Metal control panels - anyway to mount sticks without bolts showing?

[Lance]

I'm guessing the answer is no already, but I thought I'd ask anyways.

Is there anyway to mount controls on a metal control panel without having the bolts showing on the top?  I was thinking you could maybe weld a nut on the botton side, but then the bolt would only be holding on the stick by a couple threads.

Anyone accomplished this?

lance

[Setabs]

I would have to say to weld some threaded bolts without the top onto the bottom of the cp.

[SirPoonga]

by a couple of threads?  get longer bolts.

My ddragon2 cab has welded on threads.

[Lance]

Now if I only knew how to weld!

Any rough idea what a metal shop would charge for something like this?

[Minwah]

Depending how thick your panel is, and what bolts you can find you *may* be able to use countersunk bolts...assuming you are covering the panel with artwork of some kind.

[Stingray]

"Any rough idea what a metal shop would charge for something like this?"

If you go in with your nuts or bolts ready to go and your panel marked up as to where they are to be welded, most guys I know would probably do it for nothing or next to nothing. This is a five minute or less welding job.

-S

[Ken Layton]

As someone who has built many control panels over the years, I have used 10-24 by 1" long FLATHEAD machine screws. Of course we had it lucky in that Ziegler's Welding was located directly across the street from our shop here in Olympia, Washington! I'd take the panel across the street with the bolts and the position clearly marked and 5 minutes later (and $10 later) have a nice panel with spot welded bolts for the joysticks.