6-button layout +trackball in 24" cp? Possible?

[Crowquill]

I don't want to do interchangeable control panels, so I'm trying to figure out how to get the most out of the control panel area I do have. While it appears that everything will fit, I wondered if anyone has any experience cramming everything in like this. The dotted lines are the sizes of the bases that will mount underneath.

I want the trackball (a Sega 2-1/4") to mainly use for system navigation, but obviously wouldn't mind a few games of Crystal Castles either. I'm hoping to avoid the mounting plate.

I'll probably put together a cardboard mock-up sometime this week.

I can't find any examples that are put together this way and wondered if there is a reason.

[SideShow Rob]

I have attached a picture of my recently built stand-alone control panel.

The width of this is 26"...as you can see, there is plenty of space for all the controls...2 T-Stick plus joysticks, 7 button cluster per player, and an Ultimarc 2.25" trackball.

The mounting plate was not used, so instead of taking up a 6" square area, both above and below the control panel top, the trackball takes up an area closer to 4" square below, and about 2.5" on the top.