How should I proceed with the control panel?

[Fang Doctor]

I recently picked up a cabinet someone had built for their first mame setup. It came with some controls that I won't be using since I already have what I need. My problem is that the CP has pre-cut holes for a setup I can't/won't be using. How do you guys think I should proceed with this build?

Note: The plexiglass is just resting on the CP in the (edit) first picture.

[PL1]

Details?

What controls will you use to populate the CP?

Do you want to reuse the wood with new plexi?

Same player button layout?

Do the joystick mount holes line up or do you need to redo those?


Scott

[Fang Doctor]

Sorry about the lacking details, I'm a bit tired.

I will have 2 player set up, with 6 buttons and a joystick each. It will also have a p1 and p2 start button on the top. Other controls will be located elsewhere.

This is where I'd like advice/suggestions. I am very new to this so I don't really know what seems like a reasonable idea. I considered plugging and covering the excess holes with wood and then sanding/repainting the CP, but I don't know if it is worth it. I personally don't have access to many tools, but I have a couple friends with some, so I also considered remaking the top.

It could use the same layout (and if I make a new top, it probably will) for some of the button and joystick holes.

The joystick mounts don't match up, so new ones would be necessary.


Thanks!

[Slippyblade]

If it's just a few odd holes you would be plugging, use Bondo.  Mix up a batch and pack it into the holes.  Stuff cures fast and sands easy.  You can even re-drill if you need to.  The problem I'd have is the plexi.  Not much you can do with that.

[Fang Doctor]

Do you think I should try to get more plexi to cover the panel? I plan to paint it black after a bit of sanding, but do you think the change in texture from wood to Bondo will be very noticeable physically and visually? Also, could Bondo cover the big square where the trackball mount used to be? I've never used it before.

[Slippyblade]

As far as the texture goes, I can't say.  I've used printed overlays between the wood and plexi so it never came up.

No, the trackball cutout is way to large for bondo to fill.  Maybe cut a small square of wood the same size and mount it with a backside bracket?

[JDFan]

For the trouble you'll have filling\sanding etc. to repair it -- you'd be better off just getting a new piece of MDF and cutting a new panel. 

[kahlid74]

So high level others have already talked about it here but all of that can be repaired if you want to.  For the best strength you'll want to use a hole saw to cut out "inserts" for the button holes.  You would then glue/putty these inserts into the button holes combined with lots of sanding and it'll be as strong as wood before.  For the trackball you could fill it with a larger piece of wood as well.

High level, this control panel has a good deal of action already on it.  As @JDFan said, it may be better to start over.

[yotsuya]

Just go ahead and remake that top.

[lcmgadgets]

Who made a panel with a 'John Carpenter's The Thing' theme?! That's my favourite movie!

[thehammer12]

Who made a panel with a 'John Carpenter's The Thing' theme?! That's my favourite movie!

You should check out "The Thing" Mondo posters, I have both of these framed, I would have put one of them on my CP for sure.

[lcmgadgets]

I've never seen those--they r sweet! Esp the red 1. I liked the prequel they did, too--I'm still kicking myself that I didn't think of the 'fillings' test. Of course, they didn't think of a tattoo test, which also could have eliminated some of them...