Mounting hole sizes?

[BrianP]

So, I am in the midst of building my first cabinet and I am struggling a bit on the control panel layout.  After 3 failed layout attempts (thank gawd I have been testing in cardboard rather than wood), I thought I would ask for some advic e.  I got most of my gear from Andy at Ultimarc who as been a great help!

What I am trying to figure out is mounting holes.

I have a U-Trak trackball from Ultimarc which should use a 86mm (3 3/8 inch) diameter hole.
I have 2 U360 joysticks from Ultimarc which should use a 20 mm diameter hole.
I have a SpinTrak spinner from Ultimarc which should use a 28 mm diameter hole.

What I struggling a bit is the push buttons.  I have Happ buttons (from Groovy Game Gear).  Happ lists as a 1.13 diameter hole, which should be a 28 mm diameter hole.

Does this all seem reasonable and correct?  I need to buy some hole saws and I don't want to buy the wrong sizes.

Thanks!

- Brian

[BrianP]

Crap, I posted this in the from forum.  Can a moderator close this as I am going to repost in the correct one?

Sorry...

- Brian

[Epyx]

All this is listed in the Wiki. However, Happs pushbuttons are generally mounted with 1 1/8" holes, which means they should work fine with a 28mm.

[Lecithin]

Happs pushbuttons are generally mounted with 1 1/8" holes, which means they should work fine with a 28mm.

1-1/8" or 28mm, the two are very close and I don't see you having any problems with 28mm.

[HanoiBoi]

All this is listed in the Wiki. However, Happs pushbuttons are generally mounted with 1 1/8" holes, which means they should work fine with a 28mm.

I'm looking for, but can't seem to find, a list of mounting sizes of popular buttons, spinners, trackballs, etc.  I imagine that this is what can be found 'in the Wiki'.  Any chance of providing a link?  I've searched Wikipedia and BYOAC wiki, to no avail.  Sizes between buttons, trackballs, etc. would also be helpful.

I want to create a 2 player CP (my first ever) with 1joy/6button per player, a trackball, spinner (up/down) and a flight-type stick w/trigger.  I'm hoping to fit this into a 24"w CP (slightly greater if needed).  I've got a Space Duel cabinet and really don't want to create a huge CP.

I've got many more questions, lol, but these sizes will really come in handy right about now..

Thanks in advance!

PS If I knew the 'correct forum', as BrianP mentioned, I'd go looking there....

[BrianP]

PS If I knew the 'correct forum', as BrianP mentioned, I'd go looking there....

The 'correct' forum (In my mind) was the 'Main' forum, not the FAQ forum.  I re-posted here:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=96111.msg1012059#msg1012059

[HanoiBoi]

Thanks for the quick response Brian.  I saw your cardboard drawing - looks decent.  Any chance you are aware of a link/thread/program, etc. that shows similar drawings but with actual dimensions?  (Your drawing might have them, but I can't see them).   I'm not looking to copy, I'm just trying to get at least a rough idea as to what I can fit in a 24" wide area, or how much bigger I might want to go.

For the main controls across the front lower, I'm essentially looking to fit (from left to right);

Joystick, P1Button1, P1Button2, P1Button3, P1Button4, TRACKBALL, Joystick, P2Button1,P2Button2, P2Button3, P2Button4.

Of course a little elbow room would be cool, but not so much that Robotron, Crazy Climber, et al is hard to play.

Thanks again.

PS As you can tell, I have not yet purchased the controls, as I find this to be a bit of a catch 22.

[BrianP]

Thanks for the quick response Brian.  I saw your cardboard drawing - looks decent.  Any chance you are aware of a link/thread/program, etc. that shows similar drawings but with actual dimensions?  (Your drawing might have them, but I can't see them).   I'm not looking to copy, I'm just trying to get at least a rough idea as to what I can fit in a 24" wide area, or how much bigger I might want to go.

I based all of my measurements on Saint's book Project Arcade: Build Your Own Arcade Machine.  He has plans and measurements for my panel in there.  However, the book is a bit dated at this point and my measurements had to change based on the changes in the hardware (ie the U-Track trackball I used is MUCH larger then the one in Saint's book.

This picture on my website shows a close-up of part of the panel which shows measurements
http://peschel.homeip.net/pics/arcade%20machine/large/day102/img_4539.html
or http://peschel.homeip.net/pics/arcade%20machine/index.html for the whole project.

The wiki has some links to software http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Technical_design_software but some of them aren't working any more.  The wiki does have think link to the forums http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=68794.0 which includes plans.

PS As you can tell, I have not yet purchased the controls, as I find this to be a bit of a catch 22.

I totally agree.  As I said above, I had planned to do everything based on Saint's plans.  I am really glad I decided to purchase the hardware before I drilled!  Nothing would have worked.

When I was deciding, I basically limited myself to 3 companies, Happ, GroovyGameGear, and Ultimarc.  In the end, I went with Ulitmarc because of reviews here on the site, and Andy's help, both on the site and in email.  I also got some parts from http://arcadeemulator.net/ (which sells Happ and Ultimarc gear).  This is run by     divemaster127 who also sells parts through this board.

Once I had the company, I selected my parts and ordered.  Once in hand, I did the layout.  It took 2 days and three attempts to get what I wanted.

I have learned patience is deffinately something you need.  Especially if (like me) you aren't good at finish carpentry and want to rush everything to completion.

Good luck....

- Brian