Swappable desktop control panel

[jcoleman]

Several ideas came together in this one.  I've been wanting to build a Mortal Kombat-style cabinet for a while, mainly due to the size of the control panel and the ease with which the top could be swapped.  Unfortunately I don't have the space for an MK cab, and I only have room for my MAMEd Galaxian cab (still unfinished...) in the basement.  Since that only plays vertical games, I thought maybe I'd build a desktop control panel to tide me over until I have room for the MK cab.  I figured I had the parts laying around, so I might as well build a prototype...

I decided to go ahead and incorporate my swappable panels idea into this panel, even though it's a desktop...it would give me good experience on building it and see if my ideas would work.  So here it is, the world's first swappable desktop control panel!

[jcoleman]

I've not gotten around to wiring it yet...I literally just finished building it.  I have a MiniPAC waiting to go in this, as soon as I figure out how I want to mount it.  Keep in mind that this is just a prototype built from scrap wood...I plan to build it for real *next* weekend!  

[jcoleman]

Yes, that's a NOS 4-way Wico...jealous, aren't you?  

The buttons are standard iL from Happ, thanks to Peale.  I've also used two of Peale's fantastic black 1p and 2p buttons.  The outer sticks are NOS 8-way Wicos with blue Robotron-length handles.  The center stick is the 4-way with a black handle.  The single black button is the pause button.  Since this is for desktop use, I didn't need any admin buttons.  (Not that you'd ever need them with an IPAC)

[jcoleman]

Lastly, you can see the mechanism for holding down the panel.  These are standard cabinet door roller latches, the very kind you might have in your kitchen cabinet.  They're only about 75 cents a piece, and with four of them, the panel is held in surprisingly well.  I plan to refine this a little by adding guide rails to the front and back of the underside of the top panel.  The panel can actually move slightly in the box, but only when you hold the box still and push the panel.  I may not even need this refinement.  I must confess that I stole this idea from the modular panel project posted recently, but good engineering is good engineering, so I don't feel bad about it.    I'd recommend it to anyone trying to make a swappable/modular panel.  

That's all for now...more pics when I've finished!

[AmericanDemon]

Very good work.  I like the design.  I cannot wait for the finished product.

[DaveMMR]

Pretty sweet.   The roller latches are something I plan to use to, I've heard good things.

[AlanS17]

Those roller latches are a damn good idea. Sure beats the velcro alternatice I've seen.

However, I must question why you would want a modular desktop control panel. Why not just multiple control panels? Is it for the practice?

[jcoleman]

However, I must question why you would want a modular desktop control panel. Why not just multiple control panels? Is it for the practice?

It's both for the practice and for the only-having-to-buy-one-MiniPAC.  

However, I've just devised an extraordinary method for building a collapsible MK-style cabinet that will fit through my computer room door.  Unfortunately this margin is too small to contain it...  

Thanks to all for the compliments...I may skip the further refinement and un-prototyping of this and move on to the big project...assuming I get the raise I'm expecting.  

Coleman