Cam Lock Question

wxforecaster

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I have created two new control panels to use in a 60-1 Bally/Midway cocktail, and one of my desires was to have these CPs be able to drop down on a hinge so that I could use a quality 4/8 way switchable joystick with a restrictor plate.

I have finally conceived a design to allow the control panels to drop down without destroying the original cocktail cab, but what I need is a longer "plate" that comes with the a standard cam lock. I have no idea what this part is actually called, but it's the flat metal plate that turns with the key and allows the door/backbox/etc.. to be locked or open.

I'm going to assume that these plates are specific to their lock mechanisms due to the holes drilled in them, so my question is where can I find a lock with a plate that is maybe 2 or 2 1/2" long as opposed to the 1 5/8" on the several I have purchased.

Evan
 
That part is called the cam. Happ controls has a page (link) with several options. Note there are two main styles of cam -- the oblong (link) and the square (link).

I ended up buying a whole bunch of tubular keyed-alike locks from Twisted Quarter (link) which use oblong cams. The largest one Happ sells is 2-1/2" so that should work for what you need. I'm really satisfied with these locks and would recommend them.

Note 1: the square style looks universal, but it isn't. For example the cheapest Twisted Quarter locks (link) have a different sized square and wouldn't mate nicely with most of my existing cams. Since there's so much variation I don't think square-cam locks or cams are a wise investment.

Note 2: Happ sells an oblong-lock to square-cam adapter (link) that works really well. I have standardized on oblong cams for my collection, but occasionally want to use an original square cam.

Note 3: See bob's photos to explain lock barrel length (link). Notice Twisted Quarter sells only 7/8" and 1-1/8" locks because it's assumed that you'll use a cam with 1/4" offset to achieve other measures like 5/8". For existing games you should plan to purchase mostly 7/8" depth locks, a variety of the cams from Happ, and plan on test-fitting to see what works. Most of my pinball coin doors took a 7/8" plus offset cam to achieve 5/8" depth. Many others were 7/8" depth. I've very rarely used an 1-1/8". The only memorable problem was my Taito qix/zookeeper backdoor which uses some long, nonstandard barrel length.
 
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