joystick dust washers - adding felt on the bottom? (or something similar)

[Stingray]

dustwashers belong on top... every arcade i remember being in as a kid they were always on top... i dunno what u guys were smoking 

I suspect this has something to do with the fact that those of us who say they belong under a metal control panel were playing video games in arcades well before you were born. Everything already had crap conversions by the time you wandered in. 

Yeah, yeah, I know that some games had wood CPs with the washer on top but all of the early to mid '80 classics had a metal control panel with a properly placed dush washer under the panel.

-S

[Sephroth57]

hmm, that might be true. i didnt really start frequenting arcades till the early 90s

[NIVO]

I cover my stick whenever I can    fiddling with it excessively can cause trouble, be safe! 

[Thenasty]

I cover my stick whenever I can

[NIVO]

no troubles was right, ill make it clearer. you can have "troubles" if you are in the wrong situation/environment.   

get some custom made ones with a teflon coating and you'll never worry about them scarring up any artwork. Urethane in its proper form may do the trick as they are used in places where self lubrication is required(like urethane bushings in automobile suspension upgrades).

[markrvp]

I hate that I saw this thread.

[Minwah]

1.  If the artwork (like Oscar's) is on top of the plexiglass, how do you cut nice looking holes in the artwork?

Using a sharp knife I would think.  I've never done it though so I'd like to hear any tips people might have...

2.  Since Oscar attached the artwork to plexiglass, does that mean you aren't supposed to attach artwork to wood ever?  Or, was the sole purpose of the plexiglass to allow for the dustwashers to be mounted under the artwork?

I think Oscar did it basically to retain an original look (both artwork & washers).  Most people who use plexi do cover their artwork to protect it.  You can attach artwork straight to wood, although I would paint it first to make sure it is sealed.  If you don't want to use plexi then get your control panel printed onto proper control panel overlay (eg from www.classicarcadegrafix.com or www.mamemarquees.com).

Would I be considered a "white trash cabinet builder" if I put the plexiglass on top of the artwork and the dustwashers on top of the plexiglass?

No, many people do that, but your plexi might get scratched by the washers.  I personally don't want to use plexi on top as I think plexi gets too easily scratched, full stop (think watches, rings etc.)...

[FractalWalk]

1.

[Mameotron]

My wife actually suggested this to me, so I thought I'd see if anyone has tried this...

She wondered if adding something like felt to the bottom of the plastic dust washers would help with not scratching the overlay.

Any opinions? Thanks a lot!

Last night I discovered something.

[DrewKaree]

To me, what's so silly is that if you're going through all the trouble of attaching felt to the bottom of this, why not go the whole nine yards and make an entire dust washer out of felt?  Then you could make it match your cab by using a different color, you don't have to worry about scratching the plexi, and I bet they're hard as hell to spin! 

[Mameotron]

Ooooh!

[Xiaou2]

 This Dustcover topic heats me up a bit.   While there may be evidence that the older style cabs used them underneath the metal...  That means nothing.   Its still "opinion" on its usage.

  Older games also used overlays on top of the metal panels...  no plexi.   However...  these overlays cracked, flaked off,  created nasty sharp uncomfortable edges, exposed sticky glue...ect.   

  Im sure that the spills from soda and the crumbs from food getting into the joystick and cabnet also was common with the older cabs.

  Im a fan of classics.   I own a few.  I also managed an arcade for 3 yrs of my life.   

  Yes... there were many conversions.   However... that dosnt change the facts.   I took a MS Pacman, and added Plexi to the panel.   Why?
Because the cracking and other wear as stated above.   I also placed the Protector Discs on top of the control panels.  Because I didnt like my micros to be destroyed by sticky soda... and gummed up by crumbs.   And also, as mentioned here,  the pinching that can come from the hole.

 Looks are secondary when you are out to try to keep your games from being destroyed.     

 Plain and simple,  the covers do work better on top... as far as protection goes.  Nobody with any sense of intelligence can dispute that.

 While spills and crumbs may not be an issue  in a home enviornment... its still possible... and again,  its still 'opinion'.

 As for the reality... the covers are very lightweight and slick... so they wont easily scratch the plexi.  In fact... felt may be more damaging.   Think of when you tried to slide down a carpeted staircase 'rugburn!'  The surface is un-even and the hairs rub to form
friction.  They actually use fabric for polishing wheels - and at speed,
those seemingly harmless threads can cut metal! : )

 You might see wear from the discs- but would take like 7yrs to notice it.   Also, most of the non deep surface scratches can  be buffed out easily.

 Finally, get used to seeing a few scratches on plexi surface.  They will occur no matter what.  Jewelry, watches, cups, ect.   Just have fun playing the cab... as thats much more important than a few scratches
 ; )

 

[FractalWalk]

Plain and simple,

[Minwah]

I think it's 50/50.  If the washers are on top some little turd might lift it up and tip drink into the hole.  But if poured on top of the washer it might run away from the hole more than if the washer was mounted underneath, I don't know, who knows.  In fact, who cares 

Some games had the washer underneath: http://images.webmagic.com/klov.com/images/10/1065234875.jpg

Some games had the washer on top: http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?letter=V&game_id=10328

So, the choice is yours


Now the topic of plexi...while I agree it will protect the artwork better, in a home environment I don't think a proper CPO will deteriorate (?) in a hurry.  I bought an original well used Star Wars panel and aside from a few cigarette burns, it looked perfect.  If you have the drinking pouring turd from above running around, it might be more of an issue (I'm thinking biro's...)

[RayB]

The term "dead horse" is appropriate here...

[Stingray]

The term "dead horse" is appropriate here...

Perhaps, but I intend to keep preaching the word of the dust washer belonging under the panel anyway.

-S

[Shape D.]

There usually only 1/8 of an in under the panel anyways, youre not going to get a whole lot stuck in there.