Mounting brackets necessary?

[Le Chuck]

I have decided to machine a metal control panel.  Rather than using the mounting brackets on my joystick and spinner I intend to remove those and undermount the hardware securing from the top with the flush-mount screws that secured the hardware to the brackets in the first place.  My theory is that the mounting brackets don't alleviate stress on the joybody itself but only facilitate mounting.  My other option is to weld bolt shafts to the underside and use the mounting plates but this seems like overkill. 

So... has anyone done this?  Is my theory sound?  Thanks!

[drventure]

I just want to see a completely milled CP.

Come on, you know you want to....

[mgb]

I think you'd be better off using the mounting plate. What sticks are you using? Sanwa or Seimitsu, I assume?
My control panel is metal and I used Sanwa JLWs. I didn't wanna see mounting hardware on my sticks. I took a couple of pacman joystick mounts (from twisted quarter) and had a guy tack weld them to the underside of my control panel.  I just had to trim the mounting flanges for them to fit, but it worked out great.



I also used spacers so the shafts were too high above the panel


I don't think the mounting brackets are needed but I don't see the benefit of removing them. Even if you wanna do recessed screws, why not use the brackets, otherwise your mounting holes are gonna be right on top of eachother.

[Le Chuck]

I've got a spitfire, omni2 and high-low from GGG to mount.  Valid point about just leaving the bracket on to space the screws. I'll look into recessed bolts to see if I like that option.  I like the stock stick height and it's right at two fingers between balltop and base which is just right for me as is, but using the bracket does allow me to install a spacer later if I decide I need less standoff.  Nice CP by the way, very similar to what I'm going for.  Did you drill through for your board standoffs of affix them some other way?

[emphatic]

Or just use metal glue to apply the mounting plates to the control panel with screws sticking through.

[mgb]

Did you drill through for your board standoffs of affix them some other way?

I have the joystick mounts welded on and then the spacers and joysticks bolted on to the mounts

[Le Chuck]

MGB, I meant the circuit boards, sorry for not being clear

[mgb]

Oh I'm sorry, for the boards mounted there, I used a 1/2" thick piece of wood. I sprayed it flat black and glued it to the inside of the cp using two part epoxy. Then I just screwed the boards to the wood using the supplied screws and spacers.

[Le Chuck]

Asso, good solution which I will shamelessly copy