Looking for some help screwing something (no not that kind of screwing!)

[purbeast0]

So I am looking for some suggestions/help on how I can screw this pedal down to the base by the hinges.

If you look at the pic below, you see that hinge has 3 screw holes on it.

And here is the base that I need to screw it to on the 3 holes at the bottom of it.

And then the pedal will look like this when it's done.

And it will have to screwed from the bottom on the 3 holes here on the bottom of the base.

So clearly I won't have access to the screw head or nut that is going to be on the back of the hinge that it is tightening to.

But I have no clue how to actually do this.

Anyone have any ideas?

 

[zinfamous]

pics of wife before I decide.

 

[zinfamous]

but what does the back of the pedal look like--it screws directly into that? is there any way to fix a threaded washer to the pedal, where it gets screwed into, so that you can thread the whole screw assembly from the back, up to the peddle?

oh, top pic is underside of the pedal? hmm.

 

[IronWing]

How much clearance do you have for the nuts on the top of the hinge?

 

[lxskllr]

Maybe double nut it(hah!). One to hold the screw inside, and one to put the whole thing together.

 

[IronWing]

but what does the back of the pedal look like--it screws directly into that? is there any way to fix a threaded washer to the pedal, where it gets screwed into, so that you can thread the whole screw assembly from the back, up to the peddle?

That's what I was thinking of; just lightly glue the nuts to the hinge to hold them in place until the screw grabs them.

 

[zinfamous]

Maybe double nut it(hah!). One to hold the screw inside, and one to put the whole thing together.

right. I'm wondering if you can fix a nut to the pedal hinge that remains in place, and then at the base you have a nut on the inside, and washer outside for the screw head.

 

[zinfamous]

That's what I was thinking of; just lightly glue the nuts to the hinge to hold them in place until the screw grabs them.

I'm wondering if you need more than glue in case there is some wiggle between the plate, the nuts, and the screw diameter. Also, if it comes loose, the screw would just process up and down through the hinge holes. Welding!

 

[IronWing]

Screw posts might work if they make them short enough. I guess they are the same idea as a threaded washer.

 

[purbeast0]

How much clearance do you have for the nuts on the top of the hinge?

Not much at all.

Another thing I forgot to mention is that the top of the pedal, when placed in it's position, kind of "hooks" around the top part of the base, the red part that is below the gray/black pad that is screwed up top with those 3 rusty screws. So it basically hooks around that, then I lay it flat down where the hinge would be on top of the bottom part it screws into.

I was thinking about using something to glue/stick nut to hinge. Would super glue work? Or will it give as soon as I start to tighten the screw to it?

Also this doesn't have to be screwed in like super tight or anything. But, I would also like to have the option to get it off if need be.
So like if I glue a nut to the hinge, then screw something threw it and it catches the nut and threads it, but then the nut unsticks from the hinge, I'm screwed because I basically coudn't unscrew it, if need be.

 

[purbeast0]

That's what I was thinking of; just lightly glue the nuts to the hinge to hold them in place until the screw grabs them.

If I did that, what happens if it catches and then turning it to tighten the screw unglues it?

Is there some type of bondo or adhesive that is used specifically for this type of thing, where it makes metal stick to metal?

 

[IronWing]

If I did that, what happens if it catches and then turning it to tighten the screw unglues it?

Is there some type of bondo or adhesive that is used specifically for this type of thing, where it makes metal stick to metal?

If there is room, a lock washer might help with tightening the nut. Not sure which glue would be best.

 

[purbeast0]

If there is room, a lock washer might help with tightening the nut. Not sure which glue would be best.

Yeah someone else recommended a lock washer. I had never even heard of that before.

The problem would be trying to line up all 3 screws with the washer/nuts if I were to put the screw head on the bottom and the washer/nuts behind the hinge.

 

[IronWing]

Is there someone you know of that has an assembled pedal you could talk to to find out how it is put together?

 

[nakedfrog]

Epoxy would probably make it stick.

 

[purbeast0]

Is there someone you know of that has an assembled pedal you could talk to to find out how it is put together?

Well it's from a 1998 arcade game Time Crisis so there aren't many of them just floating around lol.

However I did find this video of a guy who had a Crisis Zone pedal that looks identical.

If you look at the timestamp there you can see that it looks like the hinge there has a metal piece along the entire back of it that is threaded.

 

[Scarpozzi]

If you could get a thick enough strip of steel that could lay across the hinge inside, you could drill and tap it for threads...then use a flat head screw in the bottom x 3. The strip won't spin like a nut and once 2 of the screws are started, you'll have it made.

 

[purbeast0]

If you could get a thick enough strip of steel that could lay across the hinge inside, you could drill and tap it for threads...then use a flat head screw in the bottom x 3. The strip won't spin like a nut and once 2 of the screws are started, you'll have it made.

I don't even think it has to be thick at all. It could be thin like the hinge and as long as I drill a hole that the threads can just fit through, it should be good enough no?

Now where do I get something like that lol?

Hell it doesn't even have to be steel.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I don't even think it has to be thick at all. It could be thin like the hinge and as long as I drill a hole that the threads can just fit through, it should be good enough no?

Now where do I get something like that lol?

Hell it doesn't even have to be steel.

Most big box stores sell metal like that for projects. Probably more expensive than scrap at a foundry.

I said steel because I'd worry about the threads stripping if put under load or overtightening. I agree that it structurally doesn't need to be thick just thick enough to tap..I was thinking longevity.

 

[Paperdoc]

I think the scheme should be to screw in from the BOTTOM to "captive" nuts on TOP of the hinge "wing" that is fastened to the bottom of the pedal. To do this you will need to ensure that the machine bolts you use are the right length to reach up from outside to above the pedal's hinge "wing" by about the thickness of the nuts. Then the get your correct three nuts and use Epoxy glue (lightly, so it does not smear over and interfere with the hole) and mount them directly lined up with each hole on the TOP surface of the hinge "wing." That is, when this is done, the nuts will be between the hinge and the bottom of the pedal. After letting those nuts set tightly to the hinge, place the parts in position just as they will be when the job is finished and push the machine bolts though from outside the BOTTOM, through the holes in the hinge "wing" and into the nuts. Tighten the bolts moderately. They do not need to be super tight, but the nuts should hold still (not turn) as you do this because of the glue. In a commercial assembly, the nuts probably would have been spot-welded to the hinge top surface, but for your puposes an epoxy glue will do the same job.

 

[purbeast0]

I think the scheme should be to screw in from the BOTTOM to "captive" nuts on TOP of the hinge "wing" that is fastened to the bottom of the pedal. To do this you will need to ensure that the machine bolts you use are the right length to reach up from outside to above the pedal's hinge "wing" by about the thickness of the nuts. Then the get your correct three nuts and use Epoxy glue (lightly, so it does not smear over and interfere with the hole) and mount them directly lined up with each hole on the TOP surface of the hinge "wing." That is, when this is done, the nuts will be between the hinge and the bottom of the pedal. After letting those nuts set tightly to the hinge, place the parts in position just as they will be when the job is finished and push the machine bolts though from outside the BOTTOM, through the holes in the hinge "wing" and into the nuts. Tighten the bolts moderately. They do not need to be super tight, but the nuts should hold still (not turn) as you do this because of the glue. In a commercial assembly, the nuts probably would have been spot-welded to the hinge top surface, but for your puposes an epoxy glue will do the same job.

Okay speaking of welding you just gave me an idea but htis might also be a dumb question.

Would soldering nuts on there be worth a shot? Like will solder even bond a nut to the pedal frame or no?

@Scarpozzi you think Home Depot will sell stuff like that?

EDIT:

Is aluminum too soft for this? Because this could maybe work.

Everbilt 1/2 in. x 36 in. Aluminum Flat Bar 800217 - The Home Depot

The Aluminum Flat Bar has versatile uses for supporting braces, ladder hangers and gate latches. These aluminum bars come in a variety of sizes. 1/2 inch x 36 inch dimension flat bar is also available

www.homedepot.com

I'd have to somehow cut it into a 7" or so piece but the 1/2" width and thickness is probably decent for this. And I could glue it on while I drill a hole into it.

 

[snoopy7548]

How about a PEM insert? Use those on the hinge side.

 

[purbeast0]

How about a PEM insert? Use those on the hinge side.

View attachment 32989

Hmmm I'm not fully getting that. Also do they sell these at Home Depot? I didn't find anything when searching for "PEM inserts".

 

[Scarpozzi]

Give up and just weld it.

 

[snoopy7548]

Hmmm I'm not fully getting that. Also do they sell these at Home Depot? I didn't find anything when searching for "PEM inserts".

You'll probably have to order from some place like McMaster.

The PEM would be inserted into your hinge's holes, which would allow you to screw in from the bottom of the base.