Need help on mounting some Happ Supers

[rdowdy95]

I am using 3/4" birch ply.  I am going to be bottom mounting some happ Supers.  Here is my first question.  I guess I will need to use the templates.  Well let me try to explain.  I know I need to drill a hole 1 1/8" normamlly like a button hole.  Drill this hole for the joystick.  Okay once I have this hole.  I need to flip the top over to get ready to rout the bottom out.  Okay my thing is how do I center the base around this hole?  Do I eyeball it or should I use a template and take the circle on the template and center it to the joystick hole then draw around the thing.  That is a part I just don't get. 

My second question is this.  I am not going to be using any overlay or plexi or any of that stuff.  I have a stained look to my cab no plexi/lexan overlay artwork or anything like that.  So when I have the 1/4" routed out for the base, how do I screw these in.  I have seen screws and nuts but this won't work since I am not top mounting or having overlay.  What kind of a screw should I use.  And it will need to be about 1/2" or less cause I will only have 1/2" of the control panel left to work with.  I don't want the screws showing from the top.  I guess the base will have some thickness so maybe the 1/2 screws would work.

Any ideas on these issues guys?

Thanks

[leapinlew]

I am using 3/4" birch ply.  I am going to be bottom mounting some happ Supers.  Here is my first question.  I guess I will need to use the templates.  Well let me try to explain.  I know I need to drill a hole 1 1/8" normamlly like a button hole.  Drill this hole for the joystick.  Okay once I have this hole.  I need to flip the top over to get ready to rout the bottom out.  Okay my thing is how do I center the base around this hole?  Do I eyeball it or should I use a template and take the circle on the template and center it to the joystick hole then draw around the thing.  That is a part I just don't get. 

My second question is this.  I am not going to be using any overlay or plexi or any of that stuff.  I have a stained look to my cab no plexi/lexan overlay artwork or anything like that.  So when I have the 1/4" routed out for the base, how do I screw these in.  I have seen screws and nuts but this won't work since I am not top mounting or having overlay.  What kind of a screw should I use.  And it will need to be about 1/2" or less cause I will only have 1/2" of the control panel left to work with.  I don't want the screws showing from the top.  I guess the base will have some thickness so maybe the 1/2 screws would work.

Any ideas on these issues guys?

Thanks

Whats up Dowdy?

I have supers, I didn't route the bottom out for the joystick. The whole point of routing out the joystick is so the shaft can stick out that extra 1/4". Some people route - some don't. I didn't and I'm fine with my sticks.

You can download a template from here nhttp://arcadecontrols.com/artwork.shtml#templates

most people mount their joysticks with carriage bolts. Those of us with overlays have countersunk them so they aren't exposed. I think from a durability standpoint this makes the most sense. However, some people have mounted their sticks under the CP and claim to not have any issue.

[Torc]

I think your best bet would be to make 2 templates. It may seem like a bit of work but its well worth the effort.

your first template will be the one you use with the router. Instead of eyballing it, make another one which  has a 1.125" hole in the center of it and fits snugly inside the first template. Now just line the hole up with the joystick hole and then attach the outside template to the piece of plywood. then remove the inside template. you'll still need to square it up but thats easily done. same results every time. Make sure to mark your templates, sides and which way is up. this way if the hole is just a wee bit off center, it will at least be consistant across all the cuts you make.

[rdowdy95]

Hey Leapin, my thing is though with carriage bolts.  Since I am mounting them from the bottom the carriage bolt goes through the little holes.  Then do they just screw in there.  See I am not wanting to have the bolts go through the top of the panel down into the wood.  I don't want anyone to see the bolts from the top of my panel.  See I am not going to be using any artwork/plexi it is just going to be stain/sanded wood on top.  So I need to use a screw that will hold them in from the bottom some how.  Any ideas?

[rdowdy95]

So Torc you are saying make two templates.  One for the routing sqaure shape of joystick base, and one primarily for the actual hole to make sure it is centered with the cut hole, then put the routing template over that one to make sure the hole and everything else is centered.

Also I will be using paper templates prolly.  I need to try those Visio templates.  Anyone know if Paint Shop Pro 9 can open those Visio files?  I have the Arcade book but I still haven't resized the templates yet.

[leapinlew]

So Torc you are saying make two templates.  One for the routing sqaure shape of joystick base, and one primarily for the actual hole to make sure it is centered with the cut hole, then put the routing template over that one to make sure the hole and everything else is centered.

Also I will be using paper templates prolly.  I need to try those Visio templates.  Anyone know if Paint Shop Pro 9 can open those Visio files?  I have the Arcade book but I still haven't resized the templates yet.

Check out Knievels woody. He discusses how he did his.

If I remember correctly, he used 1/2" and put the carriage bolts there, he then covered the 1/2" with 1/4" that was stained. Carriage bolts don't look bad. They are nice looking bolts and they don't look out of place on an arcade because nearly every arcade with a joystick had carriage bolts.

[JMB]

You can also use t-nuts.

http://www.oscarcontrols.com/sinistar/cp07.jpg

[rdowdy95]

What if I used wood screws.  I could screw them in from the bottom of the joystick mount into the wood going upward all from the bottom?  Anyone try this?

[rdowdy95]

Guys here is Dan.  He is a guy who made a nice Mame cab a while back.  My control panel will look somewhat like his. 

See on the bottom of his it looks like he is using some screws with some washers in between getting screwed upward direction.  You know what I am saying.  What do you think about his method.

[leapinlew]

Are you mounting your trackball mounting plate like that as well?

[rdowdy95]

Well as far as the trackball goes I am going to be using the mounting plate.  The black sqaure one.  I am using this because I am not going to have a overylay/plexi.  I kind of like the black sqaure look. 

But what did you think about the above pic going in from the bottom with a wood screw and a washer.

Also my trackball plate is a little diffrent I think.  But it will have the same kind of feel I think.

[leapinlew]

To be honest... if your going to expose the trackball plate with all it's carriage bolts - the ones showing for the joystick isn't going to make much of a difference. I'd be afraid of the joysticks working themselves free after time if you just try to hold them on from the bottom. If your going for a clean look - here is a picture of Mr. Knievels woody CP.

The t-nuts was a very good solution as well.

[NoOne=NBA=]

I prefer to build laminated CP's.
My biggest reason for preferring them is that they let you mount the dustwasher just below the surface of the CP.

I've also done the "screw from the bottom" thing with Happ's joysticks and it does work.
I would recommend NOT routing the bottom of the CP though.
For maximum strength on your screw connections, I would leave the CP at 3/4", and cut the tips off some #10 x 1" screws.
That will maximize the amount of thread you have biting into the hole by eliminating the pointy end part on the screw that is worthless.

[ahofle]

FWIW, I have my Supers mounted from the bottom with 3/4" wood screws.  I haven't had any issues with them in 3 years of play.  It's definitely better to use carriage bolts, but wood screws should work OK too.  I figured if they ever ripped out from the wood I would remount them with carriage bolts, but it just hasn't happened.

[MovingTarget]

I think you'll be okay with the wood screws and some washers since the wood your CP is made from isn't MDF like probably most people's is.  I thought about not goint through the trouble of using the T nuts and counter sinking them (I did route out my 3/4" MDF and BTW eyeballed it to make it center, just make sure you're standing directly over the hole if you do that, worked just fine), but since MDF doesn't have the same integrity as plywood with screws I did choose the T Nut route.

You might want to find a scrap piece of 3/4" wood, make your hole and mount a JS to see if you're happy with the way it looks and moves without routing out the bottom.  I did that and I didn't like it and that's why I routed out the bottom.

Never hurts to do some test runs so when you're working on your real CP you don't  it up.  Those CP's are a lot of work and it would suck to have to do it more than once.

[rdowdy95]

FWIW, I have my Supers mounted from the bottom with 3/4" wood screws.  I haven't had any issues with them in 3 years of play.  It's definitely better to use carriage bolts, but wood screws should work OK too.  I figured if they ever ripped out from the wood I would remount them with carriage bolts, but it just hasn't happened.

Ahofle what size/length screw did you use.  Also did you recess the joysticks a 1/4"?

[rdowdy95]

I also will mount them in scrap wood.  I just think I would like the taller stick.  I may go with the carriage bolt rout.  I would like not to see them, but I want this thing to last so I may use the carriage bolts. 

Who sells the carriage bolts with no initials on top.  Does Divemaster have any for the Supers?  I may have to take the stick to homedepot or Ace Hardware and get the size of the bolt I would need.  Then order from somewhere on here.  I will test mount in scrap I guess before I make my decision.

Leapin you are right that alot of the old arcade machines I played growing up showed the carriage bolts though the plexi/overlay.

[ahofle]

Ahofle what size/length screw did you use.  Also did you recess the joysticks a 1/4"?

To be honest I don't remember the diameter (just that they were 3/4" long), I just had them lying around the shop.  And I did not route anything (I'll be the first to admit I was in a hurry to start playing at this point in the construction process ).  But NoOne=NBA='s idea is much better anyway.  Snip some bigger/longer screws, drill pilot holes and you should get a really strong 'bite'.  And as MovingTarget mentioned, since you are using a higher quality wood than MDF, you should really be fine. 

[GoPodular.com]

What if I used wood screws.  I could screw them in from the bottom of the joystick mount into the wood going upward all from the bottom?  Anyone try this?

SlikStik uses wood screws from the bottom (with particle board).

I'd do the snip mod on longer screws as well.  I'd just feel a bit better about it.  Have you thought about countersinking machine screws from the top and filling the top with a button plug?

(button plug in this case = short wooden dowel  )

[MovingTarget]

What if I used wood screws.  I could screw them in from the bottom of the joystick mount into the wood going upward all from the bottom?  Anyone try this?

SlikStik uses wood screws from the bottom (with particle board).

I'd do the snip mod on longer screws as well.  I'd just feel a bit better about it.  Have you thought about countersinking machine screws from the top and filling the top with a button plug?

(button plug in this case = short wooden dowel  )

Just thinking the button plug idea through...if you do that you've then lost the ability to remove the joystick (unless you counter sunk T nuts and did a plug over them).  If you don't ever want to remove the joystick then why not just liquid nail the joystick to the bottom and use some 1/2" screws to hold it in place while the glue dried?

I can guarantee it wouldn't come lose is you used some wicked strong glue like that.

[rdowdy95]

Thanks for the great info guys.  Hey does anyone know if the SlikStik guys route out the bottom of the control panel.  I know Alladdin castle arcade he got a slikstik maybe I need to ask him.  I think his name is Skadar on here.  I wonder if I can get a Super handle that is a 1/4" longer?  Then I could have the long handle I want.

[GoPodular.com]

They don't route.  Just four screws.  Here's a pic from the retroblast review:

[rdowdy95]

Do they make 3/4" wood screws??

[leapinlew]

Do they make 3/4" wood screws??

Dowdy....

wtf kinda question is that?

Get some sleep

[rdowdy95]

LOL I am just rereading this post.  Damn...I can't believe I said that.  Hell I think I have some of those in the garage!