Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: mcleanjoel on December 05, 2002, 07:39:15 am

Title: T-molding and laminated top
Post by: mcleanjoel on December 05, 2002, 07:39:15 am
I want to build a control panel with a laminate on top and finish the edges with T-molding.
I prefer not to have to buy a trimmer and trim the edges.

So what is the best combination to use?

3/4 mdf & 3/4 T-molding?
I think this may look Okay but not sure how the edge of the laminate would appear.

5/8 mdf & 3/4 T-molding?
This might be better if it hides the edge but will hang below if I don't trim.

3/4 mdf & 13/16 T-molding?
Probably perfect but hard to find - will cost more and may not get the color I want.

Just wondering what others have done.
Title: Re:T-molding and laminated top
Post by: dhansen on December 05, 2002, 08:49:19 am
www.t-molding.com (http://www.t-molding.com) has 13/16" offset that would work, you would just have to set your slot cutter a little lower...


http://www.t-molding.com/cart/customer/product.php?productid=11&cat=4&page=1
 (http://www.t-molding.com/cart/customer/product.php?productid=11&cat=4&page=1)

Doug
Title: Re:T-molding and laminated top
Post by: dhansen on December 05, 2002, 09:16:03 am
http://www3.woodcraft.com/Hardware/woodworking/3881.htm (http://www3.woodcraft.com/Hardware/woodworking/3881.htm)

Here's anothern'
Title: Re:T-molding and laminated top
Post by: mcleanjoel on December 05, 2002, 06:00:37 pm
I have Happ Supers w/red handles and a bunch of red buttons. I was hoping to laminate with black and trim it out with red. Pretty cool colors eh?

Know where I can get red in 13/16?
Title: Re:T-molding and laminated top
Post by: Brad Lee on December 06, 2002, 01:30:35 am
Not really any help for the size, but I just rec'd 40' of red from t-molding.com and it is sharp-looking against black.  A near perfect color match for some 20year old original buttons I've got, as well as new ones
Title: Re:T-molding and laminated top
Post by: SNAAAKE on December 06, 2002, 02:56:18 am
i dont believe you even asked this question :P

For 3/4" wood,you need 3/4 molding.looks 100% perfect as I laminated my cabinet this time.Just wanted to let you know then the result you get with laminate is amezing :o.
Title: Re:T-molding and laminated top
Post by: mcleanjoel on December 06, 2002, 06:35:10 am
Snaake,
I think that was what I was looking for - you used 3/4 mdf with a laminate on top (adding around 1/16 maybe?) then used 3/4 T-molding?

Does the edge of the laminate show? Does it look fine? Do you think 13/16 would look better if it covers the laminate edge as well?

This may sound like I am being fussy but I need to order all this and want to know if I am wasting the extra money it will cost if I need to special order it - one place had it cheap but 250 ft min!

Also it seems the 13/16 takes a 7/64 slot bit instead of the 1/16 the 3/4 takes.
Title: Re:T-molding and laminated top
Post by: SNAAAKE on December 06, 2002, 08:36:08 am
looks fine..take a look at this one.
looks close and you can see it looks fine.

(http://home.austin.rr.com/shumate/unicade/photos/speaker-finish.jpg)
Title: Re:T-molding and laminated top
Post by: electricd on December 06, 2002, 09:19:29 am
I also used 3/4" MDF and 3/4" t-molding and it looks great.  The edge of the laminate doesn't go above the T-modling as far as I can tell.

ED7
Title: Re:T-molding and laminated top
Post by: Xphile on December 07, 2002, 01:29:14 am
even if the laminate does show an edge, if you are using a black based lam, it'll show a black edge all the way though <check a cut bit first in store, some marbles and patterns use  a white or brown base> still, if it does show edge, it'll look like your kitchen/bathroom countertop lip or edge- a tiny racing stripe..:-) <like the above pic.>

a sharp edge on lam is no prob, get a sheet of 320 sandpaper and break the edge..<drag the sandpaer around the edge till the sharpness is gone..a bunch of light passes is all it takes - practice on an offcut till you can get your desired result...:-)>  ends up looking sweet.."=_
Title: Re:T-molding and laminated top
Post by: mcleanjoel on December 08, 2002, 07:52:09 pm
Thanks for all the advice. I decided to try the 3/4 mdf with 3/4 t-molding so I can stick with standard stuff and get it cheap.