Does this Control Panel layout Look ok???

[R0CK632]

Getting ready to drill the holes for the control panel. Does this layout look good. I got the DIY X arcade that comes with tracball and 20 buttons (2 are 1\2 player buttons). This is the backside so everthing is reveresed.  Was planing on 8 buttons ( Do I really need the bottom 2?) The middle top 4 would be the inside ones right and left mouse and the outer ones 1 /2 player.  and the far top ones one would be back\escape and not sure what the other one will be yet.  Any suggestions on changes\ additions or does this seem ok? not sure if put everything too high too on the control panel and should lower everything a tad.  Any input is appreciated. Thanks

[thatpurplestuff]

You're the only person that can really decide whether you need those bottom 2 buttons or not... it all comes down to what you plan on using the control panel for.  If you can think of plenty of games that you want to play that require 8 buttons, I say go for it.  Otherwise, scale back the number of buttons to accommodate the majority of games that you want to play.

[wp34]

I'd say ditch the 2 bottom buttons unless you have a strong need for them. 

One thing to keep in mind on the track ball is the depth of the control.  If you get it too close to the front end it might not fit depending on how deep your CP is.  You also don't want it so close to the monitor your fingers hit it when you really get into it playing Golden Tee.  Your looks okay to me depending again on the height of your CP.

Why don't you cut some holes in that cardboard, wire up a few buttons and try some games?  I'm sure I'm not alone in this but my first CP was a shoebox with some controls crammed into it.  Trying your layout will tell you if it is comfortable.

[R0CK632]

If I get rid of the bottom 2 buttons which i don't think i need was just copying the x arcade template, Should I Add them anywhere else? Can you think of extra buttons I could use, was debating on pinball buttons on the side not sure the wires will be long enough though

[wp34]

If you plan on playing pinball with your CP then that might be a good use.  Don't feel like you have to put them anywhere though.  Buttons cost less than $2.

[mgb]

i would definitely drop the extra 2 bottom buttons.

also just keep in mind that if you're gonna drill from the underside to the outside, be very careful to have the panel sitting firmly on some scrap wood to eliminate blowout as your drill comes through the other side

[paigeoliver]

You should drill from the top.

Drop the extra xarcade buttons and then shift the joysticks closer to the buttons to make more space around the trackball.

[R0CK632]

The reason I'm gonna attempt to drill from underside is because I didn't think this out properly and painted everything already and it's just easier marking it off this way.  Thanks for the input I did drop those 2 extra buttons.

[vwalbridge]

You should drill from the top.

+1, You have been warned.  At least put another board on the underside to avoid blow-outs.

[R0CK632]

The plan was to drill a small pilot hole through the middle of each button, drill about 3/4 through and then flip over the board and use the pilot hole to set the fostner bit in the center to get a nice finish on both sides.  Do you think that's a bad idea?

[vwalbridge]

The plan was to drill a small pilot hole through the middle of each button, drill about 3/4 through and then flip over the board and use the pilot hole to set the fostner bit in the center to get a nice finish on both sides.  Do you think that's a bad idea?

Yea, that might be ok. But make sure you pilot hole is absolutely straight. It's good you are using a fostner bit. Those work very well for button holes. I'd rather go straight through in one drill but if you practice it first on a piece of scrap and it works...then go for it.

[lilshawn]

I'm not too fond of the forstner. it's got it's uses... but for buttons and joysticks, I opt to drill through the back with a regular old saw hole cutter until the pilot drill bit pokes through the front side. switch around and drill from the front side about 1/4 way through...then continue again on the back side.

forstner bits tend to get REAL grabby when the material starts to get thin right at the end of the cut.

this way, you break the surface and it's nice and clean and you don't blow out when you finally cut through all the way. 

my 5 cents. (we have no pennies here anywhere)

[BadMouth]

I opt to drill through the back with a regular old saw hole cutter until the pilot drill bit pokes through the front side. switch around and drill from the front side about 1/4 way through...then continue again on the back side.

+1, but I usually drill over half way in the first go and only switch over once.

It makes less dust than the forstner too, which is always a plus if working with MDF.
Still a lot....but less.

[TapeWormInYourGut]

I did the same thing on my current panel. Drilled 1/4" pilot holes and then drilled from both sides. I drilled from the top first though.

The bottom was not perfectly aligned with the top. The holes on the bottom and were a few mm off. The top was fine though which is what is important. Only way I would recommend doing this, is if you are using a drill press and make sure everything is exactly strait. I used a hand drill.

I mean, if you are drilling from the top anyways, then why not drill their first instead of creating pilot holes from the bottom?

[mgb]

What benefit is there in drilling from both sides.
It just seems like more work for nothing other than a good opportunity to introduce error

[Amra]

I used a spade bit on mine, which usually have a long center spur/tip, I drill until the tip penetrates through the wood, then drill from the opposing side using that hole to center the spade bit from the opposite direction.  Never had a problem using this method, and always have nice holes with no blowout that line up nicely.