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Suggestions for my shopping list
PL1:
--- Quote from: MydknyteStyrm on December 15, 2013, 10:38:30 pm ---I read somewhere that bolts through the MDF are sturdier than mounting underneath. I would imagine that after repeated use over time the MDF would start to wear and rip out the screws underneath, as opposed to carriage bolts through from above. Thoughts?
--- End quote ---
Bolts are sturdier, but how much genuine abuse are you planning on inflicting on this cab?
If you're planning on dragging it around by the joystick or slamming the stick so hard that you bend the shaft, go with the carriage bolts.
If you don't have kids that might use a joystick as a climbing handle or don't want carriage bolts interrupting your CP art, the GGG inserts are a great choice.
The inserts have very flat/wide teeth that dig in securely as long as you do not overtighten the inserts or attempt to back them out and retighten them.
Wood screws in MDF will eventually cause the problem you describe and machine screws are even worse, lacking the surface area to get a solid grip without stripping out.
With properly installed inserts, you can remove/replace the joysticks as desired without breaking down/stripping out the MDF.
Another option is using t-nuts (a.k.a. tee-nuts) flush-mounted on the top of the panel.
They're about as strong as carriage bolts, and require some work to get a smooth finish on the CP for applying adhesive vinyl.
Scott
MydknyteStyrm:
Scott,
Thanks for the tips. I totally get the idea of not having bolts on my CP, and although I am not one to beat the crap out of a joystick, other people who might use my arcade at a party are not as finessed. I do like the idea of the T-Nuts. And I assume all joysticks are relatively similar in their placement of screw holes?
As far as the CP brackets, I wasn't planning on taking apart the computer. I was going to remove the door, as well as the CD drives, and leave it barebones, but it seems more trouble that its worth to completely take out the shell of the computer. Is that standard to remove the Mobo from the chassis?
BlueGhost:
If your using U360 would you need an IPac?
My understanding is that each 360 has a built in usb interface and 8 buttons + another 7 shifted buttons. As long as you aren't dependent on having a keyboard interface.
MydknyteStyrm:
Good point. I assume I would need the ipac for the admin buttons though? Perhaps I wouldn't need the IPAC4, but rather a smaller version.
BlueGhost:
If you need keyboard based admin buttons you can use Joy2Key or something similar to convert input. That or one of the smaller encoders just for admin function.