Help with Metal CP repair

[Magnet_Eye]

Hi! I have a metal CP that I want to work with. I want to make new holes for a new CP layout, but how do I deal with thte existing holes? Some of them won't be in the way really, but is there a simple way to plug holes? I have seen Oscar's Centipede CP repair, but I don't have any tools like a welder.

Wonder if there's some some to do it without the Ultimate Set of Tools my Dad has (he's a TV repair man)?  Maybe I can put something behind the CP and fill the holes with bondo or some other substance? Any ideas?

Thanks! 

[Bones]

Loctite make some metal filling compounds. One that comes to mind is "3805 Steel & Aluminum Epoxy Filler". This comes in a two part syringe package so you can use as much or as little as you want. From memory you can machine, sand, or paint it once it's cured. You will still need to support it from behind, you could probably use the same product to bond some thin metal as a backing. (Everything has to be absolutely clean!!)

Almost any engineering supplier should be able to offer something.

[Magnet_Eye]

thanks. i'll look into it!

 

[maraxle]

Hi! I have a metal CP that I want to work with. I want to make new holes for a new CP layout, but how do I deal with thte existing holes? Some of them won't be in the way really, but is there a simple way to plug holes? I have seen Oscar's Centipede CP repair, but I don't have any tools like a welder.

Wonder if there's some some to do it without the Ultimate Set of Tools my Dad has (he's a TV repair man)?  Maybe I can put something behind the CP and fill the holes with bondo or some other substance? Any ideas?

Thanks! 

I epoxied a small strip of metal (big enough to cover the hole) to the bottom of the panel.  Then I filled from the top with bondo.  If you sand the bondo down right, you can't even feel the difference.  The only bad part is the strip of metal under the panel, but it doesn't matter unless you're trying to mount a trackball or something.

Here's a pic:

[Rocky]

I've used JB Weld to secure a metal strip below an old button hole and then filled it with Bondo. It worked great.

I also stole OSCAR's idea of using a fender washer to fill a hole where I couldn't put anything under the metal panel (It was just a flat piece of metal that layed over wood to form a "sandwich" panel)

I was amazed that JB Weld secured the fender washer even after sanding both sides.

Welding is the best route, but there are other ways for those of us with limited tools

[brained]

If you are going to use metal strip to cover the holes, I recommend that you make little holes in the borders of the piece so Epoxy can hold the metal strip better...
  ____      _____
 |        |   |o o o o|
 |        |   |o       o|
 '-------'   |o o o o|
               '--------''

Well sorry about the ASCII art enlargment, take an 1/8 drill bit and drill the holes at the borders, that way epoxy will hold like steel... that's how I did mine!

Then BONDO MAGIC and lots of sanding

[neuromancer]

My cab was originally a Vanguard machine. At some point it was converted.

The new layout required a joystick right in the middle of the 4 button diamond cluster. They just put a piece of plexi over it and drilled a new hole.

It held up.

Bob