Brainstorming new approach to anchoring pedals to pedalboard

[Testing_123]

I posted this in another forum of which I'm a member, but I'm curious if TB'ers have ideas to add.
-------------------------------------------------------

I've been irrationally stubborn about this for a long time: I don't like attaching velcro to the bottom of pedals.

For awhile I have used zip ties to anchor pedals to a board, but that isn't the most convenient if removing or repositioning pedals.

My search for something more elegant continues.

Idea #1:
Thin, flexible metal tabs that attach between a pedal's bottom plate and main enclosure -- the edges of the tabs are "pinched" and held in place by the enclosure when the pedal's bottom is screwed into place. Those tabs (flanges?) flare out to the sides of the pedal's bottom plate perhaps an inch, and have velcro on the bottom.

The goal is to allow the versatility of velcro attachment of pedals, but the velcro is affixed to the tabs, not the pedal itself, so there's no adhesive mucking up a pedal's bottom.

I'm stuck on what material I could use for the tabs. Best I've come up with so far is aluminum from soda cans, cut to rectangles of around 1 inch x 2 inches, but the sharp edges might be less than ideal. Maybe there's some little hardware store widget or bracket that would do essentially the same thing?

Idea #2:
Most pedal enclosures' bottom plates are held in place by screws at all four corners. In reality, the bottom plate ought to stay on just fine with only two screws at opposite corners (I wouldn't advocate this for attaching aircraft wings, but seems reasonable for effect pedals, no?). This would leave two screw holes in the bottom plate that could be re-purposed and used as part of an anchoring mechanism...

-------------

Just some thoughts out loud, er, in type. Suggestions?

[kaputsport]

I have used Chain links in the past. Worked well, but you had to disassemble your pedals to make it work. I think I really like the idea of the use two screws in the corners and get machine thread screws with washers and bolt your pedals down. No fuss, no muss, just bolted. Never to fall off again. Teh issue with this is that it'll add weight. If you have a thin board like I do, you need to add wood, and then bolts, etc, etc. If you are using a pedaltrain, you will destroy any resale value of the board by drilling holes in it.

Search ebay for pedalboard chain link, and you will see a nice solution.

[Jumbotron]

I have a pedal that I've attached by removing a number of the screws on the bottom, then screwing the equivalent size (but longer) screws through the board into the pedal. It works fine, and seems relatively secure. It's a pain to set up, however, because aligning the pedal exactly with the board is a bit vexing. The way I ended up doing it was even more complex, as I actually screwed not only through the board, but through a piece of high density foam as well, which I'm using as a shock absorber.

[Explorer]

Although a lot of people have been using the DIY Ikea Gorn wooden shelf ideal, combined either with velcro or bicycle chain links, I remember one person posting about using a metal shelf which had circular holes punched into it as a part of the design, and then using the bike links screwed/bolted to that shelf. Does anyone else remember the source for this idea, and/or is capable of posting photos/links for it?

I seem to recall it was something like this:

[Rick Brienzo]

I use these barrier strip jumpers and screw them down. Has been working great for years.

[IMG][/IMG]

[sunbeast]

I read somewhere on here about people taking the bottom plate off then wrapping it with tape with the sticky side out, then again with the sticky side in (so that you aren't actually attaching the tape to anything but itself in a loop around the plate), then attaching the velcro to this and screwing the plate back on. Basically creating a removable band of tape that is custom fit to slip onto the bottom plate of each pedal. I never tried this, but my only concern would be how well you could screw the bottom back down with the tape band on...

[Vr6spd]

Maybe something like these if you can find them....
NOBELS MOUNTY-P MOUNTING PLATES (MOUNTYP) - Elderly Instruments

Or maybe get some velcro without adhesive, open up the pedal wrap two strips around the bottom plate and screw the plate back on---sandwiching the velcro

[Robertron]

I've pondered on replacements for Velcro but I couldn't think of anything as easy to apply and remove as Velcro is. I personally don't like the idea of screwing pedals down because I myself am constantly rearranging things on my board to squeeze more in, preferably until you can't see the surface. I've removed and reapplied Velcro to pedals with different types of enclosure finishes and never had an issue with adhesive residue beneath my pedals.

From a trouble-shooting standpoint, also, pedals attached with Velcro are easy to remove from the board without any tools and attach and detach from the board quickly and easily. This saves time when you suddenly realize something is wrong in your signal chain and you need to take it apart and test things quickly.

Originally Posted by Vr6spd

Or maybe get some velcro without adhesive, open up the pedal wrap two strips around the bottom plate and screw the plate back on---sandwiching the velcro

I like this idea, though, for anybody weary of adhesives.

[Eric!]

I've removed the crappy velcro off some pedals to put on the nice, clean-removing velcro I use. That industrial stuff? I dun like it one bit. It takes almost an hour to thoroughly clean it, but it's doable. Loads of Goo Gone and VERY careful scrapping.

That tape-around idea? NOICE.

Hey. What about...magnets? Would that mess up electronics?? I think it would digital ones for sure..but some resistors, diodes, and capacitors? I DON'T EVEN KNOW.

Mebbe like..little slit-tab things? I...dunno how to describe it. Nevermind.

[cheapbasslovin]

Originally Posted by sunbeast

I read somewhere on here about people taking the bottom plate off then wrapping it with tape with the sticky side out, then again with the sticky side in (so that you aren't actually attaching the tape to anything but itself in a loop around the plate), then attaching the velcro to this and screwing the plate back on. Basically creating a removable band of tape that is custom fit to slip onto the bottom plate of each pedal. I never tried this, but my only concern would be how well you could screw the bottom back down with the tape band on...

If you use packing tape, it's wide enough to accept the velcro, thin enough that it doesn't usually screw with the fit of the pedal, and flexible enough that it will usually tighten down as you run the screws in. It didn't work very well on my MXR M80 because the battery door got in the way, but for most Boss or Hammond style enclosures it is a slick solution.

[sunbeast]

Originally Posted by cheapbasslovin

If you use packing tape, it's wide enough to accept the velcro, thin enough that it doesn't usually screw with the fit of the pedal, and flexible enough that it will usually tighten down as you run the screws in. It didn't work very well on my MXR M80 because the battery door got in the way, but for most Boss or Hammond style enclosures it is a slick solution.

I may have to give this a try- I have been just velcroing pedals, but there isn't much reason to continue if such a simple alternative exists and is effective!