Adding controller positions on CPO

[DrewKaree]

I was originally going to have my CPO printed with the buttons marked on the printing (I skipped joystick hole markings for some reason I long ago forgot).  Has anyone done this, or would it be better (as I suspect it will be) to just print up my CPO, put it on the CP, and then print at home my button layout template, awl-punch the centers, and then drill the hole right through the CPO?

I'm using a forstner bit to drill the holes, so I'm FAIRLY confident that it won't tear the CPO, but there's always that chance in a million (one in ten, usually in my case   ) so does anyone have an idea on how to put something over the CPO to lessen the chance of tearout as well.

Thanks for answers to all these questions.

[walls83]

maybe Im not understaning but couldnt you just use and exacto knife and cut the holes for the Joysticks after the CP is printed and layed down on the wood or metal?

[DougHillman]

Walls' suggestion is the way I go about it.  

I design the CPO in Adobe Illustrator.  Start with a template layer that shows the mounting sizes for all the controls.  I print this layer and use it to cut out the CP.  The CPO is designed over the top of the template so that everything will line up exactly.  I then mount the CPO, flip the panel over and cut out the holes from the back side.

[DrewKaree]

maybe Im not understaning but couldnt you just use and exacto knife and cut the holes for the Joysticks after the CP is printed and layed down on the wood or metal?

Nope, you understood it perfectly, it just never occurred to me to do it that way!  That actually will work out perfectly, since I can mark on the CP to lay it out and check it and then the CPO will cover all my markings up.

Sometimes things could hit you right in the head and you wouldn't see 'em, hey?

Thanks guys.  I've got the templates, now I just need to finish the CPO and start cuttin'