Control Panel Stability

[fjl]

I was just going over my cab plans and noticed there might be something to consider. The hinged Control Panel. First pic shows how it will rest, and second pic shows how it will look opened with hinges in place.





My question is, how stable is this? Should I expect the CP to move around a bit? Will the CP open while pullling down on the joystick? What do you guys use, if anything, to hold the CP in place while playing? A way to lock it so others can't open it? What experience good and bad did you get from adding a hinge to the CP? And is there a better type of hinge to use? Answers please! 

[CheffoJeffo]

Two words:

Panel Clamps

http://www.happcontrols.com/amusement/acesor/49005900.htm

Cheers

[headkaze]

I have a similar thing with my CP attached by a piano hinge. I've never had a problem with it popping up or opening during a game, it just never moves. I think you could have problems with kids opening it up or something like that. But I just have the force of gravity take care of it for me.

[fjl]

Two words:

Panel Clamps

http://www.happcontrols.com/amusement/acesor/49005900.htm

Cheers

Interesting, how do they work though? Do they go inside the cabinet or outside? I'd like a to see a picture of it in action.

[(+_+)]

Here's a practical shot with the paino hinge in action.

http://www.garry.ca/images/Day11_CPWithHinge.JPG

[leapinlew]

Heres a few shots. They hold your panel down fine.

[CheffoJeffo]

Not really interesting ... but it is what you want I would sa need)

The latches go on the inside of your cabinet (typically on the sides) and are positioned so they can be reached through the coin door.

Virtually every machine I own uses panel clamps to secure the panel, including seven front-hinged panels (only front-hinged panel that doesn't is Asteroids and it uses carrage bolts).

Cheers.

[johnperkins21]

If you're only worried about stability and not security, you could always just use some velcro. Should give it that extra hold for serious sessions. Otherwise go with the panel clamps inside your coin door.

[fjl]

Yeah, I want to go with the panel clamps. Seems a lot more sturdier and tamper proof. I just have the dilemma on how to access them as you can see on the picture since there is plywood blocking it. I'm gonna have to cut holes on the bottom drawer part of the Control Panel since it currently cannot be accessed from underneath. They'll be above the pull out keyboard tray. But I can see it now that I will have tons of stuff falling through those holes while I'm wiring up the CP.

[CheffoJeffo]

But I can see it now that I will have tons of stuff falling through those holes while I'm wiring up the CP.

Are you planning to wire the panel while it is closed ?

 

[fjl]

lol, no.

I'll only close it and lock the panel clamps once its done.

[fjl]

Okay, here's a pic of where the holes will be. The yellow wireframe cylinders represent where the holes will be. And of course the keyboard access is opened and the keyboard tray is pulled out. Will be a tight reach though.

Ignore the smaller wireframe cylinder. That's the hole the wires coming from the PC will go through.

[fixedpigs]

i think your marquee should read...

'if this cab's a-rockin'...don't come a-knockin'...'

[fjl]

Currently says Q-Bert. 

[rdowdy95]

Just wanted to say it looks like you are shaking the ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- outta that control panel!

[fjl]

It's gonna be part pinball machine.

TILT!

[johnperkins21]

How about this idea, it's radical but may work? Use a cabinet lock, like this one pictured below:
http://www.thehardwarehut.com/catalog-product.php?p_ref=17851

Put one on each side. When the top is closed, you lock it into place by having the plunger of the lock bore into the CP. I've drawn a really bad picture of the idea below. The only issue is that the depth of the lock itself is 1", and I'm guessing the side of your CP is 3/4". But you could come up with something like this and you could put it back and to the side where it's not really visible, and it would provide both stability and security. If you only have access to one side, it would still work. Just an idea.

My other idea was to get a regular cabinet lock and find a way to take apart a button, and place that over it like a cover. So it looks like a regular button on the top of your panel near the glass and you pull the plastic button covering off to get to the keyhole. Probably more work than it's worth.

[fjl]

Hmm, thats pretty cool. But I figure it won't hold the panel down tight like the clamps would. I'll consider it though. Thanks for the link, I do plan to add other locks to the back door and front side door.

[johnperkins21]

You can use that in addition to some velcro or something. I doubt you will have many instances where the cp comes unhinged accidentally. If you can find a way to easily get clamps in there and have access to them, then that's probably the way to go. Based on your design, it just looked a little tough. Just trying to throw out suggestions.

What are your options of just screwing down a thin piece of wood in front of the monitor on top of the CP? You could paint it the same color as your cabinet and it would be hardly noticeable. Since you'd very rarely want to get under your CP anyway, it's a fairly simple and elegant solution. I believe there are a few builders who have used a similar solution around here.

[CheffoJeffo]

I have panels that use panel locks like johnperkins21 suggests ...they also work well, although I only have them on a big showcase panel, which is big and heavy enough for gravity to hold it down anyway.

Cheers