Hidden admin buttons - What size? Regular size! [PIC INSIDE]

[javeryh]

I am going to put three admin buttons underneath the CP in a Nintendo cabinet very similar to what BUCKETHEAD has done HERE.  I am planning to recess the buttons so the tops of the buttons will be flush with plywood.  What size (and type) pushbuttons would you use here?  Standard Happ ones or something smaller? 

These buttons will never be seen and will only be located and pressed by touch so I'm thinking about using larger (standard) buttons but I also want to be as elegant/subtle as possible so something smaller might do the trick.  There are only going to be 3 buttons - one on the far left (exit) and two on the far right (coin and pause which will be vol up and vol down when shifted via the player 2 start button) so no matter the size it should be pretty easy to determine which button you are pressing.  What would you do?

Thanks!

[Franco B]

I think you may as well just go with standard buttons if you are not going to see them. I don't think you want anything too small as you will be finding the buttons by touch and the larger buttons will make them easier to find. I imagine you will have some lying around or if not they are cheap as chips anyway. You will just want a 35mm or 1 3/8" forstner/spade bit to counterbore the holes.

[Bender]

also a quick pass with a round-over bit makes the edges much nicer especially if you finding them by feel

[javeryh]

I'll have to sand those edges - there's no way to get the router in there!  I do plan to soften the edges.  I'll probably drill the holes tonight.  I have a few Happ pushbuttons laying around that I could use.  I feel bad drilling into the cabinet...     ... but I did fill the bolt holes in the side panels that support the monitor so we're even.   

[mvsfan]

I am going to put three admin buttons underneath the CP in a Nintendo cabinet very similar to what BUCKETHEAD has done HERE.  I am planning to recess the buttons so the tops of the buttons will be flush with plywood.  What size (and type) pushbuttons would you use here?  Standard Happ ones or something smaller? 

These buttons will never be seen and will only be located and pressed by touch so I'm thinking about using larger (standard) buttons but I also want to be as elegant/subtle as possible so something smaller might do the trick.  There are only going to be 3 buttons - one on the far left (exit) and two on the far right (coin and pause which will be vol up and vol down when shifted via the player 2 start button) so no matter the size it should be pretty easy to determine which button you are pressing.  What would you do?

well, Ive got my admin buttons on top of the cabinet, actually the wiring for them is all behind the marquee glass. the reason for this is because everyone who comes over, their kids want to play the thing as soon as they see it, and  they always seem to find an admin button or two, and the second thing is that putting them on the back, or behind a door like my disk drives are, is way to inconvienent.

so my power and system reset, and game reset, and in game menu buttons are all on top of the marquee where only i can reach them.

as far as button size, i just used regular old happ arcade pushbuttons. their nice and big and easy to find when you cant see them.

i hope you like this suggestion.

[TOK]

I use the smallest sized momentary buttons I can find for admin and hidden coin-up buttons. I counter-sunk stuff like this on the side or under panels. For a hidden coin up I actually put them in the coin return.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062508

They are maybe 1/3 the size or smaller than a standard arcade button. If you have a Sears hardware near you, they have a lot of this kind of stuff too. You can even mix the buttons so you know the function by feel.

[javeryh]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I ended up using regular Happ buttons.  I recessed them using my 1-3/8" forstner bit and it came out OK.  Getting the drill lined up was tricky but no one will ever see it. Check out the results.  The pic on the left is from a weird angle (it was late) and the pic on the right shows one hole recessed but not punched through.  I did end up using some leftover blue paint to color the exposed plywood.  It's not the prettiest job but it will work.

[Franco B]

Just the job