starting small - arcade stick

[boxman]

First off I would like to say hello and thank you to all the people that maintain and contribute to this site. It is a wonderful place, the information available and project examples are impressive to say the least. If I can end up with something 1/8th as nice of some of the things I have seen here I will be a happy man.

Since the age of around 10 I have been obsessed with arcade 2d fighters. With that in mind, I would like to make my own arcade controls which primary use will be on on this kind of game.

I have ordered the following items:

1 x Happ Competition Joystick
7 x Happ Competition Pushbuttons
1 x Happ 1 Player Start Pushbutton
1 x Happ Standard Pushbutton
1 x Mini Pac Kit (usb)
1 x Pushbutton Wrench

I work for a company that makes wooden buildings (summerhouses etc) so I have access to some wood and tools there, although I am far from a carpenter or good with wood work at all.

The layout I would like to have is exactly like this image which I found on this board:



Is there a kind of standard template for button and joystick layout that I should follow to be as authentic as possible?

I don't want to put loads of effort into something and in the end have a feeling of 'oh, it's ok but the buttons are too far away/close to the stick' or anything like that.

Any help, advice or warnings about things i have overlooked would be very much appreciated.

[leapinlew]

Good luck, don't forget to post a project announcement...

Here is a link to some templates
http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade_puttogether.shtml#Templates

[BobA]

Watch the clearance under your CP when you fabicate the base.   Looks like the example you have to work from is using low profile buttons and stick.  You Happs units may need a bit more space.

Welcome the BYOAC

[vorghagen]

I don't want to put loads of effort into something and in the end have a feeling of 'oh, it's ok but the buttons are too far away/close to the stick' or anything like that.

The best thing you can do here is get a scrap piece of cardboard and make a mockup of how your panel will look. Then you can get a feel for how it will play, if you don't like it grab another piece of cardboard and try again. You don't even need to cut the holes properly, just stick the buttons through see how the distances suit you. The mockups only take about 5 minutes and are well worth it.
Good luck and welcome to BYOAC. We look forward to giving you advice on the full size cabinet you WILL eventually convince yourself to build.
Cheers.

[Kajoq]

Heres a pretty good set of templates.

I'm personally going with the claw design on the control panel i'm building

http://www.kowal.itcom.pl/ArcadeParts_pliki/Projekt.htm

[boxman]

Thanks for the advice and templates people. That cardboard idea seems like the most obvious thing, I actually feel a bit embarrassed that I didn't think of it straight away.

I was wondering if there is a well known arcade parts vendor in the UK that people buy from regularly? I paid £77 for the above items including delivery - is that a fair price?

Thanks!

[boxman]

*bump*

Anyone in the UK want to recommend their arcade parts supplier?

Thanks!

[Kangum]

*bump*

Anyone in the UK want to recommend their arcade parts supplier?

Thanks!

most seem to order from ultimarc or happ. both ship worldwide. i would get your stuff from divemaster in the buysell section if you can. save you a few dollars.