For those who have integrated USB ports etc in their isntall

**shakes** · 02-12-2004, 06:07 PM

What have you found the best way is to secure different ports (usb, ethernet, etc) to whatever you are moutning them in?

I have a couple of ash trays that I don't use ... and i'm thinking of putting a USB and ethernet port in each so you can just flip up the lid and plug something in. What I'm trying to figure out is what to use to fill in the hole (foam? wood?) and how do secure the port to whatever i use to fill it so it doesn't break when my graceless friends jam something in there.

**Shadow** · 02-13-2004, 03:24 PM

why not get one of those PCI type expansion slots with two USB connectors on it and then actually screw them to whatever you make the plate out of

**brrman** · 02-13-2004, 03:32 PM

Why not use shaping foam for the hole? Then paint the foam and put several layers of polyurethane on it.

**Shadow** · 02-13-2004, 03:33 PM

Depending on the type of foam, spray paint eats it up.

**Kayos Frawg** · 02-13-2004, 03:59 PM

I would use bondo, so you can paint it and it gives it a professional look.

**Tidder** · 02-13-2004, 08:18 PM

I would actually use fiberglass for the custom stuff like that really. It's strong, durable, and looks really good if done right.

**shakes** · 02-13-2004, 09:15 PM

i was planning on using foam to fill in the box and mount the USB port instide the foam... then covering the foam with bondo or some other filler, and painting that.

i'm still not sure how to secure the port in the foam so it doesn't move. i'm thinking maybe epoxy? i dunno.

**jusatry** · 02-13-2004, 09:32 PM

Originally Posted by shakes

i was planning on using foam to fill in the box and mount the USB port instide the foam... then covering the foam with bondo or some other filler, and painting that.

i'm still not sure how to secure the port in the foam so it doesn't move. i'm thinking maybe epoxy? i dunno.

what kind of foam filler are we talking about here? the spray kind? because isnt that hard to work with?

do you mean the packing type of foam? because i ALWAYS have that stuff lying around.....

i was curious about the same thing (mounting), except i want to mount a slimline DVD drive in my ashtray. Any ideas much appreciated.

**Altimat** · 02-13-2004, 10:08 PM

The polyester resin in bondo will dissolve any styrofoam. You want to use balsa-foam, or seal the foam with latex paint first. Or just use a piece of ABS plastic with the necessary cut-outs to cover the ash tray opening. This would require much less finish work.

**jjh221** · 02-13-2004, 10:18 PM

what kinda usb, ethernet, firewire and perhaps headphone jacks are you going to use? I agree with Tidder. I say mount then in the figer class and perhaps use rivets. Like say if there is a way to mount them in between two pieces of figer glass. or perhaps just use the figerglass to hold in place of movement. If you were to put it in foam i would think it would move around and would compress foam after use. as well as a more solid and smooth finished look. So i say bondo and figerglass, the rivets just look cool.