Main > Main Forum
Idea for Modular Control Panel
nussmier:
I have been looking to start a second project and build it with a modular control panel. I have looked at Doc's and the variations of that with metal and the other variations with Velcro. Just wondering if anyone has tried this or think it might work. My idea is to use dovetail cuts. It is hard to explain so check out the few images below. Basically I would take 1" thick piece of wood for control panel top. I would then route about 2" long section of dovetails on each side of the panel. I would then flush trim the rest of the control panel out so it is normal depth (.75" or .5"). I would then have two 2" wide rails on each end of the control panel box that would have the female version of the dovetails routed in them. Then you would set the control panel down on the rails and slide them forward 2" to "engage" the dovetails. Like I said maybe best to look at pictures. Questions I have are would the dovetail joints be strong enough where it attached to the main top of the control panel? Would I use to much usable area on the control panel by loosing 4" on each end of the panel (2" where dovetails are and 2" needed to slide it forward, leaving me 8" of usable area for controls). Would the dovetail joins allow wiggle in the control panel or develop wiggle over time with constant slidding in and out of the modular panels (I know a lot of that has to do with routing skills) Also just an fyi the front of the control panel will be hinged to allow me the room to lay the control panel down and slide it forward. I guess I am just looking for general thoughts or if someone has tried this and found it is just not a good idea. Hopefully your not completely confused after reading this.
DillonFoulds:
What kind of cab are you planning to use this on?
If your build allows it, check out my project thread for pictures of the way my modular cp will work.
telengard:
--- Quote from: nussmier on December 04, 2009, 03:26:27 pm ---I have been looking to start a second project and build it with a modular control panel. I have looked at Doc's and the variations of that with metal and the other variations with Velcro. Just wondering if anyone has tried this or think it might work. My idea is to use dovetail cuts. It is hard to explain so check out the few images below. Basically I would take 1" thick piece of wood for control panel top. I would then route about 2" long section of dovetails on each side of the panel. I would then flush trim the rest of the control panel out so it is normal depth (.75" or .5"). I would then have two 2" wide rails on each end of the control panel box that would have the female version of the dovetails routed in them. Then you would set the control panel down on the rails and slide them forward 2" to "engage" the dovetails. Like I said maybe best to look at pictures. Questions I have are would the dovetail joints be strong enough where it attached to the main top of the control panel? Would I use to much usable area on the control panel by loosing 4" on each end of the panel (2" where dovetails are and 2" needed to slide it forward, leaving me 8" of usable area for controls). Would the dovetail joins allow wiggle in the control panel or develop wiggle over time with constant slidding in and out of the modular panels (I know a lot of that has to do with routing skills) Also just an fyi the front of the control panel will be hinged to allow me the room to lay the control panel down and slide it forward. I guess I am just looking for general thoughts or if someone has tried this and found it is just not a good idea. Hopefully your not completely confused after reading this.
--- End quote ---
Looking at the images, my guess would be maybe it would be a little stronger than velcro. I'd still be afraid of it either going loose while playing, or over time (depending on the amount of use) due to friction etc.
Please note though, I'm a real heavy handed player, esp on Robotron :)
My modular panels are aluminum and are held down with screws.
~telengard
Knave Jack:
You might consider using a high strength plastic for the dovetails. HDPE, Delrin, or UHMW would all be ok in that application. Also, a greater distance between the dovetails with thicker bases should hold up just fine.
drventure:
My only concern with that arrangement would be people yanking hard on the sticks might tend to pull the cp forward and out of socket.
So You'd end up having to put latches on anyway, and well, if you do that, there's not much point in dovetails (although the furniture builder side of me says, "dovetails! Hell yeah!"
:)
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
Go to full version