Plexiglass Arcade Cabinet

common763

@common763 Does anyone have suggestions for my arcade cabinet bezel? I want to buy a piece of plexiglass running about 20 X 30 but it is kind of expensive and wanted to see if there are any comparable alternatives. Dont feel like dropping $80 on a piece of plastic as costs for the cabinet are continually racking up. Will if I have to but figured to reach out here to see if there is anything else I can use that will look great. Someone here had a cool bezel with a cardboard from an art supply shop but was concerned it would not look great if I couldnt replicate how well he did it. Thanks.

DreamcastKid

@common763 said in Plexiglass Arcade Cabinet:

I want to buy a piece of plexiglass running about 20 X 30

20 X 30 what ? Millimetre, Centimetre, Inches ?

@common763 said in Plexiglass Arcade Cabinet:

Dont feel like dropping $80 on a piece of plastic

Shop Around ... find a wholesaler that sells to the public. I did

i bought a 3 MM sheet of A3 (420MM X 297MM) Clear "plastic" for $9 AUD

even a fairly large A1 (594MM X 841MM) 3MM sheet costs $31 AUD

if you go thinner eg 2MM or 1.5MM it's even cheaper.

common763

@dreamcastkid thanks will do. I am looking now. it was inches sorry.

DreamcastKid

@common763

20 x 30 Inches = 508mm X 762MM ... so an A1 Sheet (594MM X 841MM) is your best choice with little wastage after cutting.

Oh, and ... do the cutting yourself, because if you get it custom cut, it will double (or triple) the price !

IanDaemon

Cutting plexiglass requires patience. It tends to break where you don't want. Score and score and score and score and score and eventually it'll break on your line. Be patient.

DreamcastKid

@iandaemon said in Plexiglass Arcade Cabinet:

Cutting plexiglass requires PATIENCE. It tends to break where you don't want.

and also with PLANNING and securing everything down so that nothing moves it will break exactly where you want everytime.

Thankfully all the plexiglass i've cut/scored has broken exactly where i want :)

Have cut 3 sheets of 1.5MM which was pretty quick and easy .. and 2 sheets of 3MM thickness which did take longer and a lot more effort ... all 5 sheets snapped exactly on the line.

Dipkid

Don't know where you're at, but try to find a decent digital print house, or like a commercial advertisement (sign) manufacturer. Preferably one that operates with a cnc router. they really shouldn't rob you over a small piece of acryl / plexiglass. a cheaper alternative is to use foamed pvc. they come in a bunch of colors, sizes, can be bent, cutted with a Stanley knife etc. Good luck