Making a modular metal control panel - need info

[mtd]

I have a Japanese style sit-down cabinet.  It was a SF2, so it has the 6 button layout and then two buttons in between player 1 and player 2 for for 1 player and 2 player.  

I'd like to make a modular control panel for this cabinet, so that I don't make any cuts into the original.  What metal would I use?  What type of shops would I want to contact? How expensive would any one estimate it would cost me to have a couple of cuts made and the holes drilled?

I should note that the top of the control panel removes from the "control box?" with 6 bolts.  And has a very nice latch system built into place where these can be removed very quickly.  So I would only be "building" the removable panel or top of the control panel.  So, I'd only be dealing with a space of 5"x19" Hmm.  Need to get a camera.

[SNAAAKE]

Fss...
you could do it yourself if you felt like it.Just gotta get holesaw that goes with metal.

Spade bit won't work

[Darkstalker]

Your best bet is to forget the metal route and get yourself a nice piece of 3/4" or 5/8" thick pine to work with if you can.  Much easier to put holes in it, it's a lot more solid, and you don't have to worry about conductivity.  It'll be a bit heavier, but I think it will make life easier in the long run.

If you really want to get fancy, slap a nice piece of art on it and protect it with some Lucite (Plexiglass).

[SNAAAKE]

he is right.If you are looking for some nice art then you might wanna try mine..it came out pretty cool i guess.

PM if you are serious..i will send it.

[mtd]

Here is a picture of a similar cabinet.  In fact in the picture there is a cabinet with the control panel hanging out.  The part that is hanging from the second machine is what I would want to re-create, but in a modular form.  The piece that is hanging sits within the white area of the first machine.  I.E. The white area of the first machine not move, but the gray area is what is hanging from the second machine.  

http://www.arcade-infinity.com/galdcjc09b.htm

I am not sure how I could make the control panel out of wood and fit it into a space that was being occupied by a very thin sheet of aluminum.

[telengard]

I have a Japanese style sit-down cabinet.  It was a SF2, so it has the 6 button layout and then two buttons in between player 1 and player 2 for for 1 player and 2 player.  

I'd like to make a modular control panel for this cabinet, so that I don't make any cuts into the original.  What metal would I use?  What type of shops would I want to contact? How expensive would any one estimate it would cost me to have a couple of cuts made and the holes drilled?

I should note that the top of the control panel removes from the "control box?" with 6 bolts.  And has a very nice latch system built into place where these can be removed very quickly.  So I would only be "building" the removable panel or top of the control panel.  So, I'd only be dealing with a space of 5"x19" Hmm.  Need to get a camera.

I have a metal  swappable panel (not sure if you mean swappable when you say modular ) and it's not too
bad.  I had to find a place that would sell sheets of  steel , costs about 5 bucks a pop.  I put rivet nuts
inside the metal housing and with a couple of thumbscrews I can switch.  I use molex connectors to
hook up the electronics.  Wood definetly would be easier but I would have had to build the entire
control panel assemply and connections from scratch and I'm not good at woodworking.  A 1 1/8" bi/metal
hole saw can cut the holes you need in the metal.  One thing I can say about the metal panels is that
they are *sturdy*.  I covered them w/ black pica vinyl from Happs too which is easy to maintain/clean etc.

HTH

[Darkstalker]

not sure if you mean swappable when you say modular

<hijack>
Hmm...That IS an interesting idea for a future project...a modular CP...You want to play a fighter?  No problem, slap in the SF style module.  Missle command?  Pull the SF module and put in the trackball module.  NeoGeo?  Yank the trackball and put in the ABCD style...Then there's steering wheels, flight yokes, ikari joysticks...

Sounds like a really neat idea, but I wonder if it's more practical to make modules that were meant to be added and removed as opposed to multiple hinged CPs that do the same thing...

</hijack>

[Howard_Casto]

I think the best route if you go modular is to have a few panels that will handle a lot of things instead of a specialized panel for various genres.  

Eg a fighter panel would handle 90% of the games.  

Now through in an optical panel (spinners, trackballs.)

A racing panel and a flight stick panel and you've got it covered.  

[Darkstalker]

I think the best route if you go modular is to have a few panels that will handle a lot of things instead of a specialized panel for various genres.  

Eg a fighter panel would handle 90% of the games.  

Now through in an optical panel (spinners, trackballs.)

A racing panel and a flight stick panel and you've got it covered.  

I was refering to a component change, not the entire panel...Although the more I think about it, I can't think of a way to remove panel components gracefully that wouldn't be easier or smoother than changing the entire panel..  It would be nice to make a slide in method, so you unlock and flip down the front of the panel, slide out the existing panel, then slide the new panel into place...Kinda like a laptop in a docking station.  Make some sort of plug for the back that the panel connects into with tracks in the side of the cabinet to make sure it's going in straight...

Hmm...Now this has got me thinking...

[ErikRuud]

My existing control panel, almost works like a laptop in a docking station.  I just don't have the connector integrated into the panel.  My connector is on a cord.  My start, coin, and configuration controls are part of the base unit. All of the in-game controls are on the removable portion.

I like the modular idea, especially JelloSlug's.  

Now that I have seen it, I really like 1Up's rotating panels.  I thought about going that route, but I already have a large invesment in the cherry plywood that I used for my existing panel.

[mtd]

I wish I had the skills to draw this out.  I guess that when I am done that I'll post pics.  

Basically, I will have my two joysticks mounted and not removable.  I will then have two 5x6 "panels" that are removable.  Then I will have 4 panels made that can be placed into these empty spots.  2 6 button panels and 2 trackball panels.  

$50% of the time I play by myself, so the second player isn't a real necessity.  I'll use the second player area for a trackball that will act as a mouse for windows.  I have to have two joysticks at all times, because I play robotron about 5 times a day.  

I have room for a spinner in between the two modular panels that will also be stationary.  Now I would like to be able to add a wheel here, but am not sure if I will or not.  

Thanks for the info on the cost.  $5.00 a piece sounds good to me.

[Elkor]

I belive jelloslug's arcade utilized a modular design in this fashion.
check the gallery.

-C