Recommended CP Thickness

[Jeromebechaz]

I have just finished the shell of my cab and I'm questioning if my 12mm MDF is thick enough? It's my first cab so I have no experience.  Please let me know of your ideas.


As an extra not, I'm looking for an answer to this question.
I'm buying an electric ice-t TB. And mag stick plus joy sticks, and I want them mounted without protruding bolts or a top plate because I want to see my art work.

[Drnick]

If you want to undermount then go for 3/4" 18mm MDF  Then follow links from previous thread for mounting methods.  If you undermount on 3/4" mdf you may want to get some long handles for your magsticks, Or do the heavy duty undermount with supports.  I didn't and am now going to have to as with 2mm Plex I don't have much stick above CP.

[WaRpEd]

Personally I think 12 mm ply is to thin unless in a bartop or single player cp. The plywood that thin will warp over time if not braced properly. like in a long shelf with a hardwood edge band. The diffference in price is only a few dollars more for the thicker Plywood and will stay flat of years.

[Jeromebechaz]

Yeah I know what you mean

[edekoning]

I used 18mm MDF for my 2Player cab. I undermounted two Sanwa JLW's using T-nuts which worked out great. I did have to route out some space at the bottom for both the sticks and Seimitsu buttons. I would strongly suggest making a quick and dirty test panel just to try out various joystick mounting options (insert nuts, t-nuts, etc), and see what works best for you. At least I am glad I did

[kahlid74]

You can get away with 1/2" on 2 player cabs with a smaller footprint but for four player cabs or larger 2 player I would roll 3/4".  The flex you get on 1/2" for larger footprints just isn't very fun.

[michelevit]

I think he was asking about the CP (control panel) material thickness.
Its essentially an non load carrying box.
1/2 ~ 12,13 ml. plywood is plenty strong and stiff to build with.

For the main cabinet I would use 3/4 inch ply.

[kahlid74]

I think he was asking about the CP (control panel) material thickness.
Its essentially an non load carrying box.
1/2 ~ 12,13 ml. plywood is plenty strong and stiff to build with.

For the main cabinet I would use 3/4 inch ply.

All of our replies are geared towards CP too.  Depending on the width of the CP, 1/2" can and will wobble/bend under the weight of four players beating down on it.

[michelevit]

I have built Control Panels with 1/2 inch. They do not flex and wobble. You can push and pull on them and they dont flex.
1/2 is plenty strong. My personal cabinet control panel is constructed with 1/2 ply. It does not flex and wobble.

[ebarlow99]

I use 5/8" birch then i use 1/8" lexan on top for 3/4" total.
But it really depends on your needs.

[RandyT]

I prefer 3/4" material for CP tops.  Aside from less flex over longer distances, the thicker material is denser and has less "drum head" effect than the thinner material when it's pounded upon.  But I tend to side on overkill, so it does really depend on the build.

[shponglefan]

A lot is going to depend on the T-Molding you use (or other edge treatment).  The largest color variety of T-Molding is in 3/4", so building a CP of that total thickness (MDF + plexi) makes the most sense.  IMHO.

Personally I like 1/16" plexi + 5/8" MDF + 1/16" laminate.

[Nephasth]

1/8" Stainless Steel.

[edekoning]

I think it also depends on the type of CP. If the CP overhangs, like in my cab, then I find a thicker CP is more aesthetically pleasing. Also, thicker panels, means more space for screws, insert nuts, t-nuts, etc.