For mounting the lcd monitor I initially wanted to just use a simple wooden board. But I noticed that a lot of virtual pinball games don't let you change to viewing angle to one that is directly from the top of the playfield, it is usually still at an angle. With the screen already being at the common pinball angle, this would make the playfield angle tilted backward for the player. To combat this, I figured there was some room behind the monitor so I could be tilted to correct the viewing angle. So the simple board became a figure with attachment points for hinges and latches to secure it.
My next challenge was coming up with a mounting system for the control panel. I wanted the panel to be easily serviceable and also removable in case I want to swap it out with a different control panel. On top of that I also did not want any visible screws. I found a solution in using screws as a hinge. I first drilled a big hole that would fit the head of the screw. Then on the side I drilled smaller holes that I filed out to fit the shank of the screws.
Time for some assembly. Here I'm fitting the control panel box together. I used a piece of the dresser with the brand as the front piece because I found it a fitting reminder of it's origins.
I'm using metal angle brackets to connect it all. By not using dowels and glue it would be more likely I could fix any mistakes if my design was insufficient. I had to make the bottom panel in two pieces, because I thought I would have plenty of would from the dresser, and so I used one of the panels as an under layer when I was cutting and it got a lot of saw marks on it. It turned out I dit not have plenty of the would I needed :s. Luckily it was only the bottom so no biggie.
Test fitting the monitor on the mount.
Creating the monitor pivot point.
My next challenge was coming up with a mounting system for the control panel. I wanted the panel to be easily serviceable and also removable in case I want to swap it out with a different control panel. On top of that I also did not want any visible screws. I found a solution in using screws as a hinge. I first drilled a big hole that would fit the head of the screw. Then on the side I drilled smaller holes that I filed out to fit the shank of the screws.
Time for some assembly. Here I'm fitting the control panel box together. I used a piece of the dresser with the brand as the front piece because I found it a fitting reminder of it's origins.
I'm using metal angle brackets to connect it all. By not using dowels and glue it would be more likely I could fix any mistakes if my design was insufficient. I had to make the bottom panel in two pieces, because I thought I would have plenty of would from the dresser, and so I used one of the panels as an under layer when I was cutting and it got a lot of saw marks on it. It turned out I dit not have plenty of the would I needed :s. Luckily it was only the bottom so no biggie.
Test fitting the monitor on the mount.
Creating the monitor pivot point.