How many control panels?

[clockwork]

I was planning for something that would probably be a frankenpanel. I've since realized that even that still won't be flexible enough for all my playing needs. So I think I need two panels, but I'm not sure how to design each. Here are my thoughts (forget admin buttons for now). Please help me! 

Here's what I want to do:
Issue: Will the rotaries (Happ) for 8-way only games without the rotary interfering? If not, then maybe I'll move the track and spinner to CP 2 and this one will be a dedicated rotary CP.

CP: 2

1. 4 joysticks across the front, two each for players 1 and 2
2. 2 other joysticks, one on each side for players 3 and 4
3. 7 buttons each players 1 and 2
4. 6 (or 4?) buttons each for players 3 and 4

Issue: I want the four 1 and 2 player joysticks all to be the same, because I think it would feel odd to wield a different joystick in either hand. Agree or disagree?

But what to do about dedicated 4-way sticks? Optionally, I could go for this setup:

CP 1:

1. 2 rotaries
2. 3 (or 4?) buttons each player
3. 4-way joysticks with 3 or 4 buttons above the rotaries, roughly centered
4. spinner

Issue: None that I see. Pretty simple panel.

CP 2:

1. 4 joysticks for players 1 and 2
2. 2 joysticks on the sides for players 3 and 4
3. 7 buttons each players 1 and 2
4. 6 (or 4?) buttons each for players 3 and 4
5. trackball in center.

Issue: Probably too tight between the joysticks for the trackball.

:sigh: So am I looking at three panels?

Note: I'm tired and this probably makes no sense. 

[leapinlew]

How big is the cp?

I would just build 1 of them now and the other one later. You may find that you want a whole other machine for the other CP.

[Thenasty]

 


      3J  b1 b2                                                                       4J  b1 b2
            b3 --BINGO! Either that, or I was attempting to say "before" but it was too many letters to type--                                _____                                  b3 --BINGO! Either that, or I was attempting to say "before" but it was too many letters to type--
                         1j    b1 b2 b3       |Trac |          2J  b1 b2 b3
                                --BINGO! Either that, or I was attempting to say "before" but it was too many letters to type-- b5 b6       |        |               --BINGO! Either that, or I was attempting to say "before" but it was too many letters to type-- b5 b6
                             b7                    | Ball  |            b7
                                                     --------

[clockwork]

Ack! You people are all like drug pushers. Build another cab, and another, and another. Pretty soon, I'm penniless, lost my job, walking the streets begging. "Spare a dollar? Come on buddy, I have five arcades to support!"

Anyhoo, I don't know how big the CP will be. I plan to make them swappable, so hopefully I'll just need one cab... for now. 

[Texasmame]

Ack! You people are all like drug pushers. Build another cab, and another, and another. Pretty soon, I'm penniless, lost my job, walking the streets begging. "Spare a dollar? Come on buddy, I have five arcades to support!"

Anyhoo, I don't know how big the CP will be. I plan to make them swappable, so hopefully I'll just need one cab... for now. 

I'd strongly suggest something like this:

http://www.beersmith.com/mame/

Only one cab but you can have ANY config you need on it quickly (once the panel modules are built).

I did a rotating control panel (search site for CRABBY PATTY) but still felt the need for custom layouts for Defender, Mad Planets, etc.

[clockwork]

That's really slick, but I'm not sure I want to tackle something like that for my first cab.

[Kaytrim]

If you have the woodworking skills and tools then it shouldn't be too hard to tackle.  I am working on a modular system as well.  It really gives you the flexibility you are looking for.  The only problem is that you are wanting a 4 player layout. 

One thing to think about is a hybrid system.  The player 3 and 4 can be on wings on either side of the main panel.  Then have a modular system in the middle to handle the rest of the controls you are wanting to use.