Mounting the Mag-Stik Plus from the Top

[dprush83]

I've been searching for tutorials on how to go about top mounting, but haven't found anything that completely makes sense to me yet.  The panel for the Mag-Stik Plus is very, very thin--does anybody know if there is any documentation on how to go about this?  I'm trying to figure out what tools are needed, steps to make sure everything is even on the surface, et cetera.  I'm not sure it makes a difference, but my plan is to mount the stick from the top, then apply control panel art, then plexiglass.

[drventure]

Typically, if you top mount, you'll route out an shallow indent for the mounting plate (just deep enough so that the plate ends up flush with the CP surface), then cut a hole for the rest of the stick to drop down through.

The main thing with top mounting is that if you ever want to change out the stick, it'll mean ripping up your CP artwork because the mounting screws will be underneath it.

Alternately, you can mount to 3/4 ply and route out the underside, so the stick doesn't sit too low. There are shaft extensions available also to make the stick end up at about the normal height.

[dprush83]

Typically, if you top mount, you'll route out an shallow indent for the mounting plate (just deep enough so that the plate ends up flush with the CP surface), then cut a hole for the rest of the stick to drop down through.

The main thing with top mounting is that if you ever want to change out the stick, it'll mean ripping up your CP artwork because the mounting screws will be underneath it.

Alternately, you can mount to 3/4 ply and route out the underside, so the stick doesn't sit too low. There are shaft extensions available also to make the stick end up at about the normal height.

That makes sense, thank you. Does anybody have pre-installation pics to view the cut before the stick is on? I know the plate comes off to top mount, but I'm concerned that leaves a pretty large hole to fit everything underneath.

[Dawgz Rule]

It was a little bit more work but I took a 1/2" piece of MDF and routed out a pattern for the mag-stik plus.  Once mounted, I put a piece of 1/8" hardboard on top.  I followed that with a 1/8" piece of Lexan.  Gave everything a clean look and the T-molding covers all of the edges.   

[dprush83]

Thank you Dawgz, that's very helpful!  I'm not sure if you remember, but after getting the plates mounted, what were the dimensions of the hole underneath to reattach the bottom part of the joystick?

[Dawgz Rule]

Good question....I don't remember the exact size of the hole.  What I ended up doing is taking the entire stick apart. With the top plate and handle removed, I measured the diameter of the bottom piece and drilled a hole to the correct size. I reassembled the stick and plate by feeding one through the bottom and attaching the plate through the top.  You could just drop the hole thing from the top but it will require a bigger hole and I wasn't comfortable with the closeness of that to the mounting bolt locations.  The stick itself is pretty easy to disassemble and reassemble. 

The only downside of my approach is if you want to replace the stick with a different one.  It will require a disassembly of the the control panel but it can be done and still preserve the artwork.  I don't anticipate ever doing that and the only thing I would anticipate failing is the switches which can be replaced from the bottom.

[EvilGreenDevil]

Two quick questions i have yet to find good answers to:


1. 3/4" mdf or 1/2" mdf for a small CPO (19" wide for both joysticks plus 6 buttons each)

2. Top vs bottom mount on a cpo made from the answer to #1. I have extended shafts available so joystick height isn't a problem just looking for whats most sturdy given the small area of the cpo.

Also worth noting, the artwork is definitely not moving as I don't anticipate changing out the sticks other than switch fixing/adjusting as mentioned above.

[Dawgz Rule]

The 1/2" mdf seems plenty strong in my panel......haven't broken anything yet.  The total thickness of the panel is 3/4" when I add the hardboard and lexan.  I wanted 3/4" purely for purposes of applying the T-Molding that I had available.  If you have the appropriate length shaft, I would guess that bottom mounting is easier and will give a cleaner top surface.  You just need to ensure the hole you drill is sufficient for the throw of the stick.  Others may have a different opinion on this.

[EvilGreenDevil]

I think I'm going to definitely go with 1/2" but not sure on top or bottom. I think I'll try both on some scrap and see which one I like better.