so that they fit.
Title: Re: How to hold Plexi to Control Panel?
Post by: CheffoJeffo on December 03, 2015, 07:00:07 am
everything on the cabinet is black and I think 4 silver carriage bolts in the corners of the control panel might look funny.

Just paint them black so that they fit.

+1 -- I've done this many times. Several coats of a nice gloss black spray looks fine and is usually plenty tough enough.
Title: Re: How to hold Plexi to Control Panel?
Post by: big10p on December 03, 2015, 07:11:14 am
Yep. Painted coach bolt heads black, many times. I usually etch prime them first, though.
Title: Re: How to hold Plexi to Control Panel?
Post by: aldub516 on December 03, 2015, 09:11:13 pm
^^^ ive used carriage bolts a few times.. oddly im one of those people that pending the project, likes the look of bolts or other things on the outside. Some times it gives it a more official and legit look to it. Sometimes of course..
Title: Re: How to hold Plexi to Control Panel?
Post by: mgb on December 03, 2015, 11:31:35 pm
^^^ ive used carriage bolts a few times.. oddly im one of those people that pending the project, likes the look of bolts or other things on the outside. Some times it gives it a more official and legit look to it. Sometimes of course..

Agreed
Title: Re: How to hold Plexi to Control Panel?
Post by: Token on December 04, 2015, 10:05:27 am

Spray paint adheres to zinc bolts surprisingly well.

You don't even need to sand or prime, but I'm sure it wouldn't hurt.
Title: Re: How to hold Plexi to Control Panel?
Post by: harveybirdman on December 04, 2015, 10:19:57 am
^^^ ive used carriage bolts a few times.. oddly im one of those people that pending the project, likes the look of bolts or other things on the outside. Some times it gives it a more official and legit look to it. Sometimes of course..

Wow I agree with you on an aesthetic design topic.....
Title: Re: How to hold Plexi to Control Panel?
Post by: DK1105 on December 04, 2015, 01:42:44 pm
I like exposed hardware to.  Personally I think people go a bit overboard with making things clean rather than authentic but that's purely a preference.
Title: Re: How to hold Plexi to Control Panel?
Post by: BadMouth on December 04, 2015, 03:08:11 pm
Since nobody has mentioned it yet, be careful of over tightening stuff mounted through the plexi. 
It depends on what material you're using and how thick it is, but it's surprisingly easy to crack by over tightening.