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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Timoe on March 24, 2006, 07:36:00 am

Title: to bolt or not to bolt lexan down onto control panel?
Post by: Timoe on March 24, 2006, 07:36:00 am

I am working on a 2up control panel.  I will cover the artwork with polycarbonate(lexan, not carbonite.  That was the stuff that Boba Fett froze Han Solo with in Empire Strikes Back)

here is a link to the control panel in question - http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=51579.0

Anyway,  I really dont want to use carriage bolts.  A) I dont have any and B) they dont look that great.

Do you think I'll need them or will my buttons hold it all down?  Note:  no button is closer than 4-6 inches to any edge.

Title: Re: to bolt or not to bolt lexan down onto control panel?
Post by: cabe on March 24, 2006, 08:16:09 am

I have some pan headed allen bolts I used for my mini control panel, they worked a treat and they dont have the square section you have with carriage bolts. When I get home I shall dig out the website I bought them from and take some pics.

Title: Re: to bolt or not to bolt lexan down onto control panel?
Post by: sodapopinski on March 24, 2006, 08:19:38 am

use small bolts with a finishing washer(fisheye). Thats what I used and it looks good.

Title: Re: to bolt or not to bolt lexan down onto control panel?
Post by: Mark70 on March 24, 2006, 08:20:35 am

You have a ton of buttons and they go fairly close to the edges.  Each of those buttons is acting like a fastener.  Why put ugly, scratch your wrist bolts there; unless you're putting it someplace public.

The edge of my CP is trimmed with t-molding which keeps the edge from getting flipped up.  I haven't noticed a need for bolts or screws.

Title: Re: to bolt or not to bolt lexan down onto control panel?
Post by: Fozzy The Bear on March 24, 2006, 08:35:24 am

Quote from: Mark70 on March 24, 2006, 08:20:35 am

You have a ton of buttons and they go fairly close to the edges.  Each of those buttons is acting like a fastener.
The edge of my CP is trimmed with t-molding which keeps the edge from getting flipped up.  I haven't noticed a need for bolts or screws.

I have to agree with Mark on this... All of your buttons are fastners.... No need to add more. It's not going to go anywhere.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

Title: Re: to bolt or not to bolt lexan down onto control panel?
Post by: Frosty on March 24, 2006, 10:21:18 am

I agree...

If you have a lot of buttons situated more towards the edges of your control panel, you should be fine without bolts.  But, adding is a good idea, I think.

I needed to bolt the lexan down, so I used 1 1/4 inch carriage bolts, and you can barely notice them.

Title: Re: to bolt or not to bolt lexan down onto control panel?
Post by: MikeDeuce on March 24, 2006, 04:43:11 pm

I spray painted black and halogen-lamp baked woodscrews to match my CP and countersunk the holes in the acrylic. Clean, flush and I like knowing the edge of the acrylic will never lift.

Link to pic:

http://www.ironvulva.com/g/leon/25_G?full=1

Title: Re: to bolt or not to bolt lexan down onto control panel?
Post by: Luckydevil on March 24, 2006, 05:54:36 pm

I gotta give it to ya MikeDuece...

That Leon control panel is fuggin sick! Probably my all time favorite control panel, even though it isn't attached to a cab. I'm a huge fan of the movie too, so I guess I am partial.

You should definitely think about making a full size cab themed like that.  :cheers:

Title: Re: to bolt or not to bolt lexan down onto control panel?
Post by: MikeDeuce on March 24, 2006, 06:03:04 pm

Quote from: Luckydevil on March 24, 2006, 05:54:36 pm

I gotta give it to ya MikeDuece...

Thanks a lot for the super kind words! :) Got a few more tricks up my sleeve (i hope :D)

Title: Re: to bolt or not to bolt lexan down onto control panel?
Post by: BamBam on March 26, 2006, 07:13:50 pm

I did the same as Mrkdeuce did, but I would lean towards Mark's idea of just having the buttons etc. hold down the Lexan.  I trimmed the edging with a T'Moulding that wrapped around the edges.

John