Need help assembling Cocktail kit

[quarterback]

Hey y'all, I just got one of these cocktail kits from sysrpl.   



There are  'instructions' included, but there are some specifics missing.  Since I don't want to screw this up and sysrpl hasn't been around recently, I thought I'd ask for help.

Some of these 'specifics' are probably common to all cocktail kits.  Like "how do I attach the hinge?"

The kit comes with a long brass 'piano hinge' so one side (and top) of the cocktail can tilt away.  Is it 'sandwiched' between the two pieces that make up the side?  That's how it appears to work when I look at other pictures of cocktails like this one.  It looks like I can see the hinge sticking out between the two pieces of wood.  Is that the way to do it?

Also, there is a pre-drilled wooden piece which (I believe) is used to attach the top of the table to the side tilting piece.  But I'm not sure how to line it up correctly, and which side goes up and which to the side (it's wider than it is thick).  Even though there are holes pre-drilled into the wood brace, there aren't any holes drilled in the top or in the side piece.  Again, here's a pic:



Also, this kit comes with 4 L-brackets, 4 corner brackets and 4 flat 'mending braces', but I'm not sure which go where.  Actually, I'm not sure where the flat 'mending braces' go at all.  Here's a pic of those three items in a row:



Finally, what is the best way to attach a control panel (or cocktail table top) latch? 



There must be a trick for lining these up and getting them tight.  Do I have to close the whole thing up and climb inside to mark the holes for the latch or is there a better way?

Thanks

[vader]

I have a arcadedepot cocktail attached is a pic for you.....these are built very similar it seems

Put the L and Corner braces equal distance around the cab

Tim

[quarterback]

Thanks vader88, that's exactly the info I was hoping for. 

Anybody out there want to help me out with the wooden brace, its placement and a good way for me to install the hinge?   I'm really concerned that I'm going to mess up the hinge placement and not get that top panel of hinged wood to line up with the bottom one.  So if there are any tips, I'm all ears.

Thanks

[javeryh]

I also have an arcadedepot kit... as for the hinge, just center it on the edge of the panels.

[melidian]

how are you guys installing the monitors on these arcade depot like kits?
tia
chris

[vader]

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=33653.msg291017#msg291017


Check out this link...about halfway down

Cheers,

Tim

[markrvp]

Good job vader88.

If you want an even easier way (although more expensive) then you can use a special mount like came in the original Midway cabinets.

Look at my explanation here:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=45225.msg438187#msg438187


You can buy the mount here for $65:

http://www.mantisamusements.com/mrspacnos.htm

In fact, go through that link for some good construction pics of the Midway Cocktail table.

[quarterback]

I also have an arcadedepot kit... as for the hinge, just center it on the edge of the panels.  The actual hinge part should face out and the pieces you screw in should be hidden.  Check out my awesome detail:

That is an awesome detail, BTW.  But part of my issue is the process of screwing in the hinge itself.   I have the two pieces of wood, I have the hinge, I have a drill, I have two hands... I'm not sure how to make all these things work together. 

I can screw the hinge into the edge of one panel.  Okay.  Now what?  How to I get it to line up in the right place on the other panel while I put the screws in?    The reality is that these are two pieces of (relatively) heavy wood that are different sizes.  I can't stand them next to each other while I put the screws in (because one is shorter than the other) I can't lay them down on a table (because the screw holes are inaccessable like that)  I just feel like there must be some 'trick' that I'm missing here.

I feel like these hinges would solve my problem and be sturdier because they wrap around and go though the wood instead of up into the edge, but I can't find them anywhere but Rockler:



I've also got issues with my metal CPs.  They're just a smidgen not-wide-enough and I'm not sure what to do about it.  I'm afraid that light is going to leak out and/or I'm just going to be irritated by the little gap running on either side of my metal control panel and the wood sides. 

Here are some pics:

 

I figure I could shave down the wooden parts so the sides fit flush against the CP, but it'd be a matter of me trimming off less than an 1/8th of an inch (probably 2.25mm) and I'm afraid I'll goof it up.   

Anybody else have this issue when they put their cocktail cabs together?  Is the gap just something you get used to?

Thanks

[LiquidFire]

If you look closely at the hinge next to the 'pin', you will notice the alternating flat cut/rolled steel tongues. The flat part is what you can use to gauge position. Line up the flat sectionss with the outside edge on both parts and they will be correct.

The easiest way to get confident it will work is to just place a couple screws in each side and test it out-easily!

Some hinges allow you to tap out the hinge pin so you can attach both pieces separately. Just make sure you test the alignment with the hinge assembled before installing the rest of the screws.

Also, if you should drill slightly out of alignment, just skip to the next hole and try again. There is a little play allowed as you tighten down each screw once you have a few set correctly. Use a drop of glue on each screw before you set it and don't overtighten.

Good time to also mention that EVERYTHING should be glued IMO. I use the newer poly expanding glue because it is waterproof and gap-filling but you can use white or dark carpenters glues. Usually the less glue, the better especially with the polys.

On your latches, I would use some scrap wood and mount them in the same way you will be using them on your cabinet. Once it works correctly, transfer the hole pattern to your project. (Careful, this may make you an expert and may induce a high level of confidence in your ability! )

Good luck-I wish my cabinet was ready for hinges!

[quarterback]

The easiest way to get confident it will work is to just place a couple screws in each side and test it out-easily!

And this is the key, I just needed to start drilling holes and it ended up being easier than I'd thought.  The 'trick' is to do the bigger panel first so it can be leaned against the other one while you mark the holes.

I measured (4 or five times) and then put a couple screws into the larger of the two panels (the one that was not attached to the rest of the cocktail).  I got the hinge on straight and the screws in, then I was able to lean it up against the smaller of the two panels (as if the cab was 'opened')  This way I could line the parts up exactly without having to hold either piece steady (or without any other help).  I lined up the hinge onto the smaller panel, marked the centers of two holes, drilled pilot holes and voila, I'm in.

I'm going to wait before putting in any more screws.  I think I want to get a center punch to ensure all the remaining screws go in flush.