acrylic arcade control DIY cases

[shredhead1260]

Any idea where I can find an acrylic joystick case that would have spots for two joysticks and a trackball? The ones I've seen online for two joysticks have a second set of holes for buttons too. I'm only looking for single player, but I'd like to be able to play some of the games that are best with a trackball. Then there's Robotron which uses two joysticks. I would like acrylic so it's not so heavy on your lap. I suppose I could build this from scratch but I'm trying to save time. I don't want the thing totally built though, because I'd like to get the higher quality joystick and buttons than you'd normally get with a package deal.

the goal is to make up one of these things, hook it to the big TV, and play Retropie/Mame games. I have wanted to build an entire cabinet for quite a long time but I just don't have the time. I figure this is a good compromise and I can move the Pi that's been on my desk for a year into the area in front of the TV where it will finally get some use.

[javeryh]

Check the Retail Vendors sub.  This is BYOAC though so not a lot of people around here looking for off the shelf stuff...

[Howard_Casto]

I can't help you with vendors but I'll give you this advice...  you WANT it to be heavy... as a matter of fact some commercial sticks have weights in the bottom.   The reason is it keeps the whole panel from flopping around while you play.

[Mr. Peabody]

Sounds to me like he wants it in his lap. If not, thick velcro works great. Even meatheads will be hard-pressed to pull it up unless they're trying and wedging from a side.

[shredhead1260]

I wouldn't mind the X-Arcade tank stick, but it seems too heavy to sit on my lap and it has 8 buttons I'll never use. I think I've also added a spinner to my wish list and that could certainly replace one of the buttons so I don't have to drill another hole.

If I cannot find what I'm looking for ready made, and it seems like that's the case, I will build sort of a clone of the Xarcade dual stick (like the tank stick but a little smaller and no trackball), but on the right would be joy 2 and track ball / spinner instead of the 8 buttons.  I'll have to find plans to modify.

[pumaconcolor]

There are some fight stick cases that are very broad; if you use small enough parts and are able to cut your own holes into it, maybe you could fit these things all together.  But those cases are very shallow.  You'd probably have to stick with a small trackball, and the shortest possible spinner, and some small joysticks and buttons.  Maybe Seimitsu LS-5x joysticks, 24mm buttons, a somewhat cheap 2" trackball, and a TurboTwist Sci-Winder.

[Mr. Peabody]

  Maybe...a TurboTwist Sci-Winder.

I didn't know of the Sci-Winder. Neat....but strange the top is permanent.