Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Brentley_11 on April 10, 2003, 05:17:12 pm

Title: Plexi, Lexan, or somthing else?
Post by: Brentley_11 on April 10, 2003, 05:17:12 pm
Hi everybody, I'm new as some of you might realize if you look at my post count and I am very interested in building a MAME cabinet. I'm still in planing stages but I had one idea for the control panel.

I was thinking of placing a thin layer of plexi or lexan over the control panel and then around each button and joysick mounting pad add a bevel to the plexi or lexan.  Then I would insert LEDs into the plexi or lexan to give a sleek glow where ever I beveled it.  

I'm just wondering which of the two would be the easyist to give a bevel too, or if you know of another material that would give the same effect.  Also if you think that this idea is a lost cause please tell me because I will then scrap it and use one of my other ones.
Title: Re:Plexi, Lexan, or somthing else?
Post by: AX on April 10, 2003, 05:48:49 pm
Not sure hwo your going to do this I can't picture it.  Keep in mind the butons have a ring around them  so beveling around the buttons might not work so good.  I would be interested in more details of this though as it sounds like a cool idea.  

As for the lexan plexy thing there are a few post's that explaint he dif's but real quick:

Lexan is more expensive but softer and easier to cut bevel and what not.  I used it for my CP

Plexy is more rigid and cracks if not treat correctly when cutting.  I used it for the Monitor bezel.

Title: Re:Plexi, Lexan, or somthing else?
Post by: Brentley_11 on April 10, 2003, 06:39:45 pm
If it helps anyone, I'm based this idea from this tutorial I found: http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?s=90d43a578e1a4117390ef3d403f62e94&threadid=29373

I think it could work if you applied the same principle.  Also, another question. What would be the best way to put a bevel on it?  Some sort of sandpaper maybe?
Title: Re:Plexi, Lexan, or somthing else?
Post by: AX on April 10, 2003, 06:54:41 pm
i put a bevel on mine with a router.
Title: Re:Plexi, Lexan, or somthing else?
Post by: AceTKK on April 11, 2003, 12:41:24 am
Hey Brentley, shoot me an e-mail @ mike_manders@hotmail.com  I had some ideas about this kind of mod that you might be interested in.

-Ace-