Control Panels

Use plain clear acrylic or plexiglass.  Some hardware stores will cut it to size.

It's easy to drill with a Unibit (won't grab).

Just my opinion, but save your money.  Get a plain piece of Masonite, steel or some other material and build your own.  If you prefer to use the larger switches requiring 1/2" holes and you do not have the tooling for that, then reach out on the forum.  There are some members here who have done some very nice work.  For example, check out the thread from Charlie Stoia, building his layout.  Charlie had his graphics done by one member on the forum and then Charlie did the rest of his own control panel.  No, Charlie does not build panels for others but there are members here who will.

I've used masonite in the past.  It worked fine.  My current board is 1/4" thick oak veneer plywood since I had some scraps sitting around.  You might also try 5mm thick luan.  Standard size is 4' X 8', but you should be able to get it in 2' X 2' or 2' X 4' sizes at some of the big box stores. 

HOFFMAN I used this. My intention is to only build this once.

Expensive? Well, I took a moment to add up my expenditures on Locomotives and Command Control hardware. This is chump change....

Gilly

jbb

This is from my layout I took down . Very basic. I'm trying to show you what Susan is sort of talking about.

This is just a yellow piece of poster board with the track of the law out drawn and traced with skinny craft tape. All from Michael's.

Then a piece of plexiglass played down and marked where the switches go.  Then drill the holes.

I hope I explained that without confusing you.

A hint*** don't try to drill the hoes in the paper. Use a razor knife or something like that.

good luck

Larry