The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls

Main => Woodworking => Topic started by: needlesmcgirk on September 03, 2006, 02:15:02 pm

Title: How do you guys mount your keyboard encoders into wood?
Post by: needlesmcgirk on September 03, 2006, 02:15:02 pm
I have a few ideas but I'm not sure what the best way to do this is.  Thanks!
Title: Re: How do you guys mount your keyboard encoders into wood?
Post by: DrewKaree on September 03, 2006, 07:54:47 pm
A standard BIC pen (the white barreled types) cut into equal sections.

Throw a cap head screw in 'em deep enough to sink into the wood.

Drink several beers and congratulate yourself on a job well done! :cheers:
Title: Re: How do you guys mount your keyboard encoders into wood?
Post by: javeryh on September 03, 2006, 08:25:31 pm
Drew - that's a great idea!

I used PCB feet that I got for $1 per set of 4 from here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/FOUR-4-PCB-FEET-4-JAMMA-ARCADE-GAMES_W0QQitemZ260008132794QQihZ016QQcategoryZ13718QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Title: Re: How do you guys mount your keyboard encoders into wood?
Post by: leapinlew on September 04, 2006, 12:50:04 am
I screwed'em straight to the wood.
Title: Re: How do you guys mount your keyboard encoders into wood?
Post by: needlesmcgirk on September 04, 2006, 10:11:13 am
Hey, thanks for your help!  I end up yanking the supports and screws for a motherboard out and using it for the encoder.  Works well so far.  Actually got the control panel wired and working!
Title: Re: How do you guys mount your keyboard encoders into wood?
Post by: shardian on September 07, 2006, 02:50:33 pm
Hey, thanks for your help!  I end up yanking the supports and screws for a motherboard out and using it for the encoder.  Works well so far.  Actually got the control panel wired and working!

I did this too. I have a whole bag of misc. computer nuts and bolts from stripping several ancient junk cases. Those motherboard feet are great. I predrilled, then put the screw into the foot, screwed the whole thing down into the wood. Then took out the screw, put on the encoder and put the screws back in. Works great in my desktop cp.
Title: Re: How do you guys mount your keyboard encoders into wood?
Post by: Stingray on September 08, 2006, 10:20:25 am
I used little plastic spacers out of an erector set. They're the perfect size & shape for the job.

-S
Title: Re: How do you guys mount your keyboard encoders into wood?
Post by: daywane on September 08, 2006, 09:36:13 pm
A standard BIC pen (the white barreled types) cut into equal sections.

Throw a cap head screw in 'em deep enough to sink into the wood.

Drink several beers and congratulate yourself on a job well done! :cheers:

CRAP! some things are just to simple for me to even think of
I must remeber K.I.S.S
keep it simple stupid.
Thanks Drew
Title: Re: How do you guys mount your keyboard encoders into wood?
Post by: NiteWalker on September 09, 2006, 03:09:18 am
Drew - that's a great idea!

I used PCB feet that I got for $1 per set of 4 from here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/FOUR-4-PCB-FEET-4-JAMMA-ARCADE-GAMES_W0QQitemZ260008132794QQihZ016QQcategoryZ13718QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

The easiest method. Those little things are great.
Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with the bic pen method, using these pcb feet is just more refined...
Title: Re: How do you guys mount your keyboard encoders into wood?
Post by: apocalypto on March 25, 2011, 05:53:28 pm
Bob Roberts also sells PCB Feet. I just ordered 2 sets of 4 feet ($2.50 each). They come with pcb screws and he also sells cabinet wood screws separately (12 for $1)

http://www.therealbobroberts.net/parts.html#hardware (http://www.therealbobroberts.net/parts.html#hardware)

I like to support Bob when I can.

Title: Re: How do you guys mount your keyboard encoders into wood?
Post by: eds1275 on March 25, 2011, 07:48:02 pm
I personally use 1/4 pex pipe. It's really cheap, and easy to cut.
Title: Re: How do you guys mount your keyboard encoders into wood?
Post by: Donkbaca on March 25, 2011, 08:20:33 pm
I think paradiseracade sells pcb feet too.

hmmm.. I wonder if there are other 4 year old posts I can contribute too..
Title: Re: How do you guys mount your keyboard encoders into wood?
Post by: D_Harris on March 25, 2011, 09:38:16 pm
I think paradiseracade sells pcb feet too.

hmmm.. I wonder if there are other 4 year old posts I can contribute too..

From past experience I was expecting someone to complain about it.

Nevertheless, the answers above are still relevant.

I just use wood screws and don't worry about standing off any PCB.

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.
Title: Re: How do you guys mount your keyboard encoders into wood?
Post by: jmike on March 28, 2011, 10:24:55 am
Just see these at GroovyGameGear, a pack of 4 for only $1.39  :applaud:

Here's the link

http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=367 (http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=367)

 :cheers:
Title: Re: How do you guys mount your keyboard encoders into wood?
Post by: Generic Eric on March 29, 2011, 09:39:23 pm
I put 2 drywall anchors into a 2x4 and then screwed a screw into them to secure the keyboard encoder.  It gave me a little over a .25" of clearance between the wood and the encoder.  It looks janky but has worked so far.

After that I bought 25 pcb feet on ebay for about $8.  I haven't changed them out because this is more of a temporary control panel anyway...
Title: Re: How do you guys mount your keyboard encoders into wood?
Post by: justinjstark on April 10, 2011, 03:41:16 pm
I bought an ice maker installation kit for about $10.  It came with 25 ft of a small bendable plastic pipe.  I cut it into small pieces with a hack saw for spacers.