Anyone NOT using carriage bolts for joysticks?

[1UP]

I've seen a  lot of posts here about which size carriage bolts to use for mounting joysticks and whatnot.  I keep thinking, why use carriage bolts at all?  I've been using #10 wood screws, screwed in from below the sticks, and haven't had any problems yet.  I know that others must be doing the same, since I've seen many a panel without any bolts visible on the surface.

Has anyone actually broken their sticks loose from the panel because of using wood screws?  Or are the carriage bolts just for looks?

[hyiu]

I do use bolts.... (nuts and screws...) however, I route the top a bit so that the screw top sinks into the wood... and then use artwork and lexan on top....

so.. the artwork and lexan will cover the 4 joystick bolts....

works out pretty nice.... (but will only work if you put something on top....)

you can check out my pic....

http://www.geocities.com/hyiu/pics/DigiCam/

click on nice_stick.jpg....

sorry.... still using nuts and screws... not exactly what you asked... but hope it helps....
 

[SNAAAKE]

the abuse and madness of video games  

bolts add nice touch to your stick and i had problems when i used just screws..

the stick just sank in the box after a week or so...

its called rough play  

i followed the usual way for the bolts..it does make your stick look professional though.and its a good investement because your stick would probley last forever with the bolts.

[SirPoonga]

you can check out my pic....

http://www.geocities.com/hyiu/pics/DigiCam/

http://www.geocities.com/hyiu/pics/DigiCam/orig_cab_parts.jpg

scan the bezel in.  give it to either me or preferably HowardC and we will put it in mame:)

[rampy]

Not me, but I've seen examples (no link sorry) of people using t-nuts underneath and regular bolts. from below...

*shrug*

rampy

[J_K_M_A_N]

To answer your question 1UP, I used sheet rock screws from under my cp. I have been abusing it for about a year and haven't had a problem yet. I have seen the bolt and nut also but I don't really like the look of it myself. I don't know, maybe I don't beat the cp enough to break them loose. It works fine for me.

J_K_M_A_N

[1UP]

OK, I'll just go with screws for now.  If they ever break loose, I'll drill bigger holes and use the carriage bolts.  

[PCC]

Not me, but I've seen examples (no link sorry) of people using t-nuts underneath and regular bolts. from below...

*shrug*

rampy

[dhansen]

This guy used t-nuts and bolts. http://www.pccab.net Nice clean look in my opinion.  I've done a couple of projects this way too.

Doug

My Control Panel

http://www.doughansen.net/arcade/boltsvsnobolts.jpg

[chanson]

My cab has a totally different approach for the CP.  I have a PacMan replacement joy which won't work through 3/4" wood.  So, here's what I did.

The CP is 3/4 MDF but I routed the TOP of that board out to fit the Joystick (cut all the way through for the center portion).  I then screwed (regular screws) the Joystick to the MDF from the top down into the MDF.  Then I covered the whole thing with a 1/8" hardboard (you know, like what they make pegboard out of) with only a hole for the handle of the joystick.

Of course I had to drill through both boards for the other buttons.

The nice other feature of this setup is that the hardboard with a carefully placed hole serves as the "mounting plate" for my trackball also.  The TB is mounted in a hole in the MDF board with the ball just passing through a hole in the overlying hardboard.

The whole thing was a fairly inexpensive way to mount the controls and seems very stable.

[Howard_Casto]

I wouldn't reccommend screws.... I used big nasty screws in leu of bolts on my very first cp (back in the day)  Not only did they work loose from my mad playing skillz but they took a large chunk of the bottom of the cp with them... Yup that's right I played so hard it ripped the cp apart.

Now this wasn't puny mdf or 5/8 inch board, it was 3/4 plywood and it freakin tore the botttom two layers completely out!  I had the crazy
misconception that I could screw up from the bottom up to just below the surface of the cp and the strenght of the cp would hold it in place.  Well yeah it did, but unfortunately plywood is in layers and I actually ended up ripping the glued layers apart.  

You can get flush mounted bolts if you don't like the look of the carriage type, remember that.  

[ddebuss]

I have three units with screws from the bottom, nothing on the top.  Worked fine for me.  I play Robotron a lot and I play hard without a problem.  I figure if I do have a problem I will install bolts then.

If it breaks through, no big deal, I have removable control panels so it's no big deal to make a replacement.  After making my last bunch of cabs I had a 1/2 sheet of 5/8" isoboard left over so I made another dozen blanks for control panels.  That way if I get the whim for another layout, I just need to drill the holes.  

(I use 5/8" because when you add the Lexan it's 3/4.  I use 3/4 T-molding so it transitions nicely from the T-molding to the top.  Trick to that is to be sure you route the slot with a 3/4" setting from the back of the panel (so it's off center until the Lexan is added.)

[hyiu]

Hi SirPoonga:

I have no pblm to give that bezel to you for free.... I have no use of it and not planning to use it... (I only need the plexiglass...)  I'm located in Brooklyn, NYC... are you close by ??

scanning it.... I don't have a scanner... but 1 of my friends does... I think I can only scan it in pieces.... if I do... would you mind pasting it back together ??

mailing it would means folding it which is no good, right ??

plz let me know....

ps: my friend is currently working and going to school... so.. scanning it might take something like 2 wks before I can get back to you with the images.... is that ok ??

hope I can help....

 

[neuromancer]

I wouldn't reccommend screws.... Yup that's right I played so hard it ripped the cp apart.

Now this wasn't puny mdf or 5/8 inch board, it was 3/4 plywood  

Oops! I guess I don't play that hard. My sticks are mounted with 3/4 inch drywall screws into MDF. I don't have any problems.

Bob

[Dave_K.]

I use carriage bolts...they are also good as a reference for the corners of the joystick (for certain fighter moves).

-Dave

[1UP]

OK, all things considered, I'm going with countersunk bolts underneath the CPO artwork.  I have plenty of graphics that let me see where the corners are.  I don't play that hard, but I noticed some of my guests do.  Thanks everyone.

[SirPoonga]

Find someone with a scanner.