The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls

Main => Woodworking => Topic started by: vertygo on January 11, 2008, 04:02:39 am

Title: 3x3x3 ft table
Post by: vertygo on January 11, 2008, 04:02:39 am
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.
Title: Re: 3x3x3 ft table
Post by: pacmandude on January 11, 2008, 10:00:41 am
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.
Title: Re: 3x3x3 ft table
Post by: vertygo on January 11, 2008, 01:02:51 pm
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.
Title: Re: 3x3x3 ft table
Post by: pacmandude on January 11, 2008, 05:30:51 pm
My cocktail table is going to have a no food/drink zone radius of 50 feet!  :soapbox:
Title: Re: 3x3x3 ft table
Post by: vertygo on January 11, 2008, 06:14:06 pm
that might work..  :dunno
Title: Re: 3x3x3 ft table
Post by: ChadTower on January 16, 2008, 11:00:59 am

What's the point of a cocktail cab that you can't put food on?  That's the whole point of the design.
Title: Re: 3x3x3 ft table
Post by: pacmandude on January 18, 2008, 01:41:50 pm

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.  ;D

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