Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: DeafBug on July 15, 2003, 07:39:16 pm
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Where in Home Depot or any home improvement store would you find Lexan? I went to Home Depot to see what they have and all that. The employees don't know what the hell I am talking about and they showed me the arylic (sp?) plastic sheets. I even asked about plexi sheets and still no clue.
So I start walking around the whole store and I don't find it. What dept is Lexan generally found in? Or is that a special order item?
Can you tell me how they are on the shelf also? Are they in the slots or are they flat like a plywood board? I am going to the other Home Depot that is bigger and opens 24 hours to see if they have it.
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They have it at the 2 Home Depot's by me, in the Windows section - back where they sell the screen replacement stuff (for screen windows). Same section as the acrylic and plexi.
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I've also heard others mention that some of the nicer sears stores carry it.
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isn't technically, lexan a clear acrylic? or am I confused as to what section you were in?
*shrug*
rampy
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You would find Lexan with the acrylic. You were in the right place. Look for sheets labelled "LX10" or something like that. They'll be covered in green film (as opposed to plexi which is covered in blue and that mid-grade stuff covered in pink).
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Thanks. I guess I was in the right dept, in the Windows and Doors. And it may be right in front of my eyes. I did look at the tall rack with vertical slots. There was like 10 different kinds. None of them are label Lexan or anything that is a give-away that this is lexan sheet. I will go back there and look again for "LX10" before going across town to the bigger one.
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Here I've got some right here. Lemme check...
One side is covered in green protective film. The other is white film with red letters all over it. It says "Lexan" on it. Also says "GE Plastics". It's got instructions all over ti, too..
Hey guess what, yall! My control panel is UV protected!!! ;D (I wonder if that would help reduce fading on artwork...)
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Got a Menards near you? They make Home Depot look like a mom & pops hardware store. You can't beat their prices even at Wal-Mart. The selection for damn near anything is unsurpassed!
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I stopped at the bigger Home Depot store and asked the guy for Lexan. He knows what I am talking about but they don't carry it. He also said that all the HD in the metro area, actually greater metro area don't carry it as it comes from the same distributor/warehouse. So I went to Menards. Nothing.
Today I opened up the yellow pages and looked under Plastics. Start calling a few places, they all carry it. One of them is a GE direct supplier, knowing that GE made Lexan. I called them and it turns out that they are the cheapest one. But I am not sure if it is reasonable place. For a 1/8 thick 4x4 clear sheet, it is $35. They even have the thinnest one for cheaper cost. It is .03 thick. I am thinking about getting a thin one but I am not sure since I have 3/4 MDF already. All the controls and buttons will be fine if I don't use Lexan, they will still be held down securely and all that. I thought using contact paper to make it one color across the control panel and then put a Lexan on it so that it has a nice touch on top.
I have a question on cutting the holes on a thin sheet. Are they any different other than shorter drilling time. Will they crack easier? Should I get 1/16? What is a good acceptable thickness?
Check your yellow pages if the home improvement stores don't carry them. Hey, even some of them asked what size do I need. I asked if I could bring the board in and make it fit. "Sure"
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I use the 1/16" Lexan all the time. It is just as easy to work with as the thicker stuff. I have never had it crack on me or anything. I actually use it with 11/16" particle board, so put together it is 3/4" total thickness...great for use with 3/4" T-molding!
However, if you are adding it to a 3/4" panel, then you probably want to use 3/4" T-molding centered on the wood, and then round off the edges of the Lexan.
Hope this helps!
Terry.