Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: notaburger on July 26, 2007, 07:45:22 pm

Title: control panel clamp set from groovey game gear
Post by: notaburger on July 26, 2007, 07:45:22 pm

http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=204

just saw this up on randyT's site

i was curious if anyone here has purchased these and knows if you should go with 2 or 4 if you want to use these as your only means for attaching a c.p.

i was also thinking about doing a combination of two of those clamps and 2 cabinet door clasps like these:

http://wwhardware.com/showimage.cfm/type/product/productid/A09714%20A2G

any help would be great

thanks

Title: Re: control panel clamp set from groovey game gear
Post by: Joystick Jerk on July 27, 2007, 12:42:48 am

You can get away with two, and you should be fine, but I recommend 4 for an absolutely rock solid control panel. Using two will hold down the panel fine, but the panel could potentially move/rotate along the axis between the two clamps. Using 4 means the panel has nowhere to go.

Title: Re: control panel clamp set from groovey game gear
Post by: RandyT on July 27, 2007, 09:12:44 am

The biggest concern is to make sure they are mounted properly.  If the clamp parts aren't located properly, then you won't get good friction and that's what holds the panel in place.

Using more than two would make the panel technically more solid, but in practice, 2 should suffice.  It really depends on the size and construction of the panel.  Some panels, like the one on my Millipede cabinet, are metal and hinged, while my Defender cabinet panel is wood and completely removable.  Both use only two clamps, but the Defender panel is small and "captured" on 3 sides. 

So my suggestion when building a panel that is captured on one or fewer sides is to use some narrow framing to capture the panel and prevent lateral movement, then rely on the clamps only to hold it down.  Some thin weather stripping or rubber securely affixed to the surface you are pulling your panel into contact with may also help to keep it from moving.

RandyT

Title: Re: control panel clamp set from groovey game gear
Post by: notaburger on July 27, 2007, 10:16:37 am

great idea on that weather stripping
and thanks for the honest info randy

i tried to find these clamps some time ago at my local home depot but came up dry
right now, the control panel is just sitting on the box

i'll be sure and pick up a set so i can secure it down

thanks,

dave