Bottom Mounting Happ Joystick..to route or not to route?

[secretagentwd40]

Hey everybody, I'm working on a small 1player Dreamcast stick and had a question about routering(is that a word??) the space for the stick.  I've finished my cabinet other than a few small details and bottom mounted the Happ Supers and also routed out enough space so that the top part of the base was flush with the bottom of the CP.

So Im using an IL competition stick for this small dreamcast panel, and was wondering should I even route out any space from the bottom, or will it be at a standard length just without routing it?  I am using 3/4" MDF by the way. 

I've been looking and have found where Sanwa sticks are best mounted roughly 1/4" under the top of the panel, but haven't found any recommended numbers like this for any of the Happ sticks. 

Thanks for any help guys

[miles2912]

I routed just enough material out so the base would fit flush.  It is just a matter of personal preference.   Just see where the stick feels good and go from there.   Here is a pic showing what I did.

BTW - that is a pic of the TOP of my CP.  I bottom mounted my Happ Perfect 360's because the shaft length was fine. 

[secretagentwd40]

I ended up making a test panel with a piece of scrap wood, i started with a unrouted bottom mount, and tested many different depths til i settled on routing 3/8" from the bottom of the 3/4" MDF, which made the top of the base of the stick 3/8" from the top of the panel.

[eaconner]

I bought 2 Ultimarc Mag-Stik Plus and did not route. I decided to make my CP out of 1/2" plywood, I counter sank the mounting bolts. I am very happy with the results.

[BamBam]

I have two teenage boys that are tough on everything, so I went with a flush mount on 3/4" MDF with extended shafts.