Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Woodworking => Topic started by: tony.silveira on October 07, 2009, 09:03:51 pm

Title: cp plastic cover, t-mold with lip?
Post by: tony.silveira on October 07, 2009, 09:03:51 pm: hi all,

i'm thinking of adding a plastic sheet over my control panel.

my question is for those of you have this. do you use t-molding with a small lip to keep the edges of the plastic from becoming damaged? here's a link to what i'm thinking of:

http://t-molding.com/store/product.php?printable=Y&productid=16&cat=5

also, anyone have any suggestions for a plastic sheet? do you use gloss/flat, thickness, etc.

many thanks, t
Title: Re: cp plastic cover, t-mold with lip?
Post by: fixedpigs on October 08, 2009, 10:10:23 am: i just used regular t-molding with my control panel...the plexi cover fits flush with it and doesn't really have any drawbacks that i can think of...

with that being said...i didn't realise there was t-molding with a lip like that...i'd almost be inclined to use that if i were to do it again just to try it out...i don't know if i'd like having the lip there or not though since it wouldn't be flush with the cp top...
Title: Re: cp plastic cover, t-mold with lip?
Post by: Kman-Sweden on October 08, 2009, 10:38:46 am: I don't think you need to be afraid that you'll damage the edge.
You'll need to beat the plastic like hell to damage it with a soft belly like mine. Normal t-mold will do the job if it's installed properly (use glue in the groove).
Title: Re: cp plastic cover, t-mold with lip?
Post by: Franco B on October 08, 2009, 11:36:58 am: If you have used glue in your t-moulding groove you haven't installed it properly ;)

I wouldn't use lipped t-mouding if it was me as there is no need to. If anything it may create an uncomfortable edge on your CP.

3mm-6mm will be fine for the plastic if you decide to use it. Many people don't use it and instead just use a tough graphic.

If you to want to use plastic people tend to use either acrylic (Plexi etc) or polycarbonate (Lexan etc). Acrylic is much more scratch resistant than polycarbonate but some people choose to use polycarbonate as they find it easier to cut (or have at least been told it is).

Personally, I always use acrylic as I find it just as easy to cut using the right tooling. A 1/4" router bit will go though acrylic like butter.
Title: Re: cp plastic cover, t-mold with lip?
Post by: severdhed on October 09, 2009, 11:59:04 am: i just used standard tmolding and it works just fine. the MDF i used was 5/8" so i got a 1/8" plexiglass to cover the panel, so the 3/4" tmolding fits just perfectly
Title: Re: cp plastic cover, t-mold with lip?
Post by: shponglefan on October 09, 2009, 01:12:23 pm: Ditto what others said about using regular T-moldings (no lip). As long as the edge of the T-molding is flush with the plexi, you'll be fine.