Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: hulkster on March 30, 2004, 11:21:41 am
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alright, im close to fully assembling the control panel pedestal part of my showcase cab. im going to be attaching the base plate (the underside of the pedestal) and im wondering before i do it....do i need to attach some kind of....wheels, or feet, or whatever on the bottom? i dont want to put wheels on because i dont want it moving at all when im playing, or even have the risk of it moving. should i just put the base on flat, with nothing underneath the pedestal but wood? or should i put some kind of feet on it, that i dont know about?? help please
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You could put a couple of rails or the screw feet on the bottom. The reason is to prevent damage to the material around the edges. If you move the unit you could chip the base.
It doesn't hurt at all to do that. If you have a bad floor, leveling feet help lots. If you don't like it, you can always take it off.
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where would i get these?
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Casters are great provided a) you can lock them so the cabinet won't move and/or b) the machine will be sitting on carpet which stablizes the cabinet.
I don't know how I'd move mine without casters. But the cabinet definately has more "swing" since it's resting on 4 discrete points.
I move mine alot since it's a WIP. Easy to pull it toward me to get access to the back, and then push it back into the corner. But stability is certainly reduced by some amount.
They make those springy casters that let you have wheels when you need 'em but then they turn into jack-stands once you get it where you want it. I considered them for a similar project but never actually tried them.
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well the cab will more than likely be on carpet, so i should get some locking casters? and how easy is it to move them from lock to unlock?
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When I have to put new feet on a cabinet I generally go to the hardware store and buy those big round (but VERY SHORT) feet that are about 1/3" tall. They should come in a pack of four, and are installed by screwing them in.
Just go to any decent hardware store, you should find a zillion options.
Also. I often lift up my cabs just slightly by adding a base of 2x4s at the bottom (with the short side adding the height). This keeps the bottom of your cabinet from EVER getting all jacked up.
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I have a set of 4 new metal leg levelers (with the rubbers) that are likley ebay bound. If you want em, PM me.
-Goz
Edit: Added the rubbers
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Mine's got a base of 2x4 with the bottom shelf sitting on the 2x4 frame. So there's like a 2" airspace in the bottom the cabinet. I mounted my casters to 4" square 3/4" pine shims and then screwed them into the bottom of the bottom shelf. The net result is that the casters protrude only like 1/2" from the bottom of the cabinet. I did this to minimize the tippy factor and to hide the wheels. I also inset the casters a few inches so they cannot be seen from the outside without trying. They sink into the carpet a bit anyway and the whole cabinet appears pretty much flush with the floor.
I used smallish straight-line casters (verus the 360-degree types that spin) that were rated to support my guess for the cabinet weight (more weight = bigger casters). Home Depot has a wide assortment of inexpensive casters. You can buy them one at a time so you could mix straight-line and spinning casters if you wanted.
Even though I recommended locking casters, I didn't use them because my carpet brakes for me. I used them on a workbench project and they work well. You just step on a little lever to lock them and then reach down and flip the lever up to unlock them. Can't have a workbench walking away on you when you are leaning into a circular saw!
Hulkster, isn't your cabinet going to be dis-assemblable? If so, maybe it does make sense to use rubber levelers instead of wheels since you could dis-assemble to move?
One last thing: those spring-loaded casters I was talking about. I think I may have them wrong. I don't think they turn into jack-stands. I think what they do is let you raise up the cabinet perhaps 3" to move it. Then when you get where you want, you release the spring lock and the cabinet sinks down hiding the casters. Very cool idea (assuming I got it right. But I only saw them with like 4-5" wheels which is way too big.
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yeah im making it so that it can be dis-assembled into 4 parts. cp, cp pedestal, monitor section, monitor base. so most of those parts can be carried, cept for the monitor base. so you guys are recommending the level things?
gozur: ill pm you if i decide to get them after some more feedback ;D so keep those leveler things on hold
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well i was still kinda hopin for some feedback ;D
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You can get the leveling feet from Bob Roberts. You could just get the other chair feet at lowes or walmart. Go to where they have the cabinet hardware like pulls and rollers.
I wouldn't put rollers on it. Anything that keeps the base off the floor a little works.
You can put some wood slats on the bottom and buy those rubber button feet that look like big thumbtacks. Just drive them in with a hammer.
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You can put some wood slats on the bottom and buy those rubber button feet that look like big thumbtacks. Just drive them in with a hammer.
hmmm, thats a pretty cheap and good idea. that way i wouldnt have to buy those feet. i can just put some wood on the bottom (2x4's) and then nail in those rubber feet. "that oughta hold ya"