Questions regarding controls wiring/hacks

[Warborg]

Ok, I'm a newbie here, but I've followed the emu scene for a while now.  I've gotten to the point where I'd like to work on building a cabinet and have some ideas as to how I'd like to do it, but would like some advice from the more experienced.

First, I plan on having 2 sticks, 6 buttons each, a trackball (using a CompUSA crystal), and a spinner (already constructed and tested one made from a USB mouse and a hard drive motor, mounted in a Radio Shack project box).  I plan on using several materials I already have, and that includes the board from a keyboard and a USB Gravis Gamepad to hack for the controls.  I figure I could hack the gamepad for the player one controls, and the keyboard for player 2, plus the player 1/2 and coin 1/2 buttons.

Now, opinions are abundant as far as to hack/not to hack...  I think I've made up my mind to try to hack as laid out above (unless someone has some input for me that this might not be such a hot idea) to keep my costs down for now.  

So, some questions...  
First, I had someone on another msg board try to tell me not to hack a gamepad as you will get ghosting, but that seems very odd to me, as I thought this was a keyboard only issue, and considering a gamepad as-is doesn't have these issues, and all you are doing is changing the mechanical interface to the gamepad, not changing the electronics at all.

Second, more of a question of materials for the cabinet...  I was considering using plexiglass or something similar for the control panel, so I could mask off parts of it and light the other parts using some cold-cathode lights from beneath.  Anyone ever use these type of materials, and if so do they work acceptably for this?

Any input would be appreciated, as I'd love to have my first project work well (yeah, I know that's wishful thinking, but I'm hopeless that way...    )

[Sasquatch!]

Ok, I'm a newbie here, but I've followed the emu scene for a while now.

Obligatory WELCOME then!

First, I had someone on another msg board try to tell me not to hack a gamepad as you will get ghosting, but that seems very odd to me, as I thought this was a keyboard only issue, and considering a gamepad as-is doesn't have these issues, and all you are doing is changing the mechanical interface to the gamepad, not changing the electronics at all.

As far as I know, yes, this is a keyboard-only issue.  You should be cool with the gamepad.

Second, more of a question of materials for the cabinet...  I was considering using plexiglass or something similar for the control panel, so I could mask off parts of it and light the other parts using some cold-cathode lights from beneath.  Anyone ever use these type of materials, and if so do they work acceptably for this?

I assume you mean as the control panel itself, not just as a covering?  Huh.  I guess as long as it was sturdy enough, it would work.  Most folks here prefer lexan to plexiglass though.  It is workable, but make sure to drill you holes slooowly so as not to break the plexi/lexan.  I/we can get into this more if need be.

And of course, good luck and stuff!

[Warborg]

What is the advantage of using Lexan over Plexi?  I'm not really locked into using any one material, as long as it's clear and sturdy and I can put a diffused light underneath and have it show through...  

[Tiger-Heli]

What is the advantage of using Lexan over Plexi?  I'm not really locked into using any one material, as long as it's clear and sturdy and I can put a diffused light underneath and have it show through...  

Lexan is much easier to drill through or cut without worrying about it breaking or shattering, AFAIK.

[CthulhuLuke]

Lexan however is much much more expensive than plexiglass because I believe it's semi-bullet proof, which is extremely good for an arcade control panel, since those little kids slamming their crazy toys on it probably isn't the best thing in the world ya know.  Just my .02 cents

[neuromancer]

1) Ghosting is really a non-issue. It doesn't happen with anything you're likely to try to hack.

2) I've never seen a translucent control panel, but it sounds cool. It also sounds like more work. Most of us mount various things to the underside of the panel, like the keyboard decoder, bundles of wire, etc. Think it through, esp since you only get one shot with plastic.

Bob

[hyiu]

lexan is better.... you can drill and cut like you're cutting a piece of wood....... (I use my power tools to drill/cut it...)

for plexi... its easier to crack.... especially if you push too hard when drilling....

but keep in mind... I only use it as a cover for my control panel... but not the control panel... so.. the lexan/plexi I used are relatively thin... if you want to use plexi as the control panel itself... you'll be looking into much thicker ones....

 

[Warborg]

Well, I actually only want part of the panel to be transparent, so I probably will use something beneath it as a backing, and only cut out the part of the backing where my lighting will go...

I appreciate all the feedback, some good info...  

What results have people gotten with gamepad hacks, more specifically USB gamepads?