Question about my control panel on cabinet

[CthulhuLuke]

Sorry I haven't posted in a while all, I've just been lazy I suppose.  I finally did get around to measuring out some of the stuff on my control panel, and I still am very puzzled to how I'm going to approach this situation.  Alright, here's the problem:
  The old control panel that came with my stripped out cabinet was too small to fit my two 8-ways with 7 buttons each, trackball, and 4-way, so I'm going to build another one.  I've thought about just using the original one and just building another top, but then I run into another problem, the slope of the control panel is WAY too steep for fighting games, I guess it'd be good if you're going to rest your hands a lot, but it's weirdly sloped so that your hands rest way to high.
  My question:  Should I use the old control panel and just figure out a way to lower it and somehow fit all my controls on there, or should I stick with my original plan which seems to be taking forever and build another control panel?  I know this is a choice I should make, but I'm getting really frustrated by this, because it just feels like a problem too big for me to tackle.
  -I'll probably wind up building the control panel, and this is just a dumb no-reason to be asked question, but I'd like some people's opinions of what I should do.
     -CthulhuLuke

[SteveJ34]

I wrestled with all sorts of questions before I began so I understand the dilemma you find yourself in.

My 2 cents....

Take the time and build a new control panel that has all the controls you want, at the size that you want, has the slope that you find most comfortable, and mates up well with the existing cabinet.

After much reading, I have followed the advice I have read in many places which is to take your time, do the small touches here and there, and in the long run you will be much happier.

I have spent about 4 weeks building my cab from scratch which is now ready for paint and am now working on the control panel.

I spent several days getting the control panel laid out the way I want, adding a formica top, routing everything just right and am now into wiring.

There are places I could have cut corners, slapped something together but my grandfather always taught me "measure twice, cut once". To this I've added, "test angled cuts and drilling using scraps before you go live".

I wish you all the best in your project.

I know I have enjoyed mine.

Steve

[Sasquatch!]

And now MY $0.02 USD:

The control panel is all about feel - what is most comfortable to you.  Go with that, and you won't go wrong.

And like SteveJ34 said: take your time if you need to.