First project - first post

[crunky]

Long time lurker, finally something I can post about...

Been working on my first project for a couple of weeks, and been increasingly coming back here to look for ideas, so I thought it was about time I posted something.  I'm currently building a two player control panel after stumbling across some plans on the web and eventually ending up here, seeing the amazing things that some people have put together, and thinking "I'd love to try that" - never mind that I have absolutely no previous woodworking skills!  

Eventually going to be:
 
2 joysticks each - basically so  that so my friend and I can relive our Uni days and play Total Carnage properly.
8 buttons each - which I now think is a bit excessive - but I jumped in with both feet and I think the example I was working from had 8 buttons.  Are there actually any games out there that use 8 buttons?
Spinner
Trackball  + 2 buttons

My main thoughts at the moment are that I've created a monster - it's big!  But I got the first set of controls up and running the other day and wow  - I'm hooked!

[Acids]

Humm, looks like your buttons might be a little to far apart and a little close to that J-stick??

IMHO, toooooooooo  many colours.

Clean and simple is the way to go.



But GREAT Start none the less.

[Ghoward]

If I were you I would remake the top and just go with 6 buttons.

Also DO NOT connect up your controls until the panel is finished or you will never finish your project!

Gary

[Teknique]

Double check the play-ability of the panel when it is at height.  It appears from the pic that players might be reaching for the *inner* joysticks a bit to far into the CP to feel comfortable- especially for marathon sessions of TC!

[crunky]

Thanks for all the feedback guys.  Will have to play a bit more (oh the hardship!) to get a feel for the best button and joystick placement.  Felt OK for the brief play I've had so far but haven't had a chance for an extended session yet.

As for wiring some of the controls up before it's finished - I know what you mean!  However, the rest are still being shipped as I'd never done anything like this before I wanted to prove to myself that I could get something working before I ordered too much.  Going to be difficult forcing myself to take it apart when everything else does turn up though....