Cocktail control panel from wood. Any ideas?

[bmo]

I'm in the process of building a new cocktail can but this time I'm not going to be using metal parts but rather want to build it from wood. I've built several standup cabinets but this is a new challenge and I'm not sure the best way to go about doing it.

If I run the top of the panel where buttons joysticks sit, I'll have to run t-molding horizontally across the front because of the end piece sticking out or on top (top is not an option.. looks horrible). Anyways, hoping you guys have some tips/advice for creating a fairly seamless controller. Any thoughts on 45deg angles for the wood? might be able to pull that off.

[DLinkOZ]

Could you not reproduce the angle of a metal cp?  That would make it look the same, and remove the need for t-molding.

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That sort of angle (if it comes out in the post like it looks now while I type it).

[Le Chuck]

Just sand the butt joint to the same angle as the metal panel and bondo for a seamless piece.  Just from looks nobody will be able to tell the difference. 

[kahlid74]

Just sand the butt joint to the same angle as the metal panel and bondo for a seamless piece.  Just from looks nobody will be able to tell the difference.

Pretty much this, but experiment several times before you touch the wood you want to use.  Sanding/Routing and Bondo should get you exactly what you're looking for.

[bmo]

That's a great but I plan on using 1/4" plexi glass on top of the panel. Rounding it will leave that 1/4" step. Wonder if it'd be too much work to plane out the rest of the control panel down a 1/4". Rather not have to go that far tho.

[Le Chuck]

Bend the plexi to the wood. It's supa easy. Lots of tutorials on here. Problemo solved.

[bmo]

excellent. i've decided on that now. bending the plexi over a 1/2 dowel should work great. gonna need to find a heat gun but should be cheap enough

[Le Chuck]

Heat gun or butane torch, or you can even set the oven to 450 then crack the door and heat the bend area like that...but that technique is ghetto-fabu

[kahlid74]

Heat gun or butane torch, or you can even set the oven to 450 then crack the door and heat the bend area like that...but that technique is ghetto-fabu

Ghetto-Fabulous and a cheap ass way to Vaccum Mold plastics!

[PL1]

excellent. i've decided on that now. bending the plexi over a 1/2 dowel should work great. gonna need to find a heat gun but should be cheap enough

Harbor Freight has this one with 12 settings from 430 - 1160 degrees.



They also have an accessory kit here.




Scott