Ball joy height

[rhoelsch]

Ok, 2 questions then I'll be able to start work on my real cp:

1.  What's the standard height (from cp) for a ball joy?  I have a J-stik, and I've noticed Pac Man and others have 'em set pretty low...are most made to set in, say, 1/2" wood?  Just need to know if I'll have to route beforehand, and I want it to be authentic!

2.  My cab's cp will be w: 33" d:11", with 10 buttons and joy for PSX  on right, 4-way ball in center, and 6 button Super on left...36" to top of cp feels like a comfy height.  Do you usually build the cp first, then modify the cab around it?  I'm kind of partial to Lucid's design, but of course my cp is custom...and I was wondering who did their plans for cp and cab seperately, and if anyone has advice?  I can finish the cp this month, but won't be building the cab until the spring...

[Minwah]

Sorry I can't be much help  But I too would be interested to know what the ideal thickness is to mount a J-Stick as I am goint to use these in my panels...

[Jungle]

2.  My cab's cp will be w: 33" d:11", with 10 buttons and joy for PSX  on right, 4-way ball in center, and 6 button Super on left...36" to top of cp feels like a comfy height.  Do you usually build the cp first, then modify the cab around it?  I'm kind of partial to Lucid's design, but of course my cp is custom...and I was wondering who did their plans for cp and cab seperately, and if anyone has advice?  I can finish the cp this month, but won't be building the cab until the spring...

Design's like Lusid's and Unicade are basically just a standalone cabinet with a control panel/box attached to it.  As long as you have a way to attach your controls to the cabinet, you shouldn't have a problem building the controls first.  You may have to modify the cabinet side panels a bit if your control box is shorter/taller than the reference design, but that isn't a big deal.

[rhoelsch]

Good!  That's what I was hoping for...any advice for having the entire cp removable or hinging it for access?

[Jungle]

On my cab, the entire control box is removable from the cabinet (otherwise it might not fit through a doorway).  It has holes in the bottom and back of the box and is bolted to the cabinet frame.

I've hinged the front of my CP with a strip hinge and the back is held down with velcro - the thing doesn't move at all when I am playing but I still have access if I need to get in.  I'm planning some upgrades (spinner, trigger stick, etc.) so I wanted a way to get at the "guts" without dismantling the thing every time.

[Frostillicus]

Here's something many of us would agree on: Build the cp last.  If you build it first, your cab will take forever to finish, due to the countless hours playing instead of building

Good!  That's what I was hoping for...any advice for having the entire cp removable or hinging it for access?

I made one from lusid's designs - the cp is removable so it fits through the doorway.   I also made the cab slightly larger to accomodate a larger monitor.  Anyways I use 2 heavy duty horizontal corner braces(I think they are 8 in long) that mount underneath the cp and against the cabinet.  6 wood screws in each one and that baby ain't going anywhere.