Hey guys,
I'm starting work on a scratch-built cocktail cab and want to make sure I plan as well as I can.
I've decided to go with a variation of this design:
http://underworld.fortunecity.com/fifa/294/diagram.htmlwith the monitor mounted "vertically", i.e. player one and two face across the table on the "long side", with a side by side 2-stick panel on the horizontal.
(something like the "mondo-turtle-head" cab at
www.smacksville.comI'm still looking for a 20" or 21" arcade monitor (hopefully I'll pick one up here in Oz for a reasonable price) which is bigger than normal for a cocktail cab and means I need to modify all the dimensions some.
I'm also keen to use a coin door/faceplate design which is common in Australia but seems difficult to find anywhere else, that looks something like this:

It's listed at arcadeshop.com as a "nintendo coin plate/mech unit" at US$45. - But I can't find any info on these anywhere!
Anyone have any info on this type of coin door - mounting dimensions, config options (i.e. can I change the coin setting)? Or indeed, does anyone have one they may wish to part with

On other issues - I intend to leave room for a trackball also. Probably a (slightly cheaper in Aus) used Atari. Any thoughts at this stage as to whether I should go a mouse hack or plump for one of those expensive happ interfaces?
On the construction side, a mate has suggested framing up the monitor supports (and perhaps the whole cab) with steel for strength. Every write-up i've seen just uses mdf/ply and some pine. Is steel a bit of overkill here?
Sorry for the long post - love to hear any comments you guys might have!
cheers
bviking