mounting control panel.

[katuuuz]

today is the day gentlemen. just a quick question. how exactly do i mout the top piece (with all the buttons/sticks) on it to the control panel box? what i've done so far is place the bottom on the cabinet's "elbows" and drilled into them a few times. then i drilled the back part of the cp into the front of the sides of the cab. the sides are on by drilling through the bottom of the cp and as is the front. i put L brackets around it all for extra security. now how in the holy hell would i mount the actual controls to this framed box?! i definitely don't want to drive screws through my formica, for it will look real bad.

[emphatic]

today is the day gentlemen. just a quick question. how exactly do i mout the top piece (with all the buttons/sticks) on it to the control panel box? what i've done so far is place the bottom on the cabinet's "elbows" and drilled into them a few times. then i drilled the back part of the cp into the front of the sides of the cab. the sides are on by drilling through the bottom of the cp and as is the front. i put L brackets around it all for extra security. now how in the holy hell would i mount the actual controls to this framed box?! i definitely don't want to drive screws through my formica, for it will look real bad.

Post some pictures of what you have and I shall give you some good advice.

Emph

[stephenp1983]

Post some pictures of what you have and I shall give you some good advice.

Emph

There are a couple of ways to go about it. Tim at byoac is building my controller right now, and he used the dowel method which I think is awsome. You could also attach a piano hinge was well. Just up to you. Here is an example of what he's done for me.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?...73165#msg573165

[katuuuz]

ok, here's the pic of the not so ready cab. (wishing i could have posted the pic of it completed, but if it will help i'll do it now. . anyways, my panel is still in pieces. (sides, top with the buttons/joysticks/trackball/ bottom, and back. also included is a pic, and reason why i just joined nologic in the "ghetto gamers society" of my honeywell window fan mounted into the back of my cabinet. please tell me this will work sufficiently enough even though it looks hideous.

[emphatic]

Could I please see a picture of the "problem area", i.e. the control panel? The first picture you've posted is somewhat helpful though.

I recommend this kind of mechanism to fasten your "controller box" onto your cabinet.

Preferably accessible by reaching in through your coin door. This way, it's quick enough if you want to fix stuff yet not accessible for your "customers".

So, by your "formica", do you mean control panel overlay with graphics or something? It's not the best idea to put that onto your control panel until it's all put together. If this is glued on, you're in a bit of trouble I think. More pictures of your control panel box please.

Emph

[katuuuz]

ok emph, here is a pic of my CP top, and yes i put the formica on before the box itself was assembled, but don't think it will pose as a threat to the overall finish. included is a pic of my CP top, and the mechanism i just purcahsed from Home Depot 5 minutes ago. i'm not gonna have a problem putting the base of the cp, sides or back together, i'm just hoping this mech (there's a left and a right one) will be strong enough to support the top onto the panel.

PS will that ghetto window fan keep the box ventilated enough?

[emphatic]

Well, that looks sturdy enough. Not what I'd go for, but I wouldn't have such a huge control panel either. I guess arcade cabinets doesn't look the same in different parts of the world.

I don't have any fan nor ventilation in my cabinet. But my PC monitor that I use blew a fuse about a month ago so I'm considering at least ventilation. You are safe using that I think.

Emph

[katuuuz]

Well, that looks sturdy enough. Not what I'd go for, but I wouldn't have such a huge control panel either. I guess arcade cabinets doesn't look the same in different parts of the world.

I don't have any fan nor ventilation in my cabinet. But my PC monitor that I use blew a fuse about a month ago so I'm considering at least ventilation. You are safe using that I think.

Emph

well i made it this big according to lucida's plans, i was thinking the same thing about it being too big, but i like it because you have full range of motion, and can really plow the trackball in games like golden tee without hitting the screen.

PS i think i gave up on the keyboard drawer, it's a pain in the ass trying to line up the slides. what's the easiest way to make a drawer? i spent the last hour and a half tooling with it and ended up smashing it on the garage floor in frustration. i'm just gonna mount my cp and get gaming already.

[stephenp1983]

For actually putting the entire control panel on to your cabinet I would recommend industrial strength velcro. It works amazingly well, tim at byoac pointed it out for me. Also is this what you were asking, or were you asking the best way to put the top of the CP onto the box part?

[katuuuz]

For actually putting the entire control panel on to your cabinet I would recommend industrial strength velcro. It works amazingly well, tim at byoac pointed it out for me. Also is this what you were asking, or were you asking the best way to put the top of the CP onto the box part?

na the control panel is now assembled. i was wondering if there's a way for the dumbest of dumb people to make a keyboard drawer. i know using the slides is basic enough, but i can't mess with it. i know you can also route out a strip of the drawer walls, and use the strip on the inside walls of the cabinet and do it like that, but i don't have arouter... that's also the reason i will have no t molding on my cab.