First Build - Poorly Planned Widescreen Bartop

[LimitedReality]

About a month ago I decided I wanted to build a dedicated arcade/console machine.  I decided on doing a bar top after the fiance veto'd a full cab or converting an old console record player.  I scoured the forums for examples I liked and tried mocking it up in card board with little success.  Last week I decided to just draw it out on a piece of paper for a stencil and just go.  We'll see if it works out since no real measurements were taken into consideration. 

So far:

Profile:


Monitor Mounted:


Printed out and drilled the standard street fighter button layout



I didn't think about the fact I'd need to route out the control panel or the fact I didn't have a router so I routed out the top with my dremel tool to mount the 8 way joystick.

Why such far apart spacing?  I can't see myself cozying up that close with someone playing in front of this.  I'm going to put two usb ports in the front for controllers for 2 player console games.  I originally wanted to have two joys and 6 buttons.  Both joys for player 1 but one in the center as a dedicated 4 way.  However now that the joystick and buttons are in place I think it wouldn't look good with another full size joystick. 

QUESTION 1:  What would you do with the space in the center?

A.  Smaller 4-way ball top joystick
B.  Add a roller ball (In the last picture above you can see I have a trackball mouse I could tear apart)
C.  Use the space for graphic real estate
D.  I'm open to suggestions

QUESTION 2:  Would you add nudge buttons next to the flippers for pinball?  I just discovered future pinball thanks to this site and it's fun, but I've never really played pinball to know if it's worth having extra dedicated buttons.  I really am trying to keep this as clean looking as I can using only two admin buttons on the front panel (not yet in place) but if nudge/bump is that important to playing than maybe its worth it?

Any insight/comments (positive and negative) you could give me would be appreciated!

[HaRuMaN]

To question 1:  Option 2, put some graphics on there.

[Kman-Sweden]

I'd go for the nudge buttons.

[Sledgehammer]

Option D:  scrap that CP and get a fresh piece of wood and a router ($40 at Harbor Freight or even try Craigslist). Move your 6 buttons to the left and put your trackball on the right. Get a slot cutting bit for your new router and cut a t moulding groove on the CP and sides of the cab before you go to far and can't do it.

Also buy a cheap countersink bit and back out your screws so you can sink them and cover em up later.

I made the same mistakes on my first project and all I would ever do was stare at the imperfections and think of what I should have done different had a read more of the posts on this forum.

For about $60 you can have the router and bits to make this an awesome little cab.

It will cost you way more than $60 if you finish this one up and then decide you don't like the workmanship and have to build a whole new one!

All the guys on this site are very helpful so if you are unsure about something just ask.

Good luck!

[LimitedReality]

Thanks everyone so far.  The more I think about it, I sincerely doubt I'm going to use my mouse trackball for games.  It won't spin like a real trackball and even if it did I'd be slamming my hand into the screen since it's not a full size cab.  I'll probably go with just putting some graphics there.  I'm still contemplating the smaller dedicated ball top 4 way.  

Sledge, I plan to back the screws out and counter sink them.  I'm basically mocking up as I go so I had to hold the monitor with one hand and screw with the other (my measuring skills are lacking at best).  Once everything is in place and lined up I'll go back and counter sink the screws, probably glue the screwed connections as well, fill etc.  

Question:
Is T molding really worth buying a router, bit, t molding, versus just filling, sanding and painting the mdf edges?  If so, why?

I think I am going to do the nudge buttons.  I'm thinking some rectangular ones would look nice and not get confused with the flippers.  Maybe these http://www.happcontrols.com/pushbuttons/54b0004510p9.htm (wish happ didn't have a minimum order though).  I could relabel them to say "Nudge" or something and I don't think I'd power them since the flipper buttons aren't going to be illuminated.  Any one know of similar buttons or have a better idea?

[IG-88]

Why not mount the j-stick below (little late now I know) and just have a hole with the stick shaft coming up through?

I also say go for the t-molding. No matter how much sanding and filling you do you won't like it. I know, I've done both.

[Sledgehammer]

+1 on undermounting the joystick and just having the hole on top of the CP.

Also, regarding the T-Moulding....you gotta do it, it just makes the cab look so much more finished.

I was amazed at peoples reactions to the T-Moulding on my 2nd and 3rd cabs...it made the difference between "did you build this yourself?" to "I can't believe you built this yourself!!!"

J

[IG-88]

Dont be discouraged if you cant afford the tools right now tho!! If this is the only way you can build one then do it! You got a really good start. Use it as a learning experience and give it to a little nephew or other youngster you know. I cannot believe how my 4 yr old loves his machine and it's no work of art either. But he don't care about that he just loves the games! 

[brock.sampson]

You can always rent tools as well as a lower cost option.  Don't be afraid to ask neighbors and family members to loan you tools.  Most are happy to help.  As for the nudge buttons and the minimum order check out Divemaster in the buy/sell/trade section he carries most of the Happ line and doesn't have a minimum order.  I have bought a lot of stuff from him and never had any problems.