Alternative to 5/8" MDF for control panel?

[sofakng]

Well, I'm a bit disappointed at the moment... I'm using 3/4" MDF for my entire cabinet, but since I want to use T-Molding and Plexiglass/Lexan for my control panel, I was told I should purchase 5/8" MDF for the control panel.

I've checked a bunch of lumber places (and chain stores), and nobody seems to carry 5/8" MDF.

Can anybody recommend a good alternative?

As mentioned above, I want to use plexiglass or lexan as well as 3/4" T-Molding.  Those are really my only requirements.

[Doc-]

You can use 1/2" MDF as long as it is well supported.

Doc-

[rdagger]

I've checked a bunch of lumber places (and chain stores), and nobody seems to carry 5/8" MDF.

I have bought several 4'x8' 5/8" MDF sheets at Home Depot.

You might also want to consider a high grade plywood, because it's lighter and less toxic when you cut it.

[Bumblebounces]

I used 3/4 inch particle board and 1/4 inch lexan for my control panel.  I got around the problems most run into by skinning the edges of the control panel with pieces of 3/4 inch MDF that were cut in 1 inch tall strips, standing on end.  I then used a 1/2 in round over bit in my router to route that lip to a nice rounded edge and voila!  A nicely edged inset lexan overlay for my CPO underlay.  Came out great.  I'm not posting from a machine when I have access to a pic but I can post one if you want.

Bumble

[sofakng]

Doc:  If I use 1/2" MDF, would I then buy 1/4" Plexiglass/Lexan?  My goal is to have MDF + Plexiglass/Lexan = 3/4" (the exact size of the t-molding).  Would 1/4" plexiglass/lexan be too thick?  (would it look right?)

RDagger:  I've tried my local Home Depot and Lowe's, and both didn't have it.  Lowe's didn't have ANY MDF, but Home Depot had 3/4" and 1/2" (if I remember correctly).  I'm going to call a bunch more lumber places today.

Bumblebounces:  That sounds like that would work nicely, but are you using 3/4" t-molding?  If so, how did you get it to fit?  If you have any pictures I'd definitely like to see them.  Thanks!

[Sylentwulf]

Might want to check a couple more home depots. I'm having the same problem, my local home depot has NO 5/8" MDF, but the one 30 miles from me has 4*8 sheets of it (I was hoping for a 4*4 since I'm only using it for the CP top as well)

Kinda sucks to have to buy a 4*8 sheet to only use a 36"*15" piece, but oh well.

[Bumblebounces]

Bumblebounces:  That sounds like that would work nicely, but are you using 3/4" t-molding?  If so, how did you get it to fit?  If you have any pictures I'd definitely like to see them.  Thanks!

Well, since I don't seem to be able to attach more than one image (and I don't really want to post this pic and link to it), this is the best view of what I did.  How I did it was I took the 1/4 inch Lexan and the 3/4 inch MDF and I laid out my CP design and drilled 4 small holes through where joysticks and buttons were going to be anyway.  I then screwed the lexan to the MDF and did all my cuts with a brand new sharp table saw blade.  I ended up with a CP and lexan that were exactly the same size.  I then ripped some 1 inch wide strips of 3/4 inch MDF and wrapped and mitered them on to the edges of the CP to hide the edge of the Lexan.  I then used a 1/4 in round over bit (I said half inch in the last post, sorry) and routed all the edges of the strips off and sanded them smooth then painted (without the lexan and of course, I also drilled all the holes for the joys and buttons before painting).  The result was a CP that I had a 1/4 inch of Lexan (polycarbonate is the generic name) that was nestled right over my CPO to protect it.  I really like the way it came out.  

Hope this helps

Bumble

[big_garryb]

Bumble - great looking cp. just how wide is it??? looks massive. mine is 34"..........

i used 12mm mdf and 2 sheets of 2mm to sandwich the art with.... this gave me a total of 16mm - perfect for 5/8 t-mold. sorry about mm & inches...... but im in scotland and mdf is in mm!

gb

[sofakng]

Bumble, that does look really good, but unfortunately, my entire problem is getting 3/4" T-Molding to fit properly, so your solution wouldn't work for me.

Big_GarryB:  Most stores around here only carry 3/4" MDF.  They don't carry sizes like 12mm, etc.

So, is there another type wood I can use that would work for me? (remember, 5/8" MDF + 1/8" Lexan = 3/4" T-Molding is my goal)

I'd be willing to get a BETTER piece of wood for this (if I knew what was better), but I'd prefer to go lower (eg. particleboard, unless that is my only choice)

[Bumblebounces]

Bumble - great looking cp. just how wide is it??? looks massive. mine is 34"..........

It's about 45 inches at the widest point.  It is massive but the cab is a good 36 inches wide itself so it doesn't look out of place.  It's a Frankenpanel to be sure but due to it's size, it doesn't look cluttered, both of the two players have plenty of room, I have my 4 way for older games, the 8 way for newer games, the TRON 8 way trigger and spinner and a hacked USB trackball from logitech.  All I need and no panel swapping.  Woohoo!

Bumble, that does look really good, but unfortunately, my entire problem is getting 3/4" T-Molding to fit properly, so your solution wouldn't work for me.

Sofakng, actually, the idea could work but you'd have to be really, really careful.  At one point I was thinking I would skin this in 3/4 in T-molding,  I was going to use 5/8 MDF or particle and 1/8 in Lexan and then get the offset 3/4 inch T-molding that T-molding.com offers (or at least they used to offer it).  It has the spine set closer to one edge than the other.  This would allow you to route the slot in about the middle of the 5/8 MDF edge and have the t-molding hide the edge of the Lexan.  It would be tricky but possible.  I abandoned that idea because I was leery of the strength of the 5/8 MDF but I tend to over engineer everything (when I build something, it stays built!).  I am sure that 5/8 would work fine for what you're usning it for.  But, the choice is yours.

Good luck and happy building.

Bumble

[sofakng]

Well, I finally found a lumber yard that could order me 5/8" MDF so I should have it tommorow or the beginning of next week.

Bumble, you're saying that I need "offset" 3/4" T-Molding for my 5/8" MDF?

In this thread...
http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=19900

I was told that if I get this 5/8" MDF and 1/4" Lexan, that normal 3/4" T-Molding would fit perfectly.  All I have to do is cut off-center.

Is this correct?

[Sylentwulf]

Well, I finally found a lumber yard that could order me 5/8" MDF so I should have it tommorow or the beginning of next week.

Bumble, you're saying that I need "offset" 3/4" T-Molding for my 5/8" MDF?

In this thread...
http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=19900

I was told that if I get this 5/8" MDF and 1/4" Lexan, that normal 3/4" T-Molding would fit perfectly.  All I have to do is cut off-center.

Is this correct?

You need 1/8" Lexan.

1/8" Lexan  plus 5/8" MDF equals 6/8" which equals 3/4", for 3/4" T-molding. Then, yes, should be fine (that's what I'm planning on as well)

[Bumblebounces]

Bumble, you're saying that I need "offset" 3/4" T-Molding for my 5/8" MDF?

You don't NEED the offset T-molding but it might make your life easier.  If you use the regular 3/4 inch T-molding, the groove you cut in your 5/8 inch edge will be off center and very close to one edge.  I have had problems with MDF splitting (it is just compressed fibers, not even glued like particle board) when driving brads into the edge with my pneumatic brad nailer.  This actually happend when I designed this control panel and I decided to build the rest of the cab out of particle board as it does not split as bad (in my experience, at least).  I suspect the same could be true with a T-molding slot that is not in the center of the 5/8 edge.  You could split the MDF when tapping the T-molding into the slot.  It's just something to think about.  That's why this forum exists...  To get another opinion or other options for your idea.  I offer this as an option, not the only way you should attempt it.   Ultimately, the decision is yours alone.

Bumble