Filling holes in CPO/Drilling new

kruuth

Member
Joined
May 21, 2009
Messages
645
Reaction score
1
Location
Georgia
So I've got this neo geo cabinet, but the buttons are arranged in a diamond. I've got to fill these in and redrill the holes. The problem is that the CPO is steel. Does anyone have any suggestions? The bondo just cracks when I filled the holes in and tried to drill new ones.
 
What he said, I usually just cut out some plugs or use some knocks if I have the right size laying around, and then weld them from the back side, and skim coat the top. Unless I really want the CP to look good or I am going to PC it, then I will take the time to do a perfect plug.
 
Unfortunately I live in an apartment, so I can't weld myself. Is there another way of doing this that doesn't involve welding?
 
Unfortunately I live in an apartment, so I can't weld myself. Is there another way of doing this that doesn't involve welding?

Make another CP out of 1/2" plywood and ditch the metal. If you apply the artwork and everything no one will really be able to tell the difference.
 
Easier said than done. It's got one of those weird shapes to it so making it out of plywood is going to be painful.

It's shaped like a trapezoid.
 
I suggest you get them welded (not in your apartment) :D

Back of panel


Front of panel


I imagine an expert would do a better/faster job than I did, so wouldn't cost too much

:)
 
Check the yellow pages. Even teeny little nowhere towns have welding shops that will do it for a few bucks. Especially now with the slow economy.

ken
 
Yeah but how much? I was thinking of just getting another metal plate and sticking it back there. The plate is going to run me about $10.
 
Welding is by far the best method. If you are definitely not gonna go with welding then the only other option I can think of is using a metal plate and a product like jb weld or some other epoxy to hold the plate to the under side of the panel. After dry you will still have to fill the holes on top with bondo, sand, prime, paint ect. Not the best method but it will work. As for drilling the holes I've found that a good corded drill and the right size unibit works perfect. Of course the unibit will probably cost about $50. I get mine free from work so I don't know the exact cost but I think that's a close estimate.
 
Perhaps you could drill the holes you need first. They might be partially drilled/joined with the existing holes. Then place your buttons, or same shaped spacers, then fill in the unused holes, or partial holes.
 
Two part Epoxy, with fiberglass mat if you want to get Fussy and stronger on backside. Tape off top and fill her in. Let her dry. Longer the dry time on the Epoxy the Better.
Later Chim Chim
 
Epoxy a metal plate or some plywood on the underside of the CP. Let dry, then fill in top holes with bondo and sand. Re-drill the holes you need. Unibit set at Harbour freight costs about $20 and works great. Or bi-metal hole saw from Lowes for around $10.

That's how I do mine, and do a lot of them...
 
Two part Epoxy, with fiberglass mat if you want to get Fussy and stronger on backside. Tape off top and fill her in. Let her dry. Longer the dry time on the Epoxy the Better.
Later Chim Chim

+1 the best way to go is welding. If welding is out, the next best thing is multiple coats of fiberglass
 
+1 on JB weld (epoxy great for metal bonding). Use it with two pieces of sheet metal. One to plug the hole, and another to back the plug and overlap to the CPO. Basically a patch with the plug to fill the hole to a flush surface. Welding is great, but heat control is crazy important to prevent warping. This method will obviously nix that worry. Using layers of fiberglass is excess work, hazard, ugly as fuck, and is not necessary if you use JB weld and metal peices.

I had a CP taco on me because the clasp anchor acted as a heat sink and caused uneven heat distribution leading to a taco shaped warp. Luckily a buddy has body repair tools and slapped the warp out of it... Still actually taco'd a little, but when installed it sits perfectly flat.
 
Back
Top Bottom