Metal Control Panel Options

[brock.sampson]

I'm thinking about making a metal control panel for an upcoming project.  I'm not a huge fan of bolt heads on my cp.  I read some stuff about stud welding and that looks promising if I can find someone in town to do it.  What other options do I have?

[Necro]

I believe that is about it.  There are a few other 'oddball' options though involving your overlay and plastic or some other material. 

• Recess a space into your plexi overlay so the bolt is in that and not 'sticking up' on the CP.  Still visible, but you won't touch it.
• As above, but put your CP graphic ON the plexi/hardboard/whatever overlay material you use first.  If you want plexi on this, it might get a bit thick.
• Construction glue or weld support structures (wood or metal, respectively)  to the bottom of the CP.  Use these to hold everything in place.

I'm not totally familiar with it, but I think 3 might be the best option if you can 'bottom mount' the controls and JB Weld would be strong enough for this. You could do a very high surface area mount that covered nearly the length of the CP, then drill through that along with the top CP.