Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: ras2a on November 15, 2004, 10:29:07 am

Title: How do you attach your control panel to your cab?
Post by: ras2a on November 15, 2004, 10:29:07 am
I've searched for similar phrases in the search but haven't found much.  I'd be interested to know how some of you attach/fix your control panel's to your cabinet's?

I was just thinking of using 4 'strong/thick' 'L' type brackets and bolting right through the bottom of control panel 'box', then securing with nuts/washers.  My cab is a UAII cabinet.  Does this sound ok?

Title: Re:How do you attach your control panel to your cab?
Post by: dreamcastninja on November 15, 2004, 10:32:36 am
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/dreamcastninja/detail?.dir=47b4&.dnm=7dc2.jpg&.src=ph

i have 2 small L brackets holding it from the sides
threes also 2 bigger ones under the panel bolted into the cab that it sits on it's been like that through hard play of friends for 2 years now :) worked fine for me, doesn't look super proffesional but you acn barely tell, i'm sure there's better ways, but im lazy, thats why i have an xarcade
Title: Re:How do you attach your control panel to your cab?
Post by: RacerX on November 15, 2004, 10:56:04 am
www.happcontrols.com

Part # 49-0059-00
Title: Re:How do you attach your control panel to your cab?
Post by: Flinkly on November 15, 2004, 10:56:57 am
they actually make special latches to latch down controls panels for arcade machines.  you usually can only find them at arcade specific shops like happ or bob roberts site.  just look around for control panel latch or something.  people do it this way so that it's not so hard to get at their control panel when they get all done with their cabinet just in case they have to tweak some things or rewire for something...
Title: Re:How do you attach your control panel to your cab?
Post by: ras2a on November 15, 2004, 11:56:38 am
Those latches look pretty nifty.  At this stage the cab has cost so much, I dare-say a few extra quid is gonna make any difference.  However I can prolly pick up some decent L-Brackets for next to nothing at Homebase etc! I don't plan on removing the control panel once it's in place, unless as you say there is any re-routing/cabling etc to be done or of course if I have to move the cab into another room.

Ninja: That link doesn't seem to work...

Thanks for the input though, peeps - appreciated!
Title: Re:How do you attach your control panel to your cab?
Post by: fredster on November 15, 2004, 05:27:46 pm
Old games like Qbert and Birdie King have carriage bolts that go through a bracket, on the back of them are wing nuts.  You have to reach up inside the coin door to take them off.

It's a cheap way of doing the same thing.
Title: Re:How do you attach your control panel to your cab?
Post by: ras2a on November 16, 2004, 06:09:51 am
Old games like Qbert and Birdie King have carriage bolts that go through a bracket, on the back of them are wing nuts.  You have to reach up inside the coin door to take them off.

It's a cheap way of doing the same thing.

Yeah that's pretty much the same thing as I was thinking, although now you mention it, wing-nuts would prolly be better than conventional nuts for quicker release.  Good idea, thanks for that.
Title: Re:How do you attach your control panel to your cab?
Post by: subzero23 on November 16, 2004, 06:30:30 am
I'm just planning on locking mine down with like 4 or so screws (with wingnuts now that I read that, duh lol)

how do those latches work? anyone have pics?
Title: Re:How do you attach your control panel to your cab?
Post by: captainpotato on November 16, 2004, 07:27:16 am
I'm using dowels. They are more than secure enough - indeed, it can be tough to remove the CP at times...
Title: Re:How do you attach your control panel to your cab?
Post by: SteveJ34 on November 16, 2004, 09:00:17 am
I ran (2) 2x2 stringers horizontally across the area where the control panel sits. I then drilled 4 holes throught he bottom of the CP box and through these 2x2 stringers.

Insert 4 carriage bolts with lock washer and wingnuts from underneath.

The result was a very solid and secure attachment that can be easily removed (and is necessary for fitting my modified Lusid design through the doorway).
Title: Re:How do you attach your control panel to your cab?
Post by: ras2a on November 16, 2004, 09:09:29 am
I ran (2) 2x2 stringers horizontally across the area where the control panel sits. I then drilled 4 holes throught he bottom of the CP box and through these 2x2 stringers.

Insert 4 carriage bolts with lock washer and wingnuts from underneath.

The result was a very solid and secure attachment that can be easily removed (and is necessary for fitting my modified Lusid design through the doorway).


Stringers?  Do you mean strips of wood/ledgers?
Title: Re:How do you attach your control panel to your cab?
Post by: SirPoonga on November 16, 2004, 10:14:21 am
If you look at my pictures of my cabinet (click WWW link in profile) you will see all I do is have L brackets to guide the control panel and keep it form moving left and right.  To keep from moving other directions Ijust use a latch to hold it down.
Title: Re:How do you attach your control panel to your cab?
Post by: SteveJ34 on November 16, 2004, 10:16:24 am
Stringers?  Do you mean strips of wood/ledgers?

Yep, just a 2x2 piece of wood.