Securing a Joystick in MDF mounted underneath CP?

[javeryh]

I routed a 3/8" deep square for my U360 mounting plate.  This left me with 3/8" of MDF to screw into which is of course not thick enough to hold anything (the screws I used already popped out leaving ruined holes).  Any ideas other than using glue or something to permanently secure it in place?  It's not like I ever envision swapping it out but you never know...

[bleargh]

I routed a 3/8" deep square for my U360 mounting plate.  This left me with 3/8" of MDF to screw into which is of course not thick enough to hold anything (the screws I used already popped out leaving ruined holes).  Any ideas other than using glue or something to permanently secure it in place?  It's not like I ever envision swapping it out but you never know...

When I mounted the U360s on my panel recently, I used "t-nuts".  Got mine from Lee Valley Tools, but I'm pretty sure you can pick them up at most hardware stores.  I had a bookmark around here somewhere with a photo of someone else doing that too (where I got the idea)...

Here's one.  Isn't the one I'd seen before, but the photos show the same type of nut I've used here (although I used a smaller one).

The t-nut goes on the top, pounded into your wood, and then you tighten up the screw/bolt from underneath the panel.  Depending on how thick the t-nut is that you get you might want to route out a tiny hole on the top of your CP to keep it flush.

[javeryh]

Hmmm... I think it's a little late for that for me unfortunately.  The top of my CP is completely finished and covered in vinyl so I can't do anything to disturb it.

[miles2912]

A 30 min epoxy or household GOOP will hold it.  They can be found at any home depot or hardware store, but once set you are not getting it out without ruining it.  Sorry to hear about your CP.

Don

[ahofle]

Could you possibly get some type of metal plate with a hole in the middle that the bottom of the joystick would fit through and drill 4 holes in it for the screws?  Then tighten it up under the panel?  Basically a giant T-nut.

[bleugh]

use some epoxy and also cut the screws down so they do mount at least a small way into the MDF

drill a small hole for eash screw to allow it to 'bite'

you really need a mechanical link with your joystick AND a glue to make sure it's rock steady

[Knievel]

Some threaded inserts would work. I've used these before, Home Depot or similar should have them..

http://www.ezlok.com/InsertsWood/hardWood.html

[Joystick Jerk]

And of course next time you make a CP, no wood screws. Use bolts or machine screws to hold the sticks on.

[javeryh]

Some threaded inserts would work. I've used these before, Home Depot or similar should have them..

http://www.ezlok.com/InsertsWood/hardWood.html

Those look like my best bet although part of me just wants to say screw it and glue that sucker in place.

[leapinlew]

worst case, drill up through the bottom and put some carriage bolts through the CP. You can do this if the metal inserts don't pan out since you'll already have the holes in place - you'd just finish drilling.

I've used wood screws to hold joysticks on in the past. It's worked fine.