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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: crummy on March 10, 2008, 06:46:47 pm

Title: USB plate for these ports
Post by: crummy on March 10, 2008, 06:46:47 pm

I'm looking for a USB faceplate to hook in some extra controllers (or a mouse+kb) to my cabinet. I already have a couple plugs but I'm not sure how to mount them.

The width between the ports is just a tiny bit over the width of a USB plug.

Sorry for the poor quality cameraphone pic - can anyone suggest anything here?

Title: Re: USB plate for these ports
Post by: Turnarcades on March 10, 2008, 07:36:16 pm

If you can't find one, try and get one of those drive bay blanking plates off an old tower and cut your own. Just route out the back of the wood and sink it in, then use a soldering iron or small drill and saw, and cut the holes as you need. Alternatively, drill a couple of holes on the shell and use a small triangular file to bore it out for each USB port.

Title: Re: USB plate for these ports
Post by: daywane on March 10, 2008, 08:08:44 pm

I have been looking at the dash boards on tigerdirect.com
or also I have seen some 7 port hubs also
much larger pace and square to fit in a cab face

note: I have only looked never tried it yet.

Title: Re: USB plate for these ports
Post by: Barracuda on March 10, 2008, 08:09:07 pm

I have those exact same flush mount usb cables.  I bought a blank wall faceplate from home depot and went to town with a dremel. They can be glued in from behind and are perfectly secure. I also flush mounted two toggle buttons(tv and marquee).  Headphone jack (turns off sound to speakers when a headphone is plugged in). Power button for the PC. And need to add a volume knob.  Below are some pics.

Title: Re: USB plate for these ports
Post by: Barracuda on March 10, 2008, 08:12:12 pm

Also, http://www.frontx.com/panel_mount.html, has some panel mount plates you could possibly modify depending on how you want yours set up.

Title: Re: USB plate for these ports
Post by: GregorDV on March 10, 2008, 10:49:09 pm

If you want to invest a little more for a nice professional look, or are a total menace with a Dremel tool (I won't go into which one applies to me), you can mount a standard network faceplate and snap in some USB jacks.

A quick google for 'usb keystone' gives a bunch of nice options like this:
(http://www.vpi.us/images/ky-usba-ff.jpg)
http://www.vpi.us/keystone-usb-1394.html

I'm thinking this is just right for some converted Dreamcast and Atari joysticks.

Title: Re: USB plate for these ports
Post by: BobbyG66 on March 11, 2008, 08:18:47 am

Barracuda,

Nice idea with the faceplate, never thought of that.
It also allows you to paint what ever color you need to match your cab.
I have a tool called a "nibbler" that I got at Radio Shack.
It kinda looks like pliers and 'nibbles' a small square out of metal.
You need a hole drilled first and it takes some time, but cuts a nice clean edge.

BG66

Title: Re: USB plate for these ports
Post by: Barracuda on March 11, 2008, 08:54:44 am

BobbyG66,
   Is this what your talking about?
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2289712&cp=&sr=1&origkw=nibbler&kw=nibbler&parentPage=search

  I wish I had one of those before I made my plate.  I might go buy one and do it all over with a metal faceplate instead of the plastic one I have.

Title: Re: USB plate for these ports
Post by: ChicagoDave on March 20, 2008, 08:44:03 am

It looks similar to the one I'm using from http://www.datapro.net/. (http://www.datapro.net/.).

For pics, check out my site:

http://www.davestojak.com/ctrlpanl.htm (http://www.davestojak.com/ctrlpanl.htm)