Time for a Refit

[mllkat]

I finally replaced my old 500mhz  dinosaur with a better computer in my Cab and then made the mistake of visiting the examples page to see what I have missed as it had been awhile since I regularly visited the site. After seeing some of the works of art in the examples, I found my cabinet...seriously...wanting. It is obvious that an upgrade is needed in alot of places...starting with the Control Panel. The problem is, I have an old Taito QIX cab and the space available for a CP is somewhat limited without some creative carpentry.  I would like to have room for two players and a trackball with appropriate buttons. The original dimensions of the CP are 23" x 7". I have a 2 1/2" Happs or a 3" Imperial Trackball to bring to the dance but there appears to be no room at the inn. I have included a pic of the current CP (Yuck). Any suggestions on how to approach this are wanted and appreciated.

[pointdablame]

I'd stick with a 2 player set up... if you try to cram more than that in, it's going to be either very uncomfortable or just physically won't fit.  And creative carpentry and making CPs with overhangs on cabs that don't usually have them look horrible more often than not.

If you want a trackball and other controls, I'd make a few swappable panels.  Make a nice new 2 player panel, and then a spinner, trackball, whatever panel.  It'll look good, stay functional, and you won't have to hack the cab or make it look bad.

[mllkat]

I'd stick with a 2 player set up... if you try to cram more than that in, it's going to be either very uncomfortable or just physically won't fit.  And creative carpentry and making CPs with overhangs on cabs that don't usually have them look horrible more often than not.

If you want a trackball and other controls, I'd make a few swappable panels.  Make a nice new 2 player panel, and then a spinner, trackball, whatever panel.  It'll look good, stay functional, and you won't have to hack the cab or make it look bad.

I tend to agree..especially about the hacking part. I'd rather not make any unnecessary cuts into the cabinet if I can avoid it. I did, however, find one person's solution to the lack of CP room in my searches. Looks to be functional if not necessarily attractive.

[severdhed]

it really depends on what is more important to you..form or functionality.  My cabinet was similar in dimensions to yours when i got it.  i knew that i lacked the carpentry skills, and money to make a stunningly beautiful cabinet like some people have, and no matter what i did, it was going to look like a beat up arcade game that has been used for a while. with that in mind, i tried created control panel prototypes that would fit within the dimensions of the cabinet, but nothing i came up with was comfortable for 2 adults to use at the same time.  so i notched out the cabinet and made a panel box that overhangs on the sides and front slightly.  just a few inches made a huge difference. my panel is 30x12 now and there is plenty of room for everything.  i had 2 players with 6 buttons each, 3" trackball, spinner, 4way stick, and a few admin buttons.  i have since removed the trackball and spinner since i never used, but i am very happy with the way mine turned out.  It isnt nice like some of the cabinets on here, it is very plain, all black, and a little beat up looking...but that is what makes it feel right to me.  I am constantly making little improvements here and there to make it look nicer, but i decided functionality was more important to me and I stand by that decision.  Cutting the cabinet and making a new panel was the best thing i could have done to the cabinet I have.

IF you would rather have something that looks amazing...i'd go with swapable panels.

[More Cowbell]

If I were you, I would use this as an excuse to build a new cabinet.

[Malenko]

pull that shelf paper off, and paint it. The Black marble is so over done on soooo many cabs... I used to have white marble on my first machine, lol.

I think the layout of your buttons is almost perfect (I prefer the 7th button)  Don't add stuff to your machine because other people add it to theirs, add it if you need it. Heres a shot of my panel...... Im making a swapable one that has an a 8 way, a 4 way, 3 buttons and a track ball and spinner, a one player panel for games like PacMan, galaga, centipede, etc only because I plan on playing them (well centipede sucks with an 8way imo)

[mllkat]

pull that shelf paper off, and paint it. The Black marble is so over done on soooo many cabs... I used to have white marble on my first machine, lol.

That is also on my list of things to change. It seemed like a tidy solution to cab coverage back then, but it is not in keeping with my new grande scheme...whatever that is. I still like my Maimster Marquee and Side Art but the marble paper needs to go...besides...it is peeling up in places anyway. As far as controls go, I like the button configuration for the two players but I really would like a trackball of some fashion to play Golden Tee...and a dedicated 4-way stick for the games that work best with them...Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Galaga, etc. I am considering going with the Midway 49 way sticks ( I have six of them) and the Keywiz interface. That way I can just keep the two sticks and still have some flexibility.