How to attach the top of a CP

[Donkbaca]

Okay, this is driving me crazy.  I made a mitered CP box, ala Knievel's woody, and I have the top of my CP almost done.  My question is, HOW do you attach the top of the CP to the CP box?  I figured out that I should use a hinge so that I can open it up if I ever have to mess with anything, but how do I keep it from popping open? 

How do you guys latch or keep your CP tops closed?

Thanks,
-The Donk-

[Vigo]

If I understand what you are asking for, I think you need Control panel latches:



This is one that Bob Roberts Sells.

[Donkbaca]

Nope, that won't work, don't want latches on the outside of my CP, and how would I get to it from inside the box?

[bratwurst]

I made a woody clone, and I used 6 strips of velcro.  It works unbelievably well.

No hinge at all, just velcro.

[Donkbaca]

so you put velcro all around the CP box?  is it pretty steady?

[bratwurst]

very, its actually quite a pain to get the top to come off if I need to do something.  I rarely ever need to get underneath where the wires are so it isn't a big deal.

[upprc04]

Is it easy to tell Velcro is used around or does it hide pretty well?

[Donkbaca]

Thanks brat.  If its not too much trouble, can you tell me what type of Velcro you used?  Also, my CP box is made using only 1/2 inch plywood, so I am wondering if its too narrow for Velcro

[Vigo]

Nope, that won't work, don't want latches on the outside of my CP, and how would I get to it from inside the box?

Didn't realize the box had a closed base. Just put a main hinge on the back, some rubber feet on the front so it can hinge up and down like a box. Then in the front, you could use a cam lock, or some other small rotational handle in the front if you are worried about it popping up.

[Vigo]

This is the kind of handle I mean. Drill a hole in the front of the box, use the 90 degree plate. Mount some sort of catch on the bottom of the cp so it will stay shut. Same thing as a cam lock. 



http://www.amazon.com/Battalion-1XRY6-Mini-Driver-Chrome/dp/B001GBRMY4/ref=sr_1_17?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1289329447&sr=1-17

[Donkbaca]

Thanks for the suggestion, but I think I am going to go hinge and velcro.

[Vigo]

Thanks for the suggestion, but I think I am going to go hinge and velcro.

Hey, No Prob, It's you cab. I'm just happy to put another suggestion on the table. However, if you decide to cover your cab in treasure trolls, I might need to have an intervention. 

[bratwurst]

Thanks brat.  If its not too much trouble, can you tell me what type of Velcro you used?  Also, my CP box is made using only 1/2 inch plywood, so I am wondering if its too narrow for Velcro

Sorry man... I haven't been here in months and I just came back today because someone had asked me a question via PM.  Blasphemous, I know.

Anyhow, my very late and probably not needed anymore response is... uhh, I have no idea?  I just went to home depot, found velcro near the area where screws and nails are found.  They sold it in strips that had self adhesive backing.

[DNA Dan]

Just to document some observations, It looks like a lot of folks use a piano hinge on the front edge. Another round is a euro cabinet hinge, but these can be more complicated to install. I take it the cab is finished by now?

[Donkbaca]

cab is halfway finished, the whole job, wife and kids part makes progress slow.  I used a piano hinge in the front, velcro on the sides, it works great. 

[ubermick]

cab is halfway finished, the whole job, wife and kids part makes progress slow.  I used a piano hinge in the front, velcro on the sides, it works great. 

Damn Donks, I'm gonna have mine finished before yours! 

[Donkbaca]

I got the wife to buy in on finishing it this weekend.  My excuses are as follows:

1) pregnant wife and 21 month old at home
2) 60 hour work weeks on account of it being tax season and me being an accountant
3) I am doing it mostly by myself, which has led to slower construction times.  Its a lot easier if you have a buddy who can lend you an extra pair of eyes and hands.
4) I keep doing crazy stuff to my cab.  decided to add led buttons, added a 360, built some aimtrak guns,  am doing an edge lit laser engraved marquee.  A lot of other stuff than your standard mame pc in a box....

Look for  a big project thread update monday.

[Vigo]

I got the wife to buy in on finishing it this weekend.  My excuses are as follows:

1) pregnant wife and 21 month old at home
2) 60 hour work weeks on account of it being tax season and me being an accountant
3) I am doing it mostly by myself, which has led to slower construction times.  Its a lot easier if you have a buddy who can lend you an extra pair of eyes and hands.
4) I keep doing crazy stuff to my cab.  decided to add led buttons, added a 360, built some aimtrak guns,  am doing an edge lit laser engraved marquee.  A lot of other stuff than your standard mame pc in a box....

Look for  a big project thread update monday.

5) You have a long-held BYOAC tradition to uphold of taking much longer than projected to complete your cab. 

[Donkbaca]

Yeah, but at least my project doesn't have many (any?) people following it, so nobody is hitting F5 hoping to get updates on my account..

[edub]

Well - you've already helped ME out tremendously on several of my questions on this forum and I say THANKS.

And yes, I AM following your progress. So, "any" is at least ONE.

I have 6 1.5" pieces of 2x2's in my CP box. One in each corner and one in the middle back/front cut to fit inside my box. Those 6 "posts" are fitted with velcro and my CP top rests on those posts which are just slightly below the top of the CP box - allowing enough room for the velcro sandwich so that the CP top, once pushed down slightly, is completely flat on top of the box. The velcro adheres nicely because of gravity. And, as one other poster said, sometimes a bit of a hassle to remove - but hey, it's SOLID.

Just my $0.02...

edub

[miles2912]

Piano Hinge is the best way to attach the CP.  Just route a little wood out of the way.

See the metal strip  ...

[DataWest]

Piano Hinge is the best way to attach the CP.  Just route a little wood out of the way.

See the metal strip  ...

I sound like broken record....but what kind of screws did you use?

[Donkbaca]

Used the ones that came with the hinge

[DataWest]

Used the ones that came with the hinge

Did you route or anything? Just an install like it came?

[miles2912]

Piano Hinge is the best way to attach the CP.  Just route a little wood out of the way.

See the metal strip  ...    Screws come with the hinge

[Donkbaca]

Yeah, I routed a little bit on the box where i attached the hinge so that the top would lay flush with the hinge attached

[DataWest]

Piano Hinge is the best way to attach the CP.  Just route a little wood out of the way.

See the metal strip  ...    Screws come with the hinge

Gotcha I missed that. Thanks!