A few control panel questions...

[Turambar]

I posted these in the joystick top mounting guide thread, but I wanted to make sure to get some help/answers.  I thought of a few more questions here as well.

Here are the recesses for two of my joysticks...


Here is a closeup of a joystick mounting plate sitting in the recess.  I don't know if you can tell from the pic, but it is perfectly flush with the top of the CP.  I gave myself a little wiggle room with the width and the length of the mounting plate.


What is best to fill in those small gaps between the edge of a mounting plate and the edge of the recess?  Wood filler?  Bondo?  What would you use?


Should I prime the top of the CP before I stick the art to the wood?  My CP is sitting on top of a box made of wood to house the wiring/controls.  What are the best hinges to attach the CP to the box?

[jimmy2x2x]

I like this type of hinge

http://www.eurofitdirect.co.uk/hinges-stays-catches/hinges/kitchen-cabinet-hinges

What kind of material is your artwork?

[Turambar]

It is the adhesive vinyl from gameongrafix.

[jimmy2x2x]

I have a similar joystick mount on my CP, but I have a paper print covered in plexi - there is no artwork sagging for me.

I would imagine that the vinyl would need a very flat solid surface to adhere to, my thoughts are to bondo then sand to a smooth finish.

Would be almost impossible to remove the mounting plates afterwards but I dont think there is another solution.

[Turambar]

Right.  I don't plan on removing them  

[kahlid74]

You could probably get away with wood filler but I would use Bondo.  It's more forgiving and adhesive to the metal where wood filler isn't.

Also, most stick-able vinyls are forgiving for small cracks like that.  You could probably just lay it over it and be fine but I wouldn't.  I would do the work up front to make it look fantastic.

Do it right the first time with Bondo!

[Dawgz Rule]

I have vinyl CP artwork from gameongrafix and it is pretty forgiving on small cracks or lines.  I flush monuted the trackball mounting plate and you can't even see the seam.  Nice job on the holes.

[Sparkolicious]

Bondo for sure.. Most wood filler dries brittle, and will crack.  Probably not a huge deal after the CP art is on, but I just don't like it.  If I have any kind of edge work that needs to be dressed up I always use bondo.  In most cases I use it for screw/nail holes as well, if the piece will be painted/laminated.

[Turambar]

Is there a particular type of bondo?  Could one of you show an amazon/lowes link of what I need to pick up?

[Turambar]

I also was curious as to whether you guys had a favorite wiring for the controls someone might be able to link to.  I have a good crimp tool, but I don't really think I like the insulated quick disconnects.  I am thinking of going uninsulated.  Would that be a problem?

[kahlid74]

I also was curious as to whether you guys had a favorite wiring for the controls someone might be able to link to.  I have a good crimp tool, but I don't really think I like the insulated quick disconnects.  I am thinking of going uninsulated.  Would that be a problem?

Uninsulated is kind of more work but more stable in the long haul.

I'll let some of the more experienced Bondo-er's respond but I've used this one before and been pleased - http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202077805/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=bondo&storeId=10051&superSkuId=202889311

[Sparkolicious]

Exactly what I was going to suggest.. I've used all kinds, but the all purpose stuff from the depot works just fine.  A couple bondo tips if you aren't aware.  Spread it on there good and smooth it out, but don't worry about too much excess. After the bono hardens to the touch you can shave it down with a razor to get it close, which will cut down sanding time considerably.  If you have really large areas that are built up a bit you can use a drywall rasp to really knock down the bulk of it and then hand sand the finish.  I try to get it down really close when it is still "soft" especially if you are working with a wood surface that could get gouged using an electric sander.  It will save your shoulder for sure.

[Turambar]

Thanks for all of your help.  I bought some 3M all purpose putty at Lowe's.  They were out of Bondo brand, but I had read 3M made bondo so I guess it will be fine.  So I have never worked with this stuff before.  I had assumed it was just like using spackle or something.  I had no idea there was a hardening agent to add, etc.  So, after a bunch of youtube videos were watched, I am going to try and tackle this tomorrow.  Thanks for the tips.

I do have a question that you might can help with.  So let's say that I want to completely cover the trackball plate and joystick mounting plates with bondo to make them totally flush with the top the CP... it is very close right now... but let's say I want to get completely anal about it.  The mounting plates have a holes in the middle.  How would I go about covering them while keeping the hole perfect?

I was also curious as to what you guys used to contain the bondo that you mixed up?  All the pros seem to have this tablet of some kind of paper they mix it on.  Could I just make it on some card stock?  One video said not to mix it on cardboard.

Thanks in advance for answers.

[Sparkolicious]

to be honest I put strips of tape on my work bench and mix on the tape.. when I'm done I peal the tape up and toss the hole mess in the can. Some cans come with a large plastic top that you can mix in... and if you have $5 or so, go scoop up a cheap plastic cutting board. 

I'm not sure I understand the question about the holes.  Got pics?  If you mean mounting holes, I would sharpen a dowel, pencil, anything I could find.. Ease it into the hole and work the bondo around it.  When it sets remove the stick. I hope that makes sense lol!

[kahlid74]

The tape way Spark mentioned rocks too but I use a plastic cutting board.  Just easier for me.

Pictures please.  Not really sure what you're asking about the holes on the plates.

[Turambar]

Thanks, Kahlid.  I posted some pics up in my project thread.  Artworks is applied, and everything looks great imo.

[Ond]

Bondo 101  

I'm going to share an Ond Bondo secret with you.  If you use Bondo (or similar) and want to fill gaps around an object and still be able to remove said object with ease when you need to:

Before positioning the joystick (or any item) wrap it in a layer of cling wrap (you know the stuff people wrap sandwiches in or cover leftovers with before putting in the fridge). Once the Bondo is set, sand away the excess Bondo and..... with a little gentle effort you will be able to lift away the object.  Sand the edges a little for a nice fit.  I use a scrap bit of plywood, MDF, sheet metal, whatever is handy to mix up Bondo on.  Keep a bottle of Acetone handy,  before Bondo sets too hard on spatula's or whatever scrape it clean and then wipe down with a Acetone soaked rag.  Use again!

Lastly Bondo is sensitive to heat, so on hotter days use less hardener to buy yourself enough time to apply it.

[kahlid74]

Bondo 101  

I'm going to share an Ond Bondo secret with you.  If you use Bondo (or similar) and want to fill gaps around an object and still be able to remove said object with ease when you need to:

Before positioning the joystick (or any item) wrap it in a layer of cling wrap (you know the stuff people wrap sandwiches in or cover leftovers with before putting in the fridge). Once the Bondo is set, sand away the excess Bondo and..... with a little gentle effort you will be able to lift away the object.  Sand the edges a little for a nice fit.  I use a scrap bit of plywood, MDF, sheet metal, whatever is handy to mix up Bondo on.  Keep a bottle of Acetone handy,  before Bondo sets too hard on spatula's or whatever scrape it clean and then wipe down with a Acetone soaked rag.  Use again!

Lastly Bondo is sensitive to heat, so on hotter days use less hardener to buy yourself enough time to apply it.

Ond's words are like scripture from the Bondo bible.