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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Fordman on February 13, 2009, 08:52:10 am

Title: CP Lexan/Plexi questions.
Post by: Fordman on February 13, 2009, 08:52:10 am
Hello All,

I have been reading for quite some time and I have to say there are some very talented craftsmanship here.

On to my questions:

I have built my CP but I want to put Lexan/Plexi over the top. I dont want to debate Lexan vs plexi. Does the Lexan/Plexi just sit on top of the CP and only held down with the buttons? I've seen some using screws but I don like that look. If the buttons are holding it down, is that enough to keep it down all the time?  :dunno

Also is the Lexan/plexi flush with the t-molding or is it just slightly higher than the t-molding?  :dunno

or did every one just buy the 23/32'' (not quite 3/4") plywood and the Lexan/Plexi just naturally kinda flush with the t-molding? :dunno

I will start to post pics soon of my cab.
Title: Re: CP Lexan/Plexi questions.
Post by: brock.sampson on February 13, 2009, 09:07:54 am
The two I have made the plexi is just held down by the buttons.  I have quite a few buttons on my cp so it may depend on your cp size and layout.  My t-molding is level with the top of the plexi, I used 5/8" particle board and and 1/8" plexi.  You can get away with using 3/4" and chamfer the bottom of the cp top like Mountain did http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=63629.0 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=63629.0)
Title: Re: CP Lexan/Plexi questions.
Post by: Fordman on February 13, 2009, 09:42:11 am
Thanks for the help.

I have looked at 5/8" ply or mdf, just didnt feel that strong to me with all the button mashing and people leaning on the CP ( I have 3 yr old son and a 4yr old grandson ).

I have read the whole 'Mountain' thread and is very informative. Althouh my skills arnt what his are, I will try his techniques.

Thanks, Again!
Fordman
Title: Re: CP Lexan/Plexi questions.
Post by: ViciousXUSMC on February 13, 2009, 10:39:21 am
Im new to wordworking so my guess may not count for much but see no reason you could not use a flush trim bit to bring the t-molding down the right size, or maybe better yet a roundover bit so it has a nice soft edge.
Title: Re: CP Lexan/Plexi questions.
Post by: brock.sampson on February 13, 2009, 11:25:58 am
Thanks for the help.

I have looked at 5/8" ply or mdf, just didnt feel that strong to me with all the button mashing and people leaning on the CP ( I have 3 yr old son and a 4yr old grandson ).

I have read the whole 'Mountain' thread and is very informative. Althouh my skills arnt what his are, I will try his techniques.

Thanks, Again!
Fordman

I have a 6 yr old and 9 yr old son.  I haven't had any problems with them and their friends mashing the keys and cranking on the joysticks in 2 years of frequent use.
Title: Re: CP Lexan/Plexi questions.
Post by: ivwshane on February 13, 2009, 12:50:24 pm
Thanks for the help.

I have looked at 5/8" ply or mdf, just didnt feel that strong to me with all the button mashing and people leaning on the CP ( I have 3 yr old son and a 4yr old grandson ).

I have read the whole 'Mountain' thread and is very informative. Althouh my skills arnt what his are, I will try his techniques.

Thanks, Again!
Fordman

If you are concerned about strength then add another layer of ply to the underneath of the cp but only in the middle.
Title: Re: CP Lexan/Plexi questions.
Post by: daok on February 13, 2009, 01:09:35 pm
The two I have made the plexi is just held down by the buttons.  I have quite a few buttons on my cp so it may depend on your cp size and layout.  My t-molding is level with the top of the plexi, I used 5/8" particle board and and 1/8" plexi.  You can get away with using 3/4" and chamfer the bottom of the cp top like Mountain did http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=63629.0 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=63629.0)

I am building an arcade machine and what Brock wrote is almost the samething as me. I used 5/8 MDF and 1/8 Plexi. The molding is 5/8 to fit all the rest of the machine... I simply glued the molding for the panel at the top (so I have a 1/8 of MDF at the button without Molding BUT since I plan to paint the MDF in black, it will be almost invisible).