Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: RayB on August 04, 2004, 04:20:32 pm
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Yo peeps!
I need a solution to a small problem involving marquee brackets.
First, I was thinking of following people's advice on using drop-ceiling edges. My question though is, can these be bent so they are not 90' angles?
Before you call me weird and ask why I wouldn't want 90' angles, look at this diagram of my cabinet's existing design:
(http://www.retrofx.com/arcade/images/marquee_bracket_problem.gif)
This cab is a generic, very similar to Frogger in shape. The marquee, for whatever reason, is very short, and the solution the manufacturer chose was cutting a groove into the top and bottom of the wood panels.
So, even though the panels are angles up, the grooves are straight and the marquee fits right in.
BUT IT'S UGLY. The marquee sits a good inch from the edge of the front sides. And it has the front of the wood visible (it's got wood finish on it).
The GREEN lines in my diagram above show what would happen if I just screwed on 90' angled brackets. As you can see, the top one needs to be bent to a smaller angle, or be screwed on in a manner that keeps the angles straight.
The bottom one, I'd have to bend wider, or again, screw on in a manner that keeps the sides straight.
Suggestions?
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Here's how I did mine. Using paper figure out the angle you need your bracket to be bent into. Not measure the length between each edge of the "L" after the bracket would be bent to this angle.
Now get a scrap board and make two lines that are parallel with the distance between being the distance you measured.
Nail some finishing nails all along both lines evenly spaced every few inches. Leave a bit of the nails sticking up.
Now lay your angle bracket between the two lines with the "corner" face up.
Now the fun part, use a hammer, your fist, your mother-in-law anything heavy to push down along that corner until the bracket spreads. Try to keep the corner line centered between the two lines of nails. You may even want to draw a line between the two for reference. The nails will keep it from spreading too far.
If you use even pressure and push only on the corner the bend willl look factory made when you are through.
Hope that helps!
HAC
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A bit sturdier solution (though NOT bendable without a machine) is to go to your local hardware store and look where they keep aluminum and steel works (strips of metal).
Locally I can get a 36" piece of 7/8" x 1" piece of aluminum for $1.69 that works great as a marquee channel. Just drill 4 screw holes and make recessed tapered spots to hold the heads, then prime and paint it the color your need.
You'd need a 24" long vice to probably be able to bend it however. Nice thing is that aluminum drills VERY easily, even easier than the thinner steel used in ceiling tile holders.
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Better still is if you have a Harbor Freight Tools store nearby. Get a sheet metal "bend & break" tool.
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looking at that drawing i see another posible solution, how about t-molding the front edge of the wood. Could look real cool especially if your cab is one with contrasting color of t-molding in general. Or the slot for it may hit the slot for the marquee, and it may not work at all.
Just an Idea,
John
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looking at that drawing i see another posible solution, how about t-molding the front edge of the wood. Could look real cool especially if your cab is one with contrasting color of t-molding in general. Or the slot for it may hit the slot for the marquee, and it may not work at all.
John
Mmm it might look good with t-molding or it might look bad since the t-molding would still be angled...
Thanks for your tips guys.
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Another way is you could cut the wood to make 90 degree angles. I had to do this on my cab on the lower piece.
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The front edges of the wood should have T-molding on that cabinet, I have owned one or two of them in the past.