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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: silverdolla on February 16, 2010, 07:51:10 pm

Title: Attaching a control panel..... best ways ??
Post by: silverdolla on February 16, 2010, 07:51:10 pm
Hello everyone... Really my first post here. Please excuse me if this has been posted already, but I could not find an answer/example (pic) on attaching a control panel to a cabinet. The scenerio-  I have and old frogger cab (which was gutted to begin with), that I have been working with and I wanted to know what are the options to attaching the control panel. I have the classic control panel  from Mameroom which was perfect for my application and was wondering if attaching it with wood (like a make shift shelf) or the arcade clamps that I have seen. I'm also putting into consideration easy removal for any adjustments. I have looked through many videos on you tube,peoples review of their cabs/control panel, but unfortunately I never see how its attached. Thanks everyone!   :)
Title: Re: Attaching a control panel..... best ways ??
Post by: Herk on February 17, 2010, 12:41:29 am
Silverdolla,

     One suggestion is velcro.  Velcro allows for easy removal and it does not budge if you put it all the way around where there is contact.

Herk
Title: Re: Attaching a control panel..... best ways ??
Post by: UberCade on February 17, 2010, 02:45:50 am
I plan to use 4 L-brackets underneath, 2 on each side to attach my control panel to my cabinet. What I'm going to do is drill 4 holes up through the bottom of my control panel where the L-brackets will attach it to the cabinet, then insert a machine screw up through each hole long enough to protrude through the hole half an inch or so and lock it down with a washer and wing nut from inside the control panel. That way it will be secure while it's attached, and I won't need any tools to remove it. I'll just have to loosen the wing nuts, remove the bolts and lift it off the cabinet. I'm also thinking about inserting 4 dowels sticking straight up to help align the control panel and prevent it from shifting side to side while in play. Or maybe inserting some hangar bolts into the cab where the back of the control panel makes contact, drilling a couple more holes through the back of the control panel and using wing nuts there as well.

Honestly what I've been doing is taking a walk through the fastener and hardware section of my local hardware stores, seeing what they have and brainstorming, coming up with ideas about the best way to do everything I still need to do. You'd be surprised how much easier it is to have a revelation about how to solve your problem just by going to a hardware store and having a look around. You'll come up with ideas using parts you never thought about.
Title: Re: Attaching a control panel..... best ways ??
Post by: massive88 on February 17, 2010, 06:03:07 pm
I used velcro attaching mine in two 1' long strips attached to T-moulding.

It will not move unless you pull up hard on it.  Then it comes off.  Its a great way to attach it.
Title: Re: Attaching a control panel..... best ways ??
Post by: Dazz on February 17, 2010, 06:12:34 pm
I'm going with Panel Clamp (http://www.arcadeemulator.net/cgi-bin/shop/cp-app.cgi?usr=51F6103252&rnd=8190937&rrc=N&affl=&cip=173.74.40.213&act=&aff=&pg=prod&ref=Panel+Clamp&cat=Accessories&catstr=HOME:Accessories) latches on my new control panel.  These look like they will hold quite nicely.
Title: Re: Attaching a control panel..... best ways ??
Post by: silverdolla on February 17, 2010, 08:16:46 pm
Thanks guys for the ideas ! They are great. I totally forgot about using velcro!
Title: Re: Attaching a control panel..... best ways ??
Post by: gdilly on February 18, 2010, 08:56:04 am
I'm using window latches / locks from lowes. Keeps the in place during a roudy session and are easy to open close when I need to take the panel off.
Title: Re: Attaching a control panel..... best ways ??
Post by: DashRendar on February 18, 2010, 09:51:57 am
My cab has a ledge that sticks out.  CP attaches with 2 carriage bolts in the back, and 2 in the bottom, to the frame of the cab.
Title: Re: Attaching a control panel..... best ways ??
Post by: Todd H on February 18, 2010, 10:13:41 am
My cab has a ledge that sticks out.  CP attaches with 2 carriage bolts in the back, and 2 in the bottom, to the frame of the cab.

That's how mine is attached as well. So far it's been rock solid.
Title: Re: Attaching a control panel..... best ways ??
Post by: mwong168 on February 18, 2010, 11:09:04 am
I used the Panel clamps as Dazz mentioned and work great for holding my panel down.

(http://www.vendor21.com/arcade/hinges_inside.jpg)
(http://www.vendor21.com/arcade/cpanelhinges.jpg)
Title: Re: Attaching a control panel..... best ways ??
Post by: silverdolla on February 18, 2010, 04:35:35 pm
Thank you mwong168 for the pics- that helps a great deal
@Todd H - your cabinet is actually the one i have been looking at all this time because my CP will hang over the front like yours-hence what inspired me to post this question (how did he attach it like that?)  LOL- and then you answered. that's great