Plastic Bezel?

[gillhaj02]

Has anyone got any experience of using plastics as a bezel? I was thinking of using this for my cab but not sure if its going to be durable enough and more importantly if the screen will show through it?

http://www.sheetplastics.co.uk/Acrylic_Perspex_Sheet/Tinted_Acrylic_Sheet/Dark_%20Grey_Tinted_Acrylic%20_Sheet/5mm_Dark_%20Grey_Tinted_Acrylic%20_Sheet?product_id=2439

If anyone can confirm this method or add a suggestion that would be great.

[GregD]

 I think most people use acrylic for a bezel these days.  Some use smoked andvsome paint the backside black in the area outside where the monitor will be to frame it in.

[BobA]

If you are going for a smoked bezel to hide what normally shows behind it you can go with a clear acrylic and paint behind to mask the area around the screen as GregD said or go for smoked and you may not have to do any masking and painting.  If you go for the max smoke you should check a small sample to make sure your screen is still viewable with a good image.

[apfelanni]

the use of dark tinted plexi / acylic or glass is a relict form the early days of arcade . since most tubes manufactured after the mid nintees are blackmatrix ( philips ) or whatever named with excellent contrast there is no reason for a tinted screen protection . rising the brightness to compensate will only make ure tube die faster . better paint it or sandwich with a cardboard or thin plywood bezel.

[gillhaj02]

Sorry for the delay and thanks for the replies guys it seems that clear plexi/acrylic is the way to go then? any pointers on how thick should it be?


also abit off topic but I plan on using plastic to go over my CP too, should I be using the same plexi/acrylic? What thickness should I aim for?

[GregD]

 In my opinion, the tinted plexi makes the cabinet look very nice when not turned on.  Some say it improves the picture on the monitor.  I use LCD, so i am not sure about crt monitors.  The thickness of the plexi on the CP depends on how you are building it.  The thickness of thE wood plus the thickness of the plexi should equal the width of the t molding.  Most use 1/8" plexi.  You can convert that to metric.

[gillhaj02]

Thanks for the reply Greg I'm still really undecided whether to go with clear or tinted plexi. My gut feel is tinted mainly because I think it looks cooler but again I'm not sure how thick it should be? how thick is yours?

Thanks

[apfelanni]

i d say take 3-5 mm thick plexi for the screen cover , depending on the size and how it is fixed.  to say the truth , i try to avoid plexi . its expensive and tends to scratch . i only use it for bartops and diy marquees , but never on fullsize machines or cocktail tables where the weight doesnt matter . 5-10 mm floatglas is half the price and much more durable .

[gillhaj02]

Thank you - where do you normally order your floatglass from and how much would it cost for a 480mm x 700mm sheet?

[apfelanni]

i always buy the glass at a local glassdealer . he charges around 20 euro for a 5 or 6 mm plate in the mentioned size with polished edges , cash n carry . u can combine it with a bezel made of cardboard , plywood or 2-3 mm black mdf used for cupboard rearsides. or u spraypaint it black . as a cocktail table glass it could be 8 or 10 mm thick if the surcumstances require it .

[Well Fed Games]

I was wondering recently... anyone ever gone to a frame store or a craft store and have them cut matting to size? Essentially this would be a custom, professionally cut carboard bezel you could sandwich between glass or plexi, etc. I know framing is expensive but I wonder what just the matting goes for? (This is all to say, my ability to cut poster board to my liking is lacking).

[BobA]

Matting looks good but you have to have your measurements 100% on or it will be a waste.   If you have to sandwich it between glass or plexi it is just as easy to paint the back of the plexi.  A whole lot cheaper too.

[yaksplat]

Frog Tape masking and spray paint has worked well for me.