Mag-Stik Plus Mounting Questions

[442much]

I'm ready to start mounting my joysticks on my first CP.  I have a 5/8" sheet of wood with a 1/8" plex-glass cover.  My joysticks are Mag-Stiks with the long (72mm  or 2 7/8 in) ball tops.  I'd like to not have the carriage bolts showing at the top of my CP, so my plan was to countersink the carriage bolt heads.  I'm also thinking that even with the long ball tops, the backside of the CP needs to be routed out - maybe 1/8". 

Can I safely do both and have enough meat for the joystick to hold?  Is it necessary to route the bottom of the CP or are these sticks long enough?  How has everybody else mounted their Mag-Stiks (or similar joysticks).  All help appreciated.

-Dan

[brophog]

I have t-stiks mounted, which are very similiar. I have black vinyl on top and use black carriage bolts. The two together look quite sharp. I routed about 1/4" out of the bottom of 3/4" MDF and the height is pretty good.

Since you dont want bolts showing on top, go with t-nuts or similiar on top and not carriage bolts.

[dabone]

For my tsticks I routed out for the tops and mounted them on the very top of the cp with flat head machine screws.
This was then filled in with wood putty,covered with a overlay and then plexi over the top.

I've got very large hands so I think the height came out great. And no bolts, screws, etc showing.


Later,
dabone

[442much]

I have t-stiks mounted, which are very similiar. I have black vinyl on top and use black carriage bolts. The two together look quite sharp. I routed about 1/4" out of the bottom of 3/4" MDF and the height is pretty good.

Since you dont want bolts showing on top, go with t-nuts or similiar on top and not carriage bolts.

I never thought of using t-nuts.  Are you saying put the t-nuts in the top and screw the bolt in from the bottom?

[brophog]

Yep. Many people here have done that.

[deadkenndys1105]

I just screwed mine into the bottom of the contol panel.  I just had to use some washers and some rlly small screws.  Its works fine.  Try to use a thin metal washer as long as it doesnt bend.  With this there are no screws in the CP other than the ones that are holding the cp in place but if your going to glue it down you can pull it off without any screws showing.

[442much]

Anybody have pix fo their installation?  Here is what I'm thinking the process to be.  Please correct me if there is anything wrong/better to do.

1)  Drill hole for bolt
2)  Drill a small recess in the top of the cp, so the t-nut will be flush or below the top of the cp.
3)  Hammer in the t-nut
4)  Bolt the joystick in from the bottom, using a washer on the bolt.
5)  Grind off any excess bolt that is coming up through the CP top.
6)  Drink a beer
7)  Repeate steps 1-6 for all holes (it will be hard after 12 or so holes).

[RichyRich]

I'd seriously just think of screwing them in from the bottom with some screws like deadkennedys suggested.I done this method and they hold really well,even if a whacked them with a mallet a few times I dont think they would budge.What you have to remember is, in a arcade the machines took some serious abuse at times so they had to be doubley sure but for home use I can't see the need.