Is plexiglass required? Alternatives?

[transfan]

When building a control panel that you are going to put artwork on, is plexiglass (or lexan) a requirement?  Has there been success with laquers or resins, etc?

Also what's the best tool to get a trackball-sized hole into plexi?

[Ginsu Victim]

If you put a proper durable CPO on it, you won't need plexi.

[jholman76]

I laminated my CP and ALMOST didnt put plexi on it, but then my wife said

"what if I play it with my ring(s) on? wont it scratch it over time?"

one is a diamond ring so yes, it would over time, so I put the plexi on it. Its a lot easier to replace that than the laminate on the CP for my setup.

Or you could just polyurethane the CRAP out of it then it would be like a "built in" laminate!

joe

[Franco B]

If the CPO is Polycarbonate laminated it will be scratch proof and there will be no need for Acrylic etc overlay.

Mame Marquees/Game on Grafix and other decent printers should be able to offer this option for you.

I do however like the look of a glossy Acrylic overlay. The candy cabinets I'm working on at the moment don't use a Acrylic overlay but if I was to scratch build again I think I would use a Acrylic overlay.

If you do use a plastic overlay and need to cut the trackball holes you will find it will cut beautifully with normal router bits. You can use your CP as a template with a flush trim bit or you could make a ~3.25" template and then use that.

If you do use a plastic overlay use Acrylic (Plexiglass) and not Polycarbonate (Lexan).

I know its contradictory that Polycarbonate is used for CPO laminates

[ptinolv]

I personnally used envirotex. I used it for a countertop and my arcade control panel. It works well and it looks very nice.

You can check on their website where to find a retailer.