Mounting controls on a metal Control panel.

[trencej]

Good Day my friends.

Whilst waiting for the verdict on my possibly fryed jpac, I have been planning the changes to my control panel.

Idealy, i want to, in addition to the current 2 joysticks, 6 buttons each configuration, add A spinner, A Trackball, 2 extra buttons per player And an Ultrastick 360.

Now, My question in this, Apart from the buttons and Spinner, which are easy, How do i even start to mount the u360 stick and trackball, without screws/bolts showing through the top of the panel. Countersinking dos'nt seem to be an option, seeing as the panel is all of about 4mm thick, if that.

So, where do i start?

(i also have no clue on how to cut the metal yet, but after knowing how i would mount these, thats the next bit)

[Franco B]

[This] is how I mounted my joys to an ally panel.

Don't know if it will help you or give you ideas.

[trencej]

Ok, sorry, im pretty new to all this, my old cab was just a button and stick swapover, this is all new to me,

You used extra metal plates. How were the bolts attached to those plates? Cause that seems like the only way to do it. I Must admit, im not much of a builder to be honest. I mean, i will have to invest in all the tools needed just for this project. I literally only have screwdrivers 

Would Wood glue to the bottom of a metal panel do you think? Would it be strong enough? Cause that i could handle i think, Counter sink the screws/bolts into the wood, then glue it from underneath, as that would make mounting the U-trak easy, as it was built for wood panels. Id just need a longer shaft for the u-stik.

Any other ideas anyone?

[MaximRecoil]

Weld threaded rods to the underside of the control panel. That is how Dynamo did it on my steel Ikari Warriors control panel.

[trencej]

I've got a funny feeling that i am in over my head here, as i said up there, i have absolutely no tools what so ever, let alone the knowedge to use them. i think i may have to stick with what i have got for now. But i know that this stuff is addictive, as this IS my second cab now. Im more of a computer guy than a building guy, But even then i am struggling with Hyperspin at the mo. That program confuses me.

[javeryh]

The easy solution is to use Gorilla Glue or epoxy to attach a piece of plywood underneath the CP.  Then you can install whatever you want like normal.  I did a spinner this way a while ago with Gorilla Glue:



It was easy as hell and it is totally solid.   

[trencej]

Thats what im talking about!

Glue i could handle. Im just going to have to mount the parts quite high on my control panel. As its a naomi cab, where the buttons are, i onlt have about a 2 inch drop, but raises to about 3.5 at the top. But i think thats the answer. Cheers!

[Franco B]

Which Naomi do you have? I'm curious in regards to the 4mm thick panel.

Does it not already have joystick mounts?

[trencej]

It was a virtua fighter 3 cab originally, With sanwa sticks, so no, it dos'nt have normal mounts, they seem to just have 2 screws on either side, holding on to some kind of u shaped bracket. And after just looking at it, 4mm in probably thicker than it actually is. Because of the depth of the panel, i would'nt be able to change the sticks anyway. Here, have some piccies:



I have no idea why the centre panel has been covered in black laminate, was done before i got it...


Yes, Thats a u360 just waiting nicely.

So yeah, Mounting stuff to a panel that thin, With no more than a 2 inch drop at the front, Is proving Tricky, even in just the planning stages.
Think i should stick with what i have got?