Metal Control Panel

[tbombaci]

Greetings. I have recently started cabinet #2 and I have faced a dilemma regarding the Pacman style joystick from Happs. It requires metal (or 1/16 - 1/8th thickness material) to mount correctly. The MDF I am using is 5/8th inch. Routing would seriously weaken the board. So, I decided to have a 1/16th sheet of metal cut down to size with a piano hinge spot welded to the back. It cost me $35 total.

I will be using metal in the future for most of the CP's I will be building.

This new hobby of mine is in full force. I have 5 projects going at once. Fun Fun Fun!!

-Tom

[paigeoliver]

Metal panels rule. Most original games had metal anyway.

[telengard]

Greetings. I have recently started cabinet #2 and I have faced a dilemma regarding the Pacman style joystick from Happs. It requires metal (or 1/16 - 1/8th thickness material) to mount correctly. The MDF I am using is 5/8th inch. Routing would seriously weaken the board. So, I decided to have a 1/16th sheet of metal cut down to size with a piano hinge spot welded to the back. It cost me $35 total.

I will be using metal in the future for most of the CP's I will be building.

This new hobby of mine is in full force. I have 5 projects going at once. Fun Fun Fun!!

-Tom

I have a metal control panel and it is quite a pain to be honest.  But the feel is second to none.  I love it.  I originall had swappable panels which were steel plates but I switched to 1/8" aluminum which is still sturdy but a lot easier to work with.  If you have any questions about dealing w/ metal panels drop me a line.

[Minwah]

I have a metal control panel and it is quite a pain to be honest.  But the feel is second to none.  I love it.  I originall had swappable panels which were steel plates but I switched to 1/8" aluminum which is still sturdy but a lot easier to work with.  If you have any questions about dealing w/ metal panels drop me a line.

I am planning to use swappable metal control panels.  I don't see why so many people use wood since the vast majority of controls available are designed for metal.  I was planning to use ~3mm steel - would the aluminium you use be up to mounting big, heavy controls (I have a big arcade analog stick)?

[pathdoc2]

The use of MDF is easy to understand.  It is very easy to work with, much easier than drilling large hoe in metal.  MDF also routers very nicely.  

[Nightfalls]

Isn't a metal cp too cold for your hands in winter?

[telengard]

I have a metal control panel and it is quite a pain to be honest.  But the feel is second to none.  I love it.  I originall had swappable panels which were steel plates but I switched to 1/8" aluminum which is still sturdy but a lot easier to work with.  If you have any questions about dealing w/ metal panels drop me a line.

I am planning to use swappable metal control panels.  I don't see why so many people use wood since the vast majority of controls available are designed for metal.  I was planning to use ~3mm steel - would the aluminium you use be up to mounting big, heavy controls (I have a big arcade analog stick)?

I use all the older controls also (leafs, etc) and it helps having a metal panel.  The 1/8" aluminum holds up to everything I've thrown at it so far.  I am going to be putting a tron joystick in next which is quite heavy.  I believe it will hold up just fine.  One additional note is that I went from swappable panels to smaller modules.  See my website for more details.

[Minwah]

The use of MDF is easy to understand.  It is very easy to work with, much easier than drilling large hoe in metal.  MDF also routers very nicely.  

True, but with metal there is no need for routing

Nightfalls:  You can cover the metal in vinyl or similar so it's not cold.

Telengard:  Your modular panel looks great.  I am pretty sure I am going to at least try swappable panels first..aluminium sounds good though, I had a lot of fun working with that for my car (http://mamewah.mameworld.net/mini_interior.jpg [copy+paste link] )

I also saw your sideart - my cabinet is going to be based on the Atari System 1 cab, so the images from caga could prove useful, thanks

[telengard]

The use of MDF is easy to understand.  It is very easy to work with, much easier than drilling large hoe in metal.  MDF also routers very nicely.  

True, but with metal there is no need for routing

Yeah, routing seems like a lot of work.  And I'm not very handy.  Drilling steel is no
picnic either.

Nightfalls:  You can cover the metal in vinyl or similar so it's not cold.

That's exactly what I have covering mine.  The black pica vinyl from Happs.  Very sturdy stuff too.

Telengard:  Your modular panel looks great.  I am pretty sure I am going to at least try swappable panels first..aluminium sounds good though, I had a lot of fun working with that for my car (http://mamewah.mameworld.net/mini_interior.jpg [copy+paste link] )

I also saw your sideart - my cabinet is going to be based on the Atari System 1 cab, so the images from caga could prove useful, thanks

thanks, anything swappable is good IMO, keeps the control count down for any individual panel.  Aluminum is *much* easier to drill and work with but makes a wicked mess.   I'm actually re-doing the sideart ( is a cab ever finished? ) w/ a Defender theme but yeah CAGA
has that original System 1 side art in vector format.

[paigeoliver]

What I have done in the past for metal panels, since I don't have a 1 1/8" metal drill bit, and because I bought a metal cutting holesaw that size and smoked it in two holes (although it was on a THICK steel panel), is this.

I draw the circle for each hole on the panel, and then I drill it out using a bunch of little holes with a smaller drill bit. Once the button is in it looks perfect.

[JackTucky]

I just got my Vinyl from Happs.  How do you drill your control panel?  Apply the vinyl and drill through both at the same time?

Same for cutting Joystick holes, etc?

Art

[grafixmonkey]

Isn't a metal cp too cold for your hands in winter?

New BYOAC project!  Heated metal panel for wintertime Mameing!

Next up, heated joysticks!

(sorry, my grandpa just got a car with heated side-view mirrors, heated seats, and heated gear shift and steering wheel.  I just can't stop laughing about it.)