Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: starnix17 on July 25, 2005, 07:02:56 pm
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I'm going to be putting a sheet of lexan on my MDF board and having the buttons and joysticks on that. I'm wondering what the best way to hold the joysticks (they are Happ's supers) in place would be.
Thanks
-Tony
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Lexan is pretty sturdy. You can think of it as transparent sheet metal. You would attach your controls using bolts like you would with a metal control panel. Just make sure the control panel isn't too large in terms of surface area. While can withstand alot of force, it can still bend and bow in the middle if the control pnale is too large. Just grab a large piece off the rack at Home Depot and try bending it. You'll see. It's not too bad, but it's definitely there.
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I mounted mine from beneath (bottom side of MDF), no carriage bolts on top or anything.
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I routed out the shape of the joysticks' mounting plate out of the top of the MDF so the surface of the plate sits beneath the lexan and overlay. I then cut a hole for the body of the joystick to hang down through. The sticks are screwing into the resulting recessed lip. No bolts visible, and the shafts don't loose 3/4" of length as they would have if mounted from beneath... although thats just a matter of preference.
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I'm building a subwoofer/coffee table with a plexi top. The table will be used to place sticks on during battles.
I picked up a piece of 3/8" clear plexi, measuring 35" x 15". It will have a piece of wood bracing it near the middle, so at the end of the day, it will be rigid. I'd much rather have gotten some 1/2" lexan for the subwoofer aspect, but it's more than double the price and scratches. Not the best for a table.
However, since I'm drilling my holes only 3/8" from the edge, I'll need to use my drill press at a low speed and take my time. I might even need to toe in the screws.
For putting a 14" by 10" piece over a stick, I'd go with 1/4" plexi. A ---auto-censored--- to drill, but it's cheap and scratch resistant.
edit: A female canine is a censored word?
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Chewing gum, rubber cement, or Silly Putty.
/me runs for safety after giving a useless (but humorous) answer so he doesn't get hit by objects thrown in his general direction
;D
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The standard way to go is cariage bolts through the top of the panel. If you do it this way you'll want to get some black colored bolts from Ponyboy or Happ controls or bobroberts or someone. Also, if you do it this way, it's a good idea to route out a little bit on the bottom of the panel so that more of the stick comes through.
Otherwise, if you don't want bolts showing, you can use 'tee nuts' I believe.
-Ash