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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Brad Lee on November 15, 2002, 03:29:16 pm

Title: Is lexan strong enough to mount buttons?
Post by: Brad Lee on November 15, 2002, 03:29:16 pm
I'm planning a control panel sandwich made of 5/8" wood, graphics on paper or vinyl, and 1/8" lexan on top. This gives me a pretty standard 3/4" thickness to mount most everything.
The one exception so far is atari cone-style lighted buttons. They came off of a metal CP which is what, 1/16"? It is possible to mount them to 1/8". I'm thinking of cutting holes in the wood where these buttons would go and mounting directly to the lexan.

Are there any foreseeable problems doing it this way?
Title: Re:Is lexan strong enough to mount buttons?
Post by: ErikRuud on November 15, 2002, 03:50:32 pm
You should be ok.  The cone buttons shouldn't be taking a pounding like the larger buttons do.

I would make the whole in the wood as small as possible.

You could also consider using a large washer countersunk into the top surface of the wood, under the overlay.  This would take some of the strain off of the lexan.
Title: Re:Is lexan strong enough to mount buttons?
Post by: eightbit on November 15, 2002, 04:05:47 pm
For this application I would say yes. Lexan is some tuff stuff and as the last poster mentioned make the hole in the wood as small as possible. Post some pics how it turns out. I've looked at those atari buttons and think they would look cool.
Title: Re:Is lexan strong enough to mount buttons?
Post by: Brad Lee on November 15, 2002, 04:10:17 pm
They're actually from a Omega Race cp- Midway, but the switches are exactly the same, slightly different cones

They were all stuck and nasty, but a little bit of alcohol, elbow grease, and lots of clicking the mechanism, is all it took to get em back into good shape. I just wish there was a way to light all 4  through the keyboard or Ipac.

I'll probably cut a square hole  in the wood for each of them, since thats the shape of the switch under the cone, that should help keep it from spinning
Title: Re:Is lexan strong enough to mount buttons?
Post by: SNAAAKE on November 15, 2002, 05:23:54 pm
Whatever you do..MAKE double sure that you print overlay on vinyl.The material is amezing.You cant even make any scratch even if you tried on purpose.I am finally happy..just so you know..as soon as I get my serial port fixed then i can post a pic and you can take a look(it will convince you to go vinyl ;D).