How much space between buttons

[HeadRusch]

If you drill a 1 1/8" hole for each button, how much space should you leave between drillings.  I realize the buttons are slightly larger than 1 1/8 due to their "housing" that they set in.....is that the case?

If so, how much space should i allow between 'centers' of each button....I'm trying to layout my control panel.....

[CthulhuLuke]

Get yourself some cardboard, you can use the box the happs controls came in, and drill it out, then put the buttons in, and decide what you like.  You can always get more cardboard, and its EXTREMELY easy to work with, except it does dull pocket knifes, just a warning.  You can even rig up your entire joystick with the wiring on cardboard and see how it play tests.
     -Luke

[Magnet_Eye]

you can download some templates here: http://home.earthlink.net/~seanhat/arcade

try these out and see how you like the spacing...

or change them to suit your needs.  

[paigeoliver]

The correct answer also depends on how many buttons, and how many sticks you have on your panel.

For best results go measure a dedicated cabinet with the same controls that you want to use.

Cabs with two buttons tend to space them out pretty wide, while anything 3 button and up tends to jam them in nearly touching. But let a real game (or a template froma a real game) be your guide.

Don't measure a conversion though. Then you get button spacing based on a combination of where the panel already had holes and where the installer felt like making them. I have had some conversions with terrible button setups.

[Brax]

Many people use 1 1/2" centers.

[HeadRusch]

Thanks, thats what I was fishing for.  I'm not trying to layout the whole control panel, just trying to figoure out how "tight" is reasonable to group the buttons without stressing or damaging the wood, etc.

Shoulda made that more clear.

Yeah, I've got a bunch of flat cardboard (from old poster frames) that I'm prototyping my entire control out of....I wont install all the controls, mind you, but it will give me an idea of trying them all out.

Thanks for the measurement tips all...