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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: cmoses on May 11, 2009, 09:25:00 am

Title: Adding Pinball Buttons To Control Panel - Layout?
Post by: cmoses on May 11, 2009, 09:25:00 am

I want to add some side pinball buttons to my control panel box and was wondering if there was a standard layout or spacing that everyone uses?

I have a MKII cabinet that was converted to a NFL Blitz 99.  So I have the big 4 player control panel, but I have redone the top so it is now just a 2 player control panel.  I would like to add 2 buttons on each side for playing pinball games.  One for flippers and one for nudging - or for using the magnets in Black Knight. 

Ideally it would be great to have a template of some measurements as to how far down on the control and how far apart.

Thanks

Title: Re: Adding Pinball Buttons To Control Panel - Layout?
Post by: Triangel7D on May 12, 2009, 04:34:45 pm

I've been wondering the very same thing myself for the cab mod I'm doing. After spending time at a nearby arcade with a couple pinball machines and looking at my X-Arcade dual joystick, the only conclusion I've come to is that pinball buttons should go wherever it feels comfortable for your index and middle figer when you grip the sides/corners of your cab/CP.  I did measure the pinball buttons distance from the top and side, but I soon realized that those measurements would do me no good, since my CP/cabinet do not have "box corners" like a pinball machine does.

Title: Re: Adding Pinball Buttons To Control Panel - Layout?
Post by: Spacejack on May 12, 2009, 08:01:21 pm

Well, I can tell you what I did... as far as setting the flipper buttons go, I just sort of put 'em where they worked which doesn't tell you much.  But there's no standard for nudge buttons so your comfort is the whole story.  What I did was set up the flipper buttons and then find the points where the balls of my hands touched the cab when using the flips; mounted a convex but mostly flat squishy contact button there and now I can slam the side of my cab for a nudge.  Pretty far from analog nudge controls, but it feels like nudging.

Title: Re: Adding Pinball Buttons To Control Panel - Layout?
Post by: Dazz on May 12, 2009, 11:52:16 pm

Here is how I have my pinball buttons on my control panel.

(http://dazz.genmaygamers.com/images/cabinet1.jpg)

I have 1 flipper and 1 nudge button on each side, 1 center nudge/bump and a plunger.   I am actually in the planning stages and building a Digital Pinball Cabinet and will be moving my pinball stuff to that cabinet eventually. 

I just ordered my first part for my digital pinball cabinet this evening... Things are finally starting to fall into place. :D