Arcade control panel/box

[Warborg]

Just curious as to what people's preferences/experiences are...  I am going to put together an arcade control box that plugs in to my TV instead of a full cabinet due to it being a lot more friendly with my living space right now.  I have been debating on if I should just make it a "box", as in the bottom part just being squared, no angles/slope or if I should build it to where the sides are angled to give the top a bit of a slope.  The whole idea is to just be able to plunk it down on the coffee table and play and then stow it when not in use.

[pbj]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/133762469392

 

[Warborg]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/133762469392

 

Are you showing me an example or suggesting I buy that, as that will not foot the bill...  lol

[MartyKong]

When designing my control panel I mocked it up using some poster board to see which angles worked best. Mine is in a full size cabinet so I went with about a 5 degree angle. Yours being on a coffee table will be different. Best to prototype first.

[Warborg]

Nobody else out there has built a stand-alone arcade stick instead of a cabinet?

[pbj]

It’s down to $42 today.  What the hell else do you want?  If you must have two players, buy an X-Arcade tankstick and move on with life.

[Warborg]

It’s down to $42 today.  What the hell else do you want?  If you must have two players, buy an X-Arcade tankstick and move on with life.

Well...  That was a little hostile.  I was just hoping for some examples of what people have built, looking for inspiration for the one I'm going to build...  not buy.

[Zebidee]

Nobody else out there has built a stand-alone arcade stick instead of a cabinet?

How complicated can it be?

Four bits of wood around 4-5 inches wide, arranged into a box.

Top piece a little larger, rounded corners, use a router to do T-molding slots.

Use some blocking pieces inside/under the top piece, to screw down securely with nothing visible outside.

Bottom piece is just scrap piece to cover the bits, screw it in directly.

Suggest you use smaller-but-decent joysticks like Sanwa.

There are plenty of cheap encoders out there these days.

If you want two-players, make a second box. Then you'll get more elbow room

Or just buy something like what pbj linked.

Really can be whatever you want.

Have seen people do it with those plastic storage boxes. I've made a control panel out of a plastic lunchbox before.





I've also got a control panel box with no T-molding, which I prefer. I don't much like T-molding on control panels, least not at the front of a flat panel (can cut into your wrists). Hacked gamepad inside, USB connect.

[PL1]

Haruman's Customs has some options like the Barstick or the Fighter.

 

Here's a pic of tron84's Barstick build from this post.




Scott

[Warborg]

Cool, thank you.  It's not about difficulty or anything, just was trying to get some inspiration and see what other people have done, that's all.  I'm stripping down my old cabinet and using the wood to build just a control box with a Lenovo mini PC inside so I can just plug it in to a TV with HDMI and play.  I have most of my parts together as of today, so now it's just down to design and time to do it.  Got a Keywiz Max USB, Sci-Winder spinner, Betson/Imperial 3" trackball w/LED lighting module underneath, 1xU360 stick and 1xHapp Super stick, 7 red convex LED lit buttons per player, and the Lenovo Mini with a Ryzen 5/Vega 7 IGD in it, and a 2TB external HDD.  Also using BigBox for the front end.  I'm not new to the emu scene, but just building a control box for myself is a new venture as I never got much in to woodworking myself (just bought empty cabs and converting them to MAME cabs), so it's a first to building from scratch so was just wanting to see some examples of what people had done to get ideas...    You know, imitation being the sincerest form of flattery and all that... 

[Zebidee]

I would suggest keeping the CPU and the control panel parts separate. You'll have a lot more flexibility.

[Warborg]

I would suggest keeping the CPU and the control panel parts separate. You'll have a lot more flexibility.

In this particular case I'm going to mount the mini PC in the box for the idea of portability, where I can just move the panel somewhere else and hook it up with no muss, the PC has WiFi and BT and Teamviewer installed so I'll still have full remote access to it, and the box top will be hinged.

[RandyT]

It’s down to $42 today.  What the hell else do you want?

Something without terrible controller lag I suspect.  Saw a fair amount of those complaints when I looked into why they were selling for so cheap.  If they managed to find a workaround, I'd pick one up just to play around with.  But I don't think they have, and controller lag personally drives me insane.

[pbj]

If only someone sold third party encoders….

If only there was a forum that was dedicated to building and modding things….

If only.

[Warborg]

If only someone sold third party encoders….

If only there was a forum that was dedicated to building and modding things….

If only.

If only you didn't wake up on the wrong side of the bed...

If only you didn't have a burr under your saddle...

If only.

[Howard_Casto]

@pbj's point, if you were paying attention, is that you literally can't build a stick cheaper than $42.   We got ours in the mail today and they are great quality sticks that are usb/bluetooth ready.  Get one and mod it if you insist, but honestly, they are pretty good as-is.   

[Warborg]

@pbj's point, if you were paying attention, is that you literally can't build a stick cheaper than $42.   We got ours in the mail today and they are great quality sticks that are usb/bluetooth ready.  Get one and mod it if you insist, but honestly, they are pretty good as-is.

And my original point/post was that I was looking at building one and was just wanting to see what people's experiences were. I never once mentioned I was looking to buy one but it got sidetracked in to a debate about one to buy.

[Zebidee]

@pbj's point, if you were paying attention, is that you literally can't build a stick cheaper than $42.   We got ours in the mail today and they are great quality sticks that are usb/bluetooth ready.  Get one and mod it if you insist, but honestly, they are pretty good as-is.

Been looking closer at these and can only agree that, for the price, the Atgames Legends Mini looks like a great deal. Would go grab one myself but so-far they are only for sale in USA, and international shipping (where available, linked seller doesn't) to my location is horrendous.

So, it is something to keep my eyes open for.

And my original point/post was that I was looking at building one and was just wanting to see what people's experiences were. I never once mentioned I was looking to buy one but it got sidetracked in to a debate about one to buy.

People get sidetracked all the time here 

If you just focus on the control panel box, and have the tools, you could probably knock something up within a day. Then, while playing your games already, you can have a good think about whether is is worth your hassle to build a PC into it.

Scott and I have introduced some design ideas for you. What do you think works for you?

[pbj]

If only.

It’s all clicky ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- mounted to a cigar box.  Exactly what feedback do you need?  Two sad, old men, just like you, have told you that for under $50 you can solve this problem and move on with your life.  You’re insisting on feedback about… what?  Does this cigar box mount a joystick better than that one?  You haven’t posted a single thing about what exactly you’re seeking. 

Anyway, you’re on block now.

Have a nice life.

 

[Mike A]

It sounds like purchasing something is the best course of action for what you have outlined as your needs.

Otherwise. Just buy the controls you want and build a box out of plywood and screws.

Build it with a flat top. If that is not comfortable then find a way to shim the top to the angle you want.

Once you find the angle you want. Unscrew the box and replace the flat side pieces with angled ones and cut down the front piece to match.

Then you can paint or stain the box however you prefer.

[Thenasty]

4x8 MDF in home depot is around $50.00. Check around Garbage Day (if you have none lying around).

Building is Half the Fun, you learn a lot as you go along, it might cost a bit more building but it's the fun and learning really pays off.

If you want to go and just Play Games, buying a cheap already made and saves you money, might be the way to go (then Hack it so you can also learn and save). 

[sunspot]

Look at the bright side Warborg, you actually got some replies to your thread.  I asked a similar question and 70+ people looked at it and didn't say a damn thing.

Not even you.  But it's all good.

[Ropi Jo]

Is this forum "Build your own...." or "Buy your own...."?

[Zebidee]

.

[Warborg]

Look at the bright side Warborg, you actually got some replies to your thread.  I asked a similar question and 70+ people looked at it and didn't say a damn thing.

Not even you.  But it's all good.

I would have if I saw it, considering it's a similar goal...  But I haven't frequented this site in years until recently here.

[Warborg]

Is this forum "Build your own...." or "Buy your own...."?

Exactly...  I'm not sure what was so difficult about the concept of just wanting some inspiration from other people's projects/experiences.  I remember PBJ from years ago on here and remember him always being cranky, but MAN such toxicity for such a simple question.  I remember for the most part these boards used to be pretty friendly and helpful with an occasional disagreement, but from my experience here so far it's no longer that same place.

And even though "I'm on block"...  PBJ:  ..!.,

[Mike A]

Just don't give it oxygen.

There are suggestions out there now.

Let's get started.

[Warborg]

Just don't give it oxygen.

There are suggestions out there now.

Let's get started.

Fair enough, thank you...  Yeah, just like hearing what others have done, a lot of times it ends up inspiring me to come up with something I hadn't considered before, ya know?

[Zebidee]

Warborg, I am honestly looking forward to seeing what you come up with - whatever it is.

Just do it the way you want to, even if people (including me) suggest differently. It is your project, and you are the only person that needs to be happy with it.

[Warborg]

Warborg, I am honestly looking forward to seeing what you come up with - whatever it is.

Just do it the way you want to, even if people (including me) suggest differently. It is your project, and you are the only person that needs to be happy with it.

Too true...  I think I know what I want to do now, and frankly it's going to be simple but the theme I am going to use works for a simple design.  I do certainly appreciate all the non-toxic comments though, so thanks!

[Mike A]

Post before you commit to things.

You will get all of this:

bad ideas

sarcasm

good ideas

And that is just from me.

If you can handle a little static, there are experienced people here that will help you.

[Howard_Casto]

@pbj's point, if you were paying attention, is that you literally can't build a stick cheaper than $42.   We got ours in the mail today and they are great quality sticks that are usb/bluetooth ready.  Get one and mod it if you insist, but honestly, they are pretty good as-is.

And my original point/post was that I was looking at building one and was just wanting to see what people's experiences were. I never once mentioned I was looking to buy one, but it got sidetracked into a debate about one to buy.

Well sure I understood that believe it or not as I can read English text.  The thing is that isn't what you should be doing so I'm telling you not to build one and buy one instead.   I mean what is the point of building something that'll function identically only it probably won't look as nice and cost you more money to build?  The hobby has gone mainstream in recent years and because of that a lot of the projects we used to do are mass-retail products manufactured at a price and quality to where a diy solution doesn't make any sense.  If you wanted to build a cabinet, I would absolutely help you in regard to advice and examples but you just want to build a stand alone joystick.   There are half a dozen inexpensive solutions on the market man... buy one you like, save yourself time and money and get one with your life.   

[Warborg]

@pbj's point, if you were paying attention, is that you literally can't build a stick cheaper than $42.   We got ours in the mail today and they are great quality sticks that are usb/bluetooth ready.  Get one and mod it if you insist, but honestly, they are pretty good as-is.

And my original point/post was that I was looking at building one and was just wanting to see what people's experiences were. I never once mentioned I was looking to buy one, but it got sidetracked into a debate about one to buy.

Well sure I understood that believe it or not as I can read English text.  The thing is that isn't what you should be doing so I'm telling you not to build one and buy one instead.   I mean what is the point of building something that'll function identically only it probably won't look as nice and cost you more money to build?  The hobby has gone mainstream in recent years and because of that a lot of the projects we used to do are mass-retail products manufactured at a price and quality to where a diy solution doesn't make any sense.  If you wanted to build a cabinet, I would absolutely help you in regard to advice and examples but you just want to build a stand alone joystick.   There are half a dozen inexpensive solutions on the market man... buy one you like, save yourself time and money and get one with your life.

Thing is, I already have all the supplies and everything I need now, it's just labor for the most part.  I am cutting up my old cab for the wood, already have T-Molding left over, have all the controls I need and the encoder as well, so I was just wanting to see people's ideas but I think I have it nailed down what I want to do now anyway, so thanks!

The other idea of course, is that this can be standalone for now, and I can always build a pedestal for it later to turn it in to an actual cabinet if I like.  At this point though my back is not in the shape to stand at an arcade cabinet for a long time, so I am going to start with something I can just sit on the couch and play. 

[sunspot]

Ropi Jo said it best I think in regards to the "spirit" of this forum (sorry that my post count is lacking, I've been lurking for years).  That being said, having these mass-produced turnkey options is fantastic and we are lucky to have them these days.  I have come to realize that it would be less painless at this point to buy something brand new instead of investing the time/$$$ into fixing my old Genesis Arcade Stick from the mid 90's that doesn't work right.  Unless old nostalgia ever takes over (yes I know...at some point it probably will.  We've been together a long time.).

I feel that all "means" feedback that results in a positive "end" one way or the other is constructive.  The current turnkey options aren't applicable to my particular need but I'm glad as hell that they are out there.