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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Tzakiel on October 17, 2013, 11:37:21 am

Title: Best way to attach control panel to cabinet?
Post by: Tzakiel on October 17, 2013, 11:37:21 am
How do y'all (I am not southern, so I don't know why I said that) attach your control panel to your cabinet?  I am assembling a UAII cabinet so I will have the keyboard drawer with an open top like so:

http://www.mameroom.com/manuals/UAIIKit_Manual.pdf (http://www.mameroom.com/manuals/UAIIKit_Manual.pdf)

I will be building a 1/2" MDF control panel... I am assuming it will just be a flat board with holes in it... and I won't need "depth" or box sides for it since it will just sit on top of the shelf.

North Coast/MAMEroom seems to just assume you will use the included corner brackets to screw down your control panel on to the shelf. I am thinking that might make it a pain to reach the underside of the CP for initial testing and service. And, I would like to be able to change out the CP artwork under the plexiglass easily without unscrewing the shelf.

Has anyone used a hinge or other way of attaching the CP to make it easier to test and service?  (I know some have, but I guess I am wondering if there is a specific good way to do this for a UAII) If so what hinge and how would I install it exactly so it opens without damaging anything? Would that be sturdy enough not to slide around on the non-hinged side?

I'm pretty clueless and this is my first CP so any advice is appreciated, especially if you have built a CP for a UAII.
Title: Re: Best way to attach control panel to cabinet?
Post by: Richardgregory on October 17, 2013, 03:21:51 pm
Maybe you can try one of them latches that can be found on trunks?  Install a piece of wood on each end of the CP and attached one end of the latch to it and the other onto another piece of wood that's attached to your cabinet.

Title: Re: Best way to attach control panel to cabinet?
Post by: wp34 on October 17, 2013, 04:14:52 pm
I ran a couple of 1/4" carriage bolts up through the shelve and used wing nuts to hold the CP in place.  It is very secure and very easy to remove.
Title: Re: Best way to attach control panel to cabinet?
Post by: mcseforsale on October 17, 2013, 04:16:51 pm
This might work...

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,117977.msg1265003.html#msg1265003 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,117977.msg1265003.html#msg1265003)

AJ
Title: Re: Best way to attach control panel to cabinet?
Post by: Cynicaster on October 18, 2013, 11:31:44 am
I used pieces of angle iron that look sort of like this: http://i01.i.aliimg.com/wsphoto/v1/594819189_2/L-shaped-Angle-Iron-Axle-Bracket-Iron-Plates-20-Holes-for-DIY-Model-Accessories-Robot-Body.jpg (http://i01.i.aliimg.com/wsphoto/v1/594819189_2/L-shaped-Angle-Iron-Axle-Bracket-Iron-Plates-20-Holes-for-DIY-Model-Accessories-Robot-Body.jpg)

Actually, the stuff I got at the local hardware store came in a length of several feet that I cut as desired, and it had every other hole elongated which made it even easier to use (less precision required). 

I mounted that stuff on the cabinet, and attached the CP using 4 carriage bolts.  Works like a charm. 
Title: Re: Best way to attach control panel to cabinet?
Post by: EMDB on October 18, 2013, 02:01:14 pm
Or this...

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,130690.msg1354240.html#msg1354240 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,130690.msg1354240.html#msg1354240)
Title: Re: Best way to attach control panel to cabinet?
Post by: DLinkOZ on October 18, 2013, 02:08:59 pm
What EMDB said.  That's how my DK cab attaches, and it's super-solid.  A wood CP on a wood base, you could use furring on the bottom of the CP to locate it.  Or, like the original, a simple metal plate that protrudes up into a notch on the bottom of the CP to keep it fixed on the flat plane, while the latches suck it down to the cab.
Title: Re: Best way to attach control panel to cabinet?
Post by: Richardgregory on October 18, 2013, 06:31:38 pm
I couldn't find these at HD....where would I be able to get these. They look like they would work very well.

Or this...

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,130690.msg1354240.html#msg1354240 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,130690.msg1354240.html#msg1354240)
Title: Re: Best way to attach control panel to cabinet?
Post by: BobA on October 20, 2013, 04:58:16 pm
If you are building the UAII type cab it is designed for a Control Panel box to sit on top of the front of the cab.  If you do not build the Control Panel into a box it will not sit properly on the UAII.  A simple flat control panel cannot be used unless you build up the front of the UAII to fit it. 
Title: Re: Best way to attach control panel to cabinet?
Post by: Tzakiel on October 20, 2013, 05:02:42 pm
BobA, yep. Figured that out last night as I finished assembling my uaII. Now I'm feeling quite overwhelmed. Seems like a more complicated project. Hopefully it will still be doable for a woodworking newbie like me.
Title: Re: Best way to attach control panel to cabinet?
Post by: BobA on October 21, 2013, 11:11:10 am
Just go slow and steady.  The UAII control panel instructions show the pieces needed to box in the panel.
Title: Re: Best way to attach control panel to cabinet?
Post by: Tzakiel on October 21, 2013, 11:29:22 am
Just go slow and steady.  The UAII control panel instructions show the pieces needed to box in the panel.

Edit: Aha! found it under kits rather than controllers. That is some help, along with dimensions of the controller product. I guess that gives me a start.  Thanks!

Hi Bob, where is that document located?  I took measurements from my cab but I'm having a hard time picturing all the pieces and angles I will need to cut. I don't see that doc on their site however.
Title: Re: Best way to attach control panel to cabinet?
Post by: BobA on October 21, 2013, 12:43:07 pm
Forgot if you are doing a 2p or a 4p but the 4p is the size that the UAII uses.  The 2p would probably have to be altered to fit the base on the UAII.  I have attached both documents which were available on their site when I downloaded them.

Title: Re: Best way to attach control panel to cabinet?
Post by: Tzakiel on October 21, 2013, 12:48:26 pm
Thanks Bob.  I am making a photoshop file with pieces and dimensions drawn out. Once I am confident it's right I might send it your way to see if you agree. Based on the 2p classic controller and actual dimensions of my cabinet's shelf.