Questions about a custom USB Control Panel - Any ideas or quotes are welcome!

[Jawadali]

Note: This was posted in the Buy/Sell/Trade section, but I'm also posting here to get more feedback. Mods, if this is against forum rules, please leave it in the section you feel is most appropriate (feel free to delete the other one).

Hello everyone,

I figured this would be the best place to put this; Mods, please feel free to move it if it's not.

I had a couple of questions regarding making a control panel for an arcade, and was wondering if you guys could help me out.

I currently have 4 of these game pads:

http://www.questtechnology.com/ebay/tremon%20usb%20joypad1.jpg

They are laid out like playstation game pads (they have 4 shoulder buttons), and they are USB.

Since they are auto-detected by Windows  (HID-compliant), I was wondering if they could be used as the control panel interface, and if arcade buttons + joysticks could just be added to them (of course, they'd have to be hacked apart).

The idea behind this is that it seems it'd be much easier and cheaper than messing with an IPAC/encoder etc. I'll be using Windows (porbably XP), not DOS, as my OS. I'll primarily be using MAME32 and various console emulators (SNES/Genesis) for this "arcade".

I know that there are many different styles of Joysticks and buttons, but cost is my main factor here. I'm mainly aiming for plain 8-way oval-top joysticks (is that the correct word for them) and regular concave buttons.


1) How much would you charge (or, what's a fair price) to build a 4-player control panel, each player having 1 joystick (non-balltop) and ample action/player/coin buttons? No spinners, trackball, or anything else; just joysticks and concave buttons.


2) What would be the approximate cost of building a 4-player control panel myself, each player having 1 joystick (non-balltop) and ample action/player/coin buttons. No spinners, trackball, or anything else; just joysticks and concave buttons.

3) How much would you charge (or, what's a fair price) to build a 2-player control panel, each player having 1 joystick (non-balltop) and ample action/player/coin buttons? No spinners, trackball, or anything else; just joysticks and concave buttons. See the layout of the controller posted below for an idea.

4) What would be the approximate cost of building a 2-player control panel myself, each player having 1 joystick (non-balltop) and ample action/plyer/coin buttons. No spinners, trackball, or anything else; just joysticks and concave  buttons.


Now, on a side note:

I currently have this dual-arcade controller:

http://img360.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img02004yd.jpg

It's for Playstation, but it works fine in Windows (98 and XP) using a Dual PS2 > USB adapter. It's Ok, but I don't really like the feel of the buttons and especially the joysticks. I thought I'd like the balltop joysticks, but I'd rather have the oval types. Also, the shafts of  the current joysticks are a little too shart for my liking. The buttons aren't as bad, but they are convex, wheras I prefer concave buttons.

5) About how much would it cost for me to replace the joysticks and/maybe the buttons too? Would it be very difficult?

Sorry for all of the questions and the long post. Any info is appreciated. If more info is needed on my part, please feel free to inform me via this thread.

I hope to build my very fist arcade "setup" this summer (If I have the time + skill + $$$, hopefully it can become a full-fledged cabinet).  I've been wanting to do this for the past two years, but something or another has always prevented it.

Thank you in advance,

Jawadali

[gamecreature]

One of my first projects was hacking a Microsoft sidewinder gamepad to use with a Streetfighter CP. It was a very simple task to run a wire from each of the CP switches to the appropriate contact on the gamepad PCB. Assuming you know your way around a soldering iron, you should be able to do it in an afternoon. (Maybe a little longer, depending on how ambitious you decide to get)

[Jawadali]

Thanks for the tip.

I have done some basic soldering in the past, and have the equipment to do so. However, the bigger issue is building the control panel frame/box, since I don't have many woodworking tools. I only have a basic single-speed drill and a multipurpose rotary tool (Dremel clone).

I guess I could use the dremel and even get a hole saw kit for the drill, but it'd take a while and I don't know how well the finish would be.

[gamecreature]

Can't help you there. I'm terrible with the tools, so I rely on stuff that's as pre-built as much as possible.

[Arcades R Fun]

Hello,
I have been building home arcade games since 2003.
I can help design any type 2/4 player control panel blank for you. It would be CAD designed and CNC cut. You can then save money and install the parts and wire it yourself. Check out my 2 e-bay auctions for the 2/4 player panels.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6286589489&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6286585422&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&rd=1


Thanks,
Jack

[Jawadali]

Hello,
I have been building home arcade games since 2003.
I can help design any type 2/4 player control panel blank for you. It would be CAD designed and CNC cut. You can then save money and install the parts and wire it yourself. Check out my 2 e-bay auctions for the 2/4 player panels.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6286589489&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6286585422&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&rd=1


Thanks,
Jack

Sorry for not replying any sooner (I just checked this thread today, and found out there was a reply I missed).

Those seem like really sweet CP cutouts! However, they're way out of my price range ($130 + ship & $190 + ship). I was planning to spend around that much for the whole control panel with parts and everything .

Thanks for the offer though.


Does anyone else have any ideas or quotes? I figured that I'd save some money using USB controllers instead of using a keyboard encoder. This will most likely end up being a "showcase" cabinet (I think that's the right term).  I will be using a 32" TV with lightguns, so I don't think the whole project will be enclosed in a cabinet like a conventional arcade.

Anyway, I'm aiming for something similar to this when everything is done (although this one is done extremely well):

http://www.carobinson.com/games/DYNAMO%20-%20SHOWCASE%20CABINET.jpg

[Circo]

For a CP like that the price is right, I dojn't see how your going to get it any cheaper.  The only way to really get a CP on the cheap is to find one from an existing cabinet.  Of course old 4player cp's are not very common.  A good rule of thumb is: get exactly what you want the first time, that way you do not have to buy it twice.  Even if it takes a little longer, make sure you get exactly what you want.  If you want to make one yourself you will probably be spending almost as much in proper tools as you want to spend on the whole project anyway.

[Jawadali]

For a CP like that the price is right, I dojn't see how your going to get it any cheaper.  The only way to really get a CP on the cheap is to find one from an existing cabinet.  Of course old 4player cp's are not very common.  A good rule of thumb is: get exactly what you want the first time, that way you do not have to buy it twice.  Even if it takes a little longer, make sure you get exactly what you want.  If you want to make one yourself you will probably be spending almost as much in proper tools as you want to spend on the whole project anyway.

Thanks for the advice; the point about the tools is exactly why I'd prefer to buy a CP/CP parts than make them.

I know it's gonna cost around $100-200 (depending on 2-player or 4-player), but that would need to include the wood cutouts, the parts, and the electronics.

I know X-arcade has completed 2-player panels for $130 (which seem professionally made, although I've heard a few people complain about the quality of their joysticks), so that is kind of a rough benchmark as far as pricing goes

[Circo]

X-Arcade is not all that bad really, and you could always switch out the joysticks later if you chose, but for your price range it might be a good idea.  Unless you want trackballs and spinners, etc.. etc.. but then you are going to go way over your budget just with the controls, never mind the CP.   The thing that you need to remember about x-arcade is that they are mass produced, therefore lower prices.  Plus it is a very simple layout but does work for many games.

[Circo]

Also since you are doing a gamepad hack, I assume that you already have the gamepads?  Otherwise keyboard encoders are starting at around $20 these days and is probably more economical as well as a whole lot less work, than a hack.  Just food for thought.

[Jawadali]

Yes, I already have the USB gamepads. All of the info is in the first post (Yes, I know it's long, but the link to the gamepads is in there).

I was originally planning to send the controllers and parts (which I have yet to buy) to someone who could constuct the panel for me.

[isamu]

Hello,
I have been building home arcade games since 2003.
I can help design any type 2/4 player control panel blank for you. It would be CAD designed and CNC cut. You can then save money and install the parts and wire it yourself. Check out my 2 e-bay auctions for the 2/4 player panels.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6286589489&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6286585422&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&rd=1


Thanks,
Jack

Hi jack...you still doing custom CPs?

[twitami]

The other option is using the Mameroom service and program. You download a program, desing a control panel, and email it in. They make it, pre-drilled and everything, for the controls you designed it to use. Flat packed for $75.00 + shipping. I ordered a bit ago, and even emailed and got a discount on shipping. They haven't arrived yet, but should be here any day.  Just another alternative.

Brian

[Jawadali]

Hello,
I have been building home arcade games since 2003.
I can help design any type 2/4 player control panel blank for you. It would be CAD designed and CNC cut. You can then save money and install the parts and wire it yourself. Check out my 2 e-bay auctions for the 2/4 player panels.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6286589489&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6286585422&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&rd=1


Thanks,
Jack

Hi jack...you still doing custom CPs?

Yes, I would like to know too. What are the average prices for a fully completed 2-player and 4-player panels (basic parts, no trackballs/spinners/etc.)?

I may end up just buying, but this arcade project won't be continued for at least a few months.

The other option is using the Mameroom service and program. You download a program, desing a control panel, and email it in. They make it, pre-drilled and everything, for the controls you designed it to use. Flat packed for $75.00 + shipping. I ordered a bit ago, and even emailed and got a discount on shipping. They haven't arrived yet, but should be here any day.  Just another alternative.

Brian

That's not a bad solution either (seems pretty attractive pricewise). Do they offer services for fully completed panels also, or do they only do cutouts?