Desktop Control Panel - A Few Simple Questions...

[Mattiekrome]

Still caught up on waiting for my 5/8" MDF to show up, so I thought I would get a few more questions out of the way.  This is my first shot at a CP, so here goes...

1) Are there any good project links (with lots of pics) to other desktop CP's?  I've seen a few from the examples page, but good pics are few and far between.

2) On some of the pics that I have come across, I notice that there are several metal "L braces" inside of the various desktop CP's.  Is this how the CP sides/front are all attached to each other, or are there some screws countersunk in there to add additional stability?  Surely these CP's arent held together soley by these metal L brackets?

3)  How is the CP top "locked" onto the CP base?  I've seen the piano + euro hinges, but I'm thinking of the other side...  If you put hinges on the front of the CP top, what keeps the back part from popping open all the time?

Now that I read those questions over again, not sure how good I did explaining, lol 

[protokatie]

3)  How is the CP top "locked" onto the CP base?  I've seen the piano + euro hinges, but I'm thinking of the other side...  If you put hinges on the front of the CP top, what keeps the back part from popping open all the time?

Wondered about that one myself a few times... I imagine it is a combo of sheer weight and the springs in some of the hinges I have seen. If you REALLY want to make sure the thing stays down, just use some rare-earth magnets, those suckers are stronger than you may think.

[Turnarcades]

You could use some kind of nut/bolt combo, but for a much neater finish, use strong magnets or cupboard roller catches on the inside rear edge.

[HaRuMaN]

I made several desktop control panels.  You can hinge one side, and put arts & crafts Velcro circles (I use like 5) on the other side.  Holds it shut very well, and you can still get inside to work on it of need be.

[severdhed]

i didn't use any hinges on my control panel.  I attached two very strong magnets (old hard drives are great sources for ridiculously strong magnets).  one at the front in the center, and one at the back in the center.  there are some steel angle braces in the box section that the magnets grab on to.  that holds it down very well, but it will slide a little, so i used some of that adhesive weather stripping foam that you put around your windows/doors.  that keeps it from sliding and rattling.  it holds very well , yet it lifts right off if I need it to

[unclet]

My 4-player control panel has a piano hinge on the front to the control panel top opens towards the player.  The sheer weight of the control panel top keeps it from moving up.   Although, no one really pulls "up" when playing games so the idea that the control panel if going to lift up while playing is not really a concern. 

Here is a good site which I used when building my standup arcade cabinet:

http://home.austin.rr.com/shumate/unicade/

[Mattiekrome]

Earth magnets, cupboard catches, velcro... all great ideas.  I wouldn't be as concerned if it were a full size cab, but with it being so mobile, I dont want undue wear + tear on the PC top and hinges. 

And UncleT, thanks for the link.  I was going to use those metal "L brackets" to hold my CP sides together, but seeing how you did the screws countersunk from the outside into the wooden filler on the inside, it looks MUCH easier + cleaner.  I was also somewhat concerned with how t-molding would work with screws drilled directly in the slot, but that problem will become non existant as well.  A wealth of info in those pics.  Thanks!