Cocktail Control Panel Joystick and Overlay Options

[wxforecaster]

My upfront thanks for anyone who responds to this as I know the joystick discussion has been repeatedly beaten like a dead horse.

I have a Ms. Pac Man original cocktail that I am going to convert into a 60-1 via a Jamma adapter. To preserve the original control panels, I picked up two used metal blank CPs, each pre-drilled for a joystick, two buttons and two small start buttons.

Question 1 involves the joystick. The measurements to the center hole is as follows, measured from the top/left corner
Joystick - 3 1/8" right, 2 3/8" down (button measurements also provided so you can see how much room I have in this 9" CP)
The 4 mounting holes for the joystick are also predrilled, and roughly offset about an inch and a half from the joystick center measuring left/right and up/down, but not quite square. It seems there are two types of mounting plates with this being an "older" style?

Button 1 - 5 3/4" right, 2 1/2" down
Button 2 - 7 9/16" right, 2 1/2" down
P1 - 6 9/16" right, 13/16" down
P2 - 7 11/16" right, 13/16" down

I am looking for a joystick that is great for the classics. Apparently, some of the ones I've looked at won't fit because the mounting plate is far more rectangular, and looks too large anyways for a 9" control panel.

What do folks perfer in this setup?
Do you prefer 4/8 way with restrictor plates (it seems that getting at the plate in most cases would be next to impossible in a standard midway cab in between games?
Leaf vs. microswitch?
Ball vs. bat?
Basically would like some options here that not only fit, but provide great all around game play with the right "feel". $$$ is not a big factor.


Question 2:
Where can I find a nice "multi-cade" type overlay that will fit the dimensions provided for the 5 holes above, I've looked on the web and in the artwork forum without much luck.
Thanks!

[wxforecaster]

A lot of view, no responses. Do I need to clarify something? Also posted a pic of one of the bare metal CPs (both are identical)

[opt2not]

Ok, I'll take a stab at this.

Question 1 involves the joystick. The measurements to the center hole is as follows, measured from the top/left corner
Joystick - 3 1/8" right, 2 3/8" down (button measurements also provided so you can see how much room I have in this 9" CP)
The 4 mounting holes for the joystick are also predrilled, and roughly offset about an inch and a half from the joystick center measuring left/right and up/down, but not quite square. It seems there are two types of mounting plates with this being an "older" style?

From what I could tell and what I've seen available, their are two types of pre-drilled midway cocktail CP's for mounting Standard Wico, and Pacman joysticks. The Pac joys have a larger mounting plate than the standard wico's, and are quite noticeable in size difference.  I installed Sanwa JLW's into mine, and had to drill holes into it's mounting plate to fit my Stardard Wico drilled CP. Sanwa mounting plates are a dime a dozen, since they're still in manufacturing, so I didn't mind poking holes in it.

I am looking for a joystick that is great for the classics. Apparently, some of the ones I've looked at won't fit because the mounting plate is far more rectangular, and looks too large anyways for a 9" control panel.

JLW's are great for classics. They are also pretty short in mounting size, perfect for cocktail CP's interior space.

What do folks perfer in this setup?
Do you prefer 4/8 way with restrictor plates (it seems that getting at the plate in most cases would be next to impossible in a standard midway cab in between games?

Getting into the CP for switching the restrictor plate is a PITA. You'll find you wont' be doing it much since it takes a lot of work just disassemble the CP.  My advice is to stick to one type, or get a top-panel switchable joystick like a Mag-stick, or Omni stick.  Or go with those p360's and configure mame for each type of game. But, you don't get the physical restriction with p360's.

Leaf vs. microswitch?

Look up all the threads on Leaf vs Microswitch. There are a lot of opinions on this topic, so I won't bother laying out the pros and cons in this one - ad nauseum.

Ball vs. bat?

You won't have space for a bat-top under the glass, unless you mount the joystick lower than what it should be.  But ...that sucks. Besides, you're more prone to slipping your hand off a bat-top and smacking it into the bottom of the glass.  Not good.

Question 2:
Where can I find a nice "multi-cade" type overlay that will fit the dimensions provided for the 5 holes above, I've looked on the web and in the artwork forum without much luck.
Thanks!

Technically this is question 6.

gameongrafix, arcadeshop, mike's arcade.  I googled the words "multicade control panel overlay" and got many hits.