Ok folks, I got started this weekend and it is coming along nicely. I had some problems with Lowes when they cut the last piece of Lexan in the store 2.5 inches too short! Not I have to deal with that...
After everyone's comments and speaking with the wife, I decided to go with a 1-button, 4-way joystick combo. The idea was to keep it simple. If it were for me, I would want access to 6K+ games. I am thinking 40 will be good for the old man.
Here are some pictures of the progress so far. I have most of it built; I love these bartops... they take no time at all! All I have to do is drill the holes on the CP and rig some sort of monitor mount. Once that's done, I can paint it and wire it.