# Recommendations for L brackets to mount Aluminum MOBO to Fiberglass Shell **URL:** \ **Category:** Proton Packs\ **Created:** [March 7, 2018, 9:53pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/recommendations-for-l-brackets-to-mount-aluminum-mobo-to-fiberglass-shell/11171 "2018-03-07T21:53:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jreverhart](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/91b2a8/32.png) [@jreverhart](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/jreverhart)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2018, 9:53pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/recommendations-for-l-brackets-to-mount-aluminum-mobo-to-fiberglass-shell/11171/1 "2018-03-07T21:53:50Z")
Hey everyone, was hoping for some assistance on mounting the my mobo to the shell. I have a GB Fans shell and GB fans Mobo however I am looking for a simple way to mount them when they arrive. I thought about ordering the brackets from here however I need to be able to remove the shell for maintenance and additional electronics. so it needs to bolt on. The other day I swung into home depot and bought 4 4in steel corner braces, and used loctite 5 minute epoxy to secure a bolt over the hole that will be for the shell (left the bottom ones as is) and cut them to approx 1.5in seems to be pretty solid. However this is my 1st go round with attempting to add threading without buying a tap and dye kit. from every picture I’ve seen doesn’t look like anyone has done this method before so I’m either a genius lol or it may not be the best method. my concern is uniformity, I suck at this whole lining things up and drilling so I want to make sure all the holes in the shell and mobo are uniformed as possible so I would like to use a prefabbed bracket. Does anyone have any suggestions on brackets that work that I wont have to drill into possibly already threaded. and if possible advise on mounting the brackets in general? it would be of great assistance as this is my 1st build and I’m already over budget and have only sourced half the parts. ---
**Author:** ![likesjellydonuts](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@likesjellydonuts](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/likesjellydonuts)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2018, 12:32am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/recommendations-for-l-brackets-to-mount-aluminum-mobo-to-fiberglass-shell/11171/2 "2018-03-08T00:32:37Z")
Honestly, all you’re doing is making your life more difficult. Get a tap and die set, you need it for the rest of the build anyway. I don’t really understand your problem though. Your shell is bolted to the L brackets, your L brackets are riveted to the [motherboard](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/equipment/proton-pack/motherboard). You just take the bolts out and your shell is free. That’s the best way, not to mention the accurate way. Don’t over think it. That makes way more work for yourself. ---
**Author:** ![jreverhart](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/91b2a8/32.png) [@jreverhart](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/jreverhart)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2018, 2:52am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/recommendations-for-l-brackets-to-mount-aluminum-mobo-to-fiberglass-shell/11171/3 "2018-03-08T02:52:40Z")
Thanks ur probably right that I may be over thinking it, reason I plan on using thick steel corner braces are the wholes are uniform which will make it easier to line up and drill into the shell I’ve already got the nuts epoxied on as loctite epoxy is usually stronger than the stuff that it glues together so I’m sure that’s solid. A better question would be what method to line up the brackets on the mobo so it sits flush with the shell and the holes line up? I’ve never mounted something from the inside before. I thought about Bolting the brackets on the shell 1st and putting a dab of glue on the bottom of the brackets setting it on the mobo let the glue set and then unbolt and remove the shell. Which in theory should leave the brackets in their proper placement, mark the holes, pop the brackets off and drill. If there’s an easier or simpler method of love to hear it ---
**Author:** ![jreverhart](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/91b2a8/32.png) [@jreverhart](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/jreverhart)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2018, 2:54am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/recommendations-for-l-brackets-to-mount-aluminum-mobo-to-fiberglass-shell/11171/4 "2018-03-08T02:54:51Z")
Any and all suggestions are appreciated for sure goal is for this not to look like I built it myself because if it turns out that way it’s gonna look like a dog turd disguised as a [proton pack](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/equipment/proton-pack) lol ---
**Author:** ![likesjellydonuts](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@likesjellydonuts](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/likesjellydonuts)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2018, 3:28am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/recommendations-for-l-brackets-to-mount-aluminum-mobo-to-fiberglass-shell/11171/5 "2018-03-08T03:28:31Z")
Honestly dude. It’s a bad idea. If you bump one of those bolts on something, the nut is going to break free, and will just spin with the bolt when you try to take it out, making it impossible to remove without cutting an access hole. I dont get how a pre made bracket is any advantage. You drill the holes in your pack, rivet the L brackets on the [motherboard](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/equipment/proton-pack/motherboard) about a half inch in from the edge , put the shell over them and mark your holes to drill and then tap. Your shell doesn’t sit against the brackets, you line the shell up by adjusting the bolts. You need a little wiggle room. The more complicated you make it, the more likely it is to fail. This is a crucial part of building your pack, and you’re really overcomplicating it. The tap you needed cost less than the epoxy. ---
**Author:** ![Etigo](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/e/77aa72/32.png) [@Etigo](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Etigo)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2018, 10:12am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/recommendations-for-l-brackets-to-mount-aluminum-mobo-to-fiberglass-shell/11171/6 "2018-03-08T10:12:22Z")
> [@likesjellydonuts](#): > > Honestly dude. It’s a bad idea. If you bump one of those bolts on something, the nut is going to break free, and will just spin with the bolt when you try to take it out, making it impossible to remove without cutting an access hole. > > I dont get how a pre made bracket is any advantage. You drill the holes in your pack, rivet the L brackets on the motherboard about a half inch in from the edge , put the shell over them and mark your holes to drill and then tap. Your shell doesn’t sit against the brackets, you line the shell up by adjusting the bolts. You need a little wiggle room. > > The more complicated you make it, the more likely it is to fail. This is a crucial part of building your pack, and you’re really overcomplicating it. The tap you needed cost less than the epoxy. Likesjellydonuts’s right. I mean I’m using at the moment Screw bolts instead of rivets to link the mobo to the L bracket, for a **temporary** use and for two reasons: -MY PACK IS NOT READY YET, -AND I FASTENED THE “L” BRACKET ON THE SHELL SIDE WITH A **SELF-CLINCHING BLIND PRESS NUT, OR A RIVET NUT** INSTEAD OF A BOLT. So, even if I had some trouble to remove my Bolts from the L Bracket on the Mobo side, I could find a way for this because I cacn easily unscrew my Shell from the L Bracket. And as I just said, my Pack is NOT FINISH AT ALL. So when I’ll finish it (one day… :-P), even if I plan to modify or add some stuff inside, I WILL FASTEN THE L BRACKET TO THE MOBO WITH RIVET. AND THAT’S WHAT YOU SHOULD DO. Bolts of Self-Clinching Blind Press Nuts, or even Rivet Nuts can be only fasntened on the Shell Side and NOT on the Mobo Side. Well, that’s my point of view, and Likesjellydonuts’s opinion!!! 😛 I hope my ENGLISH was a little clear. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![jreverhart](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/91b2a8/32.png) [@jreverhart](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/jreverhart)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2018, 12:33pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/recommendations-for-l-brackets-to-mount-aluminum-mobo-to-fiberglass-shell/11171/7 "2018-03-08T12:33:27Z")
That’s what I needed, the brackets don’t need to be flush against shell, that’s where I was starting to panic, so line up general placement where the bolts are gonna go, mount L’s to the mobo 1st and then line up the shell drill shell mark holes on brackets through the shell, drill and tap brackets correct? now, I doubt it does but does bolt size make a difference? side note, I usually only work with wood when doing craft like projects, so metal working and such is completely new to me. that’s why I sound like such an idiot lol I’m learning as I go ---
**Author:** ![Etigo](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/e/77aa72/32.png) [@Etigo](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Etigo)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2018, 1:15pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/recommendations-for-l-brackets-to-mount-aluminum-mobo-to-fiberglass-shell/11171/8 "2018-03-08T13:15:29Z")
Don’t you say you sound like an Idiot. As you said, working on metal is NEW to you. I suggest you to follow my Pack Topic, I add some pics progressiveley. Because working on wood, plastic, Aluminum, Steel, Stainless Steel, even Tintanium (really small plates), was something I didn’t know possible… So, it’s normal to ask a lot of questions. Before I started to work on my Pack, I only knew to use a screw driver… But to answer to the placement, it sounds good. I did a little bit differently. When I cut my Aluminum Board for my Mobo, I drilled holes on the Shell Side “L” Bracket and on the Shell as well. I used a Marker or a tape to keep the place of the Bracket on the Mobo and I drilled holes on the Mobo. Then, I fastened my Shell to the Mobo with a few clamps, to keep them still, and a few little Wood Plates, to prevent from leaving marks. I finally drilled the holes the L Bracket throug tho Momo Holes I did before… ---
**Author:** ![likesjellydonuts](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@likesjellydonuts](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/likesjellydonuts)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2018, 2:45pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/recommendations-for-l-brackets-to-mount-aluminum-mobo-to-fiberglass-shell/11171/9 "2018-03-08T14:45:40Z")
Number your brackets and their positions on your [motherboard](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/equipment/proton-pack/motherboard). Trace out around them and make sure you number the mother board as to each l bracket. Drill the holes in your motherboard, then put the bracket in it’s place and mark the holes for that. You want large ■■■■■■ aluminum rivets. Steel ones work too, but they really fight you. The rivets are 3/16" diameter. The bolts for your shell, are typically 1/4-20 but being honest, as long as the head of the bolt is the right size, you can use whatever thread pitch you want ---
**Author:** ![jreverhart](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/91b2a8/32.png) [@jreverhart](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/jreverhart)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2018, 7:22pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/recommendations-for-l-brackets-to-mount-aluminum-mobo-to-fiberglass-shell/11171/10 "2018-03-08T19:22:56Z")
Thank you guys! its much appreciated ---
**Author:** ![AndFisher](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@AndFisher](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/AndFisher)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2018, 9:39am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/recommendations-for-l-brackets-to-mount-aluminum-mobo-to-fiberglass-shell/11171/11 "2018-03-09T09:39:19Z")
This was the most frustrating part of my build (so far) too. I was using an aluminum angle that I cut down to bracket lengths and riveted to mobo and then tapped screw holes. I wanted a snug fit between the shell and the bracket and I think that’s what was causing me such a headache. I got there in the end through trail and error (I had a spare MDF mobo to mess up on!) Based on previous advice from this forum I used brackets approx. 6mm thick to give the screws enough thread to bite. Even though you’re stretching your budget, I’d try and get a set of inexpensive taps. You will find other uses for them in this build! Persevere though, cause it’s really worth the peace of mind that your shell won’t fall off. And remember, you may find yourself hitting that"never again!" moment during a pack build, but you’ll probably go on to prove yourself wrong. ---
**Author:** ![jreverhart](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/91b2a8/32.png) [@jreverhart](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/jreverhart)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2018, 9:40pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/recommendations-for-l-brackets-to-mount-aluminum-mobo-to-fiberglass-shell/11171/12 "2018-03-09T21:40:39Z")
Thanks AndFisher, I’ll tell ya everything else I have a Master Plan for its the brackets that are freaking me out lol I appreciate your input… now if I can just find [metal bellows](https://www.gbfans.com/shop/metal-bellows) lol ---
**Author:** ![likesjellydonuts](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@likesjellydonuts](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/likesjellydonuts)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2018, 1:35am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/recommendations-for-l-brackets-to-mount-aluminum-mobo-to-fiberglass-shell/11171/13 "2018-03-11T01:35:51Z")
The brackets really aren’t a hard thing though, You’re over hyping the problem, because it’s the first step. Set them in about 3/8 or so from the edge of the mobo, the important part is having them parallel to the edge of the mobo. If you’re “too far” in, you can just use a longer bolt. Too far out, your shell wont fit. Use a center punch before drilling, it will keep your bit from walking. Being that it’s aluminum, you can literally just use a nail as a center punch. All you need is a little dent. ---
**Author:** ![jreverhart](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/91b2a8/32.png) [@jreverhart](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/jreverhart)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2018, 6:07am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/recommendations-for-l-brackets-to-mount-aluminum-mobo-to-fiberglass-shell/11171/14 "2018-04-07T06:07:29Z")
UPDATE: So I cut drilled and tapped aluminum brackets, worked perfectly!! I ordered some faucet screens and glued them into the [N-Filter](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/equipment/proton-pack/n-filter) holes looks great! Next step is to start attaching parts, from here on out should be easy roads! Thanks for your help with everything fella’s! ---
**Author:** ![Etigo](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/e/77aa72/32.png) [@Etigo](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Etigo)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2018, 1:25pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/recommendations-for-l-brackets-to-mount-aluminum-mobo-to-fiberglass-shell/11171/15 "2018-04-11T13:25:40Z")
Great to hear that!!! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![jreverhart](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/91b2a8/32.png) [@jreverhart](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/jreverhart)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2018, 8:46pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/recommendations-for-l-brackets-to-mount-aluminum-mobo-to-fiberglass-shell/11171/16 "2018-09-05T20:46:21Z")
Another Update: Well the easy roads thing was a stretch… however! I am waiting on the aluminum knobs, trigger piece, and 1 additional banjo for the thrower to have the pack complete with full lights and sound. ---
**Author:** ![Etigo](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/e/77aa72/32.png) [@Etigo](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Etigo)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2018, 11:48am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/recommendations-for-l-brackets-to-mount-aluminum-mobo-to-fiberglass-shell/11171/17 "2018-09-06T11:48:25Z")
Cool, man. Keep it up!!! 😃 Do you plan to add some pictures? ---
**Author:** ![jreverhart](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/91b2a8/32.png) [@jreverhart](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/jreverhart)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2018, 1:02pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/recommendations-for-l-brackets-to-mount-aluminum-mobo-to-fiberglass-shell/11171/18 "2018-09-06T13:02:09Z")
> [@Etigo post\_id=4908327 time=1536234505 user\_id=37694](#): > > Cool, man. Keep it up!!! 😃 > > Do you plan to add some pictures? Yes I’ve been documenting as I go, so when its done I’ll put up a thread with all the pics and videos. hopefully be fully completed by early next month. ---
**Author:** ![Etigo](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/e/77aa72/32.png) [@Etigo](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Etigo)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2018, 11:21am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/recommendations-for-l-brackets-to-mount-aluminum-mobo-to-fiberglass-shell/11171/19 "2018-09-14T11:21:54Z")
Ok, cool!!! 😃