Top Mount Joystick with polybanner cp art from Game On Grafix

[markronz]

Hey everyone-
     So I just got my CP artwork in the mail from Game On Grafix. (And it looks great!) I have a wood CP, and I plan to sandwich the art with a piece of plexiglass.   So because of that, I got the artwork printed on the "tough tear resistant polybanner".   So it's non adhesive.     Now as far as joysticks, I have the Sanwa JLF's.   And I've decided to top mount these.   I've attached a picture of how I did it on my test control panel.   I used a router to recess a hole for the mounting plate on the top of the control panel.   Then I routed out a hole all the way through the wood for the main body of the joystick to go through, and attach to the mounting plate.   I've modified the holes on the mounting plate as well, so that the screws holding it in place are flush with the rest of the mounting plate and control panel.    So basically what I am getting at is that the entire top of the control panel and mounting plate is level.  So that part is good.   My question has to do with the parts that are hollow.   Is the polybanner control panel art tough enough that it won't show that it's hollow underneath it when it's sandwiched between the wood and the plexi?   By hollow, I mean that, for example, the mounting plate has some unused holes on it that won't be filled in.   Also, the big hole I drilled for the main body of the joystick isn't 100% exact.   So these parts would be hallow underneath the artwork.     So...do I need to fill in all of these holes with Bondo, or something similar, to make EVERYTHING level, before sandwiching the artwork with the plexi?   Or do you think it's strong enough where that's not necessary and I can leave it as is, and just sandwich it and be done?

Thanks!

[Spock]

I am currently working on this same issue with happ competition sticks.  Got the holes routed for flush mount, and I am using wood filler for a start (had no experience with bondo).  Since the sticks are screwed down into the MDF, I didn't think it needed bondo strength.  It's drying right now when I'm at work  .  The plan is to sand level, Kilz2 the top, then apply the game on grafix decal to the top.  I'll let you know how it goes, and I'll take some pics tonight (that is if it doesn't suck.  If it does, I think I'll just apply for my CrapMame card). 

And if you are reading this and want to level mount everything, it's not that hard with a mid level router.  Buy the router and you'll be much happier with the results.  Trust me, if Mame builders had any "maxim" it would be "in for a penny, in for a pound."

[markronz]

Thanks Spock.   You situation is a little different than mine in the fact that my art work is not adhesive, it's printed on the nonadhesive polybanner stuff, which is different than what you have.   Still love to see some pictures if you complete it.   I guess for my scenario, I just have to try it out.  When I sandwich the art between the CP and the plexi, I will just have to see if it looks weird.  If yes, then bondo everything up.

[newmanfamilyvlogs]

How about just putting a thin bit of cardboard over it and cut out the hole for the joystick itself? Something along the lines of cardstock.

[markronz]

Well the mounting plate itself is level with the rest of the control panel.  So I wouldn't need to cover the entire thing with cardboard or bondo.  I was just wondering about the extra holes in the mounting plate that don't have screws in them, and then the extra space on top and bottom of the mounting plate where the joystick body is.  Those aren't level with the rest of the cp.  Although cardboard for the top and bottom of the mounting plate might work.   I will have to play around with that idea.