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Quick bit of help from anyone??
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Fat_Trucker:
Definitely pick yourself up a copy of Project Arcade. With regard to stick lengths and CP configurations etc it is really a personal choice as to what you prefer.

The T-Sticks are great but do have an incredibly short throw. If you prefer sticks with a longer throw you might want to look at some of the alternatives.

Ball top length is really up to you whether you prefer your sticks short and stubby or long. I prefer short sticks so I can rest my hands on the CP and control with finger and thumb.

Your CP thickness is again dependent on how/where you want to mount it. You need to bear in mind though that it needs to be thick enough to maintain rigity throughout the punishment they generally take. I wouldn't go below half-inch at the very smallest.

With regard to an optical interface I'm only mounting one TB and spinner but went for the Opti-Pac so if I decide to change/upgrade later I'm already pre-wired. You need a mounting plate to mount the trackball housing in wood. However you can bend the rules by removing the top of the trackball housing and mounting it higher up or routing out a narrower section under your CP for it to sit in (its all about getting it high enough).

Once again get Project Arcade - it will tell you everything you need to know then hold your hand while you do it.
SideShow Rob:
Hi,

I use a pair of T-Stick Plus 'sticks..so I will try and give you some info.

I used 18mm (3/4") MDF, covered with a layer of Maplin Buffalo speaker cloth. I used the same spade drill-bit to cut both 'stick and button holes - 28mm (1 1/8"). No routing was used to mount the sticks...

The first pic...DSC00012.jpg, shows the T-Sticks with the 4 black oxidised bolts - used to firmly attatch the 'sticks...mainly for additional strength (me & brother are v.sore losers and take it out on the 'sticks...). These black oxidised bolts were pinched from a X-Arcade 2 player unit...not sure on the size.

The second pic...DSC00014.jpg shows the internal mounting. You should be able to see the nuts that hold the bolts secure, and I also supplemented the bolts with 2 x 15mm wood-screws, top and bottom...just in-case - you can just see the top wood-screw, central, obscured by the blue-wire...

For spacing, I measured centrally from the 28mm hole. The distance between buttons, is 4 cm. The distance between 'stick and buttons is 7cm. (I'll attach another pic to illustrate, in a separate reply...DSC00013.jpg)

I would make a mock-up of your control panel in cardboard first, so you can test the layout of all your controls in advance...it will save time, money and frustration later.
SideShow Rob:
And here's the other picture...

I would make the buttons go straight next time, rather than raised in the middle (thought it would be more comfortable, but it is not (not for me & brother anyway..). Like I said in the first reply...make a cardboard mock up first...

SideShow Rob:
Just had another squint at your post...

Personally, I would not bother with 2 spinners and 2 trackballs...especially if you intend to make a 4 player panel - either it will be incredibly cramped, or big enough to wind surf on...and I believe vanilla Mame does not support more than 1 spinner and trackball...(someone correct me if I am wrong...)

If you are going to play Street Fighter style beat-em ups...chances are you will need 2 players to have 6 buttons, rather than 4.

I'd go for the 2 central players as a 6 button config. and the outer 2 players as a 4 button config.

If you decide that a 4 player control panel is not needed...and can do with a 2 player control panel, check out the minipac from Ultimarc, rather than the ipac. It is sufficient for hooking up 2 'sticks, a spinner, a trackball (with left/right mouse buttons), and 20 buttons... and has a wiring harness with pre-crimped quick disconnects - just something else to think about
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