Control Panel Design Options for Steering Wheel Mounting

[solowCX]

So, I have been browsing around this place for the past several months and been planning my first cabinet. At this point I have decided on an original build based on the popular Lusid design. Anyway, the cabinet is mostly fine, but it is the control panel that has left me with some questions.

In a nutshell, I will have the standard joysticks, trackball and buttons on the top of the panel, but would also like to include 2 spinners (TT2s) for use as both spinners and 360 wheels with the Mini Racer add-on. However, I would also like to leave space on the front to allow for the occasional mounting of 1 or 2 standard PC steering wheels for 270 racing games. Since most racing wheels were vertical or at least 45 degrees I would also like to mount my spinners at a 45 degree angle. This is not really possible with the standard design of the control panel, so I was thinking of some sort of addition on the front that would have a sharper angle. I would like to allow for movement of these spinners though to provide space for the mounting of the 270 wheels, as from what I have seen the clamp mounts on these wheels do not allow for large depths and should probably be done simply on the overhang of the control panel top board.

So the following 5 designs are what I have come up with and am looking to get some opinions on what might work best (keep in mind I am a relative beginner in regards to wordworking and the like), or any other ideas you might have for how to accomplish this in the best fashion.

#1 - Would be fairly easy, but have not thought of a way to keep it in an upright position that would easily allow for attachment and un-attachment.

#2 - I have seen drawer slides that work below a cabinet, so I was hoping one might exist to allow a sliding drawer to hang.

#3 - Would use the standard bottom mounting drawer slides I have seen and would also allow the spinner piece to slide into the cabinet. This would force me to extend the control panel a bit however as controls could not be mounted where the piece slides under.

#4 - No movement at all, possibly get the 270 wheels to mount in some other way other than clamping them on.

#5 - Have it attach in some way and be completely removable. Again, not sure of a way to get this to attach securely. Cables would likely be done in the phone or LAN cable connectors and plugs I have seen on other modular panels.


Finally, for reference, I have included a pseudo-3D and VERY rough idea of how it would look overall. Button arrangements, or even the number of buttons and controls are not represented at all. The black circles on the front would be the TT2s and the white circles buttons.

So that is what I have come up with, would appreciate ANY help or guidance you all might be able to provide. Thanks!

[SimonBirchNYC]

Good stuff solowCX,
You took the words/designs right outta my mouth...er mind...lol. Seriously though, I have also wondered about a similar solution being possible... not including the 270 wheels, just the positioning of the spinners/wheels. One of my favorite games were the Super/Championship Sprints and I've always wanted to reproduce those controls in a mame cabinet. Can't wait to see what the gurus here have to say about your ideas...bookmarked! Good luck!

[solowCX]

If anyone has any ideas regarding the best way to do this I would really appreciate it.

[RetroGreg]

I've seen "dual-level" panels and there is a good example in the control panel database thread. What if the front part second level was angled to put the TT2's on. Then the buttons from the Josticks on the standard level could be in front of the TT2 wheels.

Maybe you could find some way to mount the 270 wheels to be removable to the top of the second level?

Seems like it would be easier to me, but what do I know. I don't have any pics so I hope I explained it well enough.

[SimonBirchNYC]

Hey solowCX,

Did you see this thread?
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=70093.0

Maybe a variation of the above CP, with an extra piece of wood/bracket(s) allowing for the 270 mounts?
-SimonBirchNYC

[Paul Olson]

Personally, I don't think you would be satisfied with an all in one solution; at least I know I would not be. I wanted to be able to play any type of game on my cab, and I decided that I was not willing  to make due with something that kinda works. A fully modular panel was the only thing that made sense to me. I really wanted to play offroad and super sprint. This is the only way I knew I would be satisfied playing it:

[solowCX]

Simon - I had seen that thread before, but forgot about it till now. Thanks for the reminder! You actually gave me another idea for a design that I think will probably be my final one. Once I am able to create some better sketches I will post them.

pcolson - Know what you mean, but this will be the first cab and my woodworking/wiring/electrical skills are probably somewhat lacking. The design I am currently thinking about now is probably even slightly beyond my skill level, but I think it represents the best solution for what I am looking to do. Thanks for the input.

[Minwah]

I too don't think you can comprimise with driving controls. I use swappable panels, so made a dedicated one:

[solowCX]

Finally got a chance to fool around in Google SketchUp so I could get a better idea of how this would work. It is not to scale or anything, so forgive some of the strange angles. Overall though this is basically my new idea for how to solve my problem (but create all new ones in regards to how I will actually make it).

It was inspired by the 3 person racing cabs like Off Road and Super Sprint, but instead of a 360 wheel in the center there is an overhang to allow mounting of a 270 wheel when needed. The two TurboTwist2s would be installed with one on each of the angled sides along with a few buttons. Normal controls and such would go along the top.

I still need to figure out how this design would affect placement of controls on the top of the panel and what dimensions would work best, but I think I will go with it for an initial cardboard mockup. I also am still unsure of the easiest way to get the required angles for this design in the fewest amount of cuts, but think the mock-up should help me to figure that out visually. Let me know what you think and whether this would even be do-able for someone without a lot of woodworking skills, or if you have some ideas for the cuts that would need to be done. Thanks all!

[SimonBirchNYC]

While I agree with others that a dedicated driving cab would be nice, it is out of reach for some of us due to $$$,space,time or skill constraints. 

Looks like you're on to something solow... It's an ambitious undertaking with your desire to incorporate the optional 270 wheels. Keep in mind where your hands will rest when you play joystick / trackball games as that will affect your spinner placement and may alter your design somewhat. Cardboard mockup is really the way to test it,as you mentioned that woodworking is not your forte. When you do the mockup, remember that the 2player 270 wheel users will need enough space not just to stand, but for motion during gameplay (which can be a wide space). Maybe a dedicated cab is the way to go after all!  Just kidding bud...

Keep us updated!

[mhermann]

While I agree with others that a dedicated driving cab would be nice, it is out of reach for some of us due to $$$,space,time or skill constraints. 

In the beginning I wanted a do it all cab as well. But the more I got into it the more I realized that it is not the best solution. But you do have to keep in mind what SimonBirchNYC said. But, with that said, think about adding a second, third, fourth cab.