Finished control panel pics (minus one)

[RTSDaddy2]

NOTE: I forgot to add the link to the pictures in this post, so came back and did so tonight to make it easier to find than further down the thread...my apologies ahead of time if this is unusual.  I also wanted to add - the close ups of the panel (for what they're worth) are UP! Check it all out here:

http://hometown.aol.com/rtsdaddy2/myhomepage/profile.html

Hey guys!

Got this finished on the fourth of July!

[dogg0]

ummm, i might be missing something 

[RTSDaddy2]

The "minus one" is in lieu of not having a look at just the panel itself....my sister's in front of it so it's hard to tell what it looks like.

Other than that, I'm not sure what you're missing

[mllkat]

It looks good...at least in my mind's eye....must be stealth pics.

[dmsuchy]

What pics???

[RTSDaddy2]

Good night - what a FOOL I am!

[RTSDaddy2]

I keep looking at the trackball mounting plate, and I cannot decide if I really have it off all that much from straight, or if it's just an optical illusion of sorts.  When I look at the pic, it really looks crooked though! Yet, when I look at the top of it in regards to the TV it looks straight.

Oh well...it works...and it's ours...all ours, flaws (and there are several) and all...and I love it!

[D5A1AC]

Looks good! That trackball plate does look a bit off in the photos relative to the left edge of the control panel, but it is parallel to the bottom. Do the left and right sides of your cp have a slightly acute angle to the front? That would seem like the most likely cause of them looking a bit odd in the photos.

[RTSDaddy2]

D5A1AC,

I think you might be right - I was too sleepy to respond last night when I saw your message, but...

the angles of the edges of the CP are acute...and when I looked at them last night (focused on them) you wouldn't believe the wierd optical I got!  That may be the culprit, though, because I see the bottom of the panel and bottom of the plate are parallel...either that or the plate was cut just a little crooked (which might also be slightly true, I don't know).

At any rate, thanks for your compiment!

[giza]

I like your cabinet.  Have you decided on your artwork yet?  I just built one myself and I have to say having your own arcade machine is just too amazing.

The trackball does look like it is off centered a little.  I would get a T-square and check it to make sure it is set right before you do a CP overlay if you have that in mind.

[RTSDaddy2]

Giza, thanks for the compliment.  We're not planning to do an overlay at this time, but I'll definitely check that if we change our minds.

Once again, I second you.  Was playing Tempest last night with my Tornado spinner....just too cool!  My wife even added that she never really enjoyed playing video games with me until we got the control panel done.  I told her that there is just no substitute for a trackball when you're  chasing centipedes, or a spinner when you're fighting off the evils in Tempest.

As for our artwork, one of my 6th graders, who is an incredible artist, designed our side art.  On the left side we are placing a unicorn, on the right, a Chinese dragon.  My wife is going to transfer the art.

What do you all think about the artwork extending from the top of the cabinet to the bottom? Too much?