3x3x3 ft table

[vertygo]

I have a 3x3x3 ft table my wife said I can do 'whatever' with. Thought maybe an interesting cocktail table.

Just wondering what the opinions are on mounting the controls on the top vs builing out and perhaps lower onto a cp.

controls on top
pros:
closer to screen
more comfy
cons:
spillage might occur
not as good looking ?
depth of mounting might require some routing/carving out

controls on cp
pros:
spillage not as much a factor
could thange them over time by just replacing the cp
cons:
further from screen (probably 2 ft or more?)
getting them to look good and not like sore addons

Any thoughts welcome.

[pacmandude]

Controls on top, Con: At the angle you are viewing the monitor, the joystick (and your hand) would probably block some of the view. It could be fixed by giving more space between the monitor and controls, but then you would have a more difficult time seeing everything.

I don't know what the table looks like, but could you build the controls the same distance, but lower? For example, could you make a control panel hanging down from the underside of the tabletop at the edge?

If you can't mount them in a way that you are completely satisfied, then I would say don't bother. The time and effort wouldn't be worth the result.

[vertygo]

I'm sure I can find a way, I just have to give it a good think.

Definitely leaning towards attaching the controls onto to the outside edge, rather than on top. One beer, one coke, draining into my illuminated trackball.. and I'd probably cry.

[pacmandude]

My cocktail table is going to have a no food/drink zone radius of 50 feet! 

[vertygo]

that might work.. 

[ChadTower]

What's the point of a cocktail cab that you can't put food on?  That's the whole point of the design.

[pacmandude]

What's the point of a cocktail cab that you can't put food on?  That's the whole point of the design.

I know, but I am very uptight. I'll get over it. 

If you decide to go ahead with the project I would like to see it.