How to mount a control panel to cab?

[Richardgregory]

Hi all,

So what is the method to use to mount a control panel to the cabinet?  In way that will allow access to the underside if need be.

Thanks

[mgb]

this was my old control panel, and as you can see I hinged the top so it opened away from the cabinet like a typical comercial cab.
the top was held down with arcade control panel hold down clamps (or whatever they're called).
the control panel has a full bottom except I cut out access big enough so that you can reach in & up through the coin door and unhook the clamps (this is also how it is typically done on a commercial machine) this access hole did not go out over the sides of the cabinet, so if you looked from underneath the control panel over hang, you would see solid bottom.

for fixing the control panel to the cabinet I added a small piece of 2X4 for support on the inside of the cabinet below where the control panel will sit and I put threaded pieces and I can't think of what they're called now but they have a wood screw like course thread one one side (that side went into the 2x4) and a machine screw 1/4 20 thread on the other. that side went through holes in the bottom inside of my control panel and I bolted it on.

I hope this helps, I'm sorry if I didn't explain it clearly, I wish I had pictures, it worked out well.

[Richardgregory]

Thanks for the pictures and explanation.  All makes sense and gave me an idea

Nice layout and tidy too!

[Cynicaster]

At the local hardware store I bought a few feet of angle iron stock that already has holes every half inch or so.  I cut it into two pieces and fastened one "flat" of the angle iron to the inside of the cabinet on each side just beneath the CP mounting point. 

Next, I "dry fit" my CP in position, so that it was sitting on top of the other "flat" of the angle iron pieces.  I selected 4 holes that reasonably covered the rectangular bottom of the CP, and marked their positions on the CP bottom with a pencil.  I removed the CP, and drilled holes at the marks.  I can't remember how big the holes were--I want to say 1/4" or so.  From the inside of the CP box I dropped carriage bolts into the holes so that they would go through the corresponding holes in the angle iron pieces, then I tightened them down with nuts from underneath.  Easy to disassemble and re-assemble, and sturdy as all hell.  Works like a charm. 

[kahlid74]

For me I just use a long hinge.  I lay the CP flat on it's box, then line up the hinge and then drill two holes and secure it in place, then I drill the rest.  If it's a four person cab I'll use two long hinges, one for both sides.  Some people can be anal about what shows on the outside of a cab.  For me personally I'm not as big of a stickler about that stuff.  Especially since I paint the hinge the same as the cab and it's difficult to sport unless you specifically look for it.

[markronz]

Here's just a few more pictures of how I did mine, to give you some ideas.

I was using an existing cabinet, so I cut a shelf into the cabinet to rest the CP on.   I've seen a fair amount of people add such a shelf to their new cabinet builds as well:


Then I kind of went overboard I think holding it in place.    I of course drilled the normal screws through the top of the control panel box.   Then I also used some support braces underneath to attach it.  And if that wasn't enough, I also lined it with glue.   That thing is going NO WHERE. 


And here you can see the finished product.  I used hinges as well for mine:

[twistedsistem]

using a latch system is definitely my preferred method to attaching a control panel.  Allows for easy access if you need to get to the underside along with stability while playing.