Best way for cocktail control panels to open/close?

[Jakobud]

I'm building a cocktail for a friend that has the two traditional players head to head but also has the two players side by side on one side of it.

I've never built a cocktail before and I'm wondering what is the best way to make these control panels so I can access them internally without having to open up the entire top of the cabinet.  I'm thinking just use hinges on the bottom of them so they will fold open toward me to access them.  But on the top, I'm not sure how to secure them.  Common arcade control panel clamps don't seem like they would really work in this case, but I'm not sure.

Are there any good examples out there of how people have been doing this?

Also, while I'm asking, if you have the top of the cocktail on a hinge so it opens, whats the best way to secure that as well?

[javeryh]

The bottom hinge works great.  To secure the top I used three small dowels (1/8" diameter?) that go through the side of the cabinet (from inside) into the edge of the plywood of the control panel... if that makes any sense.



P.S. The long CP blows.  I wish I never added it!  Personal preference I guess...   

[Jakobud]

I *think* I understand what you are saying about the dowels.  Doesn't seem like that would really secure the control panel in place... Do you reach inside the cabinet and pull out the dowels or something when you want to open the CP?

[javeryh]

I *think* I understand what you are saying about the dowels.  Doesn't seem like that would really secure the control panel in place... Do you reach inside the cabinet and pull out the dowels or something when you want to open the CP?

It does - the dowels aren't really totally necessary (well they are I guess) because the CP can only lift up which only happens when someone presses"down" on a joystick too hard.  It never moves when I play with or without the dowels in place but it does when friends come over and get a little nuts.

You do have to open the top to reach inside to then get underneath the CP.  It's a bit of a pain I guess but I think I've had to open the thing twice maybe ever...   

[DillonFoulds]

Bottom hinge and carriage bolts with wing nuts.

http://picasaweb.google.com/TreatUsToFetus/ArkanoidCocktail2CPHardware?feat=directlink

Here's a Google Album with 5 shots of my CP locking hardware. You'll have to lift the clam to loosen the bolts though...

[Jakobud]

I like the carriage bolt idea.