control panel plastic

[dubstylee]

I am getting ready to purchase the MDF and plastic for my control panel project.  I plan to get 5/8" MDF and 1/8" clear plastic to cover the artwork.  My question is two-fold:  what plastic do you guys recommend, is there a specific kind that is easier to work with than others and/or a type that is less expensive than others?  And the other part is, how do you guys secure the plastic to the control panel?  I am going to have 3/4" t-molding, so that will be flush all around, but just wondering if you guys bolt the plastic to the wood?  Thanks for any input!

[dubstylee]

Ah, an add-on question: do you guys know of anywhere to buy the plastic cut-to-size?  I only need 12" x 30", so I do not want to have to buy a full 4' x 8' sheet...

[Slippyblade]

Plain old plexi-glass from any home improvement or hardware store.

Also, if your T-molding captures the edge then your button bezels will hold the plexi in place just fine.

[PL1]

You may also want to read through Selfie's sticky thread in Woodworking for more info on different materials and working with them.


Scott

[darthpaul]

Spend a little more and get Lexan (much stronger than plexi), I wish I had. I accidentally dropped a screw driver on my Control Panel and put a crack in it.

[Jakobud]

I would highly recommend not using Plexi-glass. It is brittle and cracks very easily. You will definitely get cracks when you drill holes in it for your buttons, etc.

Instead buy Lexan (also available from Home Depot or Lowes). It is a softer material and will not crack but just as durable.

[aldub516]

Go with Lexan all the way!! Pretty cheap, super durable, easy to cut and handle. For long cuts, I used a table saw with 10" blade, small teeth, max teeth per inch. Able to rip full sheets of lexan straight and smooth!!! 

[shponglefan]

I prefer plexi over lexan myself.  I've never had any issues with cracking.  I use hole saws for button/joystick holes, and a router to cut/smooth the edges.  The key with drilling is not to go to fast and not to force it.  Just let the hole saw do its thing.

I would highly recommend not using Plexi-glass. It is brittle and cracks very easily. You will definitely get cracks when you drill holes in it for your buttons, etc.

With all respect, anyone who "definitely" gets cracks drilling out plexi is not doing it right.

[dubstylee]

Thanks for the tips, everyone.  For anyone else looking, I found the site tapplastics.com, they sell both plexi/lexan and sell it cut to size.  Exactly what I needed!