Optimal distance from edge to controls

[Stub]

   Several people have commented on misc threads not to place the controls too close to the edge of the panel. The trade off is a smaller panel to save space. I am trying to finalize me cp draft so I can start cutting.

   What is your opinion on the optimal distance from the CP edge to the bottom button in a 6 button cluster?

[u_rebelscum]

   Several people have commented on misc threads not to place the controls too close to the edge of the panel. The trade off is a smaller panel to save space. I am trying to finalize me cp draft so I can start cutting.

   What is your opinion on the optimal distance from the CP edge to the bottom button in a 6 button cluster?

Depends on the size of you hands and how you hold your fingers ad hand while playing.  You don't want to rest your palm on the edge for hours (try it for a short time but with more pressure and you'll see why not).

I'd just rest my palm on the top of a table close to (but not on) the edge, curl my fingers as if I was playing, and measure the distance from the edge to my fingers.  This is the minimum distance to center of buttons.  For me it's about 6.75", but IIRC, on my CPs I've put about 7.5" from edge to center just for leeway.

[Stub]

I know I have small hands, thats why I was asking. Is that 7.5" to the center of the bottom button?

[fjl]

I would say long enough to rest the bottom of your palms on while your fingers are resting on the lowest button.

[u_rebelscum]

... Is that 7.5" to the center of the bottom button?

Yup.  A little more than needed for small hands, I think. 
(Side: my brother got a hotrodse before I started in on BMOAC, and my biggest complaint was it needed more space below the buttons, as my palm rested right on top of the edge and the T molding.)

I would say long enough to rest the bottom of your palms on while your fingers are resting on the lowest button.

Yup, that's what I tried to say, but (as usual) I ended up with more words than needed.

[Stormrider]

13 cm. It's enough for resting my hands. More than that means the controls are to far away from my body for a confortable position.

[severdhed]

unless you play alot of fighting games, you will mainly be using the top row of buttons.  i made my control panel 12x30", my top row of buttons is 6" back from the front edge, which is enough room to rest my hand on the panel when using the top row, and having it just on the edge for using the bottom row.  i don't play alot of fighting games, so it works out well.  if i had a bigger panel, i'd probably move them back a little, but 12" deep seems to fit well with my cabinet.