suggestions on how to make lemonade out of these lemons?

[thaddeussmith]

i found a neo geo cab in good shape that was converted to Tekken 3 at some point. I'm restoring it back to a neo-geo feel, but with MAME/multi-emu insides. You can see in the picture where two holes were added under the original B&C's. Should i leave as is and make it work or add a seventh button under the orinal D's for a straight 3-over-3? I'll be playing classic 2-button, modern fighters like MK3 and SF2, NES, SNES, etc. I have a repro acrylic overlay that will require me to drill all of these additional buttons as well.

[CoryBee]

[yaksplat]

Drill Drill Drill

[thaddeussmith]

Drill Drill Drill

i assume you're referring to that seventh button spot on the bottom right of each player?

[ahofle]

I would definitely drill another hole if you want to play SF2 properly.

[Nephasth]

If I were you, I would fill those 2 added holes and relocate them (or the bottom left hole). They're crooked, and with buttons installed, will look like ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---.

[thaddeussmith]

If I were you, I would fill those 2 added holes and relocate them (or the bottom left hole). They're crooked, and with buttons installed, will look like ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---.

you mean relocate them to be in line with the original A button (bottom left button) they are pretty straight in relation to the top 3. My plan was to fill in the original 4 with neo geo colors and then make the non-original buttons black.

here's the cp overlay that I'll be using. The control panel isn't going to look perfect, and I'm ok with that; I didn't build this from scratch. I'm converting an old cabinet that has already been converted once before, so it's not going to look like a perfect custom job and will have character to it (read: imperfections)

[Nephasth]

If you have a plan, why are you asking for suggestions?

[thaddeussmith]

seeking validation of said plan, i guess. :/

[RandyT]

Doesn't seem like a huge problem to overcome with a solid plastic overlay.  Just drill your overlay to position the buttons where you want them, but as close as possible to the position of the current holes.  Anyplace underneath where they don't line up perfectly, you can use a grinder just enough to give them clearance.  As long as the holes aren't so large as to prevent the nuts for the button from making solid contact with the panel (be careful you don't do this) the button nuts will screw down tight and not move.  If you do it right, it will still look perfect from the top side.

RandyT

[thaddeussmith]

Doesn't seem like a huge problem to overcome with a solid plastic overlay.  Just drill your overlay to position the buttons where you want them, but as close as possible to the position of the current holes.  Anyplace underneath where they don't line up perfectly, you can use a grinder just enough to give them clearance.  As long as the holes aren't so large as to prevent the nuts for the button from making solid contact with the panel (be careful you don't do this) the button nuts will screw down tight and not move.  If you do it right, it will still look perfect from the top side.

RandyT

good point. that makes Neph's suggestion of moving the bottom row in line with the original A button a little more feasible. Welding, filling, and re-drilling just didn't seem worth the effort for a few mm of button relocation.

I do appreciate everyone chiming in. It probably seems like I just shrug off initial suggestions that don't meet my preformed plan, but you've all actually gotten the wheels spinning.