How would you build an adjustable height stand and adjustable angle C/P?

[SpatzST]

How would you do that? I can imagine that you could mount the C/P onto some sort of device that can swivel and lock into place so you can adjust angles whenever, but how would you build an adjustable height stand?

[yotsuya]

Can I ask why you'd want to make it adjustable?

[SpatzST]

if my stand was height adjustable, I think i'd want an adjustable angle too, just so its easy to accomodate everyone

[TopJimmyCooks]

do you want it to look arcade-ish or just utilitarian? We have a lot of tables here at work that raise/lower with a crank you can insert in a hole in the top. 

[SpatzST]

I am mostly concerned with its functionality than looks.

I am just having trouble picturing something similar to what I'm building that may have an adjustable height stand

[michelevit]

I’ve got an adjustable angle on my control box. I can loosen a couple of allens and rotate as necessary.
Here is a pic of how I went about it.

Its a simple shaft and split collar. I don't know if a simpler method can be made. The box is heavy two player so any adjustability needs to be stout to prevent unwanted movement. There is plenty of surface area and a quarter turn of the allen will lock it down as good as solid.

It was originally designed so I can easily remove the control box to dismantle for transport.
My cabinet is HUGE and wont fit through door openings without removal.

The adjustable tilt is a nice feature.

[yotsuya]

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck.......... that is one big cabinet. 

[michelevit]

As far as height…
I built the cabinet for my height.
Anyone shorter can stand on a box or step stool to reach the controls.
My two kids call their box ‘standers’ and push them infront of the cab when it comes time to play.
I built two ‘standers’ which are simple boxes that the kids stand on. The are 5 sided and nest into each other for storage.

[Malenko]

As far as height…
I built the cabinet for my height.
Anyone shorter can stand on a box or step stool to reach the controls.
My two kids call their box ‘standers’ and push them infront of the cab when it comes time to play.
I built two ‘standers’ which are simple boxes that the kids stand on. The are 5 sided and nest into each other for storage.

do you make your 2 kids stand at opposite sides of the cabinet when they are fighting so that they cant see or hear each other?

[Vigo]

I don't know the necessity of it all, but I will tell you how I would do it.

I looked at your design, and it should be easy to make a height adjustable pedestal. I would keep it simple. You basically have a rectangle box stand that goes up to your control panel. I would make an outer "sleeve" come off the bottom of your control panel, and it would slide down on the stand, which is an inner sleeve. The inner sleeve portion would have sets of holes at various heights. The control panel sleeve would have one set of holes at matching locations, and what you would do is simply slide the control panel portion up and down to the height you want, line up to the nearest holes and slide in pins to keep it at that height.

[Vigo]

I built the cabinet for my height.

Are you related to Andre the Giant? 

And Please don't tell me that you are putting a 17" screen in that. 

[yotsuya]

Yeah, I was thinking width, not height. Is the photo smushed at all?

[michelevit]

Not smooshed.
Mitsubishi's 42" crt monitor.

[yotsuya]

Not smooshed.
Mitsubishi's 42" crt monitor.

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuckk....... that makes a lot of sense regarding the size, then. 

[Vigo]

Phew! I got a big boy CRT like that, and I never thought about putting it in a cab. Wow!

[TopJimmyCooks]

Not smooshed.
Mitsubishi's 42" crt monitor.

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuckk....... that makes a lot of sense regarding the size, then. 

Not smooshed.
Mitsubishi's 42" crt monitor.

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuckk....... that makes a lot of sense regarding the size, then. 

I second that F bomb.  that thing is massive!.  You better put some damn good wheels on that thing or else build it where it's going to stay. 

[Dawgz Rule]

This...

Can I ask why you'd want to make it adjustable?

You obviously have to do what is right for you but I think back to my arcade days and all of the variations in cabinets and CP's.  With a good overall design, you may find that most people can readily adapt to some your CP without the need to adjust it.  Even then, what may be comfortable for player 1 may not work for player 2, etc.

[SpatzST]

This...

Can I ask why you'd want to make it adjustable?

You obviously have to do what is right for you but I think back to my arcade days and all of the variations in cabinets and CP's.  With a good overall design, you may find that most people can readily adapt to some your CP without the need to adjust it.  Even then, what may be comfortable for player 1 may not work for player 2, etc.

Good point.

So on that note. What are some typical angles?

[Dawgz Rule]

I think most people say 3-5 degrees but I would have to do some measuring later to be sure.  Height wise, I did a mock-up with books/wood and simply found my comfortable height while standing.  Then checked things with a bar stool as well.   So far, so good....have played for hours straight without any discomfort.

[keilmillerjr]

Most arcades had stools to sit on and little step stools for small kids to stand on. Probably the easiest solution. Taget what you think everyone will like, add a stool and step stool for others.

[Dawgz Rule]

After brushing up on "Oscar Has A Heap Of Apples" it looks to be 5 degrees.  Go figure.