Control Panel Top (how to detach it?)

[sofakng]

What's the best way to make a detachable control panel top?  I was thinking about using a piano hinge and then maybe double magnet catchs?  The Project Arcade book recommends using velcro but I really like using magnets (unless that might damage the IPAC or the arcade controls themselves)

...or does anybody have another recommendation for me?

[REBIRTH]

Many "real" machines used latches/clamps underneath the CP - you would have to get at it from inside the machine to unlatch it.


Here is a link to what I am talking about:

http://www.happcontrols.com/interactive/accessories/49005900.htm

[RecycledPast]

I wouldn't recommend double magnet catchs.  I used them not realizing how much abuse a CP can take during a party.  Some people yank the joystick downwards pretty hard and it makes my CP open.  

[Nefesis]

do machine bolts work well?

[MiKman]

I used these hinges at the back of my control panel. because the kind of move towards the player then swing open.  They are used for kitchen cupboards so that the doors can all have a flush look to them, and they still open properly cause they move over then out..  the other nice thing abotu these hinges is you can undo a couple of screws and they just slide apart if you want to remove the top from the cp box.

http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/cupboarddoors.htm

[RoboG2]

How about using the flush hinges MIKman was talking about along with velcro on the opposite side?  Then it would not open as easily.  Good Luck.

[sofakng]

I'm a little confused... Would I use piano hinges on the inside front OR back and then have another hinge on the other side?

MiKMan:  Are those standard "european style hinges" I could get at Home Depot?

I do like the panel clamp idea... perhaps a piano hinge in the front and then panel clamps in the back (it would be on the outside but not visible unless the control panel box was removed)

Anybody have any suggestions?

[NoOne=NBA=]

If you want it to detach, I wouldn't use a piano hinge.

Those are good if you want it to OPEN though.

[sofakng]

Hmmm, after going back reading through this thread I've just realized that I wasn't very clear what-so-ever in what I was trying to do.

I didn't mean detach the entire control panel, what I meant was open the control panel to get at the bottom of the controls and the wiring.  I want the top of the control panel to swing open, but not flip open while being used.

However those above comments about detaching the entire control panel will also be useful since I didn't actually attach that on yet either.

[Tahnok]

Many "real" machines used latches/clamps underneath the CP - you would have to get at it from inside the machine to unlatch it.


Here is a link to what I am talking about:

http://www.happcontrols.com/interactive/accessories/49005900.htm

I am guessing that you only need 2 of these latches, right?

[NoOne=NBA=]

I'm guessing most of the people here assumed you wanted to make swappable control panels, based on the thread title.

[MiKman]

I'm a little confused... Would I use piano hinges on the inside front OR back and then have another hinge on the other side?

MiKMan:  Are those standard "european style hinges" I could get at Home Depot?

I do like the panel clamp idea... perhaps a piano hinge in the front and then panel clamps in the back (it would be on the outside but not visible unless the control panel box was removed)

Anybody have any suggestions?

Yes they are and yes you can and I have my hinges on the side closest to the TV so it hinges up.  Most people have a piano hinge on the front side (closest to the players) because you cannot open it properly with a piano hinge at the back it won't push out an away from the monitor like the european hinges do.  I initially was going the piano hinge route on the frontside like everyone else does, but I found it hard to get at the wiring and stuff... I decided on the two european hinges at the back and now it opens like the hood of a car and everything is very easily accessible and it doesn't pop open ever.  No latches, nothing else holding it down at all...  I may put a lock of some kind on it becuase My 3 year old is getting curious when I lift it and might try herself and end up getting fingers slammed in it...

[sofakng]

I'm guessing most of the people here assumed you wanted to make swappable control panels, based on the thread title.

Yeah, I realized that just today...  That's completely my fault -- I'm really sorry about that.  Those suggestions at the top of the thread still won't go to waste!  I do want to detach my entire control panel so that I could move the cabinet easier, so I'll probably use one of the above mentioned solutions for that.

MiKman:  I like that "car hood style opening" idea... European hinges might be the way to go.  I'd be worried that the front of the control panel would pop open during gameplay, but you said you don't have a problem with that so maybe I won't either.  If I do, perhaps I could use Velcro like RoboG2 suggested but I'd use it on the inside so it would take more force to open, but it definitely wouldn't pop up during gameplay.  I'll have to test it out before adding that though.

[Gildersneeze]

I was planning on using those clips that the "POWERED BY HONDA" guys use on their black painted carbon fiber racing hoods, but they appear to be mighty expensive for what you're actually buying (around $20 for a pair).

I may end up just coming up with some kind of latch system, unless they sell those kind of things cheap at hardware stores.  I'm not paying $20 for blinged out chrome versions of some insanely simple pieces of metal.

[greywolf22]

Many "real" machines used latches/clamps underneath the CP - you would have to get at it from inside the machine to unlatch it.


Here is a link to what I am talking about:

http://www.happcontrols.com/interactive/accessories/49005900.htm

I really like this option myself, but does anyone know of a local place to purchase clamps like this (I've checked ACE and around Home Depot, but didn't have much luck) Lowes perhaps? or a specialty type store?  Just trying to avoid ordering something like this if I can.  Also, people mention using velcro to connect their control panel..What do you connect the velcro too?  Screws or hooks?  Pardon the confusion just trying to figure out how I'm going to latch mine down..gravity works pretty well...until people get excited  

[MiKman]

my control panel is hinged on the control panel box (see above).  And the whole control box is velcro'd to the cabinet I just ran 2 strips of the Velcro along the bottom of my box and along the edge of each of the 'shelves' that it sits on and it goes nowhere unless I really pull really hard on it to move it :-) here is an old picture of my cabinet during construction showing (in red) where I put velcro. hope this helps.  

Edit:
BTW you can by velcro strips that have a sticky side like tape. But get the real velcro brand it is super sticky and will not come off.  Cheaper no name brands like hook & loop tape is not very sticky and comes off easily and does not work.  Buy it at your local fabric stores they all sell it.

[greywolf22]

Mikman,

Thanks, that clears up a lot actually (I don't know where my brain was...but then again it was 4:00 AM and I was working a page out...so maybe that's where it was