Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Buy/Sell/Trade - non-retail => Topic started by: albert_c on March 14, 2005, 07:42:47 pm
-
Does anyone know where I can get some Lexan/Plexi cut for my MAS arcade controller without getting ripped off? I haven't had any success. Any help would be appriciated.
-
Have you tried tap plastics? Just curious if thats who ripped you off before?
-
You must be psychic! :P
The wanted 40 bucks for 9 holes. What kind of crap is that.....
-
Time is money. ;D It's not so hard to do yourself, but unless you plan on making more than one the tools could end up costing more than the $40. Really just depends on if it's a one time deal or not.
Geo
-
For some bizarre reason the prices vary from TAP locations for the same work. The one on the Alameda has been the most cost effective of the work I have had them do.
Same holds true for other business' in SJ like Kinko's price ranges quite a bit from location to location as well for backlight film prints.
Good Luck and if you find a better place let us all know.
-Goz
-
I work across the street from the one on the Alameda. That's the one that gave me the 40.00 quote. Could I use a table saw to cut the shape? What kinda bit would be best to use on the holes? Does the lexan break easy, do I have to be super careful with it?
-
Where can you buy Lexan? I used plexiglass on my control panel and it cracks easily and scratches even more easily. So I'm thinking about moving to Lexan.
Joseph Elwell.
-
Where can you buy Lexan? I used plexiglass on my control panel and it cracks easily and scratches even more easily. So I'm thinking about moving to Lexan.
Joseph Elwell.
Home Depot
-Goz
-
???
That's where I bought mine but they have a big ass sign over the lexan "we do not cut plexi"
damn....
Anyone around here have the know how and tools to cut it? I'm willing to pay 10 bucks :'(
-
I abandoned plexi long ago as it ALWAYS cracked on the last hole I drilled :'(.
Lexan is about 50% more expensive but will never crack, and is easy to work with. You simply need to score it deep enough with a straight edge and sharp blade (Xacto etc) and it'll snap along the straight edge if you apply enough bending pressure against a solid edge.
As for holes, you can buy a 1 1/8" Blu-mol bi-metal hole saw. It is not a spade bit but instead looks like a drill bit with a tube on the end.
search for "blu-mol 6533" on homedepot.com.
Not only will it cut through Lexan (like butter) but will cut through steel control panels easily enough too (be sure to use a corded drill, my rechargable dies on steel hole drilling). They are guaranteed for life!
-
Thanks for the info. I'll give it a shot.
-
Searching homedepot brought up 3 blu-mol products, and only 1 has a 1 1/8 bit and says it will also cut metal...but its the most expensive. Is this the correct one (for 69.97)?
(http://www.homedepot.com/cmc_upload/HDUS/EN_US/asset/images/eplus/035781013567_4.jpg)
-
Seems right, and remember, you can never have too many tools.
-
Keep in mind that plexi is actually more scratch resistant than lexan.
Lexan's advantage over plexi is it's resistance to cracking/shattering.
-
That is the whole kit...I don't know if HomeDepot's search is regionalized, but my search for "blu-mol 6533" came up with a 1 1/8" bit for $7.79 ... this is the one I use often
-
I used it on some plexi glass. totally cracked it. I'm going to give some lexan a shot. Should be easier to work with. Thanks guys for the help
-
if you're going to cut or drill plexi be sure to clamp it down to a piece of wood!! some people use the sandwich method I just clamp it down, that way it wont break. If you want to shape the plexi to match your cp, get yourself a hacksaw and let it rip, then take a very high grit sand paper and smooth the edges.
I hope this works for you