If I read your post correctly, I did something similar to this... I bought Oscar's joystick mounting plates and cut holes in the CP board that the joystick base would fit through, then routed about 1/16 out of the top of the CP board (in the shape of the mounting plates) so the mounting plates would fit flush. I bolted it to the CP board, bolted the joysticks to the plates and then put laminate on the top (had to grind off the joystick restrictor bolts). Turned out really well, and the sticks have taken lots of abuse with no adverse effects from drunk friends during a SF2 tournament.
BillyJack