I would say, if you're going to build a machine with a 4p Panel, follow an existing build pretty closely.
The one 4p aircraft carrier that EVERYONE is copying (literally everyone, all over reddit, ebay, etc) is from ChanceKJ's build:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=135116.0. For pretty good reason too. It's well thought out and functional.
I'm going to join the chorus in dissuading you from a couple of things.. Realize, those of us who are giving you this advice have gone through this.. We were just as excited as you, just as passionate about playing all these games, had visions of people crowded around the machine to play, etc. We also, collectively, have found out some of the same truths:
Universal Truths:Adding ancillary joysticks like a flightstick... somehwere in the middle of the panel, because you HAVE to have it is a bad, bad idea.If you're doing a 4P panel with a trackball, there's nowhere to put that flight stick but up above your normal controls. And that is CRAZY, CRAZY uncomfortable. Also, how many games that NEED a topfire are you actually going to play? If it's 1 or 2, just put an external USB port on your machine and PLUG IN a flightstick to play that game the 2-3 times you're realistically going to play it. Don't complicate the manel.
Spinners are cool for authenticity.... and that's about it. If you are a HUGE arkanoid and/or tempest fan, add it. However, you're going to have the same problem as your flightstick. Where are you going to put it? Above the trackball? UNCOMFORTABLE. You will use it a few times, and that's it. And you can play arkanoid with a trackball. I've gotten really good at it.
- 4P Panels in general--- are you REALLY going to use it?Think really hard about this one. I had visions of people crowded around the machine playing 4p games all day. I think I managed to get 4 people to play TMNT or Simpsons maybe 2-3 times in the life of the machine. The rest of the time those sticks and buttons got NO use. NONE. Zero. There just arent' that many 3+ player games out there to play. A handful, and they're mostly the same. ANd it's just MORE STUFF to not work and have to fix. If you have a bunch of friends who are way into it who will play the same 5-6 games all the time, go for it. But otherwise it will be an exercise in futility... Trust me.
Light Guns - only if you're in a caveIf your cabinet is going to be within 10 feet of a window... Just give up on this idea right now. The AimTrak guns work reasonably well, but if there's any kind of sunlight behind the cabinet--- they just won't work. The sinden lightguns look promising, but I haven't seen enough about them to endorse. I REALLY, REALLY want to use mine, but my cabinet is either in a garage or in my sunroom, so I had to give up the dream.
Some of this you may just have to figure out for yourself. I'm not here to say I told you so, and it's not about looks. It's about enjoyment, functionality, and trying to stave off regret. You will spend a lot more money and time, make more mistakes, get more frustrated, and have it be probably weeks longer before you get to playing games, for what will ultimately be a drag.
In my opinion (and take it for what it is) this is your best bet to have the best experience and play 90% of the games you want to play:
- 2x servostik 4/8 way auto switching sticks
- 7-8 buttons each player
- 3" trackball
- Lightguns, if you're not near a window
Oh, and by the way. This was my first cabinet. I was so proud of it: *sigh*
http://arcadia.gerety.net (click galleries)