I'm in the middle of a "living room acceptable" project, and I'm looking to capture the spirit of a 1970s preamplifier (Quad 34, see below). My design has 6 LEDs, 4 push buttons, a latching mains button, and a rotary encoder. The rotary encoder has a threaded attachment, but this would only provide attachment at one side of the board. My original plan was to make a PCB with the front panel controls, and then use adhesive standoffs, but I don't think that the adhesive will sustain button presses over time.
My question is how to attach the front panel controls securely, but without visible screw mounts on the front panel itself. I'm using a Hifi2000 case (picture below), which is not drilled on the bottom panel. The front panel is 4mm thick aluminium, and comes blank (aside from the countersunk corner holes). I don't have the tools to blind tap holes just, although this might a good time to pick them up if that's the accepted view.
Thanks in advance!
Best Answer
I suggest considering PEM-style blind fasteners. Eg. CSS-series
They are clinched into a blind hole. You will need a suitable diameter end mill to make the blind hole. A milling machine is best but a good drill press may work okay since you have a lot of thickness to play with.