mounting control panel

[specialmoose]

First time posting on this forum. I've been lurking for sometime and gathering information on how to build my arcade machine. I finally settled down with Lusid's Rev 7 plans (first build, noob here) and all the wood is already cut out.

My question is on how do you mount the top part of the control panel? I've looked at some of the member's cabinets here and some are just screwed down while others are using hinges. Given I have zero experience with cabinet building and using hinges, exactly how are the hinges used? Obviously the front hinge allows the panel to go up or back down but what keeps it secure when it is down (so the panel doesn't just come up due to the hinge)?

[MaximRecoil]

Real arcade machines usually used panel clamps, along the lines of these - http://www.happcontrols.com/amusement/acesor/49005900.htm

I don't know if those would work in your particular application or not.

[WLVRYN]

I think he was talking about the CP top being held onto the CP box.

I used 3/4" velcro all the way around and it is totally secure.  I know others have used it with good results too.  Its actually pretty hard to get the CP top off with the velcro, and I end up having to stick something in between the layers and sliding it to break the seal before I can lift it.

I thought about the hinge rout, but it was just one more thing that I would have had to lineup and drill for, when the velcro was a very simple solution.

[specialmoose]

Yeah I'm talking about the CP top being held onto the CP box. Some members I can't even tell how the heck they manage to get the CP top secured onto the CP box.

Velcro eh? I might go that route.

[moriartyds]

Some people use the Euro style hinges at the front of the control panel (so it opens away from the monitor.  Velcro is another option.  Or you can use hinges and velcro for that matter. 

In Saint's book IIRC, he used small blocks of wood attached the inside front/sides of the CP (both the lid and the box) and attached velcro to the blocks.  So that when you close the top of the panel, the blocks/velcro on the lid connect to the blocks/velcro on the box.