Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Arcade Collecting => Miscellaneous Arcade Talk => Topic started by: RobbyMac on March 07, 2010, 06:15:27 pm

Title: Tips on keeping button diffusers centered?
Post by: RobbyMac on March 07, 2010, 06:15:27 pm

I've got some button diffucers in my buttons and they look/work great.
But I notice they tend to turn over time, so that my button labels (all installed on the diffusers) end up rotating slightly.

Any tips on keeping them from rotating? I'd try dbl sided tape, but I think it might look shoddy/interfere with how clean the button labels appear.
Hot glue same thing. I think I am overthinking this...

Title: Re: Tips on keeping button diffusers centered?
Post by: MB on April 03, 2010, 10:53:43 am

Haven't tried it yet because I'm still in the cabinet building phase but on the GGG site it says:

"For permanent installation a small drop of GEL superglue can be placed on the back of the PGI
 at the point where it meets the inside wall of the plunger."

Let me know if you try it and how it works.

Title: Re: Tips on keeping button diffusers centered?
Post by: RobbyMac on April 03, 2010, 01:18:14 pm

DOH! :banghead:
Never saw that thanks!
I will try it. Although, I put decals on my diffusers that were thermal printed, so i will test on an extra decal first.

Don't know why I hadn't thought of this.. I kept thinking hot glue or most glues would leave a residue, but a dab of superglue would likely dry really clear.

Title: Re: Tips on keeping button diffusers centered?
Post by: MB on April 03, 2010, 04:16:48 pm

The hot glue I've been using on other things dries very clear, but I'm wondering if it would still
cast a shadow on the front. Again, I haven't tried it yet on the disks but it would probably be good
to make sure it is pretty even all the way around for this reason.

Title: Re: Tips on keeping button diffusers centered?
Post by: RobbyMac on April 04, 2010, 12:26:57 am

I tested one tonight. It worked pretty good, we'll see how long it lasts.
I did not have any crazy glue, but I used some plastic cement for hobbyists. Not model cement in a tube, though that might work also. This is a clear drying cement with a needle like applicator.
In any event, I put one small dab on the inside of the button, then inserted the diffuser carefully aligning it.

The cement did not do any harm to the 'edge printed' decal. (An 'edge' is a type of printer used by sign manufacturers which prints using a thermal foil). My diffusers have decals applied to them, which consist of black printed text/symbols on clear vinyl.

Title: Re: Tips on keeping button diffusers centered?
Post by: MB on April 04, 2010, 02:19:29 am

Sounds good. I'll be putting LED's in the buttons so that's why I'm worried about
the glue partially blocking the light and causing a shadow on the front side.
I thought yours were lighted too but reading back you actually never said that.

Title: Re: Tips on keeping button diffusers centered?
Post by: RobbyMac on April 07, 2010, 07:59:47 am

My button are lit, and you don't see any glue, or residue, or the light affected in any way. So far so good. when I get time I will do the rest.