My new control panel

[ZippySLC]

Opinions, suggestions, etc.

http://www.njpinebarrens.com/~bruset/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=album26

I am going to finish it with black contact paper most likely.

The hinges on the front make it really easy to get inside the panel to make any changes, as well as mount a keyboard inside.

I'm not the best woodworker, so it's not the best looking design out there, but it's got a decent amount of controls in a pretty comfortable layout. The only drawback is that the sticks are so far off center.

[AlanS17]

That's really nice they way you layed it out on paper first. I only have a couple minor suggestions. You have an Enter button, but no Exit button? I woulds replace Volume with Exit or something along those lines.

Second, I would move the joysticks and buttons on either side up about a half inch or an inch to put some extra space around the bottom edge of the control panel. It would be centered vertically anymore, but you're gonna wish you had that extra space when your wrists are dangling out over the edge.

Looks good, though. Nice and clean.

[ZippySLC]

I probably will change those buttons. I just grabbed them off someone elses's Visio template. I don't need volume control since my speakers have a remote volume control which will probably sit inside the control panel or on top of the cabinet.

I already cut the panel, but I can make a new top piece if this one turns out to be too uncomfortable.

I found out how useful a jigsaw is to have around, though.

[rampy]

Looking good man! I'm a fan of the "T" out design, good job!

Sorry to hear that there's more burn in in your monitor than you expected...

keep us posted of your progress...

Rampy

PS are those e-sticks?  I noticed your top mounted them or am I confused?

[ZippySLC]

Those are Happ Universal Joysticks.

I wasn't too keen on them when I first saw them, but having mounted them, I have grown to like them. I think they will blend in really well once my black vinyl is installed.

[F|end]

Sugestion: A spinner!  

[ZippySLC]

I thought about a spinner, but there are really no spinner games I want to play.

[RedSquirrel]

yeah i would say move the buttons up a bit, cos you don't seem to have a lot of room there to rest your palm..

I originally was gonna have a ENTER, EXIT, PAUSE butons. I then found out ENTER can be used on many Front ends with P1 button. But i went and drilled the holes and remembered afterwards. Opps.

Still, I will probably change the Enter button to something else, maybe tilde (for the volume etc).

[TheTick]

Those are Happ Universal Joysticks.

I wasn't too keen on them when I first saw them, but having mounted them, I have grown to like them. I think they will blend in really well once my black vinyl is installed.

I had those on my first two control panels (reused on the 2nd). They feel kind stiff and don't have alot of movement. For my new panel I ordered supers... completely different feel. I would never use the easy mount universals again. I feel sorry for the guy who bought my old panel (he's happy with them... only cause he doesn't know any better).

Slick design tough. Or you going to install some type of molding along the top of the "T" to prevent people from getting snagged on it?

[ZippySLC]

Those are Happ Universal Joysticks.

I wasn't too keen on them when I first saw them, but having mounted them, I have grown to like them. I think they will blend in really well once my black vinyl is installed.

I had those on my first two control panels (reused on the 2nd). They feel kind stiff and don't have alot of movement. For my new panel I ordered supers... completely different feel. I would never use the easy mount universals again. I feel sorry for the guy who bought my old panel (he's happy with them... only cause he doesn't know any better).

Slick design tough. Or you going to install some type of molding along the top of the "T" to prevent people from getting snagged on it?

Honestly, that 90deg bend isn't that bad. You don't get snagged as much with the vinyl covering. My friend and I played through all of the 194x games the other day and were very comfortable with it.

The sticks are okay, I like the throw, although they do feel a bit "mechanical.' What I really need is an analog joystick or something.