Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: nugarp on March 19, 2014, 11:02:45 am
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I'm cutting out my control panel on 5/8" wood and had a quick question about threaded inserts. I got the joystick mounting kit from GGG and have routed out about 10mm from my panel to completely fit the height of the JLF S-plate (bottom mounting the joystick) that I had ordered. Everything fit great. However, the JLF S-mounting plate only has 2 holes for mounting on through the 5/8" wood. Are two threaded inserts sufficient for holding the joystick in place/will it handle minor abuse? Anyone have experience with that?
Thanks!
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I think it may depend on which wood you are using. Plywood or MDF? I used plywood and I can hear a creak on the wood when I apply force to the joystick.
YMMV
Be mentally prepared to cut a new template anyhow.
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Personally I would through mounting rather than the inserts in this case.
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I plan to do the same thing with my control panel. I would suggest that you drill the two current holes in the S-plate out to #10 clearance (7/32" drill is more than sufficient).
If you're worried about the mounting points, you can always dill more holes into the corners of the S-plate to allow for better mounting points. I will do the same thing once I get around to building my control panel.
The threaded inserts can be found at many hardware stores (i.e. Lowes) and can also be found online at Fastenal (http://www.fastenal.com/web/products/details/0161584?searchMode=productSearch&zipcode=&filterByStore=&filterByVendingMachine=). Buying from Fastenal can save you money if you plan on using the inserts to mount more than just your joysticks. If that is not the case, I would recommend just either ordering from GGG or going to your local hardware store to pick up 10-24 inserts and 1/2" long 10-24 machine screws.
Realistically, these inserts will stay in no problem, but consider using carriage bolts if you feel the machine will get a lot of abuse.
Hope that helps. :cheers:
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I would definitely not recommend using only two inserts.
Ideally, use 4 inserts -- one in each corner.
Make sure you get the ones with the wide flat threads for MDF, not the narrower ones with wood screw thread geometry.
(http://newwiki.arcadecontrols.com/images/0/0b/GGGThreadedInserts.jpg) (http://newwiki.arcadecontrols.com/images/8/80/BadThreadedInsert.jpg)
Scott
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Drill 4 new holes in the corners of the S-plate.
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Thanks for all the advice guys. I'll probably add 4 holes and use 6 inserts per plate. Is there a special drill bit needed? I have a corded drill and drill press and will probably use the latter. I also have cutting oil available. Never drilled/worked with metal before.
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If you have one of those father's day gift sets, or christmas gift sets, you are likely to have a few of each types of drill bit, masonry, metal and wood.
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Turns out we did have one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Neiko-Power-Punch-Sheet-Metal/dp/B0002T87CW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1395469004&sr=8-2&keywords=metal+hole+punch (http://www.amazon.com/Neiko-Power-Punch-Sheet-Metal/dp/B0002T87CW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1395469004&sr=8-2&keywords=metal+hole+punch)
The 3/16 hole was perfect for the screws. I ended up adding 4 punches to each plate and screwing those in. I could have done 6 but 4 felt more than sufficient. Thanks for the replies!