Metal Control Panels - Replica/Blank - Anywhere to buy?

[lharles]

Hello!

I'm back to pester everyone again.  My apologies in advance.



I'm trying to help a friend of mine with his build.

The cabinet is a 'Kangaroo' which was converted to 'Track And Field' and then was basically destroyed.

We've managed to rebuild the structure of the cabinet itself.  The 'guts' of the cabinet weren't intact/functional so restoration really wasn't an option, (at least for me - the guy who took six months to build the wooden part of his control panel...and then two days to wire up and configure the rest.  Guess it's obvious what I'm not good at, eh?    ).

{On a side note:  I got to use some 'Bondo' type stuff in the restoration of the cabinet...that's some freakin' cool stuff!  Except when it's setting...then it's kinda' hot...anyway....    }

Soooo...the original control panel is still there, (I've actually removed it to clean it up and see what can be done with it), and I was wondering if there's somewhere that anyone is aware of that I can purchase another of the metal panels, (with the connectors for the latches and the hinge), to use.  I'm looking for a new one, you know...not one that already has the button cuts and the such.  Hopefully that makes sense...

After doing some searching here on the forums, I found references to folks taking the originals to sheet metal, er, places and getting replacements made.  Other folks referenced individuals who occasionally do this sort of thing, from here on the boards.

Anyway, if I go somewhere local to get a replacement, do I just take the panel in there and ask em' to replicate it?  Is there a specific sort of metal shop type place I should look for?  Once I've found a place is it reasonable to think that they'll they be able to replicate the latch, er, pieces and the hinge...or will that make it WAY too expensive?  Should I map out where I want the holes for the buttons/joysticks to be so that they can do the cutting or should I do that myself?

Alternatively, if someone here on the boards does this sort of thing...what's the process there? 

Thanks for any help or direction...

Lharles

[gamecreature]

Have you tried www.arcadeshop.com ? They've got blank panels for cocktails, you might give them a call and see if they have something similar for your cab.

[neopolss]

I guess I don't quite understand why you don't use the existing panel and restore it?  I work in a metal shop, and I'm actually doing a track and field panel right now.  It took no time to sand it down to the metal and plug the holes (was converted to a kid niki).  I think we could build a panel here from some scrap, but it wouldn't be as cheap as simply repairing the old one.  Metal, even carbon steel, is rather pricey today.

[Animeka]

If you have the original panel, bring it to a metal shop, they can make you a new one for cheap. You'll have to drill your holes afterwards (or have them make it if they can/want).

I had two panels made for mine (you can see it @ www.animeka.net) and it cost me 20$ for the two of them I think. That's in CDN$ even

Brought my 2nd panel in today to the metal shop to have them cut the holes for my trackball and buttons...

Marc

[lharles]

Have you tried www.arcadeshop.com ? They've got blank panels for cocktails, you might give them a call and see if they have something similar for your cab.

gamecreature,

I did look around the website a bit but didn't see anything that seemed to match up with the panel it currently uses.  I'll give em' a call when I can...which is right now! 



They don't carry anything that would fit.  They suggested lookin' on evilBay for a used 'Dig Dug' or 'Kangaroo' panel...


Thanks!

I guess I don't quite understand why you don't use the existing panel and restore it?  I work in a metal shop, and I'm actually doing a track and field panel right now.  It took no time to sand it down to the metal and plug the holes (was converted to a kid niki).  I think we could build a panel here from some scrap, but it wouldn't be as cheap as simply repairing the old one.  Metal, even carbon steel, is rather pricey today.

neopolss,

I have two answers to this.  One, fabrication is not my forte'.    Two, we were considering the possibility of having two 'swappable' control panels to allow for a larger variety of controls.

As for repairing the old one, it really isn't 'broken' so much as not really effective for a two player configuration with joysticks, (as it had been converted to a button based 'Track and Field').

When you talk about doin' the 'plug the holes' thing, did you use something similar to 'Bondo'?  If so, will it stand up to the pushing and pulling that comes along with a joystick being mounted through it?

Anyway, thanks for the help so far... 

Lharles

[lharles]

If you have the original panel, bring it to a metal shop, they can make you a new one for cheap. You'll have to drill your holes afterwards (or have them make it if they can/want).

I had two panels made for mine (you can see it @ www.animeka.net) and it cost me 20$ for the two of them I think. That's in CDN$ even

Brought my 2nd panel in today to the metal shop to have them cut the holes for my trackball and buttons...

Marc

Marc,

This may sound like a dumb question, (which makes sense, since I'm a dummy), but how exactly do you tell them what you want them to make? 

I mean, do you just bring in the panel and say:

"Make me one of these...without the holes."

...or what? 

Thanks,

Lharles

[Stingray]

I mean, do you just bring in the panel and say: "Make me one of these...without the holes."

Should I map out where I want the holes for the buttons/joysticks to be so that they can do the cutting or should I do that myself?

Yes, just bring it in and tell the guy what you want. He works with sheet metal all day, he'll know what he's doing. A few minutes of discussion should bring him up to speed on what you want. Have him punch the holes for you too unless you have a sheet metal punch of the correct size. Check the yellow pages under "sheet metal" if you don't know of anyone to take it to.

When you talk about doin' the 'plug the holes' thing, did you use something similar to 'Bondo'?  If so, will it stand up to the pushing and pulling that comes along with a joystick being mounted through it?

As far as plugging the holes go, I'm sure he welded up the holes and then used some type of filler, that's how I would have done it. No, body filler would not be strong enough to fill a hole the size of a push button hole and stand up to even light use.

-S

[neopolss]

You are exactly right.  Weld fills for the hole makes it almost new.  If you do not have access to a welder though, sheet metal to the rear hole with JB weld and fill the remainder with Loctite epoxy.  That should withstand all but the harshest treatment.  It is less of a worry if you plan to incorporate plexi into the CP though.  It adds a good buffer, and unlike the CP, is much easier to replace when it gets filthy.

[lharles]

I mean, do you just bring in the panel and say: "Make me one of these...without the holes."

Should I map out where I want the holes for the buttons/joysticks to be so that they can do the cutting or should I do that myself?

Yes, just bring it in and tell the guy what you want. He works with sheet metal all day, he'll know what he's doing. A few minutes of discussion should bring him up to speed on what you want. Have him punch the holes for you too unless you have a sheet metal punch of the correct size. Check the yellow pages under "sheet metal" if you don't know of anyone to take it to.

Thanks! 

Any ideas on what a reasonable cost for this sort of thing would be?  If it's gonna' be hundreds of $$...I'm thinkin' I'll just have to try somethin' else...

You are exactly right.  Weld fills for the hole makes it almost new.  If you do not have access to a welder though, sheet metal to the rear hole with JB weld and fill the remainder with Loctite epoxy.  That should withstand all but the harshest treatment.  It is less of a worry if you plan to incorporate plexi into the CP though.  It adds a good buffer, and unlike the CP, is much easier to replace when it gets filthy.

I don't have access to a welder.

Is JB weld some sort of compound? {I'm sure a web-search would turn up this info but I've gotta' run for a bit...}

Thanks for the help so far! 

Lharles

[Stingray]

You can buy JBWeld at any auto supply place. You might even be able to get it at Wal-Mart. It's a two part adhesive and I agree that it will hold just fine for this application, it's incredibly strong.

-S

[Animeka]

If you have the original panel, bring it to a metal shop, they can make you a new one for cheap. You'll have to drill your holes afterwards (or have them make it if they can/want).

I had two panels made for mine (you can see it @ www.animeka.net) and it cost me 20$ for the two of them I think. That's in CDN$ even

Brought my 2nd panel in today to the metal shop to have them cut the holes for my trackball and buttons...

Marc

Marc,

This may sound like a dumb question, (which makes sense, since I'm a dummy), but how exactly do you tell them what you want them to make? 

I mean, do you just bring in the panel and say:

"Make me one of these...without the holes."

...or what? 

Thanks,

Lharles

That's exactly what I did... I made my cabinet a bit wider than the original (I kept the sides and replaced the entire middle part). I brought them the control panel, and asked them to make me a new one that was 24". They gave me exact replicas that fit perfectly.

Marc