Interchangable, Adjustable, Clamp-On Cabinet -- First Draft

[TailTrauma]

Howdy All!

I've been wanting to make a cabinet that would:
a) Fit any pachi, and
b) Be fast and simple to switch to a different machine.

(I've got more machines than I want to be on display/available for play, and even had I time and $$$ to build a cab for each of them I like to store them compactly.)

Here's what I've come up with:

Width adjusts, so I can exactly fit any machine I currently own. The machine attaches by clamping (Check out my exotic clamps! ) It attaches firmly and feels solid. I will add feet soon and a hopper and ball return once I work out the design. It is not pretty, but this is as much a way to experiment with ideas as a finished product. I'm also pondering ways that I could make it expandable, so that by adding another section I could have a bank of 3 or 4 pachis in a parlor-like setup.

I'd welcome any criticism, suggestions, or comments!

[Moparformances]

my only concern would be the machine falling out the front when the door is open.. so long as the "exotic clamps" hold it tight ya should be good to go

[TilionMtl]

That's the same concern I have.

Even with the method I used to secure the pachinkos in the cabinet (impossible to have them fall), I'm always scared when I open a machine, and at same time, amase to see that the frame of the pachinko can hold the nearly 60 lbs of the machine pulling to fall.

You can check my cabinet "making of" to see the method I used. It's not long for me to change a machine, I can take off the screws by hand, no tools needed.. maybe this can give you an idea..

http://www.pachitalk.com/forums/pach...tml#post321570

there's some pics before and after this reply..

[TailTrauma]

The clamps seem quite solid, but you're right... I worried about that too. I wasn't able to pull it free after I had it clamped down, and when I'm 'in production' with it, I'll be using lockwashers to keep 'em cranked down tight.

Once I have some feet on it, I will do some more tests. I don't think that a single-machine cab will have enough weight or a wide enough base to open the front and stay upright without holding.

I'm pretty set on clamping as an attachment method. My machines vary in width and depth, and I want to be able to easily adjust fit. I've also got a thing about drilling on my pachis... want to avoid it if I can.

I would like to use a longer piece of metal for my 'clamp', but I haven't been able to come up with something that's 'almost' right. The 1/2" fender washers do the job after being clamped in my vice and whacked a few times with a hammer. That's about the level of metal fab I want to use, if I can avoid something more difficult.

Any suggestions on longer 'almost right' metal bits to use for a clamp?

And TilionMtl, holy crap, your cabinets look fantastic!

[compirate]

200 Lb. Horizontal Toggle Clamp

These work great on the bottom, pretty much what the parlors use.

[TailTrauma]

200 Lb. Horizontal Toggle Clamp

These work great on the bottom, pretty much what the parlors use.

Oh, COOL! And my local Harbor Freight has 'em in stock...

[compirate]

I've used those with modern machines, and no clamps at the top (cause I haven't made that part yet) and you can open the full machine and it won't fall out, but it sure strains the frame


My plan for an upper mount. The flat part is mounted to the stand, the z part is attached to the frame of the game. Allows back angle adjustment. Slot could be cut all the way to the edge for more adjustment.

[TailTrauma]

I bought four of the toggle clamps last night, attached one to a test piece, and got a nice solid clamp. I'm not sure yet whether I can make these work as a generic side/top clamp (they require a bit more clearance than I'm sure I'll have), but I'm hopeful... they'd be much slicker than my mildly-abused-generic-hardware solution. I'll post more pics as I progress.

I like your design for a top mount, compirate, but it is beyond my modest metal fab abilities. (i.e. clamp it in a vise and hit it. )

[compirate]

beyond my modest metal fab abilities. (i.e. clamp it in a vise and hit it. )

That works too, if your only making a couple. Any good hardware store should have 1" wide aluminum strips.

[takethecastle57]

200 Lb. Horizontal Toggle Clamp

These work great on the bottom, pretty much what the parlors use.

I remember back in 1977-80 using that type of clamp for a welding holding jig when i was working at Huffy Mfg. making basketball goals . Then flash forward to 1990-93 working at a plastic fabrication shop and we used them in production jigs when we would drill or do routing and other stuff . Very Usefull fixture.

[compirate]

The 'Professional' versions are a lot more expensive than the Harbour Freight ones

[hurley]

Did you install the clamps? Have you tested it for several machines?

[TailTrauma]

The toggle clamps turned out to be too big to use on the sides. Too much hardware near the edges of the machines. I'm still using the carriage bolt/wingnut/bent fender washer clamps. They are pretty effective.

Currently, the cab has feet added and is in my house with a machine installed. It has held 3 different machines (a modern and two vintages). Swapping is pretty easy, and the cab adjusts nicely for the slight width differences.

Still to do design/build wise: Ball return shelf under machine, and a facing board/hopper above. I'll post more pics when I'm done with these parts.

[TailTrauma]

Hi All,

Posting this here instead of in it's own thread, since it is related.

Here's what I've done with the toggle clamps. I continue to express my "MUST NOT DRILL! MUST BE INTERCHANGABLE!" pathology.

(Thanks again for the idea compirate, those clamps are great!)

I'm making more progress with the cabinet, too, but don't have anything to show yet. I'll post pics when I've made my next set of additions.

-TT

[MrGneiss]

Cool!!

[dattia]

PachiTalkers are WAY cool! Thanks for sharing your ingenuity!

[compirate]

I think those clamps are rated at 200lbs, more than enough for any pachi, even loaded.

Keep an eye out, they go on sale every now and then too.

One thing I've seen on the parlor ones is that the rubber part you see on the Harbor Freight ones is just a bolt with the tip sharpened to a dull point, so it digs into the wood a little.