3/4" MDF and Happs joysticks. Do I need to router the bottom of the wood?

[megashock5]

Hello, building my first cab using the Project Arcade book and it says something using a router to cut into the bottom of the control panel 1/4" if you're using a stick that's made for metal control panels - so that you're mounting it on 1/2" thickness on a 3/4" piece of MDF.

I bought Happs sticks for my cab. In the instructions for them it shows that it has a little plastic sleeve to go around the stick for wood and another one for metal. So it sounds like it can be used for both.

Has anyone used these sticks on a 3/4" wood control panel? Can I just attach them to the underside or do I need to take a router to it and make it thinner where they mount?

thanks in advance for any help!!!

[Goz]

They can be used for either. The difference in whether you decide to route 1/4" off the bottom side is how high you would like the stick to protrude from the top of the CP.

Hope this helps,

-Goz

[Tokey]

I have 3/4" MDF and my height is fine.  I guess it all depends on preference.

[NoOne=NBA=]

I would mount one up directly to the bottom, and see how it feels to you.
If you are OK with it, you don't have to do anything else.
If it feels a low you can rout it a bit.

Truthfully though, 1/4" isn't going to make THAT big a difference.

[Goz]

And if you route more than 1/4" you are asking for trouble.

-Goz

[Lilwolf]

what trouble?  I've routed my happs supers by about that (didn't measure... about 1/2 a 3/4... ((3/8's?)) and its still VERY sturdy.

[Goz]

what trouble?  I've routed my happs supers by about that (didn't measure... about 1/2 a 3/4... ((3/8's?)) and its still VERY sturdy.

What I was getting at is the more that you route the less stable it will be. Thinner MDF will flex and can bow or break if used in a rough environment. It is still only a matter of personal preferrence on if you route or not. 

-Goz

[megashock5]

Okay, cool. It sounds like I don't really need to do it, which is fine with me. I don't have any router experience so I will just mount them to the wood as is.

thanks, everyone!

[Tokey]

You might want to use a 1 1/4 or 1 1/2 bit.  It makes it easier to center the joystick do it doesn't hit wood on any side.  Again, up to you.  I used the 1 1/8 bit and didn't have any trouble, but it will be easier with a larger bit.

[sofakng]

I bottom mounted my P360 joysticks by routing my 3/4" MDF probably more than I should have (about 1/2" probably) and it's still EXTREMELY sturdy... (maybe I'm exaggerating, I didn't measure the depth).  If I were you I'd route about 1/4" or so.

[Darth Nuno]

Check my step-by-step story here for doing the job...