Thanks for your help. Time to ramble and tell my life story... ;-) I think I am trying to be too economical which is ironically why I am doing this in the first place.
I made my first joystick in a metal enclosure and I wanted it to have 4-way and 8-way joysticks on it and use the same buttons for both. It can be seen here:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=156197.0 It contains a Dominux 8 and a leaf switch PacPro with a taller and bigger handle that I got from another similar joystick from arcadeshop.com.
Although my joystick works ok, it sits up high and there is nothing for my arms to rest on so it is not exactly comfortable to use when sitting in my chair at the desk. Also the buttons are higher than they should be but at least my hand can rest there so that part is more comfortable.
So, I decided that I wanted to fix the ergonomic issues and expand my arsenal starting with a much larger surface. I don't have a lot of tools or money, so I am trying to make something as simply as I can and still have it look nice, hence the laminated shelf that doesn't require T-molding.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rubbermaid-12-in-x-24-in-Oak-Laminate-Decorative-Shelf-1891903/204660679 I bought several of these so I could do the sides and the back, and I don't plan to have a bottom. Eventually, I may cover the surface with vinyl artwork and keep the sides the way they are.
Then I decided I wanted to have two player 8-way capabilities so I could play Robotron and two player games, and I wanted to have plenty of arm room so there are no sharp edges to worry about when using the joystick. So I decided that rather than cramming everything on there again, I will make two of these 24x12 panels. One would be with two Dominux 8's, and the other with a 4-way and possibly a trackball since I would have room on the other half, hence my original post and question.
For the 4-way, I decided to order a Wico 4-way reproduction joystick from arcadeshop.com. I hope I like it. I don't really care for the bouncy springy clunky 4-way I am using now (the big handle makes it this way, and the original handle is far too small and plasticy for my liking). Also, I really want my 4-way to be a grommet and leaf joystick. I didn't want the clover leaf restrictor plate that the Dominux 8 uses. I could have gotten a leaf pro, but I read that they are kind of cheap and break easily and it uses a spring. I still will probably get one because I want to make a handheld 8-way Atari joystick and these have a low under the panel depth, but that is a separate discussion lol.
So, now that I am thinking the trackball idea is not so great especially after reading your post, PL1, I am thinking about turning the second 12x24 board 90 degrees and cut it in half and make a half-sized 4-way, or I could make a two-player 4-way panel since I have my existing frankenstein 4-way joystick I could throw on there.
And for the trackball, that would become its own panel, making that three separate units total. I still have the same concerns about the design though. I don't want it sitting up high with no support for my arms. Perhaps I can make a slanted design leading up to the level area where the trackball is, sort of like this:
http://www.hammondmfg.com/dwg16Steel.htm I am very open to suggestions.
Thanks for the suggestions on the trackballs. Is this one ok too?
https://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=74&products_id=363 It says in the description there is a High Ball option, but I don't see it as a selection when ordering.
Thanks again!
Mike