Making a 1 player mini control panel

[cowguy]

I started on a MAME cabinet but unfortunately I can't finish it right now because of some complications.  I want to make a single player desktop control panel.  I've been having a very hard time trying to find plans let alone for a 1 player one.  If anyone could link me to some I would be very great full.   I've got about $150 to kill on this thing.

[bfauska]

I don't have plans for it, but if you are interested I could make some for my desktop CP.  Here's a link to the Project thread.  Don't let the first few pictures fool you, I ended up making a nicer version by the end of the thread.

Let me know if you want some plans and I can probably whip something up on my lunch at work soon. 

[Kaytrim]

What all do you want on the CP?  Just a joy and buttons or do you want a spinner and/or trackball?  Look for bartop projects.  Most of those are one player control panels.

TTFN
Kaytrim

[cowguy]

I don't have plans for it, but if you are interested I could make some for my desktop CP.  Here's a link to the Project thread.  Don't let the first few pictures fool you, I ended up making a nicer version by the end of the thread.

Let me know if you want some plans and I can probably whip something up on my lunch at work soon. 

That's exactly what I was looking for!  Plans would be perfect!

[AwesomeAlbert]

There was a post around here somewhere that someone madea a desktop cp with a suitcase/makeup box.  Didnt have to build anything, just make holes for buttons and screw on the joystick.

here it is, i really like the cp Aurich made

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=68375.0

[bfauska]

I actually started working on the plans earlier tonight figuring I would add them to my thread even if you didn't need them.  I am making some changes that should make it nicer/easier to build.  I will add them to my thread later and probably drop a note here to tell you.  It may be this evening or this weekend, I tend to be fairly unpredictable... even for myself.  I may have a hard time saving to a file that people w/o AutoCAD can read unless I save it at work as PDF.  I'll look online for PDF options I can use at home.

[Kajoq]

If you're just looking for a single player joystick for PC you shuold check out the Hori Real Arcade Pro 3.  Its for PS3 so its USB and works plug-n-play on PCs.
I have the HRAP1 and its amazing.
http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-zl-49-en-15-real%2Barcade%2Bpro%2B3-70-1rrr.html
Back ordered on play-asia, but there are places you can find it online

[brock.sampson]

I made one from some spare stuff I had left over from my cabinet.  I have to have something to do at work. 

Excuse the pictures my cell phone camera is not the greatest.  I hacked up a usb gamepad for the interface.  http://www.target.com/Logitech-Precision-Gamepad/dp/B00030AX3Q/sr=1-1/qid=1191590493/ref=sr_1_1/602-4771769-6975862?ie=UTF8&index=target&rh=k%3Aprecision%20gamepad&page=1

Attached are a few shots and some rough measurements.  Everything was made from 5/8 particle board.  I added a piece of plexi on the top so it 3/4" thick.  I also put a cheap drawer pull on the back so it's easy to carry.

[bfauska]

I've got the revision modeled in AutoCAD, but I haven't turned it into dimensioned build-ready plans yet.

Here's a rendering of the current design:



I've given a little more info on the changes in my thread.

I should have plans in PDF form later this weekend or early next week.

[NoOne=NBA=]

I would have to have a second joystick on a panel for myself.

For what you want, and your price range, I would personally put in an Ultimarc U-360 stick.
You can get 8 buttons, plus 7 shifted functions on the stick itself, without buying an encoder.
As a bonus, the stick will work on more games than any other stick out there.

[DaOld Man]

Neat drawing bfauska. I like the idea of slotting the side panels to slide the cp top into.
Is the slot wide enough to slide the plexi overlay in too?

[fjl]

I made one from some spare stuff I had left over from my cabinet.  I have to have something to do at work. 

Excuse the pictures my cell phone camera is not the greatest.  I hacked up a usb gamepad for the interface.  http://www.target.com/Logitech-Precision-Gamepad/dp/B00030AX3Q/sr=1-1/qid=1191590493/ref=sr_1_1/602-4771769-6975862?ie=UTF8&index=target&rh=k%3Aprecision%20gamepad&page=1

Attached are a few shots and some rough measurements.  Everything was made from 5/8 particle board.  I added a piece of plexi on the top so it 3/4" thick.  I also put a cheap drawer pull on the back so it's easy to carry.

Hey where did you get a button with a 25 cents logo?

[bfauska]

Neat drawing bfauska. I like the idea of slotting the side panels to slide the cp top into.
Is the slot wide enough to slide the plexi overlay in too?

Thanks for the complement on the drawing.  I spend most work days making drawings for people to build scenery from, so I have a little practice.  The plexi is held to the MDF cp using the buttons, it ends up flush with the top of the box sides, it doesn't go into the slot.  If you check out my thread you will see that the boxes I built previously only had plexiglas for the cp and I had to rabbet the edges to go into the slot and still be flush with the top of the box, this new technique should be simpler for most folks to build.  Cutting plexiglas seems to always be a sticky spot for people to deal with so it seemed like NOT rabbeting it was a good choice.

[fjl]

Hey where did you get a button with a 25 cents logo?

anyone?

[bfauska]

My plans are up Here. I will add some recommended build directions soon, but right now it's bedtime... well way after bedtime.

Hey where did you get a button with a 25 cents logo?

It looks like one of the vinyl graphics available from Pongo.

[brock.sampson]

It looks like one of the vinyl graphics available from Pongo.

Yes I got those from Pongo.  He made me several for my admin buttons.

[DaOld Man]

I like bfauskas idea. It's got my wallet hurting again..
But before I go off on another tangent, I have a question:
How does this one player box "feel"?
Does it sit in your lap, or does it have to be placed on a solid surface?
Im just wondering that if you got into a heavy game of galaga 88, would the joystick move the whole box?
Ok that's more than one question.
Id like to get some comments from people who use or have used these type control panels.
Thanks, and great job there bfauska!!

[bfauska]

I have used my CP both on my lap and on tables.  Most of my gaming is done with both hands on the CP so it stays fairly solid.  I bet that if it seemed to move too much you could use some rubber screw-on feet like Timoe uses on the bottom of his CPs.

[superart]

edit

[DaOld Man]

I agree. I like the simplicity of Brocks design.

[brock.sampson]

I appreciate the comments.  I was actually thinking about taking the guts out of mine and building one of these instead.  It just looks very clean and professional.

[Kaytrim]

I've held out longer than I thought but here is a pic of one I built.  And I have 3 others in progress.  More pics on my photobucket site.

http://s228.photobucket.com/albums/ee314/KaytrimsKustoms/