What's the preferred method for attatching the top panel to the box?

[The cranky hermit]

Naturally, a method that does not require a router  

[TheTick]

I've found gravity works pretty well. That and the sides of my box are so tight its not sliding out on its own.

I used piano hinges on my previous one.

[Hoe]

I've yet to make one involving hinges, but they sound like a lot more fuss for a lot more inconvinence. Making it so the box is slightly larger, and so you need to force the cover on top of it gives a very good result.

[Frostillicus]

Ugh - you guys aren't physically attaching the top somehow? That's just begging for disaster.  

On my first cab I used 2 small cabinet hinges in the back, and a latch in the front.  Very sturdy.  

Some can get by with just a few hinges in the back and a bunch of velco in the front.

[CanStick]

I have used velcro for that, and it holds quite well.

Or, another thing you could do, is fasten the top to the sides, and make the bottom removable.  I have done this as well, and I just use four screws to hold the bottom on, so when I need to get inside, it is quite easy & quick to do.

[Bill_S]

Velcro along all 4 edges, no hinge.  Never budges!
I do have 2 locating blocks on the underside of the top for side loads.

[TalkingOctopus]

4 edges of industrial strength velcro.  Good times!!

[SeanFu]

I used two small hinges in the front so it would flip forward.  Unfortunately it's got some annoying play in it...

I'm going to try and suppliment it with some velcro I think.  Or maybe some well placed guide blocks.  Just one of the many details I find that I haven't thought out too well.

[Frostillicus]

The reason most of us use hinges and a latch is to stop curious hands from messing with the innards...especially if you have kids (I don't, but have nephews).  With a latch you can lock it...

[Aceldamor]

Another alternative is to use T-nuts:

Just put theese into the top of the walls of your cp box, then you can screw in the carridge bolts to keep the cp on. Looks kinda nice.

[king88mob]

I use a combination of the two solutions seen here. Piano hinge along the back, and velcro along the other three sides. Guiding blocks are a good idea as well.

[SeanFu]

How did you find piano hinges that were the right length?  The ones I saw at Home Depot were like 3 feet long.  Also - is there any play in the piano hinge?

[AlanS17]

I recommend chewing gum - preferably not sugar-free. That stuff doesn't stick too well.

[hyiu]

I used panel clamps before... I find it very nice... (although not a cheap solution...)

[pmc]

How did you find piano hinges that were the right length?  The ones I saw at Home Depot were like 3 feet long.  Also - is there any play in the piano hinge?

ACE Hardware sells 12" hinges. I used two of them for a 24" run and then worked great. No need for a hack-saw and it only cost me maybe $2 more.

[TheTick]

I guess I didn't use a piano hinge... it was those little 2" or 3" hinges from Home Depot. I used two on the back, so it flips up. Held pretty well on its own.... No ones lifts the joysticks up, just down.

[SeanFu]

pmc,

When you used those 2 12" hinges, did you use anything additional to secure the CP?  Is there any lateral "play" in those hinges?